Tucked on the eastern edge of the Alps with a touch of Mediterranean coast, Slovenia is a hidden gem in Central Europe that is quickly being discovered by travelers. It is the picture of Old World Europe that so many hope to find on their travels: castles, lush green meadows, tall mountains, and architecture in styles from many centuries. The language of this lovely country is Slovenian, though many people speak English and/or another foreign language.

The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is a delightful place to begin exploring Slovene history. The city lacks the big name attractions of Europe’s more famous capitals (London, Paris, Rome…), but it offers equal cultural experiences and a more relaxed atmosphere. The Old Town is a mass of medieval buildings and narrow, winding lanes filled with cafes and shops. Just walking in this area gives you a sense of the history of the city. There are also many museums here including the National Museum of Slovenia and the Museum of Contemporary History.

Castle enthusiasts like Slovenia because of the extraordinary number of castles to be found in such a small country: 500 (including ruins) dot the landscape. The oldest one, Bled Castle, is built high on a cliff surrounded by pine forest overlooking a vast expanse of water. The castle has been restored and visitors can explore the grounds and galleries. Bled Castle is one of the classic fairy tale castles, complete with moat and drawbridge.

Slovenia has a little bit of everything: tall mountains for hiking and skiing, Mediterranean beaches for lounging, and tiny lakes for a quiet swim. Walk in the eastern Alps for a day or several, stopping at little inns or camping at night. It’s at least as beautiful as Switzerland and far less overrun with tourists. In summer, stroll through fields of sunflowers and toss all your cares to the winds. Slovenia is truly one of the most beautiful countries in Europe.

With over 8,000 caves to explore, caving is a popular way to explore the natural world of Slovenia. The Škocjan Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the caves are quite unique. You can tour the caves on an easy-guided walk to see two of the eleven chambers of the cave system. For more adventurous cavers, like those who prefer a little swimming and climbing with their walk in the caves, there are many opportunities throughout Slovenia.

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