If you’re looking for a tiny destination, easy to explore, with an intriguing culture and impressive nature, have a look at Slovenia. The pearl of Europe, on the crossroads between East and West, Slovenia has managed to blend traditional charm with the finest features of various foreign dominions. ‘Castles, wine and snow’ are not enough to describe all its marvels; they simply denote three wider categories: its architectural and historical monuments, its wine and cuisine, and the endless outdoor adventures it offers. Here are some highlights in Slovenia:

Highlights of Slovenia

Castles and towns

Not all of ancient Slovenia’s thousand castles have survided but the few you’ll see will definitely transport you to a Rapunzel-like fairy tale. The Predjama Castle, built partially inside a cave, and the Podsreda Castle, immersed in dark green, are two fantastic fable settings.

Ljubljana

Get a bird’s-eye view of the capital Ljubljana from the tower of it’s own medieval castle. The city is a true architectural jewel where Art Nouveau, Baroque and Post-modernism mix. As you walk around the narrow streets of the Austrian-style old centre and say a prayer in a Gothic church, prepare to meet the four fierce dragons guarding the Dragon Bridge. Read more about things to do in Ljubljana.

Other castles and towns to visit

Even more fable-like are Slovenia’s medieval towns, like Piran, Pruj and Koper with their enchanting little squares and narrow cobbled streets. Portoroz too has some medieval charms, although most tourists prefer it for its Adriatic beaches and luxurious casinos.

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Wines of Slovenia

You will definitely need many invigorating sips of wine if you want to see all of Slovenia’s pretty features. Cellar visits and wine tastings are part of the special itineraries across its wine regions. Spoil yourselves with a stress-releasing Wine and Water itinerary, combining winery tours and spa sessions.

First on your wine-tasting list should be the light red, almost rosé, Cviček or the much darker Metliska Crnina. The ruby-coloured Teran produced in the western Karst region is excellent accompanied by olives and traditional homemade kraški pršut (Karst prosciutto ham).

On Castle Hill in Ljubljana, you’ll find the city’s vineyards as well as the Wine Convent of St. Urban.

Slovenian food

You will immediately notice that the Slovenians are true meat-eaters. The famous long meatballs, the cevapcici and the kranjska kolbasa (a type of sausage) are everybody’s favourite. The Slovenian cuisine is a fusion of traditional dishes with  Austro-Hungarian, Mediterranean, and Balkan ones.A great way to introduce yourself to Slovenian food is to visit the Central Market in Ljubljana. During the spring/summer months, don’t miss the Odprta kuhna (Open Kitchen Market) – this food festival in Ljubljana features a wide array of Slovenian dishes and wines.

A meal often starts with a soup, like the ričet (barley porridge boiled with beans), grilled fish or meat as the main course and a very sweet dessert such as the tempting prekmurska gibanica – a layered cake with poppy seeds, apples, walnuts and cottage cheese, or the much loved nut roll called potica.

After a rich dinner, a pub will welcome you with a variety of local beers and cherry or plum liqueurs.

Nature and outdoors

Slovenians consider themselves the inventors of Alpine skiing – very popular in the entire country. Another outdoor pleasure is free climbing, both on rock and ice. According to an unwritten law, climbing Triglav, the highest peak of the magnificent Julian Alps, will earn you the title of  ‘a real Slovenian’.

A safer alternative is hitting the path. Considering that almost 60% of the country is covered with forests, you have a vast choice of hiking trails to get lost along.

Visit some of the 750 caves for a taste of ‘underground Slovenia’. Soča River will be delighted to show you her wildest torrents for some rafting; kayak and canoe for the calmer souls.

After a long day of adrenaline-charging activities and glorious gourmet experiences, spoil your senses in a steamy outdoor thermal pool; forget about the rest of the world, it’s just you and snow-covered Slovenian pines around you.

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