Zagreb is a fabulous city for a short break and is just a quick flight from London on both Croatia Airlines and British Airways, who have recently increased the frequency of their flights to the city for 2020. The city has so much to offer, from theatres, boutique shopping, strolling down quaint hidden courtyards and a booming restaurant scene. Restaurant week is an event not to be missed, taking place in March and October each year, with many establishments offering a three course menu for just £14 per person - some places even include a glass of wine!
Highlights of Ljubljana & Central Slovenia:
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is small capital city but with a big heart. A city built on a human scale and one that puts its people first. The city centre has long ago banished cars to make room for more outdoor cafes and restaurants, cultural events, open-air markets, bike lanes, and shopping areas.
If you’re more of an outdoorsy type, you won’t be disappointed either. Slovenians love sports, preferably outdoors. You’ll find hiking and biking paths in the heart of the city, or you can explore beyond city limits and go for world-class hiking, skiing, white water rafting and other adrenaline experiences.
Ljubljana is the green capital of a green country. The area on either side of the river with its picturesque bridges and the central market owes its distinctive appearance to the great architect Jože Plečnik. The city of thousands of events is surrounded by parks and areas of protected nature.
In fact Ljubljana is a great base as you can actually get to most parts of the country within 2 hours, so you can always explore the country from here if you just want to stay in one place.
Central Slovenia
Kamnik is a medieval town with two castles, a monastery and a colourful street lined with artisan workshops. The town is inextricably linked with the Velika Planina plateau and its shepherding tradition. It is only a few minutes away from the largest Slovenian arboretum and the Terme Snovik spa, the spa nearest to the capital.
Skofja Loka and the Selca Valley and the Poljane Valley is the picturesque medieval set of the Škofja Loka Passion Play, which is on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. One Loka (meadow), two valleys, three mountain ranges provide countless stories of all types of creativity: from artistic and handicraft to culinary.
Idrija boasts the second largest mercury mine in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, It is also the birthplace of a distinct lace-making tradition, a specific culinary legacy and unique technical heritage. Discover "klavže" – water barriers that are the Slovenian equivalent of the pyramids in terms of their ingenious design. Set out to visit the UNESCO Geopark.
Novo mesto is the centre of Dolenjska, and it has an archaeological heritage of world importance. The town of situlae is surrounded by gentle wine-growing hills, where the typical Cviček wine is produced, and the mysterious Gorjanci Hills. Otočec Castle, the only “water castle” in Slovenia, is located on a small island in the River Krka.
