Slovenia is all of the hotness proper now. This tiny Balkan nation made Nationwide Geographic’s Better of The World 2023, was named European Area of Gastronomy 2021, and its capital hit the primary spot for 2022 Greatest European Vacation spot. And because the first nation to be declared a “inexperienced vacation spot” and the one one with “love” in its title, Slovenia was a shoo-in for HoneyTrek’s listing of The World’s Most Romantic & Sustainable Locations. Although to verify (and have some enjoyable alongside the way in which), we rented a electrical car to discover the alpine peaks, Adriatic coast, wine nation, historic villages, and culinary scene round this little nation with a complete lot of coronary heart. Take pleasure in our Slovenia journey information with highlights from our 500-mile highway journey and begin plotting your journey to considered one of our new favourite locations!
Slovenia Historical past 101
Slovenia is a comparatively new nation with a wild historical past. Tucked between Italy, Croatia, Austria, and Hungary, the Slovenian territory is just 7,827 sq. miles (smaller than New Jersey) and has been deeply influenced by its neighbors and quite a lot of rulers. It was part of the Holy Roman Empire for almost 1,000 years, beneath Hapsburg rule from the mid 1500s via 1918, and a part of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia till the Nineties. Sharing Slavic languages and a spot on the Balkan peninsula, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia had been unified beneath the masterful (and a few say dictatorial) rule of president Josip Broz Tito. He suppressed non secular and ethnic variations, whereas rallying across the idea of 1 socialist nation, working in close to isolation from Europe and Russia. In some methods, Yugoslavia succeeded beneath Tito’s rule, however when he handed away within the Eighties, the younger nation began to crumble after which additional divided beneath the dictator Slobodan Milošević. The economically secure and European-minded Slovenia declared their independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991 and managed to perform it with solely 10 days of battle (not the years of battle endured by lots of their Yugoslav counterparts to the east). Slovenia rapidly received on the highway to democracy, turned part of the European Union in 2004, and has been thriving ever since.
Slovenia Street Journey Route
The alps, wine nation, seashores, lowlands and uplands, medieval villages, cosmopolitan cities, and Karst subterranean worlds, Slovenia packs so much inside its borders. The nation is just 200 miles throughout from the Adriatic Sea within the southwest to the Hungarian border within the northeast, however we zigzagged over 500 miles to discover the most effective of this attractive and charming nation. Renting an e-vechicle is unquestionably one of the best ways to discover this eco-minded vacation spot. Whereas we had been initially a bit of nervous counting on a VW e-Golf battery to scale the alps, Slovenia has charging stations everywhere and now we have intensive rental automobile protection via our Allianz journey insurance coverage, so we determined to was the time to present it a go! We did this route over the course of 11 days and it deserved each little bit of that point, if no more!
TIP: Take a look at the tourism board’s glorious website Slovenia.data for extra useful journey planning instruments and maintain an eye fixed out for his or her “Slovenia Inexperienced” label locations, lodges, and actions to floor essentially the most sustainable experiences.
Slovenia’s Capital of Ljubljana
Constructed alongside the foothills of the Kamnik Alps and Ljubljanica river, the capital of Slovenia is inherently stunning with superb structure courting again to the Romans. To protect its historical past and allure, the outdated city shut site visitors to automobiles over a decade in the past and changed them with a implausible bike program and free electrical “Kavalir” shuttles for everytime you want a carry (one of many many causes they gained “Inexperienced Capital of Europe in 2016). There may be an lively, youthful air concerning the metropolis—due to its 50,000 college college students. Everybody was out benefiting from the river, from stand-up paddleboarding to outside eating at one of many many waterfront bars and eating places. We crossed over the long-lasting triple bridge designed by Jože Plečnik, a Slovenian architect so ingenious that his work is protected by UNESCO, to Prešeren Sq.. The beautiful pink Seventeenth-century church and statue of the sq.’s namesake poet is the place everybody gathers, be it for concert events, protests, or to kickoff city-wide adventures. Slender streets result in the central market sq., bustling with produce distributors and surrounded by cafes, just like the yummy Moji štruklji. We ate conventional Slovenian dumplings (tightly rolled, not stuffed, with candy or savory fillings). For a day drink, we walked into an unsuspecting Artwork-Deco financial institution and took the elevator to the twelfth ground the place the Neboticnik rooftop bar affords panoramic views of the town. Ljubljana Fort on the hilltop dominated the vista and beckoned us nearer. It’s free to enter the medieval complicated, the place eating places and cultural occasions happen and the views get even higher. Purchase tickets to partake within the varied displays and experiences—together with the whole lot from Slovenian Historical past to the Culinary Time Machine six-course tasting. After an ideal day, we retired to Resort One66, lodging so sustainable it’s achieved the worldwide Inexperienced Key designation. Their diligent efforts to preserve power, scale back water, and reduce waste are spectacular, as is their hip design. We walked via a veritable artwork gallery to succeed in our room. Daring colours and patterns accented mid-century furnishings for a retro Yugoslavia vibe. We received the {Couples} Objectives Bundle (advocate!) which got here with a bottle of glowing wine and a late checkout to get pleasure from our suite, a leisurely breakfast from their in-house Airstream meals truck, and take their free bikes for a spin earlier than we hit the freeway. (Take a look at their glamping cabins, coming quickly!)
TIP: Take advantage of your time within the metropolis with the Ljubljana Card which will get you into 20 main sights, affords a metropolis tour, and just about each mode of transit (together with 4-hours of free bike rental, a ship cruise, and the funicular to the fortress.) Both method, set your self up with the town’s BicikeLJ bike system—it’s only one euro for the week!
Kamnik-Savinja Alps & Vila Planinka
Inside an hour’s drive of the town, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps got here into view and pastures was slim canyons. Not a typical cease on the vacationer circuit, Jezersko Valley is a coveted spot for mountaineers and luxurious vacationers within the know. We examine Vila Planinka in some journey journal which raved about their meals, wine, and sustainability ethos and simply knew we needed to get there sometime. We walked into this Thirties chalet turned modern boutique lodge and will really feel the constructive vibes of this place, from the power factors it’s constructed on to the convivial sommelier. He handed us a glass of wine to kick off the check-in course of on the patio, the place the sheer peaks appeared to spring from the pavers and convey the Skuta Glacier so shut we might really feel its chill. He informed us about their restaurant, pure wine workshops, spa providers, and journey choices, then led us to our room, The Woman Slipper. A kitchen, front room with a hearth, wrap-around porch and bed room with mountain view had our jaws on the ground. “Take pleasure in your keep and we are going to see you downstairs to your Orange Revolution Wine Tasting.” The lodge’s cellar holds over 250 Slovenian wines with an emphasis on “orange wines,” a Slovenian biodynamic custom of winemaking that predates Roman settlement and has been having a renaissance in latest many years. Sommelier and completed wine skilled, Marko Koren, set the desk with not simply glasses and spittoons, however lemons, salt, radicchio and extra instruments to deliver out the traits of the wines. Maps lined the 9 Slovenian wine-making areas from coastal to karst, and our seven-stage tasting featured iconic wineries from Mlečnik to Gravner showcasing the most effective of those natural, gradual maceration wines. It was the daddy of Slovenian biodynamic wine Rudolf Steiner’s perception {that a} winery isn’t a plot however a residing organism affected by the minerality, astrality, spirituality, and rules of life. With mom nature and historical custom as their information, Slovenian biodynamic wines can’t be mass produced or mass exported across the globe…it’s a must to come right here to expertise them! Our tasting flowed right into a dinner at their Michelin-rated restaurant the place course after course of vegan dishes appeared like artwork on a platter.
Jezersko Valley
The following morning we did a motorbike and hike combo to benefit from the alps and village life. The Villa Planinka receptionist can also be historical past buff and native information who tipped us off to go to St Oswald’s Church (which boasts among the oldest frescoes in Slovenia), the locals hangout of Planšarsko Lake cafe, and the village’s pure mineral water springs. After a 20-minute journey via the attractive Ravenske Kocne Glacial Valley we reached the trailhead to Golvinar Peak. Ever go on a hike the place the bottom is so fairly you’re feeling such as you’ve already made it to the head? That’s how we felt right here, however we nonetheless did the steep climb via the forest and reached (and crossed) the border of Austria! A ranger had carved a coronary heart bench on the ridge, which enticed to sit down and watch the clouds swirl across the peaks for nearly an hour. These similar mountains are the place famend Slovenian alpinists skilled to be the primary individuals to ski Annapurna Mountain and Mount Everest from peak to basecamp! Possibly we must always come again within the winter and convey our skis…
Lake Bled
Heading towards the Julian Alps, Lake Bled begins this area like a fairy story. Jagged peaks encompass the remarkably teal waters and in the midst of the lake a Seventeenth-century church is perched on Slovenia’s solely island. It’s a convention for newlyweds to paddle in a standard picket boat to the Church of the Assumption of Mary and for the groom to hold his bride up the 99 steps and ring the bell for good luck. As a lot as I’m positive Mike wished to throw me over his shoulder for historical StairMaster, it was raining so we opted for the better and equally romantic Bled Fort for lunch. Atop the lake cliffs and partitions of the 1,000-year outdated Holy Roman fortress is perched Bled Fort Restaurant. He reserved a window desk overlooking the waters and the vegan tasting menu, with the whole lot from eggplant roulade to strawberry pistachio cake. After a whirl across the fortress museum, we went to close by Kralov Med…among the many greatest locations to get a style of Slovenian beekeeping! The world’s first beekeeping faculty started in Slovenia and its grasp instructor’s birthday was chosen because the date of the UN acknowledged World Bee Day. Understanding their contribution to beekeeping and the significance of bees’ position in biodiversity, Slovenia has extra beekeepers per capita than some other nation. The household behind Kralov Med has been beekeeping for over a century and goals to make this custom extra approachable, with honey harvesting demonstrations, beeswax candle-making, even apitherapy, the place you’ll be able to meditate among the many hives. We laid down on the beds subsequent to the bee packing containers, listening to the whirl of exercise and respiration within the aromatic air, adopted by a tasting of honey merchandise constituted of the very bees we bonded with.
Bohinj Valley & The Julian Alps
Too many individuals attain Bled and assume, “It might probably’t get higher than this,” nevertheless it does, so maintain going guys! All of Slovenia’s Julian Alps are a wonderland of hovering peaks, waterfalls, and wealthy alpine tradition…and all of it culminates within the Bohinj Valley. Dwelling to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Slovenia’s solely nationwide park, and its largest pure lake, this area had us climbing and biking our hearts out. Staying at Resort Bohinj, we had been completely located alongside the lake and in hanging distance to the historic Voje Valley, the snaking Mostnica Gorge, and the 255-foot excessive Savica Waterfall. By night time, we refueled with their farm-to-table delicacies, divine spa, and attractive suites. The icing on the cake of our Bohinj getaway? The Cows’ Ball! We caught the valley’s largest (and most endearing!) annual competition of alpine tradition, with the farmers in conventional costume and everybody dancing their knee-socks off. Watch this video to really feel the power and enjoyable of this must-experience occasion.
TIP: Plan your Bohinj adventures with Hike & Bike. They lead implausible journeys, from multi-day biking or day hikes to the gorgeous Triglav Lakes. And in case you are trying to keep tucked within the mountains, additionally they have cute chalets.
Soča River Valley: The Land of Narnia
Driving again out of the valley via Bled (so good, we had been comfortable to see it twice), we didn’t understand that our GPS had us going via the Italian alps to get to our subsequent Slovenian vacation spot! What began as a little bit of panic, as all of the indicators modified languages and our cellular phone plans stopped working, turned out to be a shocking drive via Travesio, again in direction of Slovenia’s tallest mountain, Mount Triglav. Every bend within the highway revealed a brand new jaw-dropping view, all the way in which to the journey hub of Bovec village. Resort Soča is a superb jumping-off level and clothing store for the Soča River’s many adventures. If this gorgeous river appears to be like like one thing out of the Chronicles of Narnia film, it’s as a result of the Soča was considered one of their filming places! Canyoneering, abseiling down waterfalls and sliding into swimming holes, is meant to be completely unimaginable right here (we shall be again!), as was the hike we took alongside the Soča Path.
Vipava Valley & Theodosius Glamping
Leaving the mountains, the panorama rolls into Slovenia’s premier vineyards and dives deep into their karst panorama. To get the most effective of the Primorska wine area and the nation’s spectacular cave methods, we positioned ourselves in Vipava Valley and Theodosius Forest Village. This glamping camp is ready excessive within the hills, amongst a 100-year-old pine forest and a sea of grape vines. To construct this property to Inexperienced-Key requirements, they didn’t lower down any bushes or use heavy equipment on the land, and hand-carried native supplies to every forested website. The cabins are the right stability of rustic and fashionable, together with their showstopping mirrored dice. With partitions that mirror again the encircling bushes, it just about vanished within the forest, but referred to as to us like a secret hiding place. The entrance was all home windows with a patio for valley views that appeared to stretch to the Adriatic. For breakfast they ready an ITALICS TK spectacular vegan unfold of grilled veggies, plant-based sausages, butter-free croissants, and recent fruit from Vipava’s fertile valley. We requested the hostess concerning the origin of the property title and it seems that in 394 AD this village is the place Theodosius gained the Battle of Frigidus with the assistance of the valley’s sturdy “burja” wind. For extra Roman historical past, you’ll be able to go to the close by stays of the Castra Fortress, which has the biggest surviving Roman wall in Slovenia, and find out about their legacy within the close by Ajdovščina Museum Assortment.
The Mom of Slovenian Caves: Postonja
Whereas it was tempting to start out wine tasting across the 40+ vineyards of the Vipava Valley, we had a tour to catch on the legendary Postojna Cave. Found in 1818 and nonetheless the biggest present collapse Europe, that is the place the research of caves (speleology) actually started! We had been issued our arduous hats and boarded a practice into the 24 km-long cave system. The practice has been in operation for over 140 years, bringing everybody from King Ferdinand I to Thomas Cook dinner, who included it on his first journey around the globe within the 1873. We traveled via the labyrinth of stalactites and stalagmites, right into a subterranean ballroom and live performance corridor which can be nonetheless used immediately, and reached the principle cave. Our information identified spectacular options like “The Good,” a thick, bright-white limestone formation and “The Skyscraper” standing at 52-feet tall. The principle cave is definitely 1 of 5 within the system and so they have a slew of journey excursions the place you’ll be able to even go legit caving with ropes and river crossings. The river was too full for abseiling throughout our go to (take the “Within the Footsteps of Luka Čeč” tour should you can!), so we opted for the Double Karst Marvel Expertise via the Pivka and Crna Caves…and it was superior! The “Crna” or Black Cave boasts great flowstone formations, whereas the Pivka Cave path follows a vanishing subterranean river. What began as a drip via the porous rocks three-million years in the past has change into one of the vital dazzling cave methods on the planet. This distinctive ecosystem has additionally created habitat for 150 animal species, together with the “child dragons,” which may dwell for as much as a century and go for eight years with out meals. This place is definitely considered one of extremes and definitely worth the hype!
TIP: Prolong your journey at Park Postojnska Jama and spring for the combo ticket to Predjama Fort, a large medieval marvel constructed right into a 400-foot-high cliff and with a community of secret tunnels.
The Slovenian Coast & Dazzling Piran
Slovenia might solely have 29 miles of coast nevertheless it connects them to a bigger Istrian tradition that extends from Croatia to Italy. In truth, this space was a part of the Venetian Republic for over 500 years, Italians had been the ethnic majority right here till the twentieth century, and the area remains to be bilingual! Piran is the gem of the Slovenian coast, a walled medieval metropolis with extra boats than automobiles. To reduce site visitors and protect their historic environment, they’ve made the outdated city streets virtually completely pedestrian and supply free shuttles to and from the middle. (FYI If you’re driving right here, there’s a large parking storage by the beginning of the bus route). We had been dropped off at Tartini Sq., and we instantly felt the Italian affect, with its pointed arches and colonnaded balconies, a clock tower that mimics that of Piazza San Marco, and Venice’s signature winged lion overlooking city. We joined a beautiful tour with Jan of Piran Strolling Excursions, who took us via the slim streets to First of Could Sq., the Convent of San Francisco, and as much as the Cathedral of St George for views to a few international locations! You may as well stroll the city partitions for a small price and even higher views of the coast. For dinner we had been handled to an eight-course tasting menu at Stara Gostilna, residence of Slovenia’s youngest Michelin-awarded chef and one of many metropolis’s oldest residences. Every dish arrived like artworks–from the handmade ceramics the meals was plated to the interactive method every dish was served. Tomato tartare with pickled grapes and pistachio crust, barley risotto with peach gazpacho, pumpkin terrine with mango caviar, and rhubarb mousse with caramelized walnuts had been simply among the divine programs. We received chatting with proprietor Donata, and earlier than you realize it she was displaying us her kitchen herb backyard, pictures from the early days of the restaurant (in its twenty sixth 12 months) and her secret B&B upstairs. Lengthy story, however we didn’t have a spot to sleep that night time and she or he insisted we be her visitor. Thanks to your unimaginable hospitality, Donata!
Portoroz: Salt, Olives, & Spas
Do you know the world “wage” derives from being paid in salt (as soon as among the many most precious currencies)? Piran’s wealth and affect goes again to its salt pans in close by Portoroz. Now not the area’s most important trade, however nonetheless an essential a part of the realm’s historical past and wetland habitat, Sečovlje Salt Pans are actually a nature park, Museum of Salt-Making, and a thalassotherapy spa to capitalize on the water’s well being advantages. Set in the midst of historical salt pans and wildlife sanctuary, Lepa Vida Thalasso Spa is pure serenity–from its attractive setting to laid again vibe. With out the pretension of many spas, they provide salt swimming pools, brine baths, stone remedies & attractive lounge areas at a mere €25 for 2 hours! We leveled it up with an out of doors mud wrap, having fun with the ocean views, birdlife, and Slovenian wine, leaving with a sense of rejuvenation (and the softest pores and skin!). One other speciality of this space? Olives. Simply above the salt pans, the fourth-generation Gramona Eco farm has orchards of olives in a dozen varieties. They’ve gained tons of awards for his or her oils and tapenades and say their secret is tough work, solar, sea breeze, and the saline microclimate. They confirmed us across the grounds, shared their permaculture processes, and completed with a wine and olive tasting overlooking the salt pans at sundown.
Northeast Slovenia Street Journey: Celje & Ptuj
Our eight-day automobile rental was up, however we didn’t need to go away! So we returned it in Ljubljana and joined our Slovenian pals Ana & Jernej for a highway journey to their favourite locations within the northeast (the place few vacationers go and don’t know what they’re lacking!). First cease, Celje: Slovenia’s largest medieval fortress and the previous residence to the nation’s most influential dynasty. The construction is magnificent with a really properly completed museum, together with Center-Ages craft demonstrations, the craziest medieval torture exhibit, and breathtaking views from the tower. (You’d assume the mountains wouldn’t be too spectacular outdoors the alps however wrong-o!) With a competition to catch, we pressed on to Ptuj, the oldest recorded metropolis in Slovenia (est third century BCE). Their calm, shallow spot alongside the Drava River made it a key level on the prehistoric commerce route between the Baltic and the Adriatic Seas. They’re fairly happy with their historical past and have festivals all year long (the pagan Kurentovanje parade is meant to be unimaginable) and we occurred to be there for the Ptuj Fort Video games, the place archery and broadsword preventing are accompanied by artwork demonstrations, a winemaking competitors, and conventional music and dance. With no People on the competition, we had been rapidly adopted by a household of knights and maidens and clinking ceramic mugs of mead. Slovenians are so darn good.
Radgonsko-Kapelski: Vineyards & Farmstay
That night time we slept at Domačija Firbas of their cute A-frame glamping cabins tucked amongst the apple orchards of this household farm. We awoke for breakfast, a wonderful unfold cooked over an open-fire, accompanied by selfmade jams, breads, juices, and extra delights from their backyard. The son Bojan gave us a tour of the property together with the hayloft residence, the place you’ll be able to sleep above animals, take heed to their rumblings and watch them via the glass ground! After assembly the sheep, pigs, cows, and rabbits, he confirmed us to the e-bike barn for our day’s adventures. Being positioned within the Radgonsko–Kapelski wine-growing area, vineyards had been a brief journey away, as had been castles, mineral springs, and cute cities. We weren’t pedaling for greater than quarter-hour and had been pulled right into a grape-harvesting and wine tasting session with a neighborhood household! They despatched us away with two bottles of their Riesling wine and informed us the standard strategy to drink it’s so as to add mineral water from the close by springs. We biked till we noticed a fountain by the stream, and low and behold the water was popping out bubbly! We combined ourselves an iron-fortified wine spritz and determined we would have liked a bit extra wine with a tasting at Vinska Fontana. Perched on a hill subsequent to a gorgeous outdated church and overlooking the vines, it’s a implausible wine bar serving native wines, together with that of the lovable younger house owners. Not simply any tasting room, it’s a serve-yourself wine fountain dispenser the place you scan a barcode and out comes the wine of your alternative. Make sure to attempt Jurka, a regional and historical grape varietal, and kickback of their garden chairs to benefit from the view!
Slovenian Meals & Wine
Of the 70 international locations we’ve skilled on our HoneyTrek, Slovenia simply cracked our high 5 for positive eating. And whereas many areas of the world dazzle with a melange of spices, Slovenia’s strategy is much less complicated…keep recent. Eating places from the alps to the coast take nice delight in sourcing domestically, usually rising or foraging for his or her produce. They perceive how interconnected good meals is with a wholesome setting, and so they work in direction of its preservation with natural farming, even beekeeping. They’ve been making wine for the reason that 4th century BCE and have stayed true to their biodynamic traditions and are profitable droves of awards for it. Slovenia is residence to 6 Michelin Inexperienced Star eating places, the best ranking for sustainable delicacies, and such eco-conscious practices helped earn them the 2021 European Area of Gastronomy. And we’ll give Slovenian cooks an additional level as a result of they cooked us their best with none meat or dairy. See how stunning plant-based consuming could be on this gallery of our favourite eating experiences–from harvesting olives earlier than our oil tasting to hand-making plum dumplings with a Michelin-green-star chef!
From their biodynamic wines to their recycling packages in distant mountain villages, Slovenia firmly earned its spot on our listing of The World’s Most Romantic & Sustainable Locations. Which city, lodge, restaurant, or expertise referred to as to you essentially the most?
An enormous thanks to our sponsor Allianz Journey Insurance coverage for believing within the significance of sustainable journey and supporting eco-minded content material creators like us!
