Dear friends of Slovenia

It brings me great joy to know that you have in your hands this fine book, which captures the rhythm of a country offering every-thing you can imagine when you think of beauty and vitality – because that country is Slovenia. Slovenia will not only thrill you with its natural beauty and the diversity of its countryside, but also with the hospitality of its people and the quality of the services it provides.

We Slovenians are hardworking people, and there are many incredible individuals among us who achieve worldwide success in different fields - sport, innovation, business, science and art. Our society is modern; it is the society of the future. We live as a sovereign nation, in our own country within the European Union, and we are open to international cultural dialogue and appreciate cooperation and respect. Our mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage we’ve been bestowed with, and to live healthy and active lives.

Slovenia is a country of magnificent nature. In one corner there are green hills covered with vineyards, and in another, forests stretching as far as the eye can see, an in yet another, a beautiful alpine world; with the coast in the south and fertile plains in the far east. All this variety offers many opportunities for excursions, sports and other recreational activities. Slovenian cites and rural destinations hide many historical secrets, and also offer excellent gourmet experiences, where Mediterranean influenced flavours mix with continental tastes and form the healthy traditional Slovenian cuisine.

Slovenia also prides itself on its fantastic strategic position at the crossroads of the East and West, the North and South. Only a few hours separate us from Vienna or Venice, as well as other large European cities.

Tourism forms an integral part of our society and the fundamental values that guide us in welcoming visitors are originality, authen-ticity, well-being and serving as a home away from home. Slovenia is a diverse and quality destination for all its visitors, which is why I am happy that you are coming from all over the world to meet us and discover our beautiful and exceptional country.

Kind regards

Borut Pahor President of the Republic of Slovenia

A welcome from Slovenian president Borut Pahor

President‘s Welcome 5

Introducing Slovenia 10Basic Info 10

Slovenia in Numbers 12

Language 14

History 16

Tops 10s & Interviews 18Top 10 Attractions 18

Interview with Karmen Novarlič 20

Top 10 Annual Events 22

Interview with Darko Brlek 24

Top 10 Slovenian Dishes 26

Interview with Janez Bogataj 28

Top 10 Wine Varieties 30

Interview with Darrel Joseph 32

Top 10 Souvenirs 34

Interview with Joseph Mussomeli 36

Top 10 Slovenian Athletes 38

Interview with Peter Mankoč 40

Top 10 Ski Resorts 42

Top 10 Golf Courses 44

Interview with Boris Košuta 46

Top 10 Spa Resorts 48

Interview with Iztok Altbauer 50

Top 10 Castles 52

Top 10 Casinos 54

Interview with Dimitri Piciga 56

Top 10 Slovenian Companies 58

Top 10 Conferences & Fairs 60

Interview with Iztok Bricl 62

Central Slovenia 64MAP for Central Slovenia 66

1. Ljubljana 68

2. Ljubljana Region 88

3. Medvode 90

4. Vrhnika 91

5. Logatec 92

6. Grosuplje 93

7. Kamnik 94

8. Domžale 98

9. Litija 100

10. Mengeš 101

11. Trzin 102

12. Dol Pri Ljubljani 103

13. Lukovica 104

14. Kamniška Bistrica Valley 105

15. Velika Planina 106

Northern Slovenia 108MAP for Northern Slovenia 110

16. Gorenjska Region 112

17. Bled 114

18. Bohinj 120

19. Radovljica 124

20. Kranj 126

21. Brdo Pri Kranju 130

22. Škofja Loka 132

23. Železniki 134

24. Gorenja Vas - Poljane 135

25. Žiri 136

26. Cerklje 137

27. Šenčur 138

28. Žirovnica 139

29. Preddvor 140

30. Jezersko 141

31. Tržič 142

32. Jesenice 143

33. Kranjska Gora 144

34. Triglav National Park 146

Eastern Slovenia 148MAP for Eastern Slovenia 150

35. Celje 152

Table of Contents36. Laško 156

37. Žalec 160

38. Vransko 164

39. Polzela 165

40. Braslovče 166

41. Vitanje 167

42. Slovenske Konjice 168

43. Šmarje Pri Jelšah 169

44. Zreče 170

45. Podčetrtek 172

46. Olimje 173

47. Rogaška Slatina 174

48. Rogatec 176

49. Kozjansko Regional Park 177

50. Velenje 178

51. Koroška 182

52. Solčavsko Region 184

53. Maribor 188

54. Ptuj 192

55. Ljutomer 194

56. Prekmurje 196

57. Murska Sobota 198

58. Moravske Toplice 200

59. Velika Polana 201

60. Lendeva 202

61. Radenci 203

Southern Slovenia 204MAP for Southern Slovenia 206

62. Posavje 208

63. Brežice 210

64. Bizeljsko 212

65. Bistrica ob Sotli 213

66. Krško 214

67. Sevnica 218

68. Kostajevica na Krki 220

69. Radeče 221

70. Metlika 222

71. Črnomelj 224

72. Semič 226

73. Vinica 227

74. Kostel 228

75. Kočevje 229

76. Novo Mesto 230

77. Ribnica 232

78. Žužemberk 233

Western Slovenia 234MAP for Western Slovenia 236

79. Koper 238

80. Izola 240

81. Piran 244

82. Portorož 246

83. Sečovlje 248

84. Bovec 249

85. Kobarid 250

86. Tolmin 251

87. Soča Valley 252

88. Nova Gorica 254

89. Goriška Brda 256

90. Vipava Valley 258

91. Štanjel 260

92. Sežana 261

93. Idrija 262

94. The Karst 264

95. Postojna 268

96. Pivka 270

97. Ilirska Bistrica 272

98. Lipica 273

99. Cerknica 274

100. Škocjanske Jame 276

Useful Information 278Top 100 Attractions 278

Top 100 Events 280

Top 100 Restaurants 282

Top 100 Wineries 284

Embassies in Slovenia 286

Slovenian Diplomatic Missions 288

Municipalities 290

Rotary Clubs 292

Lions Clubs 293

About the Authors 294

Photo Credits 296

Index 298

Map 302

Table of Contents 98 Table of Contents

the world’s oldest flute. Business picked up with the arrival of the Celts in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, when the first state on the territory was established, called Noricum. The state wouldn’t last too long however, and was annexed by the Roman Empire before BC could become AD.

With the Romans came the development of towns such as Emona (Ljubljana), Celeia (Celje) and Poetovio (Ptuj), the last of which has the proud distinction of being the oldest town in Slovenia. Trade and military roads were established in the area, and the people living on the land were gradually Romanised with Christianity beginning to assert itself. This newfound faith didn’t do much with regards to day-to-day peace, as many tribes made (often) violent advances on the land.

The 6th century saw the arrival of Slavic tribes, and by 658 the independent duchy of Carantania had been formed. Whilst this state didn’t last as long it left an indelible mark on the world, being cited as one of the great influences on Thomas Jefferson and American democracy. By the end of the 8th century it was under Frankish rule however, and by the end of the next century the Magyars had invaded the Pannonian plain, isolating the Slavs there from those in the west. An intense Germanization began, although both this and the Hungarian knife can be seen as catalysts for the beginning of the development of a nation of Slovenes. Monasteries begun to emerge and further towns were established, such as Koper, Kranj, Kamnik and Piran.

By the second half of the 15th century Slovenia’s one and only noble family, the Counts of Celje, had died out and all of present-day Slovenia came under the control of the Habsburgs. This isn’t to say that peace ruled the day of course, as no sooner had the Austrians put down their marker the land came under attack from Turkish forces. To make matters more chaotic, this time also saw a number of large peasant revolts, stemming from dissatisfaction with the defence against the Turkish invaders as well as harsh taxation and the meagre world of serfdom.

The religious enlightenment that was taking Europe by storm made its way to Slovenia, and with it came further development of the Slovene national identity and the foundations for Slovene as a literary language. Primož Trubar published the first book in the Slovene language in 1550 and not long after Jurij Dalmatin produced the first Slovene translation of the Bible. The enlightenment brought economic development, economic development brought a middle class, and the middle class brought national consciousness.

Enter Napoleon. As the pint-sized power-hungry gentleman sliced his way through Europe, a number of Slovene regions were captured and the Illyrian Provinces were established, adjoined to the French state. This lasted only four years, but that was long enough for the taxation system to be overhauled and the position of the Slovene language in schools

to be improved. It was in the penultimate year of the Illyrian Provinces that France Prešeren would move to Ljubljana to study as a 12-year-old, and as a poet he would become the most influential figure in Slovene cultural history. In the penultimate year of his life (1848), the first Slovene political programme was established, called United Slovenia. They demanded the unification of all Slovenians into a single Slovene state. It would take another 143 years for this to become a reality.

In those 143 years, Slovenia would suffer the same fate that befell the rest of the region, with horrible violence engulfing the lands during the two world wars. World War I in the country centred on the Soča Front and the battles that raged there for over two years between the armies of Italy and Austria-Hungary, with Slovenian soldiers on both sides. The baby-steps towards independence continued when the war ended as Slovenia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (known as Yugoslavia from 1929), a move which coincided with the loss of Koroška to Austria and Primorska to Italy. The Slovenes in the latter were subjected to harsh Italianization under the rule of Benito Mussolini, which would last until 1943. It was under these conditions that the Revolutionary Organization of the Julian March T.I.G.R was formed, a group considered one of the first anti-fascist resistance movements in Europe.

If the people thought that World War I was as hard as life could get, they hadn’t reckoned on the sheer bloody misery that World War II would bring. Simultaneously a struggle for national liberation and a civil war, Slovenia was partitioned during this time by the armies of Italy, Nazi Germany and Hungary. World War II in Yugoslavia was brain-meltingly complex, but when the smoke cleared and the war came to and end it was Josip Broz, known as Tito, and his communist Partisan movement that was victorious. Slovenia became part of a socialist Yugoslavia, where it would remain for 45 years.

Slovenia was the most economically advanced part of Yugoslavia, with a domestic output that was two and a half times the Yugoslav average. Tito died in Ljubljana in 1980, and with his force of personality no longer a factor Yugoslavia began to unravel. Democratic elections were held throughout the six republics in 1990, and a whopping 88% of Slovenes voted in favour of independence. This was declared on June 25th 1991, and after a short ten-day conflict with the Yugoslav army Slovenia finally its independence.

Recognition from Europe came less than a year after the declaration, and by May 1992 Slovenia had joined the United Nations. The sights of the nation then turned on the European Union, which it joined in 2004, swiftly followed by acceptance into NATO. The Euro currency was adopted on January 1st 2007. The international financial crisis would hit Slovenia hard, meaning that the riches anticipated by integration into Europe haven’t materialised. But, for the first time in the nation’s history, the fight for acceptance as a nation is over.

With independence only coming as recently as 1991 with the collapse of Yugoslavia, Slovenia is still a young country. Don’t let its relatively youthful status deceive you however; this land and the people that inhabit it have a long and storied history. This tale mirrors the stories of its neighbours in many respects, centuries of living under the occupation of bigger powers whilst struggling to keep Slovenia’s national culture and language alive, a struggle that finally reached its victorious climax at the end of the 20th century.

The first evidence of human habitation in these lands comes 250,000 years before Jesus graced us with his presence, in the form of stone tools and not much else. Livestock rearing folk through the late Stone and Bronze ages graced the area, and artefacts from this period survive to this day, including

History of SloveniaFrom prehistory to Yugoslavia,

the EU and beyond

History of Slovenia 17

PIRAN

SOČA RIVER

TRIGLAV NATIONAL PARK

MARIBOR’S OLD VINE

POSTOJNA CAVELIPICA STUD FARM

LJUBLJANA CASTLE ŠKOCJAN CAVES

BLED LAKE

LOGAR VALLEY

ToP 10ATTRACTIonS

Simply put, Bled Lake is one of the most romantic destinations on the continent. A crystal blue lake, protected by a castle overlooking the waters with a none-more-idyllic island in the middle, Bled Lake is a Disney scene come to life.

A truly stunning glacial alpine valley, Logar Valley is located deep in the heart of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. An excellent starting point for many gorgeous hikes, the natural sights of this area take the breath away.

Lipica is famous worldwide for its Lipizzaner horses, and the stud farm here has over 400 years of history behind it. The horses are as elegant as can be, and modern presentations (be they interactive dis-plays or classical exhibits) showcase this clearly.

With its emerald green waters, the Soča River gains new admirers with each passing year. The Soča is a haven for those who like their water sports to veer onto the adventurous side, yet also relaxing enough for an afternoon’s fishing.

Arguably the capital’s most recognisable sight, Ljubljana Castle sits atop the hill around which the city grew. It has gone under many reconstructions over the centuries and is choc-full of points of inter-est, but the panoramas of the city it provides is worth the trip alone.

Slovenia is also home to the world’s oldest vine, which in such a wine-loving country is an obvious beacon of pride. The building it snakes around is now home to a museum that teaches all visitors about the wine culture of Štajerska.

With more than 20km of galleries already found within, Postojna is home to the most visited show cave in Europe. Open every day all year long, only a fraction of these galleries are open to the public, but it is difficult to do justice to the majesty of the caves with mere words.

Covering some 4% of Slovenia’s landmass, Triglav National Park is a stunning landscape of jagged peaks, lush valleys and forests. Slove-nia’s tallest mountain, Triglav, is the centrepiece, summiting at some 2864 metres high.

It is said that Piran is to the Adriatic what Bled is to the Alps and what Slovenia as a whole is to Central Europe: tiny, friendly and over-whelmingly picturesque. With Slovenia’s finest square and one of Europe’s most dramatically situated churches, there is plenty to fall in love with here.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Škocjan caves are one of only three caves in the world to gain such distinction. Located just outside the town of Divača, a plethora of sites within the caves are waiting to be discovered.

18 Attractions

HOW MUCH DOES YOUR PERSONAL TASTE INFLUENCE THE PROGRAMME OF THE LJUBLJANA FESTIVAL?It would be dishonest of me to say that it does not influence it at all. In a certain way, all artistic directors let their personal taste have some influence. But when preparing the Ljubljana Festival programme, I am guided mostly by the budget, availability of artists, audience’s tastes and, of course, trends in the festival business. When I am in doubt, I ask my colleagues, who have experiences in various fields, for their opin-ion. A great support, too, is the network within the European Festival Association (EFA), a special platform that unites more than 100 festivals.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF PREPARING THE LJUBLJANA FESTIVAL PROGRAMME LIKE? HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO YOU PLAN AND CREATE IDEAS?It is a continuous process. I might have some ideas and wishes, but then we are only able to realise them in four or five years, while some other ideas can be realised the following year or even just before the upcom-ing festival. So it is difficult to say. I am not one of those people that do everything mathematically. Of course, there is a certain clear structure of the festival which has been followed for decades, but we have to be flexible and adjust to the current situation. Festivals reflect the current time and space as well as changes in society and the economy.

ARE THERE ANY PARALLELS BETWEEN MANAGING A MAJOR FESTIVAL AND MAKING MUSIC?Yes, there are and I enjoy doing both. In both cases there is not much space to correct mistakes, or maybe even no space at all, and there are certain responsibilities to the audience. But as the manager and artistic director of the Ljubljana Festival I have even more responsibilities and obligations than as a musician. I do not only depend on myself. Then there is also the aspect of organising a festival, and this aspect is very different from just playing music. My obligation is also to put together the budget for the festival and to find the money for the programme.

HOW HAS THE FESTIVAL CHANGED SINCE YOU BECAME THE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR IN 1995?It has changed significantly. First of all, it has become larger in all aspects: larger audience and venues, more extensive programme and visibility, more co-productions and international collaborations. The Ljubljana Festival has a very long history, ie more than sixty years, and it has always played an important cultural role not only in Slovenia but also Yugoslavia and in the wider region as well. Being a member of the EFA since 1977, it is internationally renowned and has an important impact on European cultural policy. I always say that festivals are like litmus paper, by which I mean that when society changes, festivals change. They reflect society. And we are constantly changing. I recently told a colleague that even after two decades of working for the festival I still feel like a complete newcomer because of completely different circumstances - such as the

financial situation in the country and Europe, changes in the educational system, the reaction of society to various cultural events, the popularisa-tion of the internet, electronic communications and social media - this is a real revolution. It is like Big Brother, now everybody can see what we do all the time. However, this increase in the accessibility of information does not guarantee that we will have larger audiences, quite the oppo-site, now we have to work even harder to gain the attention of audiences, especially the younger ones.

ONE THING THAT HASN’T CHANGED OVER THE YEARS IS THE VENUE. WHAT MAKES KRIŽANKE SUCH A SPE-CIAL PLACE?It is in the very centre of Ljubljana. It has a long and remarkable history, which is still very mysterious and undiscovered. The old buildings have a certain charm that awakens special feelings in visitors. Some of them, and even some of my co-workers, believe that you can feel the pres-ence of ghosts too. It is very important that the premises were origi-nally built and for a long time served as a monastery, which still gives the whole space a really good feeling. When you enter the courtyard of Križanke you just feel good, in part because of the architecture which was reconstructed by renowned Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik, and because, of course, high quality shows and performances.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES AND CHAL-LENGES OF ORGANISING SUCH A MAJOR EVENT LIKE THE SUMMER FESTIVAL?There are many difficulties and challenges, but the main concern is funding. We were founded by the City of Ljubljana, so it has been providing approximately 55-60% of our funding in recent years. But the remaining share must be earned from other activities, such as ticket sales, renting the premises and finding sponsors. The Ljubljana Festival has the highest level of funding from sponsorships among cultural institutions in the country. We are very proud of it and very grateful to sponsors, such as Telekom Slovenija, Spar, Tilia Insurance and Riko, which have been with us for many years.

AND FINALLY, WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE LJUBLJANA FESTIVAL?It has a bright future. We have huge support from the current mayor, Mr Zoran Janković, and the festival has always had strong support from the municipality as well. Over the last 60 years, perhaps thanks to the cultural orientation of the city and also the mentality of its citizens, the local authorities have always supported the festival, so I hope this will be the case in the future too. And with all of the con-tacts that have been established with the rest of the world, as well as the increase in visibility and respect among local and international artists and audiences, I see a very bright and promising future for the Ljubljana Festival.

Born in Ptuj in 1964, Darko Brlek has spent most of his life in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. In 1988, he graduated from the Academy of Music in Ljubljana before going on to perfect his knowledge at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria. During his studies he received numerous prestigious accolades, including the Prešeren Award. In 1991, Mr Brlek became the youngest ever director of the Slovenian National

Opera and Ballet in Ljubljana, while only a year later he also became the youngest artistic director of the Ljubljana Festival, taking over as executive director of the country’s most important cultural festival in 1995. In addition to his long-running stewardship of the Ljubljana Festival, Mr Brlek has also held various positions at other Slovenian cultural institutions, including being a founder of the Slovenian Chamber of Culture and chairman of the Council for Culture of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. Despite his extensive commitments to the promotion culture in Slovenia, Mr Brlek also finds the time to participate in several international bodies, becoming vice president of the European Festival Association in 1997 and serving as its chairman since 2005. The Brussels-based institution brings together over 100 festival associations and cultural organisations from 44 countries and is a major force European culture. However, art and culture is not only a profession for Mr Brlek, it is also a way life, and he is still quite active as a concert clarinettist, regularly performing on stages around the world both as a soloist and as a member of the chamber ensemble Trio Luwigana.

Darko BrlekDirector of the Ljubljana Festival

Darko Brlek 25

Central Slovenia Slovenia’s central region earns its name in many different ways. The nation’s lively capital Ljubljana dominates the area, and acts as Slovenia’s politi-cal, educational, economic and cultural centre in the process. All roads lead here, and the city is the nerve centre of Slovenian life and development. It is by no means the biggest capital city in Europe (one of its smallest to be precise), but it crams more than enough into its elegant streets to keep even the most avid traveller enraptured, while the surrounding countryside also offers much to see, do and experience.

Central Slovenia Region 6968 Central Slovenia Region Ljubljana 69

SightSeeing PREŠEREN SQUAREFormally a meeting place for several roads in front of one of the old entrance gates to the city, and a public square since Ljubljana’s origi-nal defensive walls were torn down in the middle of the 19th cen-tury, this is one of the city’s most important landmarks. Named after Slovenia’s national poet France Prešeren (German, Franz Prescheren, 1800-1849), it’s both a popular meeting place (notably under the large statue of the man after whom the square is named) and a site for concerts and events during the summer. The charming little pub-lic space is ringed by a number of interesting sights including the magnificent Art Nouveau façade of the Urbanc House, an extraordi-nary piece of early 20th-century flamboyance and site of the soon to be reopened Centromerkur department store.

DRAGON BRIDGESince it opened in 1901, Zmajski Most has been locked in a fierce com-petition with the castle and the conspicuously pink Franciscan Church for the title of Most Photographed Sight in Ljubljana. At any given mo-ment during daylight hours (and only slightly less frequently at night) there is sure to be at least a person or two clicking away at one of the four large dragons guarding either side of the bridge or the smaller grif-fins that adorn the bottom of its eight lamp posts. Of course we’re no exception, as we still remember the fog shrouded photo we snapped on our first trip to the city way back in the forgotten days of analogue film. More recently some amateur artiste apparently felt that the mythi-cal beasts were lacking a certain je ne sais quoi and took it upon them-self to add a smattering of red paint to their mouths and claws. The jury is still out on whether or not this is an improvement but it does amuse us whenever we walk past.Q Resljeva Cesta.

LJUBLJANA CASTLEPerched on top of Castle Hill and dominating the city skyline to the south, Ljubljana’s magnificent castle stands on the site of several former defensive buildings in a hilly area of land stretch-ing away to the south of the old town. The current ensemble of buildings originates from necessary 16th-century reconstruc-tion work following the earthquake of 1511, with several later additions. Not unlike Kraków’s Wawel Castle in Poland, Ljubljana Castle has served as both a royal residence and a military bar-racks over the centuries.The current main points of interest for the visitor are the Outlook Tower, built in the 19th century and raised a further 1.2m by the

government in 1982. The tower’s Virtual Castle screens a 12-minute film translated in English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Croatian and Slovene showing an interesting and informative his-tory of the castle.On the same floor find a small door that takes you to the top of the tower up some 100 red cast-iron steps, each individually decorated with an image of the tower and the city’s dragon. A door at the top leads to a small viewing platform (not for the faint hearted) with wonderful views of the city.Underneath the tower and located down a small flight of stairs tucked away through a doorway in the corner of the courtyard is the diminutive St George’s Chapel. The Chapel is one of the oldest parts of the Castle. By the order of Cesar’s document from 1489 it was dedi-cated to St. George, the patron saint of Ljubljana. It was renovated in Baroque style and in 1747 decorated with the coats-of-arms of over 60 rulers, including Herman and Ulrich of Celje, Henrik of Gorizia County, and Krištof Rauber, a bishop of Ljubljana.A beautifully presented permanent Exhibition on Slovene History is now also open for visitors, and the castle also has a small art gallery featuring temporary exhibitions, a café, restaurant and souvenir shop. It’s also a popular place for local weddings, and during the summer puts on concerts and, in July, hosts a popular outdoor cinema. To reach it, several small paths lead up from the old town, or take the funicular next to the Puppet Theatre and open market. QGrajska Planota 1, tel. +386 (0)1 306 42 93, info-center@ljubljanskigrad.si, www.ljubljanskigrad.si. October-March 10:00-21:00, April-Sep-tember 09:00-23:00. Full combined ticket €5-8, half combined ticket €3-6, Guided tour €6-10. Special discounts for families.

TIVOLI PARKTivoli is where the people of Ljubljana who don’t leave the city spend the weekend. Laid out in 1813 as a place for the general health and recreation of the city’s population, at some five square kilometres, Ljubljana’s gargantuan bucolic lung - literally two streets west of the

The tongue twisting capital of Slovenia is the figurative and (almost) literal centre of the country, with nearly three times more inhabitants than any other Slovene city and an even larger share of its commercial, administrative, cultural and educational activity. In 2014, Ljubljana notably celebrated the 2000th anniversary of the founding of the Roman settlement of Emona, whose ruins lie underneath the present-day city. However, according to

local legend the origins of Ljubljana go back even further, namely, to the turn of the first millennium BC, when Jason and Argonauts stopped for a time. Regardless of the legend’s historical accuracy, it continues to live on through the dragons adorning its bridges, flags and more.Nowadays, Ljubljana combines a quaint and well-kept medieval old town at its centre with more modern districts radiating out in all directions. While some 280,000 residents officially call the city home, it is said that its size swells to well over half a million on any given weekday, with large numbers of workers and students making daily migrations. Thanks in part to this massive influx, Ljubljana has a vibrancy and youthful air that would be the envy of much larger cities, with countless cultural events (from operas and symphonies to alternative music and performance art) taking place on a daily basis, as well as a spirited nightlife scene. And at the same time it manages to be one of the safest and cleanest cities of its size anywhere in Europe, even being named the European Green Capital for 2016. Add all this to the fact that the city is only a 20-minute drive from ski resorts in the Alps and 45 minutes from Mediterranean beaches, and it’s easy to see why Ljubljana has garnered such high praise in recent years.

Ljubljana The quaint capital of Slovenia

ljubljAnA by the nuMberSPopulation: 282,994Size: 275 km2

Postcode: 1000Municipal holiday: 9 MayKnown for: Dragons

94 Central Slovenia Region Kamnik 95

LITTLE CASTLE (MALI GRAD)Sitting proudly above the town, Mali Grad is worth every one of the steep steps you must trudge in order to reach it. The 11th or 12th century castle itself may lie in ruins, but who doesn’t love some castle ruins? The baroque-style chapel dedicated to St Eligius is perfectly preserved however, and it rests peacefully on top of an old Slavic burial ground. Not only that, but the crypt is supposed to be guarded by Veronika (she of half-woman half-snake fame), keeping would-be thieves away from her treasure.Truth be told however, it is the views of Kamnik that really make Mali Grad a must-see when in the town. From the ruins of the castle you get a true idea of just how breathtaking Kamnik is. It is all under-stated yet colourful building and red roofs protecting narrow streets. Oh, and the Kamnik Alps lurking (can mountains lurk?) in the back-ground, providing the most dramatic of backdrops to a sight you’d be foolish to miss.Q+386 (0)1 831 82 50, tic@kamnik-tourism.si. Chapel open June-September and by prior arrangement.

ZAPRICE CASTLE AND REGIONAL MUSEUMThe views just keep on coming. A short walk up a hill just off of Šutna brings you to Zaprice Castle, which sits opposite Mali Grad on the other side of the train tracks. The small grassy area in front of the castle gives jaw dropping views of Kamnik, both the narrow streets of Glavni Trg and the more lived in side to the west. The castle itself was constructed in the 14th century and has been through many renovations and even more owners in the seven centuries since. Situated inside the castle itself is the Kamnik Regional Museum. Now, we can all be honest, sometimes regional museums that span thousands of years of history can often drag, as fact after fact af-ter fiction after fact flies by, leaving you none the wiser to a town. Somehow, the museum inside Zaprice Castle avoids this by keep-ing the displays interesting and providing plenty of interaction. The museum tells the story of Kamnik from the early ages all the way through the 19th century, with items aplenty from the various centuries. You are also given the opportunity to mint your own me-dieval Kamnik money, as well as creating your own Kamnik myth.The ground floor focuses on Kamnik through the millennia, the first floor on furniture (including a supremely comfy looking rock-ing chair) and the second floor is kept for exhibitions.QMuzejska pot 3, Kamnik, +386 (0)1 831 76 47, info@muzej-kamnik-on.net, www.muzej-kamnik-on.net

RUDOLF MAISTER’S BIRTHPLACEHeld in a little renovated house on the main street in town, the life of Rudolf Maister is celebrated in a most stylish way. Maister was a Slo-vene military officer come political activist as well as a poet, and can be credited with making sure Slovenia isn’t even smaller than it is, largely thanks to his work following World War One. He is remembered with a small exhibition that tells his story and contains many artifacts from his life, such as military hats and sabres. There is also a fantastic collection of drawings of the man (and his glorious moustache) by local children. Q Sutna 23, Kamnik, +386 (0)83 176 47, info@muzej-kamnik-on.net, www.muzej-kamnik-on.net. Open 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun-Mon.

BUDNAR MUSEUM HOUSEIt is a question we’ve all thought about; what was life like 350 years ago? Wonder no more. Just a short drive outside of Kamnik is the Budnar Mu-seum House, a (very) old farmhouse bringing simple Slovene heritage to life. Contained within the grounds are a farmhouse, an outbuilding and a black kitchen. This is the most rural of kitchens, using an open furnace to bake and smoke meat with a maple wood table as well. To taste some-thing special from the kitchen, you must book ahead, and it is more than worth it. Every now and then ethnographic cultural events and exhibi-tions are hosted here, as well as the odd workshop. Large groups are ad-vised to book ahead.Q Zgornje Palovče 5, Zgornje Palovče, +386 (0)51 33 65 16, +386 (0)31 52 87 47, alenka@domacija.com, www.domacija.com. Open Sat - Sun, 14:00 - 17:00.

TERME SNOVIKWe’re not really sure if a better location for a Spa and Wellness centre can exist. Way up in the hills, Terme Snovik ticks all the boxes for anyone looking to reinvigorate themselves in the most peaceful of surroundings. The scenery borders on the overwhelming, perfect for one of the hikes that the centre organizes. The facilities in the centre are good as well,

kAMnik by the nuMberSPopulation (municipality): 28,999Population (town): 13,608Size: 9.1km2

Municipal holiday: 29 MarchPostcode: 1241Knwon for: Rudolf Maister’s hometown

In a country that prides itself on charming villages, elegant squares and some of the most gorgeous towns in Europe, the word ‘beautiful’ can perhaps be overused to the point of redundancy. When talking about Kamnik however, a medieval town some 23km north-east of Ljubljana, avoiding the word and its synonyms is nigh on impossible.

Crammed in an area of varied topography with dense forest sitting next to sharp mountain peaks and wooded valleys, there is an undeniable grace to its medieval city centre. The history of the town is visible to all through its varied (and well maintained) architecture, the affluence of its history sitting quietly next to more modern times. Kamnik is all red roofs and narrow twisting streets with the always-dramatic backdrop of jagged Alpine mountaintops loom-ing nearby. Sitting next to the Kamniška Bistrica river and with castle ruins and church steeples juxtaposing against the lush greenery of the surroundings.Kamnik itself can be explored on foot in a number of hours, making it a great day trip away from Ljubljana. However, the surrounding area demands a longer stay, and the guesthouses and hotels in the town will provide more than ample comfort to do so. It is a great base for exploring the nearby Velika Planina (p 106), as well as a day trip to Volčji Potok, Slovenia’s largest arboretum. If walking amongst masses of vibrantly coloured flowers isn’t quite relaxing enough then Snovik thermal spa centre will take care of the rest. Kamnik truly deserves to be described as beautiful.

kamnikA medieval gem at the

foothills of the Alps

northern SloveniaThe northernmost region in Slovenia is also arguably its most cherished and adored, with alpine mountains covering the vast majority of it, provid-ing the sort of scenery one comes to expect from such a magnificent range. The air is fresh and tinged with romance, with gorgeous valley after gorgeous valley just waiting to impress each and every prospective visitor. Among the region’s many sights, Slovenia’s most famous lakes, Bled and Bohinj, are found here, as well as its only national park and highest point: the mighty Mt Triglav.

126 Northern Slovenia Kranj 127

KHISLSTEIN CASTLE & THE MUSEUM OF GORENJSKAA key element of Kranj’s magnificent medieval skyline and quite literally an inseparable part of the town (as the complex’s lower section forms part of the defensive walls), Khislstein Castle derives both its name and Renaissance appearance from its 16th-century owner Janez Khisl. His-torical records show that other fortifications were built on the same site as early as the 5th century, while excavations of the castle’s foundations have unearthed artefacts going all the way back to late Antiquity. More recently the castle and its grounds were extensively renovated in 2012, when the open-air summer theatre was built and the Museum of Gore-njska’s central exhibition was opened on the premises.Titled Beautiful Gorenjska, the comprehensive and extremely well-presented exhibition leads visitors on a journey from the geologi-cal formation of the region millions of years ago, through prehistoric settlements, the arrival of Slavic tribes, development of Slovenes as a distinct people, growth during the medieval and renaissance periods, and concludes with modern Slovenia’s accession to the Eu-ropean Union. Special emphasis is given to several other important areas such as the ethnology of rural life in the region, including both the hardships faced and social triumphs, the notable individuals of the 19th century, both World Wars and the Yugoslav era. The space of the castle’s interior is used to maximum effect, and some interesting and novel curatorial approaches make a visit here both fascinating and informative. As such, the museum is great place to begin a first trip to the region.QTomšičeva 42, tel. +386 (0)4 201 39 50, www.gorenjski-muzej.si. Open 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon.

KOKRA RIVER CANYONWhile most visitors admire Kranj for the breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains to the north, the first inhabitants chose to settle here not for its natural beauty, but for the more practical rea-son that the 30m deep gorge immediately to the east provided a significant defensive advantage. Carved into the colourful conglom-erate sedimentary rock at the end of the most recent ice age, the lush green canyon is home an extremely diverse collection of plants and animals, and has been a protected natural site since 1983.For those who would like to explore the area themselves, the most easily accessible public entrance is next to the bridge on Poštna Ulica, and the tourist office stocks a very informative brochure that includes a maps as well as details about the areas flora and fauna, geological history and the milling industry that flourished here until the early 20th century. During the summer months several rocky beaches found along the riverbanks are popular destination for swimmers or those just looking to escape the heat.

PIRC DYE-WORKSMore than a simple ethnological exhibition, the Pirc Dye-Works takes visitors on journey through the economic, social and political history of Kranj and Slovenia over the past few centuries, as well as offering an intriguing glimpse into the lives of the Pirc family, eight generations of whom operated the dye-works in the very same house and still reside there to this day.The private museum was opened in 2006, the centrepiece of which is a 5m long oak box that was filled with some 5 tonnes of stone from the Sava river and used to flatten the dyed linen and cotton in the final stage of the production process. The massive press mechanism, along with another smaller device, both date from the turn of the 18th century, and have been restored to give visitors demonstrations of how they functioned. Smaller in scale but equally interesting are the numerous business and personal items from the Pirc family, which include a large working desk covered in aged documents, various middle-class household items, many original old photos (with some great beards among the previous generations!), and a special presentation of the fam-ily’s most influential member, the late Ciril Pirc who was mayor of Kranj from 1921 till 1935.During his terms in office the town saw great development. Ironi-cally, it was also at this time that rapid industrialisation led to the closing of the dye-works, but in a further twist of fate nowadays many of these factories have themselves been shuttered, while the dye-works is once again open to the public, albeit in a strictly educational capacity. Visits can be arranged through the tourist info centre, and tours are often given by Ciril Pirc’s granddaugh-ter, and founder of the museum, Darja, who despite her modesty speaks almost perfect English and is happy to regale visitors with stories from the intertwined histories of her family and Kranj.QVodopivčeva 11, tel. +386 (0)4 202 70 11/+386 (0)40 79 11 96. Open upon prior arrangement. Admission €2.

krAnj by the nuMberS

Population (municipality): 55,527Population (city): 37,129Size: 150.9 km2

Municipal holiday: 3 DecemberPostcode: 4000 Known for: Kranjska klobasa sausage

Perched on a rocky promontory at the confluence of the Sava and Kokra rivers, the old town of Kranj has one of the most spectacular medi-eval skylines that you’ll likely ever see, with its three distinct church towers and an unreal backdrop of the Slovenian Alps rising up only a few kilometres to the north. Not as well-known as Bled or as heavily trodden by tourists on Kranjska Gora, in most senses of the word Kranj

is still the true capital of the Gorenjska region, both historically speaking and nowadays, as it has long-served as one of the main industrial centres of Slovenia and is also the country’s fourth largest city.Thanks to its ideal position at the foothills of the mountains but also only a short commute (20km) to Ljubljana, Kranj is a popular place for young families to settle down, as property prices are a bit more reasonable here than in the capital, and an abundance of shopping centres and other modern conveniences have been built in recent years.Of course it’s Kranj’s historic centre that is still the main draw for most tourists and daytrippers. Protected as a national cultural monument since 1983, the lively old town boasts an variety of diverse sights, from religious monuments and ethnological museums to modern arts spaces and unique remnants from World War II. For most Slovenes the city is inextricably linked with the nation’s greatest poet, France Prešeren, who lived and worked here in the mid-19th century.

kranjThe capital of the Slovenian Alps

Eastern SloveniaLjubljana may be the present-day capital of Slovenia, but the nation’s historical soul can be found in the towns and countryside of the east, where the Counts of Celje once competed with the House of Habsburg for regional supremacy, where Slovenia’s second largest city Maribor was one of the major industrial centres of Yugoslavia, where Spa tourism first developed in the 19th century in Laško, where the noblemen of Žalec learned to cultivate some of the world’s most prized hops. From the mountainous Solčavsko and Koroška regions in the north to Kozanjsko Regional Park in the south to Prekmurje (arguably the country’s friendliest and most unique region) in the far east, find out more about eastern Slovenia’s rich history, vibrant present and bright future.

160 Eastern Slovenia

ECO-MUSEUM OF HOP-GROWING AND THE BREW-ING INDUSTRY IN SLOVENIAKnown as the Valley of Green Gold, the lower Savinjska Valley is one of the world’s foremost hops producing regions, and since 2009 it has also been home to what is surely one of the most well-organised, informative and interesting hops museums in the world. Set in a building that was formerly used as the drying and processing facilities for the freshly picked hops, much of the premises have simply been restored to their original state, so the building itself is actually part of the exhibition - large rooms with aged wooden floors, a vertical drying shaft that runs the height of the buildings and vast furnaces have all been preserved.The individual exhibitions combine ethnological collections, historical documentation and interactive elements, which to-gether walk visitors through the story of hops, both in the Sav-inja region and in general. However, the highlight of the visit for us was the short video presentation upstairs. We’re not in the business of trying to building up unrealistic expectations, but the film that is screened here is easily the most entertaining of the countless museum films and multi-vision presentations we’ve watched over the years. An actual reportage made during the early 1960s and taken from the archives of Radio Television Slovenia, the music, humour and commentary are simply per-fect, and you even learn a bit about the history of growing and harvesting hops in the area. The tour is not officially over until you’ve visited the degustation room on the ground floor and sampled a pint of the museum’s own brew, called Kukec. It ’s named for the legendary Simon Kukec from Žalec, who bought and greatly expanded the operations of Slovenia’s Laško Brew-ery at the end of the 19th century.QCesta Žalskega Tabora 2, tel. +386 (0)3 571 80 21, ekomuzej@siol.net, www.turizem-zalec.si. Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sat 09:00-12:00. Closed Sun. For groups by prior arrangement.

SAVIN’S HOUSEThe birth house of Risto Savin (1859-1948) is the cultural (and geographical) heart of Žalec and the most logical starting point for any visit to the town. Savin, who was actually born as Frider-ik Širca, was both a decorated officer in the Austro-Hungarian military and an accomplished composer. Although he took an active interest in music at an early age, he joined the army after finishing school. During his long and by all accounts successful military career he was stationed in various cities throughout the empire (Vienna, Sarajevo, Prague), where he received an infor-

mal education in the great musical movements of the day, and from time to time even performed in public, either on the piano or as a singer. Following WWI, he retired from the army with the rank of major general, and returned home to Žalec to pursue music full time (and marry a much younger woman!).On the first f loor of the house there is a exhibition of items that belonged to Savin spreading across several rooms, furni-ture, photographs, artwork, military decorations, music sheets and other memorabilia. Several other rooms on the same floor house the city’s permanent collection of 19th and 20th cen-tury paintings, while another is used for civil weddings. On the ground floor you will find the tourist information office, which is stocked with information not only about Žalec but also the other five municipalities that make up the Spodnja Savinjska re-gion. During the summer the courtyard behind the building is the place to be, as there are frequent concerts and other events in the evenings.QŠlandrov trg 25, tel. +386 (0)31 70 44 00, zkst.turizem@siol.net, www.turizem-zalec.si. Open Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sat 09:00-12:00. Closed Sun. For groups by prior arrangement.

ROMAN NECROPOLISEven in a place boasting so much in the way of history, a Ro-man Necropolis is special. No one knew the Necropolis was here until 1952, when it was discovered by accident. During work carried out in an orchard, the statue of a sitting woman was revealed. Knowing that something special had been found, the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts together with the Celje Regional Museum and the University of Ljubljana then took over the excavation, which lasted until 1956. In 1960 the archaeologi-cal park was opened with four completely restored tombs and many small tombstones. It is now considered one of the most important Roman remains in Slovenia and also Central Europe.

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Population (municipality): 21,503Population (city): 5,413Size: 117.1 km2

Municipal holiday: 6 SeptPostcode: 3310Known for: Hops

Žalec is the largest town in the Spodnja Savinjska valley west of Celje. It made its first appearance in the annals of history sometime in the late 12th century, receiving full market town rights around a century later. The period of the Renaissance was a difficult one for the town, as it was frequently the target of Turkish invasions, but by the late 17th century had settled into its role as a hardworking

farming community and one of many places to stop on the road from Vienna to Trieste. However, its fate was forever changed in the wan-ing years of the 19th century.The story of Žalec is a classic example of the most popular proverb amongst contemporary MBAs, namely that there’s no such thing as a problem, only an opportunity. After some kind of disease wiped out much of the region’s crops in the mid-1870s, Janez Hausenbichler, a lo-cal nobleman and resident of the mansion in Novo Celje, proposed that instead of replanting the same low-yielding crops they had grown before, the local farmers should try to sow the famed Württemberg hop seedlings that he had serendipitously smuggled back home after a recent trip to Germany. The farmers agreed, and it turned out that the climate of the valley was perfect for hops. The rest they say is history.

ZalecØThe land of green gold

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Southern SloveniaIt seems that in most countries the south has a reputation for being a bit more relaxed and going about life at an all together slower pace than the north. And despite the fact that barely more than 100km separates Slovenia’s northern border with Austria from its southern border with Croatia, the typical northern-southern stereotypes will be readily apparent here, even to first time visitors. Among the meandering rivers and seemingly endless vineyard-covered hills, there is much to be discovered in Slovenia’s sleepy southern region, including the country’s most impressive arts space in Kostanjevica, some of the world’s most impressive wine cellars in Bizeljsko, and one plucky village along the Kolpa river that was briefly an independent republic in the waning days of the First World War.

218 Southern Slovenia Sevnica 219

CASTLE TOURS AND INFOThe many exhibits housed within the castle, as well as the building itself, can only be seen as part of a guided tour. However, the tours can be tai-lored to suit individual visitors’ or groups’ needs, with prices adjusted ac-cordingly. A standard tour covers all of the main sights and last around an hour, while a special interactive children’s tour, where costumed actors recount what it was like living in the castle during the 16th century, can also be arranged for groups with advanced notice, as can various other children’s activities, including medieval games, picnics and workshops. The castle is also a popular venue for weddings - especially during the spring and summer when the ceremony can be held outside in the castle park - and there are also facilities suitable for conferences, meetings and other events.QCesta na Grad 17, tel. +386 (0)7 81 65 440, +386 (0)51 680 289, grad.sevnica@kstm.si, www.grad-sevnica.com. Open Mon-Thur by prior arrangement, Fri 15:00-18:00, Sat-Sun & holidays 13:00-18:00 (May-Oct)/12:00-15:00 (Nov-Apr). Admission €2-6 depending age, size of group and type of tour. Art galleries free of charge.

CASTLE WINE CELLARThe castle’s wine cellar is so well-presented that even abstinent visitors may want to have a look for purely aesthetic reasons. Dozens of mostly local wines are displayed in a circular room on the ground floor of the the northeast tower, many of which can only be purchased here or from the producers themselves. Wine tastings cost anywhere from €5 to €25, depending on the number and type of wines and the accom-panying degustation menu. Since 2007 the castle has also operated its own small vineyard, consisting of some 500 vines located on the terraced southwest slopes of the hill. Each year a different local pro-ducer is award the privilege of producing a limited edition wine from the grapes, which is then bottled under the castle’s own label and available exclusively at the wine cellar.Qwww.grajska-vinoteka.com.

LISCAIf the heart of Sevnica is its castle, then Lisca is its soul. Rising some 950m to the north of Sevnica, Lisca is one of the tallest points in the Posavje region, and renowned throughout Slovenia as a hiker’s and cyclist’s para-dise. Luckily for less sporty travellers, these days there’s also a sealed road all the way to the top. No matter how you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with sweeping views that reach all the way to Mt Triglav on clear days, and an excellent traditional restaurant at the mountain lodge, which serves up large portions to famished travellers. Rooms are also available on the first and second floors, if you don’t think you can man-age the return trip or would just like to appreciate the views a little longer. The lodge is surrounded by a rolling alpine meadow, which is a popular

picnic spot during warmer months, as there is also a children’s play area and small sports field. Of course the most peculiar sight around is the retro-futuristic metal tower topped with a large sphere that sits near the hill’s highest point, but don’t worry, it’s just the regional weather station.

AJDOVSKI GRADECSituated above the village of Vranje some 8km northwest of Sevnica, this late Roman archaeological site was first discovered in 1811 and is one of the best researched settlements from the so-called period of the big migrations - when the Romanised inhabitants of the region were slowly displaced by Slavic immigrants beginning in the late 6th century. Under the administration of nearby Celeia (present day Celje), the hilltop site acted as a refuge for the early Christians who dwelled there, and excava-tions have shown that it also served as the regional diocese, with two churches and a hexagonal baptismal font surrounded by seven houses and a series of defensive walls. The site’s most impressive archaeological feature is the 120,000 litre reservoir, which assured inhabitants a constant supply of water during attacks from below. It is not only the largest of its kind ever discovered in Slovenia, but also one of the the most complete and well-preserved structures found at any late Antiquity fortifications.After its initial discovery and further excavations around the turn of the 20th century, many of the site’s finer artefacts were taken to several dif-ferent museums, and it was left largely untouched until conservation ef-forts we undertaken during the 1970s and 1980s, after which time the site was declared an archaeological park. Today the open air ruins are accessible via a recently built and well-maintained footpath (there are even benches along the steep 10 minute walk for those of us who are not in peak physical condition), and have information posted in both Slovene and English. Ajdovski Gradec is also one of several sites in Sevnica where visitors can take advantage of a virtual guided tour by calling a special number on their mobile phones - the service itself is free, but the min-utes will be charged as a normal phone call. Old-fashioned guided tours are also available if arranged in advanced.QVranje, tel. +386 (0)7 81 61 070, www.ajdovski-gradec.com. Admission free.

SevnicA by the nuMberSPopulation (municipality): 17,460Population (town): 4,993Size: 272 km2

Municipal holiday: 12 NovemberPostcode: 8290Known for: Lisca lingerie company

While Slovenia may very well have more castles per capita than any other country in the world, few if any can match Sevnica’s when it comes to the sheer number of things to see and do within its walls. First recorded in the land register in 1309 as Castellum Liechtenwald, it is set high above Sevnica’s old town on a hill that was the site of an earlier castle dating back to the 11th century. While the castle

officially spent its first half millennium under the ownership of the Salzburg archbishopric, during this time it had many distinguished tenants, including Baron Boltežar Lamberg, who is known for inviting in 600 peasant rebels during the Croatian-Slovenia peasant uprising of 1573, and the powerful Moscon family, who were responsible for renovating the castle at the end of the 16th century in a late Renaissance style that has persisted until the present day. The Salzburg archbishopric finally sold the castle in 1803, and thereafter it changed hands quite frequently until being nationalised at the end of the Second World War. Unfortunately the castle fell into disrepair in the years that followed, but has recently been returned to its former Baroque glory after extensive renovation and restoration works.

SevnicaWine, puppets and outdoor adventure

along the Sava river

238 Western Slovenia Koper 239

BELL TOWERRising up 54m from the centre of the old town, the city’s famed Bell Tower, will likely be the first sight visitors see no matter if they’re arriving by road, rail or sea. Originally part of a Roman fortification, the tower was transformed into its present appearance between the 15th and 17th centuries, and has been used for liturgical pur-poses ever since. Panoramic views of the entire region (weather permitting of course) can be had by ascending 204 steps to reach the viewing platform at 43m.QTitov Trg. Open daily 09:00-20:00 (June-Sept) and 09:00-17:00 (Oct-May). €3 per person.

CATHEDRAL OF MARY’S ASSUMPTIONKoper’s cathedral originally dates back to the 12th century when the city acquired its own diocese, and a Roman basilica actually stood on the same location as far back as ancient times. The current façade com-bines architectural styles, with a Gothic lower half and a noticeably Re-naissance upper half. Inside the Cathedral there are numerous sights of note including the large altarpiece ‘Madonna with Child on the Throne of Saints’ by Vittore Carpaccio from 1516, the 15th century stone sarcopha-gus of St Nazarius (Koper’s patron saint), and two additional paintings by Carpaccio, ‘The Presentation in the Temple’ and ‘The Slaughter of the In-nocents’. The entire interior was redecorated by the famous Italian archi-tect Giorgio Massari in the 18th century.QTitov Trg. No admission fee.

PRAETORIAN PALACEDominating the southern side of Tito Square is the imposing yet beautifully ornate Praetorian Palace, which has served as the mu-nicipal seat for some eight centuries. Its Venetian Gothic design dates from the middle of the 15th century, with the outer staircase and balustrade added fifty years later, and the overall appearance of the façade taking shape in 1664 after significant renovations. After serving various purposes following the downfall of the Venetian Re-public at the hands of Napoleon in 1797, the building underwent a decade long restoration in the 1990s and now once again serves as the municipal seat and mayor’s office, as well as the Tourist Informa-tion Centre.QTitov Trg 3, tel. +386 (0)5 664 64 03, tic@koper.si, www.koper.si. Open 9:00-17:00 (Oct-May), 9:00-20:00 (Jun-Sept). Guided visits €3.

TAVERNA (ST MARK’S SALT WAREHOUSE)For much of the past millennium salt production served an important role along Slovenia’s coastal region, with documented exploitation of the salt pans dating from as early as 1182. Taking up the lion’s share of Carpac-

cio Square on the western edge of the old town is the Taverna building, which formerly served as a salt warehouse before becoming at various times an inn, a fish market and of course a tavern..QCarpacciov Trg.

KOPER REGIONAL MUSEUMHoused inside the wonderful Belgramoni-Tacco Palace, the Koper Re-gional Museum offers the beauty and splendour of the Renaissance and Venetian periods of Koper. Apart from a number of finds, rang-ing from paintings, arms, statues, folk instruments and uniforms, the museum has also a striking lapidary, a perfect place to relax and enjoy the surrounding beauties.QKidričeva 19, tel. +386 (0)5 663 35 70, info@pokrajinskimuzejkoper.si, www.pokrajinskimuzejkoper.si. Open 9:00-17:00, Sat-Sun & public holidays 11:00-17:00 (Sat 11:00-22:00 from May-Aug). Closed Mon.

VINAKOPER One of a handful of large wine companies to emerge from Yugo-slavia-era cooperatives, today Vinakoper’s trademark golden sun logo is a ubiquitous sight in supermarkets, wine shops and restau-rant across the country, and likely one of the most recognisable Slovene brands domestically. Nowadays, Vinakoper’s philosophy is that size and top quality are not mutually exclusive, which is a goal it strives to maintain by offering several distinct lines of wine, all under the same brand but differing in production methods (and price). Despite the fact that much of the postcard worthy landscape surrounding Koper is covered with Vinakoper’s vine-yards, the company’s official headquarters, retail shop and tasting facilities is located in a rather hardscrabble industrial area just off the motorway south of the city. Luckily there’s a traditional Istrian wine cellar lined with locally-sourced concealed beneath the 1950s façade. QŠmarska 1, Koper +386 (0)5 663 01 01 , www.vinakoper.si, hisa.refoska@vinakoper.si

The largest town on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, Koper was originally founded during the Middle Bronze Age on what was then a rocky island off the shore. Now a modern and attractive destination for visitors, Koper still wears its history on its sleeve, most notably the five centu-ries of Venetian rule, which has left a distinctive mark on the town. Strolling along the narrow streets and past the imposing palaces and

monumental architecture of the old town, one could be forgiven for thinking they were in Italy, especially given the fact that all street signs are in both Slovene and Italian. The cuisine here also stands in stark contrast to that found in much of the rest of the country, with Mediter-ranean style dishes typical of the Istrian region having pride of place on most menus, accompanied by fine wine produced in the nearby hills.However, despite its outward appearance, Koper is of course a Slovene town first and foremost, and moreover a quite important one eco-nomically, given that it is the site of Slovenia’s only commercial port. While not a tourist site in itself, the port area to the north of the town is definitely an impressive sight. If you’re lucky, you may also get to catch a glimpse of one of the cruise liners calling into port, with excited tourists disembarking for a day of intense sightseeing.

koperThe capital of the coast

touriSt inforMAtion centre

Koper’s well-stocked tourist information centre is located in the city centre on Tito Square. The friendly multi-lingual staff will gladly make recommendations for what to see and do both in Koper and the surrounding countryside, and free brochures and maps can be found for pretty much everything there is to see and do in the region.QTitov Trg 3, +386 (0)5 664 64 03, tic@koper.si, www.koper.si

Annual Events 281280 Annual Events

JANUARY

Zlata Lisica in Maribor (Sport)

Alpe Adria Tourism & Leisure Fair in Ljubljana (Fair)

Conventa in Ljubljana (Fair)

Castles of King Matjaz in Črna (Family)

World Cup - Telemark Skiing in Bohinj (Sport)

World Cup – Women’s Ski jumping in Ljubno (Sport)

FEBRUARY

Kurentovanje in Ptuj (Folk Culture)

Prešeren Fair in Kranj (Culture)

Cerknica Carneval in Cerknica (Folk Culture)

Slovenian Day of Culture in Slovenia (Culture)

MARCH

Planica in Kranjska Gora (Sport)

Pokal Vitranc in Podkoren (Sport)

World Cup – Biathlon in Pokljuka (Sport)

International Home Fair in Ljubljana (Fair)

Ljubljana International Documentary film Festival in Ljubljana (Culture)

Collecta - Ljubljana International Collectors’ Fair in Ljubljana (Fair)

APRIL

Chocolate Festival in Radovljica (Culinary)

Jurjevanje in Črnomelj (Culture)

Slovenian Book Days in Ljubljana (Literature)

Exodos - International Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts in Ljubljana (Culture)

Spring Tulip Exibition in Volčji potok (Nature)

MAY

Walk Along the Path of Remembrance in Ljubljana (Sport)

Druga Godba in Ljubljana (Music)

Maturanska Graduation Parade in Ljubljana (Culture)

Vinska Vigred in Metlika (Wine)

SKIS Market in Ljubljana (Music)

Month of Dafodils in Jesenice (Nature)

Wildflower Festival in Bohinj (Culture)

Internautica International Boat Show in Portorož (Fair)

Magdalena International Festival of Creative Communication in Ljubljana (Culture)

Three Hearts Marathon in Radenci (Sport)

JUNE

Ljubljana Jazz Festival in Ljubljana (Music)

Marathon Franja in Ljubljana (Sport)

Idrija Lace Festival in Idrija (Culture)

Kekec Festival in Kranjska Gora (Family)

Tour De Slovenie in Slovenia (Sport)

Mini Summer - International Puppet Festival in Ljubljana (Family)

Summer Museum Night in Ljubljana (Culture)

Mountain Marathon in Tolmin (Sport)

Top 100 Annual Events

JULY

Ljubljana Festival in Ljubljana (Culture)

Ana Desetnica in Ljubljana (Culture)

Seviqc Festival in Brežice (Various Music)

Rock Otočec in Ljubljana (Music)

Lent in Maribor (Culture)

Bled Days in Bled (Culture)

International Music Festival Bled in Bled (Music)

Beer and Flowers Festival in Laško (Culture)

Solčavsko Days in Solčava (Folk Culture)

Grossman Festival in Ljutomer (Film & Wine)

AUGUST

Jazz Kamp in Kranj (Music)

Days of Poetry and Wine in Ptuj (Culture)

Trnfest International Summer festival in Ljubljana (Music)

Okarina Etno Festival Bled - No Borders Music Festival in Bled (Music)

Schengen Fest in Vinica (Music)

Festival Radovljica in Radovljica (Music)

Metal Days Tolmin in Tolmin (Music)

Mladi Levi International Festival in Ljubljana (Culture)

Kamfest - Summer Culture Festival in Kamnik (Folk Culture)

Zmaj ‘ma Youth Festival in Postojna (Culture)

Agra - International Fair Of Agriculture And Food in Gornja Radgona (Fair)

SEPTEMBER

Ex Ponto Festival in Ljubljana (Culture)

International Trade Fair in Celje (Business)

National Costumes and Clothing Heritage Days in Kamnik (Folk Culture)

Poli Marathon in Ptuj (Sport)

Pippi Longstocking Festival in Velenje (Culture)

Old Vine Festival in Maribor (Wine)

Kravji Bal in Bohinj (Folk Culture)

Schengenfest in Črnomelj (Music)

Bled Strategic Forum in Bled (Business)

BIO Biennial of Design in Ljubljana (Design)

Soča Valley Hiking festival in Kobarid (Sport)

Sweet Istria in Koper (Culinary)

Vilenica International Literary Festival in Vilenica (Literature)

Festival Maribor in Maribor (Music)

OCTOBER

Fashion week in Ljubljana (Fashion)

Golden Drum international Advertising Festival in Portorož (Business)

Month of Design in Ljubljana (Design)

Borštnik Theatre Festival in Maribor (Culture)

City of Women - international festival of contemporary arts in Ljubljana (Culture)

Restaurant Week in Slovenia (Culinary & Wine)

VinDel in Maribor (Wine)

Ljubljana Marathon in Ljubljana (Sport)

NOVEMBER

LIFFe – Ljubljana International Film Festival in Ljubljana (Film)

Ambient Ljubljana Furniture Fair in Ljubljana (Fair)

Martinovanje in Slovenia (Culinary & Wine)

Andrejevanje in Prevalje (Culinary & Wine)

Slovenian Wine Festival in Ljubljana (Culinary & Wine)

SEMPL in Portorož / Marketing

Wine Road Under Kranj in Kranj (Culinary & Wine)

Kaki Festival in Strun (Culinary & Wine)

SILA Charity Bazaar in Ljubljana (Fair)

DECEMBER

Animateka in Ljubljana (Film)

Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in Ljubljana (Film)

Merry December in Ljubljana (Culture)

Nativity in Postojnska Jama in Postojna (Culture)

Festive Fair in Ljubljana (Culture)

Day of Culture in Slovenia (Culture)

New Year Celebration & Fireworks in Slovenia (Family)

One way to get the most out of any trip abroad is to have it coincide with a major event. While most travellers don’t have complete flexibility in the scheduling of their holiday plans, luckily for those visiting Slovenia there’s a good chance that an entertaining annual event of one kind or another will be taking place at the time. We’ve chosen a diverse sampling for our Top 100 below, with culture well-represented in the form of dozens of music, film and literary festivals, sporting events contributing an almost equal number to the list, many traditional Slovene folk festivals providing unbeatable atmospheres, trade fairs for the business set and several family-friendly opportunities for those with kids in tow.

Editorial & Acknowledgements 295294 Editorial & Acknowledgements

Niko SlavničExecutive Editor

Niko Slavnič has family and businesses across the re-gion, and started his career in a family business at the age of 16. Since then he has gone on to enjoy many years of entrepreneurial activities, developing various projects and organisations along the way. After a brief war experience following Slovenia’s independence, he spent several years working at the Ministry of Interior, which gave him a different perspective and the skill to perceive the world with open eyes. As the manager of one of the best nightclubs in Ljubljana, Niko frequently organised concerts and other events, later going on to graduate from programmes at Harvard Business School, the University of Amsterdam, IMTA and the University of Ljubljana, and he now regularly shares his knowledge and experience at IEDC Bled, ESSCA and other business schools and conferences through-out the world. This unique mixture of practical busi-ness experience and theoretical knowledge has not only made him a popular guest speaker, but has also proven useful in his consulting work with more than 60 dynamic companies. Niko is currently a member of the management board at the Everet Group, where he is responsible for marketing, sales and development, and as a business angel investor he is constantly look-ing for new business opportunities. He has previously published books about venture capital, communica-tion and marketing.

John Bills Writer & EditorAfter failing to become a Welsh Pete Venkman, John Bills tried his hand at life as a frustrated care worker. When he failed in this also, he took the only step left and begrudgingly became a writer. A lifelong fan of writing utterly pointless lists and recovering from a crippling addiction to crisps, John is now based in Slovenia and enjoys bleak literature, the Melvins and cricket analysis. He is terrified of frogs.

Will DunnWriterWill was born and raised in Manchester, England, to parents of Irish descent. He experienced his first 'non-beach holiday' travel following graduation in 2007, thus catching the travel bug. He got as far as Slove-nia, and decided that was the place for him, helped by a little romance of course. Six years in the land of milk and honey at the time of writing, he has no plans to change his base-country. He is happiest on a bike, but also loves hiking and playing the guitar.

James CosierWriterA scholar of human geography and economics, James uses his academic titles to justify obsessively exploring his surroundings (ie various cafés, bars and restaurants), whilst hiding his stinginess behind the veil of be-ing a student and economist. A Slovene Australian, James speaks both Slovene and English, and his first job as a toilet cleaner and barista in a bookstore and café paved the way for his career as a writer.Yuri Barron

Managing Editor & Writer

Born in Alaska and raised near Seattle in the United States, whilst studying in Cyprus in 2002 Yuri went on a five-day trip to Beirut, Lebanon, and ended up living there for more than four years, supporting himself in a variety of respectable professions, such as online gambling, writing university papers, trad-ing options and laptop DJing. After travelling to vis-it Berlin for the World Cup final in 2006, the break-out of the Hezbollah-Israeli war and subsequent bombing of Beirut's airport led to him being unex-pectedly stranded on a friend's couch in Prague for several months, which then turned into nearly one year (mainly on account of the irresistible charm of a 5-year-old hound dog named Adam). One thing led to another, and in 2007 Yuri found himself in Slovenia, the country of his maternal grandfather's birth and an all around swell place to live, especially for English-speaking foreigners. Since 2009, he has been a writer and editor for In Your Pocket travel guides, and spends most of his free time and re-sources travelling to new countries in order to win a $50 bet that was made in secondary school. His forthcoming memoir, entitled Thirty-Cent Life: A Decade of Moderately Irresponsible Travel in Dodgy Countries, pushes the boundaries of what the word 'forthcoming' means.

Acknowledgements

We would first and foremost like to express our sincere gratitude to Slovenian president Borut Pahor, who was gracious enough to pen a few introductory words for our humble tome about the country over which he presides.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the esteemed experts, leaders and notable per-sonalities who were kind enough to let us conduct interviews with them on their wide-ranging areas of expertise - their contributions have definitely made the book a much richer and informative work.

Of course being able to realise such a long and comprehensive project with the high level of quality it deserves would not have been possible without the tremendous efforts put forth by the many local tourist offices and associations who helped us out over the last seven years, and especially those who were closely involved in this specific project, including (in alphabetical order so as to avoid having to play favourites): Brda, Brdo Pri Kranju, Bled, Bohinj, Celje, Izola, Kamnik, Koper, Kranj, Laško, Ljubljana, Moravske Toplice, Nova Gorica, Velenje, Velika Polana and Žalec.

And lastly, we would be remiss if we did not thank all of you kindly souls who have decided to purchase the book (or those of you who are considering purchasing the book, although let’s be honest, it’s a bit strange of you to be reading the Acknowledgements section whilst standing in a book shop or wherever else you are), as your support will make it possible to continue publishing updated editions well into the future.

Editorial Team

1st of May Square 2455 Kitchen & Bar 75Active Gorenjska 113African Art 179Ajdovščina 257Ajdovski Gradec 219Akrapovič 58Alcohol 11Alenka Bratušek 11Aljaž Tower 147Alojz Gradnik 259Alpe-Adria Tourism and Leisure Show 60Alpina 135Ambient Fair 60Ank’s Spring and Waterfall 141Anthony’s Shaft 265Antiq 87Anton Aškerc 157Anton Janša 139Anton Linhart 125Anton Martin Slomšek 183Anže Kopitar 38Arboretum Golf Course 44Arboretum Volčji Potok 97Archeological Parks 73Around Bohinj 121Arriving in Slovenia 10Avditorij Portorož Cultural Centre 247Avio Pub 271Basic Info 10Bee Hive Panels 34Beekeeping Centre - Radovljica 125Beekeeping Centre of Slovenia 104Beer and Flowers Festival 22, 159Bela Krajina Museum & Metlika Castle 223Belica Estate 259Bell Tower - Koper 239Besenghi Degli Ughi Palace 241Best Western Premier Hotel Slon 87Biship Slomšek 183, 189, 212Bishop Slomšek Monument 189Bishops of Freising 133Bistrica Fishing Club 273Bistrica ob Sotli 213Bizeljsko 212Bizeljsko Castle 212Bizeljsko-Sremiška Wine Road 209Bjana 30

Blacksmiths’ Museum 195Bled 114Bled Accommodation 119Bled Annual Events 117Bled By The Numbers 115Bled Castle 52, 115Bled Cream Cake 26, 119Bled Days and Bled Night 117Bled Golf and Country Club 119Bled Golf Course 44Bled Island 115Bled Lake 18Bled Sports & Activities 119Bled Strategic Forum 119Boč Landscape Park 175Bograč 26Bogračfest 202Bohinj 120Bohinj By The Numbers 121Bohinj Events 123Bohinj Fishing Festival 123Bohinj Sports & Activities 121Bohinj Tourist Information Centre 123Bohinjski Sir 123Boka Waterfall 249Boris Košuta 46Borut Pahor 5, 11Bovec 249Bovec Cheese 249Bovec Golf Course 44Božidar Jakac 220, 231Božidar Jakac Gallery 220Braslovče 166Braslovško Lake 166Brda Wedding 259Brdo Pri Kranju 130Brežice 210Brežice Tourist Information Centre 211Brinjeva Gora 171BTC 83Budnar Museum House 95Cacao 79Cafe Plato 79Čajna Hiša 79Cankarjev Dom 85Capuchin Library - Škofja Loka 133Capuchin Library - Krško 215Casino Bernadin 54Casino Fontana 54

Casino Fortuna 54Castle Tours and Info - Sevnica 219Castle Wine Cellar - Sevnica 219Catbriyur Porcelain 117Cathedral of Mary’s Assumption 239Celeia: A Town Beneath Today’s Town 153Celica 87Celje 152Celje Annual Events 155Celje By The Numbers 153Celje Castle 52Celje Tourist Information Centre 155Celjska Koča Adventure Park 155Celjska Koča Ski Resort 42Centre of Sonorous Arts Vodnik Manor House 85Cerklje 137Cerknica 274Cerknica Carnival 275Cerknica Lake 275Cerkno Ski Resort 42Cetore 241Chapel of Our Lady the Sorrows 107Cherry Festival 259Chocolate 34Church of St Cross 221Church of St Daniel 153Church of St Jernej 229Church of St Lawrence in Bizeljsko 212Church of St Mary of Haliaetum 241Church of St Radegund & St Catherine 138Church of St Rok 169Church of the Holy Spiirt 225Church of the Holy Trinity 267Church of the Mother of God on the Lake 115Ciril Pirc 127Cirkus 81Ljubljana City Museum 71CityPark 83Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia 179Čokoladnica Olimje 173Concentration Camp 142Conventa 60Countryside Excursions - Izola 241Counts of Celje 153, 166Črna na Koroškem 182Črnava Lake 140Črni Kal 269

Črnomelj 224Črnomelj Annual Events 225Črnomelj By The Numbers 225Crystal Hall 175Cubo 87Cultural Centre for European Space Technology 167Cviček 209Cvitkovič Traditional Crafts 225Danse macabre 269Darko Brlek 24Darrel Joseph 32Days of the Lipizzaner 263Dejan Glavnik 38, 165Dimitrij Piciga 56Diners Golf Course 44Disabled Travellers 11Divača 269, 277Divje Jezero 267Dol Park Pavilions 103Dol Pri Ljubljani 103Dolenjska Museum and Jakac House 231Dolenjske Toplice 48, 231Domžale 98Domžale By The Numbers 99Donat Mg 51Dragon Bridge 69Dragotin Kette 273Drava River 183, 188, 191, 192Drava Valley 183Dravograd 183Driving 10Drnovo 217Dveri Pax 30Dvorec Goričane 90Dvorni Bar 81Easter Eggs 34Easter eggs 225Eastern Slovenia 148Eco-Museum of Hop Growing and The Brewery Industry in Slovenia 161Educational Beehouse 117Elan 58Embassy of Cviček 217Erasmus Knights’ Tournament 271Erazem Lueger 271Ernest Hemingway 250Estate Passero 200Eurofest handball Festival 240Europe Square 255

Index

Index 299298 Index

European Transromanica Project 213European Union 17Family Fun - Gorenjska 113Family Fun - Ljubljana 89FEI International Dressage Competition 263Felt Slippers 34Festival of Olive Oil, Wine and Fish 240Fishermen’s Festival 240Fishing - Bohinj 121Fishing Around Ljubljana 89Fly Fishing on the Soča 253Forma Viva - Kostanjevica 220Forma Viva - Zreče 171Forma Viva - Portorož 247Four Castles Path 140France Prešeren 17, 126, 139Franciscan Church 71Franko Stiplovšek 211Gadova Peč 217Galerija Emporium 83Galerija Rustika 83Geometric Centre of Sloevnia 100George Bush 130Gewerkenegg Castle and Idrija Municipal Museum 265Gibanica 26, 197Giuseppe Tartini 244Gjerkeš 197Golf Arboretum 97Golte Ski Resort 42Gora Oljka 165Goran Dragič 38Gorenja Vas - Poljane 136Gorenje 58Gorenjska 112Gorenjska Guest Green Card 113Goriška Brda 258Goriško Nature Park 197Gorisški Museum at Vila Bartolomei Solkan 255Gornjedolenjsko Wine Road 209Gostilna AS 75Gostilna Čad 77Gostilna Rimska XXI 75Gostilna Skok 261Gostilna Slovenia 29Gotilna Mihovec 90GR - Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre 62Grad Dobrovo 259Grand Casino Lido 54Grand Casino Lipica 55Grand Casino Portorož 55Grand Hotel Rogaška Spa 49Grand Hotel Union Executive 87Gredič Avenanti 259Green Capital of Europe 2016 89Grossman Fantastic Film and Wine Festival 195Grosuplje 93Güjžina 75Herdsmen’s Settlement 107

Herman Potočnik Noordung 167Hiking - Bohinj 121Hiša Franko 250Hiša Torkla 243Hiša Vin Emino 172History of Slovenia 16History of Velika Planina 107HIT Group 56Holy Church of Our Lady of the Rosary 247Home Fair 60Home of Anton Aškerc 157Hop-On Hop-Off Radol’ca 125Hotel Brdo 130Hotel Brdo Restaurant 130House of Minerals 181Hrastovlje 269Hugo Wolf 183Idrija 264Idrija By The Numbers 265Idrija Lace 35Idrija Lace Festival 22Idrija Municipal Museum 265Idrija Tourist Information Centre 267Idrijski Žljikrofi 26IEDC Bled School of Management 117Ilirksa Bistrica 273Illyrian Provinces 17Interblock 58International Agriculture and Food Fair/Agra 61International Alpine Flower Festival 123International Bled Music Festival 117International Contemporary Dance Festival 199International Trade and Business Show/Mos 61Internautica 61, 247Istenič 30Ivan Cankar 91Ivan Cankar Memorial House 91Ivan Grohar 134Ivan Hribar Centre 102Ivan Tavčar 136Izola 240Izola Annual Events 243Izola By The Numbers 241Izola Restaurants 243Izola Tourist Information Centre 243Iztok Altbauer 50Iztok Bricelj 62Iztok Čop 38Jablje Castle 101Jakob Aljaž 147James Cosier 295Janez Bogataj 28, 89Janez Hausenbichler 160Janez Janša 11Jasna Lake 145JB 75Jeruzalem 195

Jesenice 143Jezersko 141John Bills 295Josef Ressel 220Joseph Mussomeli 36Joseph Radetzky 142Josip Broz Tito 17Josipina Hočevar 215Jota 27Jovsi and Dobrava 211Jože Pučnik Ljubljana Airport 10Jurij Dalmatin Memorial Park 215Jurij Vega Museum 103Jurjevanje 225Jurklošter Monastery & The Church of St.Mauritius 157Kabaj 30Kamenci 202Kamnik 94Kamnik By The Numbers 95Kamnik Orchid 107Kamnik Tourist Information Centre 97Kamnikška-Bistrica Valley 105Kamp Alpe 105Kapele 211Karmen Novarlič 20Kekec Land 113Kempinski Palace Portorož 247Khislstein Castle & The Museum of Gorenjska 127Kilometre Zero 243Kino Otok 243Kino Šiška 85Klemenšek Farm 187Klinec Homestead 259Klub Daktari 81Kluže Fortress 249Kmečka Zadruga Krško 217Kmetija Štekar 259Knights of Malta 165Knights’ Hall 210Kobarid 250Kobarid Museum 250Kočevje 229Kočevje Lake 229Kokra River Canyon 127Kolektor 59Kolpa River 224, 229Komenda Castle 165Kope Ski Resort 43Kope Ski Resort 183Koper 238Koper Regional Museum 239Koper Tourist Information Centre 239Korona Casino and Hotel 55Koroška Region 182Koroška Regional Museum 183Korte 241Kostanjevica na Krki 220Kostel 228Kostel Castle 228Kostelska Rakija 228

Kostrivnica Water Trail 175Kozjak Waterfalls 250Kozjansko Regional Park 177Krakov Forest 220Kranj 126Kranj By The Numbers 127Kranj Tourist Information Centre 129Kranj Wine Route 129Kranjska Gora 144Kranjska Gora By The Numbers 145Kranjska Gora House 145Kranjska Gora Ski Resort 42Kranjska Klobasa 27Kraševka 83Kravji Bal 22, 123Kristančič Pavo 31Križanke 85Križanke Summer Theatre 25Krka 59Kromberk Castle 255Kropa Wrought Iron 35Krško 214Krško By The Numbers 215Krško City Museum 215Krško Monument 215Krško Nuclear Power Plant 217Krško Tourist Information Centre 217Krško Wine Cellar 217Krtina Partisan Hospital 141Krumperk Castle 99Krupa River 226Krvavec 137Krvavec Ski Resort 43KSEVT 167Kunigunda 181Kunšperk Castle 213Kurentovanje 22, 193Lace-making 264Lake Bohinj 121Lake Planšar 141Lake Šmartinsko 155Language 14Laško 156Laško Brewery Tour 157Laško By The Numbers 157Laško Museum 157Laško Spa & Wellness 159Laško Tourist Information Centre 159Le Petit Cafe 79Lemberg Market Town 169Lendava 202Lendava Castle 202Lent Festival 23, 191Leon Rupnik 135Leon Štukelj 41Linhart Square 125Lipica 18, 263Lipica Golf Course 45Lipizzaner Horses 263Lisica 219Litija 100

Ljubljana 68Ljubljana Accommodation 87Ljubljana Airport 10Ljubljana Bus Station 10Ljubljana By The Numbers 69Ljubljana Cafes 79Ljubljana Castle 18, 52, 69Ljubljana Cultural Venues 85Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre 62Ljubljana Festival 22, 24Ljubljana Nightlife 81Ljubljana Region 88Ljubljana Restaurants 75Ljubljana Shopping 83Ljubljana Tourist Information Centre 71Ljubljana Tours 73Ljubljananjam 73Ljutomer 194Ljutomer Wine Road 195Logar Valley 18, 185Logarska Dolina 18, 185Logatec 92Lolita 79Lukovica 104Magdalenska Gora 93Majerija 257Mali Grad - Kamnik 95Mangart Saddle 249Manna 75Manzioli Palace 241Map of Central Slovenia 66Map of Eastern Slovenia 150Map of Northern Slovenia 110Map of Southern Slovenia 206Map of Western Slovenia 236Maribor 188Maribor Annual Events 191Maribor By The Numbers 189Maribor Castle 189Maribor Cathedral 189Maribor Tourist Information Centre 191Marina 243Marina Portorož 247Marof 197Martin Strel 39Matija Čop 139Matkov Kot 187Matkov Škaf 187Mauthausen Memorial Park 142Medana 259Medieval Day at Velenje Castle 181Medljan Tourist Farm 241Medvode 90Memorial Church of the Holy Spirit in Javorca 251Menečenk Homestead 99Mengeš 101Mercury 265Mestni Park 191Mestni Trg - Škofja Loka 133Metaldays Festival 251

Metelkova Mesto 85Metlika 222Metlika By The Numbers 223Metlika Castle 223Metliška Črnina 223Military Museum 92Miner’s House 267Mining museums 179, 265Miren 269Miro Cerar 11Mišo Kranjec Homestead 201Mokrice Golf Course 45Monastery of Kostanjevica 255Mond Casino and Cabaret 55Money 11Monument to the Potato 138Moravske Toplice 49Moravske Toplice 200Moravske Toplice Golf Course 45Moravske Toplice Golf Course 200Moravske Toplice TIC 200Most Na Soči 253Mount Snežnik 273Movia 31Mt Nanos 256Mt Ojstrica 185Mt Triglav 19, 113, 147Mt Zaplata and The Devil’s Forest 140Mura River 196Murska Sobota 198Murska Sobota Castle 199Museum of Contemporary Art 73Museum of Gorenjska 127Museum of Lendava 202Museum of Recent History 155Museum of Šenčur 138Museum of Tržič 142Museum of Železniki 134Nace’s House 133Napoleon 17National Gallery of Slovenia 71National Liberation Monument 189National Museum of Contemporary History 73Natura 2000 211, 213Nature-Health Fair 61Nebotičnik 81Neviodunum 217Niko Slavnič 294Northern Slovenia 108Nova Gorica 254Nova Gorica Tourist Information Centre 255Novo Celje 160Novo Mesto 230Novo Mesto By The Numbers 231OIC Pyramid 102Old Celje Castle 153Old Velenje 179Old Vine & The Old Vine House 19, 189Old Vine Festival 191

Olimje 173Olimje - Podčetrtek Golf Course 45Olimje Monastery 173Olympic Games 41Open Air Museum - Rogatec 176Opera & Ballet Ljubljana 85Orange Wine 33Orešje Castle 212Oskar Kogoj Nature Design 269Ošlak Forge 171Otočec Castle 231Oton Župančič 227Outfit7 59P&F Jeruzalem Ormož 195Panorama Society 187Panoramic Road 187Parenzana Museum 241Park Casino and Hotel 55Park of Military History 272Passion of Škofja Loka 133Patrick’s Irish Pub 81Pavus Restaurant 157Pedjama Castle 53Pekel Jama 163Pelicon Brewery 257Perla Casino 55Peruntnina Pivka 272Peter Mankoč 39, 40Peter Prevc 39PGA 46Pinela wine 256Pipistrel 59Pippi Longstocking Festival 23, 181Piran 19, 244Piran Salt 35Piran Tourist Information Centre 245Pirc Dye-Works 127Pišece Castle 52Pivka 272Planica 23Planina Pod Golico 143Planina Polje 92Planinski Dom Kamniška Bistrica 105Podbočje 217Podčetrtek 172Podgorjansko Wine Road 209Podsreda Castle 53Pohorje 43, 191Pohorje Ski Resort 43Pokljuka 121Politics 11Poljšak 257Polzela 165Pomurska Poletni Festival 201Pope John Paul II 189, 212Portorož 246Posavje Museum Brežice 211Posavje Region 208Postojna 19, 270Postojna Cave 271Potica 27Potočka Zijalka Cave 187Pr’ Andrejon 136

Praetorian Palace 239Preddvor 140Predjama Castle 271Prekmurje 196Prekmurske Gibanica 26, 197Prešeren Fair 23Prešeren Square 69Preseren’s Grove 129Preskar Hut Museum 107Primorska Fair 61Primož Kožmus 39Primož Trubar 17Primož Trubar 232Prlekija Tourist Organisation 195Professional Golfers’ Association of Slovenia 46Prulček Bar 81Prus 31Ptuj 192Ptuj Castle 53, 193Ptuj Old Town 193Ptuj Tourist Information Centre 193Ptujska Klet Pullus 31Pungert Tower 129Queen Elisabeth II 117Radeče 221Radenci 203Radensko Polje 93Radetzky March 142Radovljica 124Radovljica By The Numbers 125Radovljica Mansion 125Radovljica Tourist Information Centre 125Rafting on the Drava 191Rajhenburg Castle 53Raka 217Rakov Škocjan 275Ralo Museum 195Rašica 232Ravne na Koroškem 182Recreation Park Fanazerija 199Red Dot Awards 135Regional Museum of Celje 155Regional Museum of Kočevje 229Regional Museum of Maribor 189Regional Museum of Murska Sobota 199Regional Museum of Ptuj 193Religion 11Repnice 212Repnice Najgar 212Ribnica 232Ričet 27Riko 59Rimske Terme 49, 159Rinka Centre 187Rinka Waterfall 185Risto Savin 161Rizibizi 247Roban Farmstead 185Robanov Kot 185Rodizio do Brasil 77Rogaška Crystal 175

Rogaška Slatina 174Rogaška Slatina Tourist Information Centre 175Rogasška Crystal 35Rogatec 176Rogla 43, 171Roma 202Roman Necropolis 161Rudolf Cvetko 41Rudolf Maister’s Birthplace 95Ruj 261Rupnik’s Line 135Russian Chapel 145Šalek Castle 181San Simon Archeological Park 243Šared 241Savica Waterfall 121Savin’s House 161Schengenfest 23Schnapps 35Schwentner House 164Ščurek 31Sečovlje Salina 248Semič 226Semiška Ohcet 226Šenčur 138Senovo 214Sevnica 218Sevnica By The Numbers 219Sežana 261Shambala 77Simčič Marjan 31Simon Kukec 161Skiing - Kranjska Gora 145Škocjanske Jame 19, 277Škofja Loka 132Škofja Loka Castle & Museum 133Škofja Loka Tourist Information Centre 133Skomarje House 171Slocally.com 73Slovene Cuisine 29Slovenian Alpine Museum 145Slovenian Firefighters Museum 223Slovenian Philharmonic 85Slovenian Railways 10Slovenian Spa Association 50Slovenian Tourist Board 20Slovenj Gradec 183Slovenske Konjice 168Šmarje Pri Jelšah 169Šmarsko-Virštanjska Wine Road 209Šmartno 259Smoking 11Snežnik Castle 53Snežnik Castle 275Šnopc o’ tecca 83Soča River 19, 253Soča River Trout 27Soča Trail 253Soča Valley 252Sochi Winter Olympics 41Solčava 184

Solčavsko 184Solčavsko By The Numbers 185Solkan Bridge 255Sopota Valley 100Šoštanj Power Plant 179Source of the Krupa River 226Southern Slovenia 204Spajza 77SPIRIT 21St Agnes Church 104St George Cathedral 245St Martin’s Church 117St Mary’s Shrine 153St Maurus Church 241St Michael’s Church 101STA Travel Cafe 79Štanjel 260Stara Sara 143Stari Grad - Slovenske Konjice 168Stari Grad - Vitanje 167Stari Vrh Ski Resort 43Storks 201Straw Hat Making 99Strmol Castle 137Strmol Dvorec 176Štruklji 27Studio Moderna 59Šum Gorge and Waterfall 143Sushimama 77Sveta Gora - Nova Gorica 255Svete Gore - Bistrica ob Sotli 213Sveti Martin 257Svibno Castle 221Tabar 77Tabor Castle 157Tamburanje Va Kostele 228Tartini House 245Tartini Square 245Taste Kamnik 97Taste Ljubljana 89Tavčar Mansion 136Taverna (St Mark’s Salt Warehouse) 239Technical Museum of Slovenia 91Teran wine 269Terme 3000 200Terme Čatež 48Terme Dobrna 48Terme Lendava 202Terme Olimia 49, 172Terme Radenci 203Terme Snovik 49Terme Snovik 95Terme Vivat 200Terme Zreče 49, 171Tešanovci 200The Karst 268Thermana Laško 48, 159Three Hearts Marathon 203Tina Maze 182Tipping 11Tito 130, 213, 265Tito Square 179

Tivoli Park 69Tolars 11Tolmin 251Tolmin Gorges 251Tolmin Museum 251Top 10 Annual Events 22Top 10 Athletes 38Top 10 Attractions 18Top 10 Casinos 54Top 10 Castles 52Top 10 Companies 58Top 10 Dishes 26Top 10 Fairs 60Top 10 Golf Courses 44Top 10 Ski Resorts 42Top 10 Souvenirs 34Top 10 Spa Resorts 48Top 10 Winemakers 30Tourist Settlement and Gostišče Zeleni Rob 107Town Hall - Piran 245Traditional Events - Gorenjska 113Trains and Buses 10Travertine Quarry 141Trenta Museum and Triglav National Park Information Centre 253Trgovina Ika 83Triglav National Park 19, 113, 147Trnovo Golf Course 45Tržič 142Trzin 102Tunnels Under Kranj 129Turn Organic Farm 273Turnišče 197Ugo Family Plaque 241UNESCO Heritage Sites 264, 276United States Ambassador 36Urška Žolnir 39Vače 100Valentin 77Valvasor Complex 217Valvasor Monument 215Vander Urbani Resort 87Vauclusian karst spring 267Velenje 178Velenje By The Numbers 179Velenje Castle 53Velenje Castle & Museum 53, 179Velenje Gallery 179Velenje Lakes 181Velenje Tourist Information Centre 181Velenje’s Countryside 181Velika Planina 106Velika Polana 201Venetian House 245Veržej 197Victory Monument 199Vilenica Caves 261Vina Kras 269Vinakoper 239Vineyard Cottage Tourism - Novo Mesto 231Vineyard Cottage

Tourism - Posavje 209Vinica 227Vinjeta 10Vino Graben 212Vino Ljubljana 61Vinotek Vipava 257Vinska Klet Goriška Brda 259Vinska Klet Metlike 223Vinska Klet Ptuj 193Vintgar Gorge 115Vipava 1894 257Vipava Valley 256Visas 11Vitanje 167Vladimir Putin 130Vladimir Štoviček 215Vogel Ski Resort 43Vogel View Point 121Vransko 164Vransko Motorcycle Museum 164Vrba 139Vrbje Pond 163Vrhnika 91Vuzenica 183Walk of Peace 253Water Sports on the Soča 253Water Tower - Brežice 211Wellness Orhidelia 172Western Slovenia 234Will Dunn 295Wine Country 209Yugoslavia 17Yugostalgia 35Yuri Barron 294Žale Cemetery 71Žalec 160Žalec By The Numbers 161Žalec Tourist Information Centre 163Žan Košir 39Zaprice Castle and Regional Museum 95Zbiljsko Jezero 90Zelen wine 256Železna Jama Cave and Jamarski Museum 99Železniki 134Žibovt Farm 187Žiri 135Žirovnica 139Žirovnica Cultural Heritage Path 139Zlati Grič 45, 168Žlikrofi 264Žmauč 81Zoran Janković 25Žovnek Castle 166Zreče 49, 170Županova Jama 93Žužemberk 233Žužemberk Castle 233Žužemberk Medieval Days Festival 233Zvezda Café 79

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