Slovenia’s world of wonders
Little gem offers a summer holiday with a difference, says NICK DALTON
TAKE a stroll through Triglav National Park and you’re discovering an unknown world. The vegetation is backed by the startling green of the trees, themselves set against the white rock crags of the Julian Alps. This is Slovenia, at the heart of Europe, where the warmth of the Mediterranean meets the mountains and the lakes.
It is a melting pot of cultures, thanks to its neighbours – Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia – a mix that is seen in food, art and architecture.
As a summer holiday destination it is like no other. Sit on one of the idyllic beaches on the banks of Lake Bled and soak up the sun, then take a dip or a boat ride to the island where the Church of Assumption stands tall. Gaze back at the medieval town of Bled while relaxing with an ice-cream, or a borovnicka, a fabulous blueberry liqueur.
At Lake Bohinj, take the little ferry across and then ride the gondola up Mount Vogel, reaching 5,000ft, for spectacular views of the Bohinj Valley.
There’s skiing here in winter, as well as at delightful Kranjska Gora, but in summer the temperatures are perfect for walking. Visit ‘Little Tuscany’ – the vineyards here have all the quality of their Italian counterparts yet little of the wine finds its way outside the country.
Take a journey through 15-mile Postojna Cave, where a railway line for visitors was built in 1872. Or visit the capital, Ljubljana, a beautiful place filled with grand sights including Ljubljana Castle, the Dragon Bridge over the Ljubljanica river with its stirring statues and Tivoli City Park, a vast space of ornate gardens.
The best way to experience the delights of Slovenia is on a Lakes & Mountains holiday with TUI. There’s Kranjska Gora, a mountain town – and only a two-hour hike from the point where Slovenia meets Austria and Italy, so you can visit three countries in one day. And Bled, where a two-hour walk will get you round the quiet
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lake (motorboats are banned), although it could take longer when you find yourself stopping for coffee at waterfront cafes.
Then there’s Bohinj, a lake and town right on the edge of Triglav National Park and perfect for so many sights – not least walking into Komar – a gorge where you find the Savica waterfall.
The hotels are friendly and the food is excellent – from local dishes such as beef with polenta or the vanilla kremšnita cake.
Whether you want to explore on foot or bike, or whether you want to laze in the sun, Slovenia offers a world of differences. INFORMATION: Lakes & Mountains with TUI (020 3636 1618/tui.co.uk) offers holidays from £506pp (two sharing) for seven nights, half-board, at the Best Western hotel, Kranjska Gora, departing June 2, including flights from Manchester.