Welcome


Welcome to Slovenia on the Sunny Side of the Alps!


Slovenia is a young European state, which was established on 25 June 1991, after the disintegration of former Yugoslavia.

Since 1st of May 2004 Slovenia is a full member of the European Union. Slovenia occupies a strategically and geographically important area surrounded by the Adriatic Sea, the Alps and the Pannonian Plain. Slovenia has a territory of 20.273 km2 of which 10.124 km2 are woods and 216 km2 are vineyards. It borders to Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia and has a coastline of 42 km. The Slovenian currency is the tolar. The majority population is Slovenian, 2,000,000 of them, who speak the indigenous language called Slovenian, while their religion is predominantly Roman Catholic. Slovenia has also several ethnic minorities, like the Italian and Hungarian ethnic minority and others.

Although it is small, Slovenia has a very diverse climate – you will find Mediterranean, Continental and Alpine regions. The capital is Ljubljana with 280.000 inhabitants. Slovenia can be easily reached either via its modern road and rail links or two international airports, Ljubljana/Brnik and Maribor.


Due to the geographical position of the country, Slovenian history is quite complex. The first important conquerors of Slovenia were of course the ancient Romans and the most important town of that time used to be Emona, today’s Ljubljana.

In the 6th century the territory of modern Slovenia was occupied by the Slavs. At that time the first Slovenian state, Karantania, was formed. In the 8th entury it became a part of the Frankish Empire. At that time the Slovenians converted to Christianity. In the 9th century, the Slovenian language developed. The Habsburgs were the first to unite all Slovenian regions under their rule. In 1551 Primož Trubar wrote his Katekizem, the first book in the Slovenian language. In 1584 the first Slovenian Bible was issued and in 1693 the Academy of Arts and Sciences was founded and in 1701followed the Academia Philharmonicorum Labacensis, the forerunner of today’s Philharmonic Society.

The first political programme for a united and independent Slovenia had been issued. In 1818 Slovenia became independent from Austrian rule and joined the Kingdom of the Serbs, the Croats and the Slovenians. As a part of Yugoslavia, Slovenia entered World War I., as well as World War II. and lived through a civil war between the years 1941 and 1945.

On 23 December 1990, a referendum resulted in more the 88% of the electoral body voting for an independent Slovenia proclaiming its independence on 25 June 1991. The next day, the ten-day war with the Yugoslav army started, which ended on 7 July of the same year. The last Yugoslav soldier left Slovenia on 25 October and after centuries the country became free again.


Slovenia is today an associate member of the European Union and is expected to obtain full membership by the 2003.

Slovenia consists of 6 major regions, each of which has its own geographical, linguistic, architectural, historical, culinary and folklore features.


Primorska, a world in miniature, is the most diverse of the Slovenian regions. In the north, the wild and impressive emerald blue Soča (Isonzo) river creates the indelible character of this Alpine countryside. At the fringe of the Alps, the influence of the Mediterranean climate created ideal conditions for wine growing, which places the wines of Goriška Brda (Colio) among the best wines of Slovenia, which can easily compete with famous European sorts. The hinterland of the Primorsko region is the Kras. The cellars of the little stone houses store outstanding wines that go along with the excellent prosciutto ripening in the harsh north-easterly wind called burja (Bora). The region is a paradise for gourmets and a heaven for the Karst underground world fans. The Postojna Cave was first mentioned as early as 1213. With 26 million visitors so far, it is the most visited cave in Europe. The Slovenian caves are known as a home of the only underground vertebrate in Europe – the Proteus Anguinus or the human fish which also the biggest known cave animal in the world. However, the beauties of the Slovenian Kras region do not end here. The noble Lippizaner horses do also originate from this very region in Slovenia, where they were bred in a stud as early as 1580.

Every single kilometre of the Sloveniannian coast along the warm Adriatic sea has a surprise waiting for you. You will find olive grows, vineyards, orchards full of peaches and cherries, as well as the famous salt pans in Sečovlje mentioned already in 13th century. More than 150 kinds of birds nest in the nearby bird sanctuary. Towns like Piran, Koper and Izola lure with their medieval image; as opposed to that, Portorož has the appeal of a lively tourist centre. Beautiful and picturesque Istrian villages, not far from the coast, are waiting for you to discover them.


Gorenjsko is Sloveniannia's most mountainous region stretching over the Julian Alps, the Karavanke mountain chain and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. The highest mountain of Slovenia is Triglav (2864m). According to an old Slavonic legend, it is the personification of a three-headed divinity reigning over the earth, the sky and the underground world. At the foot of the Triglav, the Triglav National Park is spreading over the 85 hectares making it one of the biggest natural parks in Europe. Here you will find the springs of the Sava and Soča rivers, as well as the Valey of the Seven Lakes. Unique vegetation gives shelter to chamois, rock goats, capercaillie (wild cock), grouse (heath cock), eagles and marmots. Here one can still come across preserved examples of old dwelling culture and alpine dairy farming called planšarstvo. Furthermore you will find som of the biggest Slovenian lakes, like Lake Bohinj presenting an unspoilt alpine charm within the Triglav National Park. At the very edge of the park, you will come across famous Lake Bled with its small isle and church from the 17th century.

Gorenjsko is furthermore the home of the world famous Planica ski jumping hills and many other beautiful winter sports resorts. This part of Slovenia offers ideal opportunities for mountain hiking and climbing, for relaxing summer walks, bathing in alpine lakes, cycling through the woods and in winter time alpine skiing, cross country skiing and, of course, good food in pleasant inns.


Dolenjska is an unusual country: rolling hills, extensive woods, pleasant towns and villages, numerous thermal health resorts, open-hearted and friendly people and of course their delicate wine called »Cviček« are the main features of this region, which gains hearts with its tranquillity and peace. Above all, spa tourism has reached an enviable quality standard, but this is not the only reason to visit Dolenjsko. This region is the right place for all those who want to get away from everyday stress and trouble …


Štajersko is the most plenteous Slovenian region. Merry, hospitable and outspoken people live there. The apples and pears that grow here are famous, it is the land of noble wines and delightful tunes. Here, you will come across high mountains followed by idyllic valleys, forests, orchards, neatly kept vineyards, fields, a village, a river, a town… Throughout the Upper Savinja Valley over Pohorje and the hills of Slovenske gorice, Haloze to Podravje and Kozjansko, the landscape is harmonious and inspires a pleasant and merry living. This spirit is quickly spread over to both, the chance visitor as well as the one on organised tour. This place can certainly be considered an undiscovered heaven luring with its simplicity and hospitality.


Koroško is a the region of mountains and forests. Of all Slovenian regions, it has the harshest life conditions. Poor soil and its harsh and cold winters do not offer ideal conditions. This might be the reason why life in many parts still follows the pace of the past. The family tradition is still strong and neighbours are friends helping each other. The hospitality of Koroško is boundless and a guest is always offered only the best of the house. Nowhere else in Slovenia you will find such impressive widespread and quiet woods. The most authentic Slovenian village šentanel with its mouth-watering salami is to be found here.


Prekmurje is the most mysterious Slovenian region. The Pannonian Plain, soft hills in the distance, wide fields and rivers with mills, storks, gentle haze, cold winters and warm summers are the features that make the character of Prekmurje. The people in Prekmurje are warm and hospitable and they adore good food and drinking. Besides, they understand to lure out of their typical instruments the most beautiful and emotional songs. Numerous hot water springs and thermal health resorts are the reason for the growing number of visitors.


Slovenian towns - their history goes centuries back and is full of stories about conquerors, natural disasters, about highs and lows. Along the river banks, Slovenian towns developed into pleasant centres merging a medieval flair with modern life.

Yet, it is not merely history, monuments, churches and museums that the towns are about, it is not only restaurants with excellent food and drink, they are moreover places of events and performances. Compared to major European cities, Slovenian towns cannot be considered as big; so one shouldn't seek for the Eiffel Tower or the Roman Coloseum. Yet, it is this smallness that bestows Slovenian towns their comparative advantage and their greatness. One may discover their soul and dive deep into every appealing details; their people will become one’s friends, the events a part of your everyday life, their surroundings a consisting part of town.


Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, lies in a basin, 298 m above sea level, between the Kras and the Alps. We call it big enough to offer everything that belongs to a capital and simultaneously it is small enough to leave people their individuality. This town has a soul revealing itself in the Baroque old town beneath the green slopes of the Castle Hill, in its Secession palaces and the masterpieces of the distinguished architect Jože Plečnik.

Between the Castle Hill and Rožnik, the Ljubljanica river (called also the River with Seven Names) winds its way through the city. The river springs in the Karst hinterland and flows into the Sava river 10 kilometres north-east of the city. Tamed, the river today calmly winds its way through Ljubljana. As far as people can remember, it has brought life to the town and made it running. The bed of the Ljubljanica river was shaped by Plečnik. He regulated the banks, turned embankments into promenades arrayed with trees, built or renovated many bridges: from Trnovski most, across Čevljarski most (the Shoemakers' Bridge) to the central Tromostovje (the Three Bridges) that give the town its special charm. According to a legend, the founder of Ljubljana was Jason and his Argonauts. The young Greek king and his companions had to flee from king Aites because they had stolen his golden fleece. Their way led them sailing from the Black Sea into the Danube, then into the Sava river and from there into the Ljubljanica. At the source of Ljubljanica they came across a big lake surrounded by marshland. It was here that Jason met a frightful monster, which he fought and killed. This is supposdly the dragon of Ljubljana now banned to the top of the Castle Tower and to be found on Ljubljana's coat of arms.


The culinary skills and refined wine growing are most likely those things that stand out when comparing Slovenia to many other European countries, and therefore all these goodies are worth taking a closer look and a bite.


The culinary art in Slovenia is manifold and full of surprises. It enjoys all attributes of the central European area mixed with the Mediterranean cuisine, the culinary heritage of the neighbouring countries (Italy, Austria, Hungary) and its own regional peculiarities. It is difficult, however, to pick out a typical and unique Slovenian dish that one may call typical for the whole country.