With the inevitable gloom of London’s winter soon upon us it’s only natural to have pangs of wanting to get out in the fresh, snowy air of a winter abroad. And the perfect tonic is a trip to glorious Slovenia, where you will be welcomed by the stunning sights of striking mountains and their excellent ski resorts, glacial lakes and gorgeous surrounds. So jump in a plane and in fewer than two hours you could be in Slovenia, Europe’s very own adventurer’s playground.
Far from misguided visions of a sleepy backwater that having broken from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, is still stuck in some distant time warp, Slovenia is a forward thinking and progressive nation, where tourism is the country’s backbone, though, importantly, not to the detriment of its integral peacefulness and beauty.
It is this peace and unashamed beauty that makes the country so striking. It is as beautiful as it is green and as clean as it is beautiful. The charm of Slovenia is undeniable. Here the thrill seeker can enjoy skiing, sky diving, hang-gliding, mountain biking, cannoning, hiking, mountaineering, kayaking and so much more.
For the not so adventurous there are plenty of easy ski slopes and gentle walks and of course, everyone will admire the incredible views and unspoilt scenery. There are gorges to be explored and a gorgeous, albeit small coastline, dotted with Italian-style fishing villages, olive groves and crystal clean water. Even in the winter the coastline is striking and if you want to get away form it all you will certainly find it the perfect retreat.
The countryside is sublime, nothing is out of place and no litter ruins the views. Lining the horizon, throughout the flat fields, are traditional hay drying racks – the Slovenians know that there are easier ways to dry hay but none are so pretty or traditional to their country. You will frequently see farmers working on horse and plough (amongst the more frequent tractors) and it is in this respect that Slovenia is not so much stuck in the past, but chooses to retain some of the past’s simple way of life.
The country may only be small but it packs a huge punch with so much to offer. There is the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Skocjan Caves, the Postojna Caves, Triglav National Park, rich in flora and fauna; Predjama Castle and the capital city of Ljubjana, a wonderfully laid back capital whose slogan is to chill out and have fun! With fine luxury shops, a great ‘high street’ district, delightful eateries lining the river and stunning Baroque buildings, all under the ramparts of the ancient castle on the hill, the capital is a fantastic destination in itself.
The stunning Lake Bled is perhaps one of the country’s most famous spots. The breathtaking resort is truly unbelievable. Situated on the edge of the Julian Alps in the northwest of Slovenia, Lake Bled lies close to the borders of Austria and Italy and is simply a magical setting. It must have been the inspiration for many a fairy-tale and it is the perfect backdrop for a truly romantic love story. The still water of the glacial lake turns new colours with every movement of the clouds – from a mirror of silver to piercing emerald and from crystal clear aqua blue to a deep, motionless black – but consistently beautiful and iridescent.
Behind it, the surrounding majestic mountains that circle the lake turn different hues throughout the day and as the clouds weave through the trees and snow capped peaks, an air of mysticism, beauty and almighty power envelopes the resort. To one side of the lake is the delightful Bled castle, a picturesque white and red cliff top castle, perched on a rock with incredible views over the lake and across the central island. The little island on Lake Bled is famed worldwide for its beauty.
Home to just a small church dating back to the 10th century (though the present building is actually 17th century) it is a true gem. Steeped in local legend it is said that ringing the bell in the church will make your wish come true. You can reach the island by way of a Pletna – much like a gondola, manned by a local or even more fun, hire a row boat. Within a couple of hours walking from the lake, through pretty villages and peaceful winding roads, you can reach the glorious 1km long Vintgar Gorge, with raging waters and rainbow speckled mist, returning by way of a walk through forests, fields and villages.
Meanwhile, just minutes away from the lake, but demanding some walking power, you can climb (or catch a chair lift) up the mini ski slopes to gasp at the vistas. However, just a couple of hours away the resort of Kranjska Gora is a better place for the more proficient to hit the slopes and let your hair down. Aside from brilliant skiing there is plenty to enjoy for everyone.
The romantic will love an enchanting torch lit sleigh ride and the adrenaline junkie will revel in a snowmobile ride. Meanwhile there is a vibrant nightlife with an abundance of bars and restaurants offering fantastic atmospheres at a fraction of the price you can expect to pay back home and if you fancy a flutter, you can try your luck at the local casino. Bohinj, a mighty glacier on the edge of Triglav National Park is another fine ski resort with excellent slopes mirrored in the tranquil lake beneath. Slovenia is a great value destination and whilst it isn’t ridiculously cheap it is in no way expensive. Even luxury is affordable. Grand Hotel Toplice, is a five star property complete with its own spa, fed directly from a natural spring. Drinking the fresh natural spa water is said to have a myriad of health benefits and the spa has its own drinking fountain. The colonnaded pool is chilly, though the spring water is meant to be 22º but you can warm up in the wet, dry or infra-red saunas.
The hotel has plenty of other facilities, including its own area of the lake for swimming (only in the summer mind you) and a restaurant serving delicious food. Service is excellent, staff are friendly and the rooms are well appointed. With companies such as Balkan Holidays offering excellent value packages, including flights, transfers and accommodation as well as really cheap ski extras and great value excursions it’s an excellent priced country to visit for an escape from your busy day to day life.
www.balkanholidays.co.uk
[ Source: Australian Times ]