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Slovenia's welcoming embrace is set against a fairytale backdrop of castles, grottos, mirror-like lakes, oak forests and Alpine peaks. The fairytale feeling stems not just from the views, but also from Slovenia's unsettled history - this country has been part of numerous vast kingdoms, from the Roman Empire to Yugoslavia in the nineties. Our selection of the best places to stay in Slovenia will leave you well placed to explore the best of this fascinating country.
Its assets are a different kind of legendary: the alps host major winter sports competitions, the pristine wildernesses offer some of Europe's most scenic hiking and biking, the cultural scene thrives and the food and hospitality are world-class.
Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, is one of Europe's most charming cities, small enough to explore on foot and with Baroque-building-lined boulevards which offer plenty of tasty rest stops between sights. This is the best place to stay in Slovenia if you want to see the cultural and architectural highlights.
But Slovenia has a lot to offer beside the capital and its best known highlights, picturesque Lake Bled and up-and-coming ski resort, Kranjska Gora,
Kranjska Gora is undoubtedly a good place to start though. This isn't the trendiest of ski resorts but it's got everything skiers could need, and in the summer its position, surrounded by the Julian Alps and the Triglav National Park, means you're near the spectacular cave systems and dramatic gorges.
The fertile Vipava Valley is a great, under-explored wine producing region - just asking to be discovered by touring bike. Some of Slovenia's best wines are produced here, and the standard will probably surprise you.
For a different kind of riding visit Lipica, famous for the elegant Lipizzaner horses first bred here in the 16th Century.
Slovenia's idyllic Adriatic coastline is also under-explored. One of its most charming towns is Piran, built by the Venetians, it sits on a narrow peninsula. Busy in summer, there are many who name this as their favourite place in the whole world.
If you're interested in Slovenia's history visit Ptuj, equal to Ljubljana for its cultural and historic importance, and smaller, though arguably as beautiful.
While Slovenia is perfect if you want to take a stroll along a road less travelled, you can still get a sense of freshness in the country's best known destinations. Slovenia's sophistication is veiled by a rustic charm - which has also kept its natural assets the Adriatic coastline and Julian Alps etc. in pristine condition. And the welcome from the open and forward thinking Slovenians feels genuine.
