Half the size of Switzerland, Slovenia sneakily flies under the radar in Europe. Bordering all of the greats including Italy, Austria, Hungary, Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, perhaps most are just slipping through Slovenia without even know it. More than half of the total area of the country is covered in rich forest. Yes, Slovenia is greener than any moment, being one of the greenest countries in the world. Add a little sand, snow, churches, palaces and castles to the mix and you have a well-rounded country in the heart of Europe.
If sweets tend to make your teeth hurt, Slovenia’s capital may do the same. Ljubljana looks so cute and sweet you can hardly believe it is the center of political and cultural life in Slovenia. From the perfectly pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation to the well-preserved historic buildings about town like the Ljubljana Castle, the city warrants a stop at one of its many cafes, shops and promenades. Booming with students due to its university, Ljubljana may be sweet, but it is certainly not afraid of showing you just who it is.
Other towns in Slovenia may not be as visibly cute as Ljubljana, but they certainly try to be. The town of Piran fixes just southeast of the town of Koper. With a waterfront on the Adriatic, Piran plays the role of a poser, resembling Venice a great deal. The town is known to look extremely Venetian from an architectural standpoint. One of the oldest towns in Slovenia attempts to steal away some of the attention. Just south of Maribor, Ptuj expands with Roman ruins, a medieval center, churches, and bustling baroque buildings.
One of the largest caves in the world falls in one of the smallest countries. Slovenia is home to the Postojna Cave, a series of caverns created 2 million years go. The Cavernous hall below can hold over 10,000 people, making the Postojna Cave one of Slovenia’s greatest underground natural beauties. While hiding out in a cave for a while is all fine and well, others prefer to be more extroverted and explore the country’s above ground natural beauties. Yes these sights don’t hide their beauty like Postojna Cave does. Trekkers and climbers fall in love with Triglav National Park in Slovenia. The National Park showcases the natural scenery of the Julian Alps with the reigning Mount Triglav featured as the main act.
Slovenia’s capital does not hold the only castle in the country. Set in a breathtaking location and just 9 kilometers from Postojna, the Predjama Castle drools out on the mouth of a cavern. Up 123 meters on a cliff, the Castle is out of reach, yet not. Visitors can tour the interior, boasting oil paintings, weapons, a dark dungeon, and even a drawbridge. A castle has patrolled this cliff beginning in 1202. What you see is just a dream of those origins. The 16th century version is what is visible today.
Set along an emerald green lake, the town of Bled also bears a remarkable castle. The Bled Castle rivals the Predjama Castle for its perches itself on a 100-meter drop. Views of the city and the famed Lake Bled present at the Bled Castle. Lake Bled is not camera shy. The picturesque lake positions perfectly with a mountain backdrop in its foreground. Probably one of Slovenia’s most popular resorts, Lake Bled also holds a church, on an island that is.
Some find Slovenia to be lacking in identity. With hints at the Alpines of Italy and Austria, that may be understandable to a certain point, but the dense forested mountains, glacial lakes, and cutesy towns, all make for a country that knows just who it is. You just haven’t found it yet.
