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Slovenia
Slovenia is the ex-Yugoslav Republic that is most like Western Europe. Bordering on Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, this small state is easy to explore. It has both natural beauty and historical sights, so it makes for a good destination.
It's very easy to say that one county is beautiful, what makes Slovenia different, unique in the company of other beautiful countries is it's diversity. It's the only place on our planet were you can find mountains, see, karst, lowland, ... so closely together.
The most interesting points in Slovenia:
- Triglav National Park, with Bled Bled and Bohinj
- Karst with many great caves, like Postojna caves, Skocijanske jame and spectacular places like Predjamski grad
- Slovenia's capital Ljubljana, the only larger city, with somewhat unique identity
- Slovenian coast with typical north Adriatic towns like Piran or Izola
Some of the small medival towns, like: Ptuj, Celje, Skofja Loka, Kranj, Radovljica, Novo mesto, Idrija, ...
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia. It's also the biggest city in the country and the political, cultural and commercial centre. With a population of around 300,000 it has the intimacy of a small town mixed with the cultural heritage and cosmopolitan feel of a vibrant city.
The stunning old town is nestled between a hill topped with a castle and the gently flowing Ljubljanica river. The banks of the river and many other important buildings where designed by local architect Joze Plecnik (1872-1957). When strolling through the streets of Ljubljana you can see the remains of the Roman settlement Emona, the medieval old town, the many works of Plecnik and modern buildings blended with parks and squares.
The history of the city begins some 5,000 years ago with "marsh dwellers" inhabiting the the boggy barje (marsh lands) near the city, and continues through the time of Roman Emona, followed by the medieval city under the castle. Over the last century, Ljubljana has experienced its highest rate of growth, becoming more important as the political and educational centre of Slovenia. With Slovenia becoming independent in 1991 it has become one of the smallest capitals in Europe.
As a new member state of the European Union after 1 May 2004, Slovenia starts a new and exciting phase in its storied history.
You can walk through the city in couple hour's time. If you have an entire day you can see almost all sights worth visiting. If you stay longer Ljubljana is a great starting point to see all of Slovenia. Within a two hour drive you can see the Adriatic Sea, alpine mountains, the Karst (full of magical caves), the Panonian lowland, and a Sub alpine world of enormous beauty.
Bled
A fairytale castle high on a bluff, with a crystal clear lake underneath, snow capped alps in the background: Bled has all the ingredients for becoming a major tourist spot.
Located in the Julian alps, a bus ride of about an hour takes you from Ljubljana to this mountain resort. The main sights in the area are the Bled castle which has a pricey restaurant and a mediocre museum but the best views imaginable of the lake and the island with the Chuch of Sv Marika Bozja on it. The island can be visited by gondola, or by canoe from the Park Hotel.
The Vintgar Gorge is an excellent daytrip. It's just 10 km north of town and the hike there is great.
Lake bohinj
Lake Bohinj is located in the Julian Alps not far from more touristy Bled. It is close to the border with Italy and Austria in the northwest of Slovenia.
The area is extremely beautiful. It's as good looking as the nicest places in Switzerland or Austria, but life here is a whole lot cheaper. The water of the lake is of the deepest blue.
In Winter the area offers good skiing possibilities and in summer hiking and biking are the favourite activities.
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