Slovenia Packages/Deals & Travel Agents Near Me

Take a little bit of Bavaria, a sliver of Mediterranean Riviera, a stretch of the Danube, a touch of Venice and a slice of the Balkans—and you have Slovenia, one of Europe's best-kept secrets.

This charming little country, which declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, walked away relatively unscathed from the turmoil that engulfed the rest of the region. It took along with it some of everything that travelers enjoy in this part of the world: mountains and lakes, castles and Alpine forests, vineyards and meadows, beaches and island resorts.

Lying at a natural hub of European routes at the eastern tip of the Alps, Slovenia's lovely baroque capital, Ljubljana, is just a two-hour drive from Venice and a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Vienna.

Although the country may not be as large as Austria, Italy or Greece, it is certainly less crowded. With a culture that is both modern and traditional, a trip to Slovenia is worth your while, especially since it's easy to travel around the country.

Geography

History

Greeks, Romans, Slavs, medieval Germans, Renaissance Italians and the Austrians all had a strong impact on Slovenia. However, the main effect of centuries of foreign domination was strengthening of the local population's determination to remain Slovene. Unlike their more heterogeneous neighbors to the south, Slovenes have remained relatively homogeneous in culture and language.

Although Slovenia was one of the first republics to declare independence as Yugoslavia began to unravel, the nation escaped the devastation that afflicted most of the other former republics. There were half-hearted attempts by the Serbian-dominated federal army to seize the country in 1991, but many observers think the point of that exercise was to get the next-door-neighbor Croats to back down from their declaration of independence. When the Serbian demonstration failed, Slovenia was left alone.

Slovenes are characteristically hardworking—the country boasts one of the strongest economies of the former Yugoslav republics. Chief exports include wine, wooden products, chemicals and food. On 1 May 2004, Slovenia joined the European Union, a move that strengthened the country's ties with western Europe.

Besides open borders with other EU countries, Slovenes can now more easily work and study in neighboring EU countries. Meanwhile, citizens of other EU countries can now purchase properties in Slovenia, which was difficult previously. By these actions, daily interaction among people of different cultures is occurring, which helps to promote the EU goal of one united region and people.

Snapshot

Slovenia's main attractions are beaches, coastal and mountain scenery, skiing, modern cities, beautiful architecture, caves, lakes, fishing, folk arts, river rafting, fascinating culture, health spas and friendly people.

Slovenia is a good destination for those who have already been to Europe once or twice and are ready to get off the beaten track and see a fascinating part of Europe. The scenery is lovely, varied and especially great for outdoor enthusiasts.

Potpourri

Bees hold a place of honor in Slovenia: One of the country's more unique museums is the Apiculture Museum in Radovljica, which contains beautifully decorated hive covers and hives carved in the shapes of castles, churches and other structures. Also, the production of honey, honey wine, honey cookies (medenjaki) and candles from bees' wax are popular cottage industries in Slovenia.

One of the oldest towns in Europe (inhabited since 2500 BC) is Ptuj, located in the center of the wine region in northeastern Slovenia.

Among the fine older buildings in Ljubljana is the Philharmonic Concert Hall, where Beethoven first conducted his Pastoral Symphony.

Slovenia has many resort-style spas, including Radenci Health Resort and Terme Catez, which feature treatments with local mineral and thermal waters.

Popular ski areas in Slovenia include Kranjska Gora and Pohorje (in Maribor).

Ernest Hemingway drew from his experience as an ambulance driver on the bloody World War I battlefields of the Isonzo Front (in what is now Slovenia's Soca Valley) for his novel A Farewell to Arms.

Myth has it that Jason and the Argonauts—the legendary Greek hero and his team of fearless explorers—sailed down the Sava River while in possession of the magical golden fleece.

Wine has always been serious business for Slovenia—a 300-year war regarding privileges on the sale of wine in Upper Austria occurred in the Middle Ages between Maribor and Ptuj.