Slovenia

cottages in Slovenia

The Republic of Slovenia lies at the heart of Europe, where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet the Pannonian plains and the mysterious Karst, a series of more than one thousand limestone caves and potholes. To the north is Austria; to the east, Hungary; to the south, Croatia; and to the west, Italy. Covering an area of just over 20,000 km2, Slovenia has a population of 1.96 million inhabitants, who speak Slovene; many also speak Italian or Hungarian. Its currency is the Slovenian tolar (SIT).

Slovenia became an independent state on 25 June 1991 and a member of the EU on May 1, 2004. Ljubljana, our country's capital, is a small and enchanting city. For more information on Ljubljana, click here to READ MORE...

In Slovenia, you can experience amazing contrasts in the same day: a morning swim in the Adriatic, followed two hours later by skiing below Alpine peaks, then an adventurous discovery of Karst subterranean phenomena (Postojna Cave, pictured) and an invigorating bath in a thermal spring; an encounter with history in a lively mediaeval city and, not far away, a more solitary stroll through primeval forests or undulating, winegrowing hills.

Visiting Slovenia will provide you with an interesting mixture of leisure, recreation and exciting excursions. Slovenia is especially attractive to those who enjoy mountains and lakes, (pictured here is the beautiful Lake Bled) or spending time on the ski slopes. There are more than seven thousand kilometres of marked mountain trails for hiking and climbing. The highest mountain is called Triglav (pictured) - the name meaning "three-heads" - and it is 2864m high. The mountain is a true national symbol, featured on the national coat of arms and the flag. You can also try high-adrenaline sports or spend time on the Mediterranean coast.

Alternatively, you could choose to "travel back through time" in museums, castles, (here is a medieval reception in progress, at Otocec Castle) churches and galleries, then go on to enjoy yourself in the evening at one of our casinos!

Situated at a cultural crossroads, Slovenia has always been a place of high artistic achievements. These children from Bela Krajina are playing the folk instrument called the tamboura.

Arts and culture have had a special position in the history of the Slovenian nation and have compensated for the lack of its own state and political institutions in the past.

Getting Here

It is very easy to get here as the country is connected with the rest of the world by a modern highway network, railway system, international airport and seaports.

By air: (direct)

Easyjet has a daily service to Ljubljana from London Stansted.

Wizz Air flies to Ljubljana low cost from Brussels and London Luton.

With the Slovenian national airline Adria Airways, you can fly to Ljubljana from Amsterdam, Barcelona, Birmingham, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London-Gatwick, Manchester, Moscow, Munich, Paris-Charles De Gaulle, Rome-Fiumicino, Vienna, Warsaw, Zurich and many more.

By air to neighbouring airports

(very good, mainly motorway connections to Ljubljana):

Easyjet from London Luton and from Bristol, to Rijeka (Croatia), 1hr 40mins by car to Ljubljana (124km)

Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Trieste (Italy), 1 hr 15mins by car to Ljubljana (119km); it also has a service to Graz (Austria), which is a 2-hour drive to Ljubljana, or a 3-4 hr journey by rail.

Photographs courtesy of Slovenian Tourist Board.