IMAGE: Bled
On the western edge of the Julian Alps lies
Bled, with its picturesque island in the middle of the lake. The town
and its surroundings have been an international summer resort for
centuries. The region has to a large extent retained its natural
character.
More information: Bled Tourist Board
IMAGE: Ptuj Castle, Protecting Slovenia's Heritage
The
renovated museum in Ptuj Castle houses a gallery with works
dating from the 15th century, as well as Chinese and gobelin
tapestries, old musical instruments, maps, a library and more recent
artifacts from the turn of the century.
More information:
IMAGE: Cerknica Lake
Cerknica Lake - a Karst
disappearing lake is also famous. It is a lake for half the year in
which one can fish and, in winter, skate on the frozen surface. It
starts to disappear in spring and leaves behind a polje (field), where
farmers cut hay through the summer. The causes of the drying out of
this natural curiosity, already famous in classical times, were
studied more than three hundred years ago by the natural and social
historian, Janez Vajkard Valvasor. His report encouraged great
interest; and he was elected a member of the Royal Society in London
for his interpretations.
More information:
Virtual reality panoramas of the lake through seasons
IMAGE: Bled Golf Course
The peaks surrounding Bled's pristine golf
course give it that top-of-the-world feeling guaranteed to bring peace
of mind to your game. Aside from a number of golf tournaments, Bled
also hosts world championships in rowing and parachuting, as well as
the annual meetings of the PEN Society. The Alps naturally make for
excellent hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter, with tennis,
swimming and cycling always available for those who prefer more
oxygen! And if your sporting expectations are still not met, ring the
wishing bell of the church on the picturesque little island in the
center of the lake. You can't lose.
More information: Golf & Country Club Bled
IMAGE: Hotel Toplice Bled
Breathtaking Bled is host to
a number of top quality resort hotels, luxurious enough to meet any
European standard. Indeed, the whole mountain lake region, including
Bohinj, has been a retreat for the affluent and athletic since the
turn of the century. With its sub alpine climate and therapeutic
waters it was at first a health spa, and now Bled offers a wide range
of modern facilities and accommodation, as well as truly excellent
cuisine. And after sampling the good life, a brisk walk up into
Triglav National Park will lift your spirits even higher.
More information: Grand Hotel Toplice
IMAGE: The Soča River
The untamed Soča river is one of the five
most unspoilt rivers in the entire Alps, and is thought to be
especially beautiful as it winds its way through Triglav National
Park. Its upper reaches flow up to 70 m deep between the cliffs, and
lower down, climbers and non-climbers alike can hike the well marked
mountain paths along its banks, or opt for kayaking, rafting, hunting,
or fishing. Slovenia actively promotes eco-tourism with countless
mountain lodges and over 200 tourist farms eager to demonstrate
Slovene hospitality.
More information: Soča
IMAGE: Kranj
Situated along the Sava river, Kranj, an ancient city
that gave its name to the Carniola region, impressively stands out
against the magnificent Julian Alps. Gothic and Renaissance structures
of long ago compete for attention with the more modern works of the
Slovene master, Plečnik. The spiritual and temporal come together
harmoniously in the old center's many churches and museums. The
destination of a hike in the surrounding hills and mountains could
just as likely be a hill-top church as a lofty peak.
More information: Tourist Board Kranj
IMAGE: Lipizzaners
Lipica, situated in the heart of the karst
region, is famous for the Lipizzaner stud farm, the cradle of Slovene
equestrian sport. Lipizzaners are spirited horses, distinguished by
their elegant build and proud bearing, and while foals can be black,
grey or brown, adults are mostly white. The farm was founded in 1580
by the Austrian Archduke Karl, and today offers tours of the stables,
a riding school following the principles of the Spanish Riding School
in Vienna, ponies for children, and antique coach rides. The
surrounding countryside with its towering oak trees is ideal for
horseback excursions.
More information: Lipizzaner Horse
IMAGE: Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia
The centre of trade,
capital and largest city with 300,000 inhabitants, Ljubljana has long
been at the crossroads of history and commerce. Its modern name was
recorded first in 1144 as Laibach and again in 1146 as Luwigana,
although traces of the Roman city of Emona and the remnants of an even
more ancient pile dwelling culture can still be seen. Indeed, some
descriptions of the landscape in the Greek myth of Jason and the
Argonauts would seem to suggest that the hero sailed through the area
on his great quest.
Ljubljana's castle overlooks the Old Town, full of narrow cobblestone streets, galleries and boutiques, while the more modern part of the city begins across the Ljubljanica river. Throughout this rather compact center one can find magnificent examples of Baroque, Renaissance, and especially Art Nouveau architecture and design that effectively complement the business center of a city that has grown three times larger since the 1940's.
More information: Ljubljana Tourist Information Portal
IMAGE: The Port of Koper - The Gateway to Central Europe
The
port of Koper, occupying an area of 450 hectares and having 2,000
meters of operational quay, is the Slovene naval window to the world
and one of the major ports on the northern Adriatic Coast. The port
features state of the art equipment and boasts 250,000 m2 of indoor
warehouse space and terminals for general, dry bulk, and liquid bulk
cargoes, containers and vehicles.
More information: Port of Koper
IMAGE: The Slovene People
The Slavic ancestors of present day
Slovenia first settled in the area in the 6th century, but as might be
expected of a land at the crossroads of four cultures, Latin,
Germanic, Hungarian, and Slavic, there is no typical Slovene
profile. 83,4 % of the citizens are ethnically Slovene, with the
native minority Italians and Hungarians amounting to less than 1
%. About half of the approximately two million inhabitants are
urbanites, although only two cities can claim more than 100,000
inhabitants, Maribor and Ljubljana. Slovenes are well educated and
can usually speak three or more languages.
More information: Census 2002
IMAGE: Piran
With its 5.000 inhabitants, Piran is the best
preserved old town on the Slovene coast, and is protected as an urban,
cultural, and historic monument. And its favourable Mediterranean
climate makes it a natural health resort through most of the year. The
Piran peninsula was first settled by the Illyrians in prehistoric
times, and was for a long period closely linked to Venice. Pirans's
rich architecture testifies to this prosperous relationship: the 14th
century Church of St. Francis, the Romanesque Cathedral, the Venetian
House, the Jewish Square, and the "hanging houses" of old
town offer an unforgettable walk through the centuries. Other sights
include the Aquarium, the marine Museum, the old Salt Museum, and the
birthplace of violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini.
More information:
IMAGE: Portorož
Slovenia's balmy Adriatic beaches lie a
mere two hours from its crisp alpine mountains. Perhaps akin to the
Scandinavian habit of jumping into hot water from the cold, Slovenes
are often tempted by the average summer water temperature of 23 C,
which remains seasonable until late autumn. The proximity of the coast
allows Slovenes to pop down for a quick day trip, while the numerous
hotels and camping grounds cater to an increasingly international
clientele.
More information: Portorož
IMAGE: Postojna Cave
A performance in the Concert Hall of
Postojna cave is something everyone should experience at least
once. And the cave itself with 23 km of remarkable galleries is one of
Europe's favourite, and longest, tourist destinations. A small train
guides visitors through this enormous maze of crystalline stone
curtains and altars, stopping at the most stunning stalactites and
stalagmites.
Slovenia's fascinating karst region boast more than 6,000 caves, three deeper than 1 km, including Vilenica and Škocjan, which in 1986 was placed on UNESCO's list of protected natural wonders. Karst regions are characterized by underground drainage through dissolved limestone sink holes and caverns, and the geological term &quod;karst&quod; actually comes from the Slovene language. Among the many wonders of this area, the Proteus anguinos stands out for its translucent skin and possession of both legs and gills.
More information:
IMAGE: Ptuj, the Oldest Slovene Town
A stroll trough this museum
town leaves one with a sense of how rich the tapestry of Slovene
history truly is. Originally a Roman settlement, Ptuj has had many
masters trough the ages. The ancestors of the Slovenes first inhabited
this area of Europe in the 6th century, but by 874 had fallen under
German rule. After gaining a greater sense of national identity in the
mid 19th century, Slovenia became a province of the Austro-Hungarian
Empire in 1867, a situation which lasted until the end of the First
World War.
More information: Ptuj
IMAGE: Planica
Skiing is the Slovene national
sport, and a long string of Olympic and World Cup successes attest to
the prowess and competitive spirit of this snow-topped nation.
Slovenia also hosts a number of World Cup competitions in both skiing and ski- jumping. The first skier to fly more than 100 meters took off from Planica's jump, and in March 1994 this mountain resort witnessed a 209 meter jump that set a new world record then.
Current world record is held by Bjørn Einar Romøren - 239 m from Planica in 2005.
Slovenia is also competitive in the market place with Elan being the ski of choice for numerous champions.
More about Planica, the cradle of ski jumping and ski flying, last World championship, etc.
IMAGE: Spa Čatež
More information: Slovenian spas (portal)
IMAGE: Vineyards
Slovenia's well developed viniculture and
local specialities add spice to regional rivalries that one would not
expect from such a small country; indeed, at times Slovenia would seem
to be bigger on the inside.
Slovenia produces a colourful palette of roses, white and red wines, ranging from tender and fresh to rich wines of full taste, including aromatic, smooth and sparkling wines.
Slovenia's wines can match the best in the world and are the pride and joy of the Slovenes.
There are three wine regions in Slovenia (Primorska Region, Podravje Region and Posavje Region) that you can explore on many tourist Wine Roads.
More information: SloVino.com
Note:
May be used by quating the source:
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