Slovenia, one of the smallest countries in Europe, is home to many treasures: more than eleven thousand caves, virgin forests, a well-preserved coastline; as well as snow-capped peaks, thermal springs and hills among which are the wine and olive oil routes... Independent since the early 1990s, Slovenia has been able to open up to tourism without damaging its idyllic landscapes thanks to its environmental protection policies
Notice to lovers of the great outdoors
The 2,864-meter-high Triglav Mountain remains the symbol of the country, and is located - as on the flag - in the northwest corner. This peak, the highest in the country, is in one of the oldest national parks in Europe. On 90,000 hectares, glacial lakes, gorges and valleys provide a backdrop for the chamois, deer and sometimes bears that inhabit the area. The hiking trails here offer breathtaking views of the Julian Alps. And at its feet, two lakes have made Slovenia famous. The most famous is the Bled lake, which is crossed by small traditional boats called pletnje. You can take them to visit the island in the middle of the lake and its church. In Bled, we will taste the famous kremšnita, the local mille-feuille, and we will enjoy the thermal baths with a view of the lake, before leaving for Bohinj. The second glacial lake is about thirty kilometers away. Here, the setting is no longer that of the "postcard" but offers a breathtaking view of the peaks
Rivers, waterfalls and caves
In the vicinity of the Triglav Park, two of the main rivers that cross the country gush out. The tumultuous Soča, which flows down along the border with Italy, and the Sava, which takes the Balkan route, joining the Danube. The Soča, or "the emerald river" as it is known, is particularly popular with rafters, kayakers and canoeists. The course of the river, moreover, closely follows the front that during the First World War saw the armies of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire clash. Fortifications, ossuaries, museums and even a "path of peace" characterize these lands that saw hundreds of thousands of people die
Underground, rivers and streams have dug thousands of caves. And the territory they have infiltrated and shaped, the "Karst", has even given its name to this geomorphological phenomenon: karst erosion. Of the 11,000 caves, about twenty are open to the public. There are caves of all types. The most visited is undoubtedly that of Postojna, equipped with a small electric train since 1818. Unesco has included the underground complex of Škocjan, which stretches for more than 6 km, on the World Heritage List. Here, forget the little electric train, the visit is done on foot and the guide will even be careful to turn off the light after your passage! Finally, for those who prefer history to geography, the Predjama caves do not disappoint. This system of caves is indeed preceded by a castle, which was for a long time the home of the rebel knight Erasmus of Predjama
A coast of fishermen and violinists
Although it is not world-famous for its coastline (which is only 46 km long!), Slovenia can still boast of beautiful sandy beaches and charming towns on the seashore. Piran, with its red roofs and peninsula-like shape stretching into the Adriatic Sea, remains the most picturesque destination. And for good reason: Piran is a cultural city, where life is good. There are no statues of statesmen here, but a sculpture of a musician with a violin in his hand. It is Giuseppe Tartini, an 18th century composer. And if the salt works are no longer in operation, you can visit them, now transformed into an open-air museum. But if the sea means above all beaches and swimming for you, stop in Portorož, THE seaside resort of Slovenia. Its sandy beach is indeed a rarity in this region. Between thermal baths, casinos, water activities and musical events, there is no room for boredom. The capital of the coast is Koper which remains the most important port of the country. The incessant human activity has not disturbed the surrounding landscape. On the contrary, cycling enthusiasts can discover Slovenian Istria (and even neighboring Croatia) by taking the old "Parenzana" railroad, now transformed into a bicycle path
Cheese, wine and desserts, the specialties of Slovenia
In this country of mountains, hills and sunny coasts, the gastronomy is full of excellent and varied dishes. The Julian Alps, with the Triglav Park and the Velika Planina high plateau, are the reign of sheepfolds and pastures. Here, one will taste typical cheeses, such as Trnič or Tolmin cheese.
In the Kras region, whipped by the cold and strong wind called "buria", is produced a delicious dry-cured ham, which has the designation of origin (D.O.C.). It is salted with sea salt, just like the local sausage, kranjska klobasa. While the coastline and Slovenian Istria are inevitably linked to the sea and its products, the interior of the country offers more game and freshwater fish (trout in particular). Olive oil also leaves its place to home-made butter or pumpkin oil. Among the most traditional dishes, štruklji, made from stuffed dough boiled in water, is a must. Choose your favorite ingredients and try them as an appetizer or dessert, there are more than a hundred variations!
As for wine, Slovenia once again has several pleasant surprises in store. In the western part of the country, in the hills of Goriška Brda, which is often called the "Slovenian Tuscany", excellent quality wines are grown. Rebula, tokaj, but also sauvignon, pinot, merlot and cabernet are among the most famous vineyards. In Maribor, the country's second largest city, there is the oldest vineyard in the world, leaning against the original wall dating from 1657. Finally, before you leave the table, take a look at the dessert menu... Slovenia's rich past has left its mark on its gastronomy, and this is especially visible in the sweet dishes. From Austria comes the strudel, which is called zavitek. It is filled with apples, fresh cheese or cherries. From Hungary comes palačinke, the pancakes that have conquered all the countries of the former Yugoslavia. On the coast, the influence of Venice has left the famous tiramisu or panna cotta. But the national dessert remains the potica, a rolled cake with nuts that can be found throughout the country
Ljubljana, the green heart of Slovenia
When it comes to good food, a detour to the capital Ljubljana is a must. Here all cultural, historical and gastronomic influences are intertwined. It will not be difficult to find a place where you can taste all the specialties. The nerve center of the country remains a city on a human scale, which can be visited on foot or by bicycle (Ljubljana is among the smallest capitals in Europe!). Finally, the "City of Dragons" bears the imprint of Slovenia's greatest architect, Jože Plecnik, who designed several buildings in the capital and its famous Triple Bridge. As you walk along the Ljubljanica River, you will be captivated by the soothing atmosphere of the city. Far from being a boring city, the Slovenian capital enjoys the animation orchestrated by the 40,000 students it hosts. Several festivals are organized there, especially during the summer, its clubs are open until the early hours of the morning and its artists who have taken over and reinvented the place will show you another facet of the young Slovenia, that of a dynamic country turned towards the future.
Smart info
When to visit? Slovenia can be visited all year round. Summer is the best time to visit the wine routes or the coastline. In spring and autumn, the climate is ideal for a tour of the country. Note that even when it snows, the highways are in perfect condition.
How to get there. By plane to Ljubljana. Trieste and Venice in Italy and Zagreb in Croatia are nearby.
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