From a tourism perspective, this young nation is one of the great unknowns in Europe, and believe us, it’s a huge mistake. Slovenia is a country of spectacular natural beauty and also home to many cultural features that make it an extremely desirable destination to discover.
One of the words that best defines the country is “green”, half of the territory is covered by leafy green forests, with almost all of them are surrounded by a network of protected natural parks, making it the envy of many of the oldest countries in the world. And if we speak about age, Slovenia as we know it today only became a country on June 25th, 1991 when it gained independence from Yugoslavia.
It’s a relatively small country with a population of about 2.5 million people, 300,000 of which reside in the capital Ljubljana. It’s a full member of the European Union since 2004 and has been using the euro since January 1st, 2007.
Ljubljana is a charming, picturesque city. Its streets, the appearance of its buildings, the discretion and friendliness of the people all make it a fairy tale destination. The city is built on the Ljublianica River, which is known for its many bridges. Whether you deice to check it out by boat or on foot, you’ll want to take the time for a stroll along the stretch of river closest to the old centre and stop off at any of the terraces along the river to grab a bite to eat or have a drink.
Bridges in Ljubliana are more than just places of passage; they’re almost like sacred sites, and perhaps the most famous in the city is the Tromostovje (Triple Bridge), designed by the architect Jože Plečnik.
Made of stone and built in 1842, they replaced a medieval bridge of strategic importance that connected the towns in northwestern Europe with those in the Balkans. Jože Plečnik, an important figure in Slovenia’s history added two more pedestrian bridges to create the iconic monument and connect the city’s most important tourist attractions: Plecnik, Roznik and Ljubljana Castle.
Another famous bridge is Zmajski most (Dragon Bridge), which is overlooked by two effigies of this popular mythological animal. It was built between 1900 and 1901 and was the first reinforced concrete bridge to be constructed in the country and also one of the first in Europe. The bridge is built to the style of Josep Melan, and its modernist appearance is due to the architect Jurij Zaninovic, who designed the decoration, balustrades and the well-known and photographed dragon statues.
Lake Bled, 55km from Ljubliana, is another must-visit if you’re on holidays. It’s a glacial lake in the Julian Alps, which is the most beautiful and touristic area in the country.
The picturesque lake is surrounded by mountains and forests, and the medieval Bled castle is located atop a cliff on the north shore. The lake surrounds Bled Island, the only natural island in Slovenia and is home to several buildings, the main one being the church, which was built in the 15th century. If you want to visit it, you’d better be prepared for the 99 stone steps that lead up to the church.
The lake is also popular with rowers thanks to its ideal rowing conditions and also hosted the World Rowing Championships in 1966, 1979, 1989 and 2011.
Another area of immense beauty is Novo Mesto, which literally means the new city. It has been a settlement since the Middle Ages and possesses a beauty that’s difficult to put into words. It currently receives a large number of North American visitors as it’s the home town of the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump.
