Portorose (Portoroz) is the main Slovenian sea resort; it has been the sea in fact, together with the Mediterranean climate and salt-works, to make of it a tourist destination adapted to all seasons. The natural healing factors, like the mud from the salt-works and the sea water, were in fact used, according to the tradition, already by the roman soldiers and in XIIth century by the Benedictines of the monastery of S. Lorenz. The thermal station began to develop in 1885 when it was constructed a small hotel and a building in which talassoterapia was practiced. Today the “Bay of Roses” is the most renowned tourist locality of the Slovenian coast, thanks to the elevated quality of the hotel offer, to the rich cultural and congressional activities and to the varied possibilities of entertainment, the first being the Casino. (more…)
The town of Koper was built on an island which was linked to the mainland in the 19th century by embankments. By draining the swamp area between the island and the mainland, the town acquired an extensive plain which has developed into a commercial and industrial center. (more…)
Slovenia is small and exceptional. The country has a wide range of varying landforms and types of climate, hence the colorful world of living creatures, human characteristics, and customs, a perfect place for a relaxed vacation, countryside travel, skiing, swimming or mountaineering. This is a region of wind-exposed physical features, the crossroads of Latin, Germanic, Hungarian and Slav cultures and languages.
Slovenia stands at the crossroads of ancient routes. It is squeezed between the snow-covered Alps and the warm Adriatic Sea. At the top edge of the northernmost Mediterranean by and below the southern slopes of the Alps, a narrow pass gives access to all directions in Europe. Furthermore, Slovenia lies at the junction of the Alps, the Dinaric Mountains and the Pannonian basin. In the south-west it reaches the northern coast of the Adriatic Sea and, therefore serves as a natural passageway, with routes leading from the sea and Italian territory, over the Dinaric mountain passes, along the southern Alpine hillsides and the Danube valley.
It depends on the type of vacation, if you visit Slovenia for relaxation (walking, spa health resort, ecotourism, tennis, golf) or adrenaline nolimits experience (mountaineering, rafting, mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, free climbing, canyoning) there are many kinds of accommodation in hotels, rental apartments, camping or farms.
Slovenia’s physical features are extremely varied. In the north, there is the Alpine region with rugged mountains and limestone peaks, including Triglav, the highest mountain (2864 m). In this connection mention should be made of the Triglav National Park, which covers most of the Julian Alps (85,000 hectares). Mt. Triglav has had a symbolic meaning in the history of the Slovene people; for the ancestors it was a god, for the Slovenes of today it is a national symbol.
The eastern region, cloaked by extensive, predominantly coniferous forests, has numerous lakes, of which Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj are very famous. This world of mountains also includes large plateaus, delightful for summer holidays and recreation.
The southwestern districts of Slovenia, belonging to the Dinaric mountain range, abound in karst phenomena, disappearing streams, and subterranean caves (Postojna and Skocjan).
The stretch of land along the coast, in which Koper, Piran, Portorose (Portoroz) and Izola (Isola) are the major towns, constitutes the Mediterranean region of Slovenia. Sunny beach holidays with tours around the country or cheap trips to Venice, or a Mediterranean cruise are suitable for a hot summer vacation.
The Karst is the name given to the landscape above the Bay of Trieste up to the Alps. The name karst (in slovenian language kras) is also used to describe phenomena which are typical of such uniquely rocky and hollow land. The karst topography is thus a stony, barren, parched region overgrown with modest bushes and poor meadows, where the sun burns in the summer, and in winter, the famous karst “burja” or north wind blows. The water in the karst is underground, losing itself in the cracks in the limestone.
Postojna Caves
But under the surface, water has created a pictueresque subterranean world of thousands of caves, halls, abysses, pillars and disappearing rivers. The water and limestone have created glittering crystals which have grown into stalagmites and stalagtites. World famous is the Cave of Postojna, among the largest cave systems in the world (only the Mammoth Caves in the USA are bigger).
The cave has 27 kilometres of accesible passages. The cave is open to visitors all year round and during the main season the cave train makes 17 trips every day.
Slovenia tourism can offer you a remarkable contrasts experience: swimming in the Adriatic, skiing in the Alps, an adventurous discovery of Karst and Caves subterranean phenomena, a refreshing bath in a thermal springs, visits of medieval cities or winegrowing hills. Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, shows its Baroque and Art Nouveau influence, and the work of native born architect Jože Plečnik. Other attractions include the Julian Alps with the picturesque Lake Bled in Bled and Soča Valley, as well as the nation’s highest peak, Mount Triglav. Perhaps even more famous is Slovenia’s karst named after the Karst plateau in southwestern Slovenia. More than 28 million visitors have visited Postojna Cave, while a 15-minute ride from it are Škocjan caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourism Slovenia: coast and mountains
Further in the same direction is the coast of the Adriatic Sea, with a jewel of Venetian Gothic, Piran. The hills around the nation’s second-largest city, Maribor, are renowned for their wine-making. Even though Slovenes tend to consume most of the wine they produce, some brands like Lutomer have made their appearance abroad. Geology has made the northeastern part of the country rich with spas, with Rogaška Slatina being perhaps its most prominent site.
A traditionally hospitable and very accessible country, Slovenia offers active, relaxing and healthy holidays:
* Coast and Karst
* Mountains and Lakes
* Health Spas and Wellness
* Castles and Churches
* Sport and Recreation
* Casinos
The Adriatic is a great place for swimming and windsurfing and there are also three marinas on the coast. Divers can make for the sea and the lakes, and the Soča, Krka and Kolpa rivers attract many canoeists and rafters. There are several equestrian clubs around Slovenia.
There are approximately 300 castles and manor houses in Slovenia, many containing museums and galleries. Particularly picturesque are Otočec Castle in the middle of the Krka river and Mokrice Castle.
Slovenia has 12 casinos, which makes Slovenia one of the most gaming attractive in Europe. As well as traditional European gaming, they also offer American-style gaming combined with high quality hotel, shopping, recreation and entertainment services.
Slovenia’s health spas have a tradition stretching back centuries. Fifteen very different health spas offering curative, preventive and holiday programmes provide different ways of enjoying an active holiday, including recreation and sport. The spas include:
Zdravilišce Rogaška Slatina, being over 400 years old and boasting the mineral water Donat Mg which, due to its magnesium content and bacterial purity, is unique in Europe; and Terme Olimia, with its beautiful pool complex.
The rich tradition of the thermal baths at Terme Dobrna and Zdravilišče Laško;
Zdravilišče Radenci, whose range of health services is complemented by Radenska’s world-famous “Three Hearts” mineral water;
Terme Ptuj, Terme Lendava, Terme 3000 Moravske Toplice, Terme Topolšica and Terme Zreče;
Terme Catež, offering a wide range of services and the largest year-round thermal river in this part of Europe;
Dolenjske Toplice and Šmarješke Toplice, near the primal forest of Kočevski Rog,
Zdravilišče Strunjan on the Slovenian Littoral and
Terme Palace in Portorož, which use salt water, mud and thermo-mineral water.
