Slovenia Holiday
From the steep slopes of the soaring Alps in the north to the sun drenched Adriatic shores of the south, Slovenia is a country steeped in stunning scenery with crystal clear cobalt lakes and tumbling waterfalls that take you back in time.
Gently cocooned between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia's natural unspoilt scenery and cultural sites offer a wealth of variety for a holiday, where a secret world of underground grottoes and historical treasures of ancient cities await exploration. Winding streets hide museums, inviting cafes and friendly shops and if you're lucky, colourful carnivals where you can see the traditional costumes and traditions of the Austrian heritage. Clean mountain air spills down from the peaks of the Julian Alps and floats through emerald forests flowered with foliage, travelling on to a world of olive groves and vineyards. For an undisturbed destination with it all - mountains, lakes, sea, ski resorts, cities and culture - discover Slovenia, the green heart of Europe.
"Slovenia is an enchanting land of pretty Adriatic resorts and snowcapped Alpine mountains, frosted with fairytale castles and magical caves."
Slovenia Holiday - Beaches
Slovenia has 46 kilometres of picturesque coastline positioned between Italy and Croatia and is a tranquil coast of colourful Italian-style fishing villages, olive orchards and turquoise waters. An idyllic area to go and soak up the Mediterranean sunshine, you can travel with ease between the four main coastal resorts by car or by the coastal paths connecting Piran with Portoroz and Isola with Koper, that offer breathtaking views out to the blue of the bays. Pretty Piran has a maze of medieval streets and a thriving artistic community, Isola and Koper bustle with sea view restaurants and Portoroz by far has the best stretch of soft sandy beach.
Shopping
Slovenes are warm and welcoming and it is a joy to while away a leisurely afternoon chatting with the local shopkeepers. Ljubljana is the place to shop till you drop, with smart pedestrian plazas, designer boutiques, antique finds and pavement cafes where you can sit and breathe in the city buzz. More traditional produce is widely available across Slovenia and they are particularly proud of their honey, olive oil and wine, which make wonderful gifts. Every second Saturday, Ljubljana hosts a fascinating Flea Market, which is lovely to wander around and bargain for jewellery, paintings, glassware and bric-a-brac.
Nightlife
Slovenes have music in their souls and there are abundant atmospheric jazz haunts as well as traditional folk evenings. Those who want to socialise with the stylish set should head for the larger towns and cities that harbour lively clubs, casinos and animated bars - from the traditional wooden type to a trendy sophisticated selection. Elsewhere, the nightlife is relaxingly low-key and balmy nights can be spent sipping cool drinks, just breathing in the serenity of the spectacular setting.
Local SpecialitiesThe aromas of freshly baked breads and Austrian style cakes drift through the towns of Slovenia where each region has its own mouth watering varieties passed down from generation to generation, the most famous being potica, a creamy swiss roll filled with walnuts. Delicious fish and seafood dishes infused with the flavours of local truffles melt in your mouth and traditional Slovenian cuisine reflects the rich cultural inheritance with Austrian klobasa, or salami, Hungarian gulasch and hearty Alpine soups. Locally produced drinks include excellent beer, Slivovica, a fruity plum brandy and there are three Slovenian wine growing regions that produce superb bottles such as Renski, Risling and Traminec.