In the middle of the centre of #Europe lies the Republic of #Slovenia, which covers just under 20,000 square kilometres and has 2 million inhabitants. With such a relatively small size, it is all the more astonishing to see the great variety and diversity of Slovenia's #landscape: snow-covered, towering peaks and mountain landscapes of the Julian Alps meet turquoise-green rivers and lakes such as the famous Lake Bled, dense forests - which, by the way, make up more than 50 percent of the country's total area - and underground cave systems such as the #Caves of Skocjan. And then there are the incredibly hospitable, courteous, serene and above all extremely likeable inhabitants of the country, as well as the fantastic cuisine with influences from neighbouring countries such as Italy, Austria, Croatia or Hungary, which not only make the hearts of #Outdoor fans beat faster.

Our Highlights

Ljubljana - The capital city is located in the centre of the country and finds the perfect mix of urban flair and cosy big city, where almost every corner can be explored effortlessly on foot or by bike. Lined with numerous bridges, columns, #museums and #galleries and interspersed with Art Nouveau buildings, the city, which has a population of around 285,000, is the country's undisputed cultural centre. As a university city with more than 50,000 students, Ljubljana is a great place to party and go out, but also to eat and drink. Don't forget to take a long walk along the banks of the beautiful river Ljubljanica, which gives the city its name!

Bled - There can hardly be a more beautiful and breathtaking spot in Slovenia than Lake Bled and the picturesque surrounding area surrounded by the Julian Alps. In the midst of the turquoise blue lake lies the island of Blejski Otok, where a single church building sits enthroned and which, in harmony with the fantastic mountain-lake panorama, provides the perfect scenery for a wonderful souvenir photo. The awe-inspiring Bled #Castle, which dates back to the early Middle Ages, rises on a 139-metre-high rock above the lake. Outdoor enthusiasts can go hiking and mountaineering in the surrounding area through the unspoiled nature or go rafting on the river Sava. A trip to the Vintgar Gorge about four kilometres north of Bled is also worthwhile, where you can make your way to the #Waterfall Šum on a wooden footbridge about 1.5 kilometres long along the rushing rapids of the river Radovna.

Bohinj - Only 26 kilometres southwest of Bled, which is often crowded with tourists, lies its less popular, though at least as beautiful sister in the middle of the Triglav National Park: the Bohinj region. The valley basin consists of an upper and a lower valley and the beautiful Bohinj Lake in the interior. Here you can enjoy hiking and cycling, canoeing and rowing on the lake, and in high summer a nice swim. In contrast to Bled, the Bohinj region and the 14 million year old glacial lake are still largely untouched by mass tourism. An absolute highlight is the approximately 78-metre high waterfall Savica or the typical regional cuisine at the Strudl inn.

Kranjska Gora & Triglav - Situated northwest of Bohinj and Bled, in the middle of the Sava-Dolinka valley, lies one of Slovenia's largest and most popular ski resorts: Kranjska Gora. Of course, the alpine resort shines the brightest in the snow mantle, but also in other seasons a trip to the Slovenian north is worthwhile. Especially hikers who want to go on an exploration tour over the Vrsic Pass, which is situated at about 1,600 metres and thus the highest mountain pass in the country, or mountaineers who want to climb the numerous mountains and glaciers in the neighbouring Triglav National Park will get their money's worth. In the national park you can also climb the Triglav, which is the highest limestone peak in the country (2,864 metres) and the national symbol on the flag of Slovenia.

Skocjan Caves - If you think of #caves as narrow canals and if you get claustrophobic sweat on your hands just thinking of the underground tunnels, you will rub your eyes in amazement in Skocjan Caves: The cave system, often referred to as the "Underground Grand Canyon", has walls that rise up to 100 metres into the air and has one of the largest underground chambers in the world. At the bottom of the canyon the river Reka rushes along, having made its way through the cave. You will come across limestone pools and stalagmite formations, bats and even fish - and given the scenery, it wouldn't even surprise you to meet some dwarves or even dragons from the famous novels by J.R.R. Tolkien!

Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle - Those who already liked the Skocjan Caves and were impressed by their size will love the caves of Postojna! With a length of almost 24 kilometres it is the second largest cave system in the world and takes its visitors into a fantastic and fairytale #fantasy world of blooming stalactites, graceful rock formations and numerous tunnels. Before you can enter the caves, a train takes you about 3.5 kilometres underground before you can start your exploration - that alone is an indescribable feeling for itself. On the lowest level, the rushing river Pivka still meanders through the system and you are almost certain to meet some of the cave olmes, the amphibian inhabitants of the Postojna Caves.

About ten kilometres northwest of Prostojna, the epic Predjama Castle is enthroned in the middle of a rock face. At the time of its construction in the 13th century, the castle, which is about 60 metres high and set into a cave, was considered impregnable. A few centuries later, a certain Erasmus Lueger - a robber baron comparable to famous Robin Hood - barricaded himself in the castle for over a year and waged a bitter war with the Habsburgs. Despite the overwhelming superiority of the Emperor's troops, they did not succeed in capturing the fortress. Lueger, on the other hand, was dramatically betrayed by one of his servants and then shot down by an externally positioned cannon of the Emperor while going to the toilet. The underground passages and impressive trap systems of the castle can still be viewed today.