Slovenia holidays

If ever there was a country that sung to one’s soul, it’s Slovenia. Holidays here are always best enjoyed outdoors with flower-filled meadows and alpine pastures the perfect places to stop for a picnic midway through a hike in the Julian Alps.

The people here are so friendly and you’re never far from a welcoming glass of rakia (fruit brandy) on the approach to a flagstone farmhouse kitchen. Stay awhile and you’ll learn more about the culture as well as the cuisine – Italian, Hungarian, Croatian and Austrian influences appear in both.

Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj also boast no end of accommodation options whereas the leafy capital, Ljubljana, promises a wealth of ecclesiastical architecture alongside expansive green parks and alfresco pavement cafés.

From all-inclusive stays on the Adriatic to rustic farmhouses serving hearty bowls of Idrijski žlikrofi (dumplings), if you’re looking for a taste of the good life – holidays in Slovenia never fail to live up to all expectations.

Although Slovenia only occupies the northwest pocket of the Istrian Peninsula, the seaside city of Koper more than makes up for the lack of coastal communities. Thanks to the setting, just 20kms south of Trieste, in Italy, this is the perfect port from where to experience Slovenia as part of an Adriatic cruise. Highlights include the medieval Old Town which extends from the Venetian-Gothic-inspired central square (Titov Trg) that features the Praetorian Palace and the Da Ponte Fountain.

If you’re looking forward to escaping while on holiday in Slovenia, head to Triglav National Park in the northwest of the country and you won’t be disappointed. Set within the magnificent Julian Alps this is where traditional mountain towns, like Kranjska Gora, offer all-inclusive accommodation as well as access to extensive walking trails and the beautiful shores of Lake Bled. Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest glacial lake, is another of the region’s natural highlights and always best enjoyed before tucking into a traditional lunch at an alpine village, like Stara Fuzina.

This is one of Europe’s most pleasant capital cities with no end of green spaces and outdoor places to congregate along the banks of the Ljubljanica River. Aside from the convivial and welcoming ambience, Ljubljana also boasts a multitude of medieval heritage and is well worth exploring as part of a guided walking tour. Alternatively, just follow your nose to the kranjska klobasa (sausage) sellers in the Central Market or head up to Ljubljana Castle for great views from the top of Castle Hill.