Slovenia Experiences

The most famous example of Slovenia's beautiful pastoral countryside, Lake Bled's picture-postcard lake with its peaceful island is one of the country's most visited attractions. The lake adjoins the town of Bled and sits in the country's northwestern corner, not far from Ljubljana, the capital city (34 miles / 55 km). Backed by lush forest and surrounded by the soaring peaks of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled's fairytale shores draw in crowds of foreign and local visitors alike, from honeymooners looking to immerse themselves in the romantic setting to adventure-seekers who come for the hiking, biking, and water-sport prospects.Rise before the break of dawn for an exciting, unique—and possibly romantic—way to welcome in the day: a majestic hot air balloon ride. You'll meet the pilot and climb into the basket of your personal hot air balloon for an epic flight over Lake Bled and the surrounding rural terrain as the sun crests the Julian Alps and Karavanks. Looking like something out of a children's storybook, you'll drift peacefully overhead while taking in the scene below: scattered picturesque villages, rolling hills, and Slovenia's oldest golf course, as well as the bluish-green Lake Bled and its namesake island and cliff-clinging castle.Following the 60-90 minute flight, you'll help your pilot deflate the balloon but not before sharing in a celebratory glass of champagne—a tradition that dates back to the early days of ballooning—and receiving the honorary title of Baroness...

With a winding river, medieval castle, and plenty of historic allure, the tiny Slovenian capital delivers on its name, “of lovely appearance.” Add to that a healthy bike culture and a city center void of cars and motorized vehicles and it makes sense why the city continues to win awards for its commitment to being green. And what better way to immerse yourself in Ljubljana's charm than on an entertaining bicycle tour—a convenient way to not only see the main sights of the pedestrian-friendly center but also a unique way to cover some ground without missing out on the local color. You'll connect with your guide on Slovenska street and hop on a city cruiser to set out and enjoy the capital from a different perspective. You'll ride along the Ljubljanica river embankments to the oval-shaped Prešeren Square, the hub of Ljubljana's Old Town, and discover the historic Town Hall amid other architectural treats. You'll cruise along lesser-visited streets in the alternative Metelkova neighborhood, pedal through the beautifully manicured 19th-century Tivoli Park, and stop to check out ancient Roman ruins along the way, including the Roman wall and ruins of Emona (a Roman city that stood on the site of present-day Ljubljana over 2000 years ago).

Though not as well known as its counterpart in Bled, Lake Bohinj's blue-green glacial waters give Bled some friendly competition for best lake in Slovenia, with all of the scenery and none of the crowds. Expect postcard-perfect vistas everywhere you turn of snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and charming villages as you explore the lake and its surrounds. There are countless trail options in the area for all ages and ability levels; choose the one that suits you best. To the south of Lake Bohinj, you can ride the cable car up to Mount Vogel for a spectacular scene over the lake, Julian Alps, and Triglav National Park. Here you can pick one of several alpine trails accessed from the ski center, some of which lead back to Lake Bohinj, though keen hikers will want to carry on up to the summit for all-encompassing views over the Julian Alps. Alternatively, there's the trek to the famous Savica waterfall to consider where you can take pleasure in seeing its rushing cascade into the crystal-clear pool below. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the lake lies the beautiful Mostnica Gorge. Set in the jaw-dropping Voje Valley and carved by the Mostnica river, you can hike alongside the river over stone and wooden footbridges as you pass strange rock formations and glassy pools on your way to its namesake waterfall. After an active day, you might like to soothe tired muscles and wash off the trail dust with a refreshing swim, but not before paying a visit to the statue of the...

As both the capital and largest city in Slovenia, Ljubljana overflows with top chefs and high caliber restaurants as well as a bustling market that offers locally sourced, fresh ingredients. And while it wasn't up until a few years ago that the world viewed Slovenian fare as "peasant food" (it's a small nation of rural farmers after all), today the country boasts a thriving food scene perfectly marrying organic ingredients with upscale heritage foods. There are 24 gastronomic regions to pull from as high mountains, fertile lowlands, and the Mediterranean intersect, not to mention inspiration gained from neighboring countries like Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia.You'll indulge the senses as you spend four hours in the late afternoon eating and drinking your way through Ljubljana's curving cobblestone streets, visiting a selection of eateries, from traditional inns and street food stalls to bistros and contemporary restaurants. Together with your appetite, you'll meet your guide around 4 pm and set out to sample authentic Slovenian cuisine from a variety of regions across the country, all the while immersing yourself in the city's rich history. You'll get to try air-cured hams and Žlikrofi (a ravioli-type pasta), squid and anchovies, as well as sip on wines notable to the country, like the full-bodied fruity and floral Zelen white or the world's healthiest red, Teran. Meanwhile, you'll take in a number of historic locales in the town center, some highlights of which...

A world-class ski center nestled in the Julian Alps on the border with Austria and Italy, Kranjska Gora is among Slovenia's largest and best-equipped ski resorts. Though looking beyond its slopes there are plenty of alternative winter-related activities to try, including fun and exhilarating dog sledding. Not far from the hills of Kranjska Gora, you'll spend a few hours meeting your team of enthusiastic huskies and learning to mush until it's time to be whisked away. You'll drive your personal sled and team of dogs through the breathtaking scenery of snow-capped mountains and woods blanketed in the white stuff. And while dog sledding isn't a traditional pastime of Slovenes, it does make for a beautifully exciting and unique way to experience the countryside.

Turn your attention away from Ljubljana and to Slovenia's rugged and beautiful Karst region in the southwest of the country. A limestone plateau that extends from the Gulf of Trieste to the Vipava Valley sees rivers and lakes disappear only to resurface in the porous limestone, typically resulting in underground caverns like those found at Postojna. Formed by the Pivka River, Postojna Cave is the largest show cave in Europe and is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful caves in the world. The heart-stopping series of caverns, halls, and passages offers much to explore. You can choose to ride the miniature electric train down the cave's nearly 15-mile (24 km) tunnel and take an hour-and-a-half-long guided tour. You'll be able to see and learn about the cave's natural subterranean beauty of dangling stalactites, rising stalagmites, and limestone curtains. If you opt for the tour, you'll be able to see the over 16-foot high (5 m) stalagmite known as Brilliant and visit the world's oldest underground post office. And if luck is on your side, you might catch a glimpse of the olm, a type of pale-bodied salamander endemic to the karst caves of Croatia and Slovenia.Nearby is the impregnable fortification of the Predjama Castle, a mostly Renaissance castle from the 16th century (though construction began in 1202). Dramatically built right into a gaping mouth of a cavern halfway up a cliffside, the Predjama Castle is the largest cave castle in the world. Here you might...

Near the mountains and glacial lakes of Triglav National Park in northwestern Slovenia lie the hills of Kranjska Gora. A world-class ski center nestled in the Julian Alps on the border with Austria and Italy, Kranjska Gora is among Slovenia's largest and best-equipped alpine resorts offering runs perfect for families and beginner to intermediate level skiers. Here you can choose from 18 runs of varying levels of technical difficulty, though for something more challenging, there are the World Cup runs at the connected Podkoren and ski jump at the nearby Planica.Meanwhile, if (downhill) skiing or snowboarding aren't for you, there are plenty of alternative options to try, including cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, and winter hiking. And for fans of ice climbing, there’s the option to challenge yourself with a climb up the frozen waterfall in Gozd Martuljek. Come the evening, consider a stroll through the Alpine Village, a winter market dressed in twinkling lights that sells mulled wine, tea, and local delicacies. And choose to end a pretty perfect day cozying up to one of the outdoor crackling fires with a warming drink in hand.