Slovenia, a country in Central Europe, is known for its mountains, ski resorts, and lakes. On Lake Bled, a glacial lake fed by hot springs, the town of Bled contains a church-topped islet and a cliffside medieval castle. In Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, baroque facades mix with the 20th-century architecture of native Jože Plečnik, whose iconic Tromostovje (Triple Bridge) spans the tightly curving Ljubljanica River.
An earthly paradise of snow-capped peaks, turquoise-green rivers, and Venetian-style coastline, Slovenia enriches its natural treasures with harmonious architecture, charming rustic culture, and sophisticated cuisine. Slovenia is first and foremost an outdoor destination. Local people favor active holidays, and you’ll be invited – even expected – to join in. The list of activities on offer is endless, with the most popular pursuits being skiing, walking, and hiking in the mountains, and increasingly, cycling. Fast rivers like the Soča cry out to be rafted and there are ample chances to try out more niche activities like horse riding, ballooning, caving, and canyoning. If all this sounds a bit much, you can always decamp to the coast and sunbathe on the Adriatic.
You might be forgiven for thinking that anything of beauty in this greenest of green lands is, well, all-natural. But it isn't necessarily so. Where man intrudes is often too good effects, such as at Lake Bled, where a tiny baroque chapel on a picturesque island and a dramatic castle looming above complete a harmonious whole. The architecture is wonderfully varied: from the Venetian harbor towns of the coast and the rustic Hungarian-style farmhouses of Prekmurje to the Gothic churches of the Julian Alps and the art nouveau splendors of Ljubljana. The museums are rich and the culture vibrant.
Slovenian cooking borrows a little something from each of its neighbors – Italy, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans – synthesizing and reinventing dishes that emerge both familiar and unique. Slovenes have an obsession with using only fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The result is a terrific foodie destination, where you’ll sample dishes in unusual combinations, featuring items like scrumptious pasta dumplings of potato, chives and bacon, salads drizzled with nutty pumpkin seed oil, and multilayered gibanica, a wildly decadent dessert. Slovenian wine is an unheralded strength, and regional whites and reds pair well with local specialties.
Slovenia visa for citizens of India is required.