Slovenia is a rare country in that most of it hasn’t been given the most attention, especially compared to other countries in Europe. That doesn’t mean that this country doesn’t have a lot; Slovenia has something for every kind of traveler, from ancient settlements to deep gorges and everything in between. As such, here are five experiences that I would recommend to someone visiting this gem of Central Europe.
Lake Bohinj
Located inside of Triglav National park, this lake is the less busy version of Lake Bled, and it’s also the largest natural lake in Slovenia! There are many picturesque docks on the lake’s shore that you can relax on, and while it’s a stepping stone to many hiking trails and kayaking adventures, there’s a lot of manmade sights that you can explore as well. The iconic 12th century Church of St. John the Baptist is visible from every point on the lake, and there are many beautiful frescoes inside as well. Heading uphill, the Vogel spot is wonderful if you’re visiting during the winter, as there are ski resorts and snow trails for winter hiking. I think that this is the perfect holiday getaway destination, and I hope that you will too!
Krizna Cave
This is the only naturally preserved tourist cave in Slovenia, and it’s absolutely huge! The large variety of rock forms as well as the 22 large underground lakes make for a unique breeding ground for hundreds of different species of animals, and you can even find cave bear remains that date back thousands of years! Because of the variety of species and the rock forms, only four people are allowed to tour the cave daily in order to preserve its beauty. Whether you decide to take a simple hour long tour through the first underground lake or the seven hour long tour going to the Crystal Mountain (only available during the winter months), this place is absolutely enchanting, and I could go here many times without ever becoming bored!
16-Day Juliana Hiking Trail
While not being in just one place, this 267 km (166 miles) loop trail is such an exciting way of exploring the Slovenian countryside! Divided into 16 day stages - each around 18-25 km each (11.1 - 15.5 miles) this area goes through the Julian Alps’ valleys, canyons, towns, monuments, and so much more. You don’t have to worry about doing the whole trail either, as you can join at any stage and you can also choose to extend your stay in one of the villages the trail goes through as well! A very adventurous friend of mine did this trail from start to finish, and she said that it was the coolest experience she has ever had. It can be highly strenuous, with an average of 35,000 steps daily over various types of landscape, but she states that it’s definitely worth it, and I’m inclined to believe her!
Predjama Castle
This fortress is the largest cave castle in the world, which is a title that I wasn’t aware exists, and it’s as awesome as it sounds; it was build into a large cave complex in the side of a cliff, and while it may look like an average medieval castle, the inside has the same feel as the caves underneath and behind it. The history of the castle surrounds the life of Knight Erazem of Lueg, who used the castle to launch his numerous raids against the Imperial Army after killing its leader. A funny highlight to the tour was the bathroom where the knight died; a trusted servant gave his location away to the Army, where a cannonball was sent to decapitate him!
George R R Martin was inspired by the fortress when he was writing Game of Thrones, and with the stunning view of the valley below, it has become a filming location for numerous movies and TV shows. This is also considered one of the most haunted castles in Europe; paranormal experts believe that the limestone in the caves are magnetic to spirits, and as such, many ghost hunters come to the castle to investigate. After seeing everything within this castle, I can say without a doubt that this is the most intriguing and fun manmade sight within the country!
Velika Planina
Just 40 miles away from the capital city of Ljubljana, this plateau is extraordinarily scenic, and it encompasses most of everything Slovenia has to offer into one small shepherds’ settlement. Located in the Kamnik Alps, Velika Planina has 140 fully preserved huts with low pine-shackled roofs, and even today travelers can stay in these homes the same way that they have for centuries! The plateau’s main attractions, Preskar museum and the chapel of Mary of the Snows, are rich with history; the church was designed by Joze Plecnik (the same person who designed many buildings in Ljubljana, Vienna, Prague, and Belgrade), and both buildings maintain their centuries old traditions of the plateau even after being burned down by Nazis in WWII. This was one of my favorite day trips out of any capital city in Europe, and strolling through history on the beautiful mountains felt so peaceful!
Conclusion
In short, Slovenia is a unique masterpiece of a country, and I believe that it gets much less attention than what it deserves. There’s a lot of manmade things to see that are steeped in history, and I absolutely adore the appreciation for nature that Slovenia has. Because it’s a country that’s under the radar a lot, it’s quite relaxing to go to, and I couldn’t possibly get tired of seeing such a beautiful country!
