Fallon Steve - Slovenia Travel Guide

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Snow-capped peaks, turquoise-green rivers and an Adriatic coastline inspired by Venice. Throughout Slovenia, a culinary and cultural sophistication hides behind a rural, rustic charm.

Piran ()
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Slovenia offers pristine panoramas in the middle of Europe, with soaring vistas of Alpine peaks, hills and dales straight out of a 19th-century landscape painting, and sparkling lakes and rivers that appear to be underlit by emeralds. Slovenes are well attuned to natural beauty, and the inclination is nearly always to protect and preserve it. Where humankind intrudes, its often to good effect, such as at Lake Bled, where a tiny baroque chapel atop Bled Island and a dramatic cliffside castle complete a harmonious whole. You may well return from your holiday thinking Slovenia is the prettiest country youve ever seen.

Slovenian cooking borrows a little from each of its neighbours Italy, Austria, Hungary and the Balkans synthesising and reinventing dishes that emerge both familiar and unique. The Slovenian touch, as it were, might well be a local obsession for using fresh and (where possible) locally sourced ingredients. The result is a terrific foodie destination, where youll sample dishes in unusual combinations featuring items you may not be familiar with, like buckwheat groats or mashed beans. Slovenian wine, both white or red, is an unheralded strength, and regional varietals pair well with local specialities.

The people are the X factor in any visit to a foreign land, and rest assured youll find plenty of friendly people here. Wherever you go, youll get an enthusiastic, helpful, welcoming response, often in English. Numbering only around two million people, Slovenes punch well above their weight class in international sport, science, academics and even philosophy. In the days of old Yugoslavia, Slovenia was regarded as the most open of the countrys republics, and its not any different today. Slovenes are proud of their country and happy to show it off.

Slovenia is an outdoor destination. Of course, there are great museums and historic churches here too, but the locals seem to favour active holidays, and youll be invited even expected to join in. The most popular pursuits remain mountain walks and hikes, though increasingly Slovenes are discovering cycling (especially in the capital, Ljubljana). Fast rivers like the Soa cry out to be rafted and there are ample chances to try out more esoteric activities like horse riding, ballooning, caving and diving. If all this sounds a bit much, you can always decamp to the coast and sunbathe by the Adriatic.

Vri Pass (), Julian Alps
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Ljubljana

Slovenias capital city () strikes that perfect yet elusive balance between size and quality of life. Its big enough to be interesting, yet small enough to walk or better yet, bike across at a leisurely pace. The term jewel box gets tossed around all too frequently to describe attractive smaller cities, but in Ljubljanas case the words are apt. What better way to describe architect Joe Pleniks wondrously decorative pillars, obelisks and orbs that seem to top every bridge, fountain and lamp post?

Triple Bridge (), Ljubljana
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Climbing Mt Triglav

Nothing quite says Im a Slovene like climbing to the top of the countrys tallest mountain. Indeed, for Slovenes, its practically stamped in their passports once theyve made the trek. The good news for the rest of us is that Mt Triglav () is a challenging but accessible peak that just about anyone in decent shape can summit with an experienced guide. There are several popular approaches, each with its own attractions and degrees of difficulty. Whichever path you choose, the reward is the same: sheer exhilaration.

Triglav National Park ()
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Piran

Venice in Slovenia? Of course! That busy merchant empire left its mark up and down the Adriatic coast, and Slovenia was lucky to end up with the best-preserved medieval Venetian port outside Venice, well, possibly anywhere. Its true that Piran () attracts tourist numbers on a near-Venetian scale, but the beautiful setting means its never less than a constant delight. Eat fresh seafood on the harbour, then get lost wandering the narrow streets and end up for drinks and people-watching in a glorious central square.

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River Adventures

Rarely does a river beckon to be rafted as convincingly as Slovenias Soa ().

Kayakers, Soa River
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Lake Bled

Bled (), Slovenias biggest tourist draw, looks like it came off the drawing board of a gifted architect or interior designer. Start with a crystal-clear blue lake, add a tiny island over here, top it with an impossibly cute church, and then put a dramatic, cliffside castle over there. Now add some Alpine peaks to the backdrop. Voila! It really is that lovely, but Bled is more than just good looks. Theres a raucous adventure scene too, with diving, cycling and rafting, among other active pursuits. There are excellent hotels and restaurants here as well.

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Postojna Cave System

The caves at Postojna () are Slovenias biggest subterranean attraction. The entrance might look like nothing, but when you get whisked 4km underground on a train and only then start exploring, you begin to get a sense of the scale. The caverns are a seemingly endless parade of crystal fancies from frilly chandeliers and dripping spaghetti formations, to paper-thin sheets and stupendous stalagmites, all patiently laid down over the centuries by the simple drip of mineral-rich water. A theatrical experience in silent stone.