 ‘Where
are you from?’ I asked two girls I’d
just met.
‘Slovenia,’ replied one of them.
‘Ah
yes.’
‘Do
you know where it is?’ she asked.
‘Of
course, it’s the country next to the
Czech Republic.’
They both
glared at me and said in stereo, ‘No
it’s not! It’s between Italy
and Austria!’
It was on
that day many years ago that helped put
my ignorance in check and also helped me
to impress a lovely Slovenian girl I met
in Spain who asked me the same thing. That
beautiful girl is now my girlfriend, and
she too gets very upset at people who don’t
know
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where
Slovenia is, and at people who think it is a
poor, eastern-block country. Slovenia is none
of the above, and is truly one of Europe’s
best-kept secrets.
With
a population of just under 2 million, Slovenia
is tiny in comparison to most European countries.
Yet this little country has as much, if not
more, to offer. |
| From
its very short coastline, Slovenia's climate
changes from a temperate sub--mediterranean
to a chillier alpine climate in the north. In
the winter of 2003/2004 I went from around 10°C
on the coast to minus 15°C in the Julian
Alps, all in just a two-hour drive. A perfect
example of the country's versatility. |
| There
are not many places in the world where you could
bask in the sun in the morning, and go skiing
in the afternoon. On the flip side, Slovenia
enjoys basking hot summers in both these climates.
The ski resorts in the Alps become a sun-baked
mecca for the hiker, climber, river rafter etc...
The beautiful alpine valley of Bohinj comes
alive with summer sports and activities. Slovenia's
two most famous lakes, Bled & Bohinj, |
|
are another perfect
example of the extreme climate. In winter the
lakes nearly always freeze, and walking and
ice skating are among the many popular past
times. But in summer the lakes are heated up
to the point where they are warm enough for
swimming.
Aswell as this, there are the extensive cave
systems of the Karst region between the coast
and the capital, Ljubljana. In this area you
will also find vineyards, where some of the
best wine around is made (and kept mostly in
slovenia, so make sure you buy it during your
visit). |
|
The
capital, Ljubljana, may be small, but it's packed
with wonderful sites, great places to eat and
drink, and is just a short trip away from many
other places. The Kamnik Alps lie just 30kms
(20 miles) from the centre. From most locations
in the city you can see the mountains that surround
it on a clear day. The best view is from the
castle perched on a hill just overlooking the
old town. |
The
east of Slovenia is less mountainous, but still
has much to offer. Ptuj is one of the oldest and
prettiest town, alongside Maribor. It may be less
mountainous, but there are still ski resorts.
If all the travelling
has tired you out, then check into one the many
Terme's (spa resorts) dotted around the country,
(one of the biggest being in the east) and heal
your aching bones in the natural healing thermal
waters.
As the saying goes,
'good things come in small packages'. And Slovenia
certainly lives up to that saying.
View
some more photos here.
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