Scenic Slovenia
Bursting with culture and charm and still relatively undiscovered, Kerry Bailey visits the European country of Slovenia to explore its appeal for groups.
One of Europe’s smallest nations, Slovenia covers an area of just 21,000 square kilometres – roughly the same area as Wales – and has a population of little over two million. Far from being a disadvantage when visiting however, Slovenia’s compact landscape and the diverse influences of its bordering countries – Italy, Hungary, Croatia and Austria – mean that, in a single day, you could find yourself hiking up a snow capped mountain and later relaxing beside a warm Mediterranean beach.
Slovenia initially formed part of what was known as the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, which was later renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. Following World War II, Slovenia became part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, however in 1991, declared its independence from Yugoslavia after defeating the Yugoslave army in a brief military conflict. In 2004, Slovenia became an official member of the European Union.
Known for its stunning scenery, friendly people and limitless outdoor pursuits, groups will find enough to do in Slovenia to fulfill many different interests.
Lively Ljubljana
A good place to start any group itinerary is Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. Located towards the centre of the country and just a short 20 minute drive from the main airport of Ljubljana Brnik, it also makes an ideal base from which to explore the rest of Slovenia. Fondly nicknamed ‘Slovenia’s Living Room’ by locals and with a population of just 300,000, Ljubljana has all of the usual attractions expected of a large city but with the welcoming atmosphere of a smaller town. The city is mostly flat and very compact, lending itself perfectly to exploration on foot.
Most people head straight for the Old Town when arriving in Ljubljana, which offers a maze of narrow streets complete with Baroque architecture, most noticeably the Dragon Bridge, decorated with green dragons – the symbol of the city – and the Triple Bridge, where a daily flea market is held in the summer. A real must is a visit to the daily market, which is held in The Square and offers everything from fresh produce to local crafts as well as roasted chestnuts and Christmas fare in the winter.
From here, groups can take the tourist train – for a small charge – up the hill to the imposing Ljubljana Castle, a 12th century whitewashed structure overlooking the whole city. Originally built as a family home, the Castle has been employed as a military fortress, a prison and a poor house in its lifetime and is now open to the public. On visiting, groups can watch a 3D presentation of Ljubljana’s history in addition to seeing the Chapel of St. George, which still has its original wooden pews. Groups receive discounted admission when pre-booked. A funicular railway, which will transport groups from the Old Town to the Castle, will open in the spring.
Heading back down the hill, groups should make a stop at St. Nicholas’s Cathedral, which dates back to 1706 and is tucked away behind the market. A weighty bronze door hides the Cathedral’s opulent interior of colourful paintings, frescos and sculpted angels and cherubs. Entry is free.
Over 10,000 cultural events take place in Ljubljana throughout the year and, heading to the very centre of the city, culture vultures will have plenty of museums to explore.
The National Museum of Slovenia was established in 1821 and aims to collect, restore and preserve artefacts that document Slovenia’s culture and heritage. The items on display range from domestic items believed to have once belonged to pre-historic cave dwellers – found on cave sites in Slovenia -to early medieval jewellery. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted admission.
The nearby Slovenian Museum of Natural History, meanwhile, displays zoological, botanical and geological collections, which demonstrate changes in Slovenia’s biodiversity. A real highlight of the collection is the 20,000 year-old mammoth skeleton, found at Nevlje near Kamnik, which is located to the north of Ljubljana. Groups of 10 or more are offered discounted entry and can pre-book guided tours.
Although these two museums offer the most extensive collections, Ljubljana also boasts a large number of more specialised museums such as the Architectural Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary History, the Railway Museum, the Tobacco Museum and the Technical Museum of Slovenia.
The Brewery Museum is definitely worth a stop although groups should pre-book a visit. Located in the working malt-house of the Union Brewery – founded in 1864 and one of the largest breweries in the country – groups can take a guided tour of the filteration and bottling plants, where over 6,000 bottles are filled every hour. At the end of the tour, groups can view an exhibition on the history of the Brewery. Items on display include century-old wooden barrels and a large collection of beer mugs and tankards.
Art galleries are also in large supply in the centre of the city. The National Gallery is the main art museum in Slovenia containing the largest collection of works – from the late medieval period to the 20th century – in the country. Additionally, groups will find a good programme of changing and travelling exhibitions throughout the year. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted admission and can pre-book guided tours, lectures, video displays and art workshops.
For groups of 10 or more, who would like to get their bearings before setting off to discover the city, it is worth pre-booking a two-hour sightseeing tour via the Tourist Information Centre. GTOs may also like to consider purchasing Ljubljana Cards for their members, which offer discounts at various hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions around the city.
Head to the Alps
Travelling out of Ljubljana and into the northwest of the country, groups will come into the mountainous and scenic countryside that surrounds the Julian Alps. Much of the area here is set within the Triglav National Park, which covers 840 kilometres and is the only National Park in Slovenia.
The towns of Kranjska Gora, Bohinj and Bovec are all located amidst this spectacular scenery and are particularly good destinations for groups. There is no shortage of things to do here with activities such as hiking, fishing, paragliding, horse-riding and kayaking on offer in the summer and plenty of ski centres to choose from in the winter.
Bohinj in particular is also home to a number of interesting museums. The Museum of Alpine Dairy Farming, for example, documents the traditional methods of dairy farming and cheese making in the area whilst Oplen House, an original 19th century farmhouse, provides a taste of what daily life would have been like in Bohinj over 100 years ago. There is a charge for entry to both Museums and groups must pre-book.
Undoubtedly the most popular destination for groups in this area, however, is Bled, a visually stunning town built around a lake and against the backdrop of the surrounding snow capped mountains.
The town has various clothes, books and antiques stores to explore as well as a casino and a variety of traditional thermal spas in the surrounding hotels, which non-guests can use for a small charge. Guided tours of the town can also be pre-booked via the Tourist Information Centre.
The real highlight of visiting Bled is the opportunity to see the lake, which measures 2,120 metres in length, 1,380 metres in width and is the only lake in Slovenia. Groups will not fail to be intrigued by The Church of the Assumption standing alone on the island in the middle of the lake. The structure dates back to 1142, although it was restored and partly rebuilt in 1509 in the typically Baroque style of that period. On visiting, groups are challenged to try their hand at bell ringing, which can be more difficult than meets the eye! Entry is free.
The best way to travel to the island is by a special paddle boat called a Pletna. Pletna boatmen are stationed at various points around the lake and, for a small charge, will transport your group to the Church and wait for you before returning to the shore.
Once back on the shore, groups can make a pre-booked stop a Vila Bled for a guided tour. Although now a hotel, it has a significant history and makes an interesting visit. Set in 1.2 acres of its own grounds overlooking the lake, it was built by the Austrian Prince Windisch-Grätz in the early 1900s and later served as the summer residence of the former Yugoslav royal family. After the Second World War, the Vila was rebuilt and turned into the presidential residence of Marshal Tito, who became Prime Minister of Slovenia in 1945, and on visiting, groups can have an exclusive glimpse of Tito’s personal cinema, his dining room and study. Entry is by guided tour only.
Bled Castle, meanwhile, dates back to 1004 and is perched on a high cliff on the northern side of the town. There is a coach park at the top of the cliff; however, you have to walk up a short but steep hill to reach the Castle. Once inside, groups are able to take a self guided tour of the museum here, which displays an impressive collection of archaeological finds from the region and a selection of period costume and furniture. Also of interest is The Chapel, which is decorated with colourful frescos from around 1700 and is where groups can watch a visual presentation of the history of Bled. Not to be missed is the printing works in the lower tower, where groups can watch historic printing methods in action. Pre-booked groups receive discounted admission.
Coastal retreats
Just a short two-hour drive to the south west of Bled is Slovenia’s coastline, which is sandwiched between the Italian and Croatian coast and measures just 47 kilometres. Owing to its close proximity to the Italian border, groups will feel a noticeable temperature change when travelling to the coast from any other part of the country.
The lively coastal towns of Izola and Koper are the first points of call. Both Izola, with its pretty marina and Koper, with its maze of narrow streets are popular watersports destinations and are ideal for coastal walks.
Piran, meanwhile, is a charming medieval town with plenty of shops, pavement cafés and museums to explore. Of particular interest is Tartini House, where the famous 17th century violinist was born in 1692. Situated in The Square of Piran amidst colourful historic buildings, the building is used as offices however, groups are able to view the Memorial Room, which contains one of Tartini’s violins and his death mask in addition to scores of his music, personal letters and diaries. There is a small charge for entry.
Also worth a look is the Duka Gallery, which boasts a large collection of pottery and ceramic art. Here, groups can watch pottery demonstrations and have pieces made to order. Entry is free.
The Maritime Museum, meanwhile, is dedicated to documenting Slovenia’s seafaring history with a collection of 18th century model ships and various underwater archaeological finds from the Slovenian coast amongst the items on display. There is a small charge for entrance.
Before leaving Piran, groups should visit the Salt Museum, which documents the region’s salt industry. A variety of salt harvesting tools and equipment are on display on the ground floor of the Museum whilst, on the first floor, groups can see the recreated 17th century living quarters of a salt worker. Entry is subject to a small charge.
Just a little further along the coast, groups will come to the town of Portoroz. Known as a health resort since the 13th century – when local monks would try to cure people’s ailments with mud and sea water – the town is mainly comprised of hotels and casinos and is a good destination for spa breaks.
From Portoroz, groups can pre-book various day excursions by boat via the Slovenian Tourist Board to locations such as Trieste and Venice in Italy and a variety of day excursions by coach to visitor attractions in Slovenia a little further inland. These include the Lipica Stud Farm, founded in 1590 by the Archduke Charles of Austria and home to the world famous white Lippizzaner horses. On visiting, groups can take a guided tour of the facilities including the stables, watch the horses perform in the on-site Classical Riding School, take part in horse-drawn carriage rides and even take the reigns for themselves and try their hand at a variety of horse riding activities and lessons. Group visits must be pre-booked.
Another attraction in this area that is particularly good for group visits is the Postonja Cave, just a short drive from the coast. The largest of over 8,000 cave sites in Slovenia, Postonja boasts 21 kilometres of underground tunnels and rooms, which have been naturally formed from heavily eroded limestone rock over a period of centuries. The visit begins with an electric train ride deep into the underground tunnels where groups are then met by a tour guide, who gives a guided walk and talk on the history of the caves. The tour ends with an opportunity to see the ‘proteus anguinus’, a living newt-like creature with no eyes that can only be found in this particular cave. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted admission.
Just 10 kilometres away is the 13th century Predjama Castle. On visiting, groups are able to view the original furnishings of rooms such as the chapel, the residential quarters and the dungeons with a large collection of weaponary also on display. Pre-booked groups receive discounted admission.
Our thanks to GN Holidays for its hospitality to Kerry Bailey during her visit to Slovenia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Slovenian Tourist Board
Dunajska 156
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Telephone: 00 386 1 5891 840
Fax: 00 386 1 5891 841
E-mail: info@slovenia.info
Web: www.slovenia.info