Slovenia surprises visitors at every step with its natural sites. In this tiny piece of Europe, the picturesque features of the Alpine, Mediterranean, Karst, and Pannonian worlds are combined. At the contact point of such naturally diverse regions, nature shows a hundred attractive faces.

Slovenia is a country of karst regions, and its Kras region gave its name to this type of limestone landscape across the world. In Slovenia, there are thousands of karst caves and shafts, and about one tenth of them are open to visitors. The best known is Postojna Cave, but many prefer the Škocjan Caves, which are on UNESCO's list of world natural and cultural heritage sites. Snežna jama cave with its frozen stalactites in alpine Mount Raduha is a special sight, and the caves in the shallow karst of Dolenjska are also quite unique.

Nature Parks

Leisure time activities, recreation, and tourism are increasingly intertwined with nature. The growing awareness of the importance of a healthy environment and the ever-greater need and demand for preserving nature and attractive landscapes is increasing the number of nature lovers in Europe.

Parks have become one of the most important locations that now form part of the tourism infrastructure (information centers, education and hiking trails, sports and recreation programs) and contribute to creating an “above standard” tourist offer. They offer peace, relaxation, the experience of unspoiled nature, and numerous activities linked with nature (photo-hunting, walking, mountaineering, etc.). True parks are places where the level of natural and cultural preservation is at its highest and are therefore becoming increasingly important for the “New Age” tourist.

Active Holidays

Slovenia is an excellent place for sport and recreation; active holidays are possible in all parts of the country during all seasons. In the winter time visitors are attracted by wonderful ski slopes, in summer by the waters and the sky above Slovenia, in spring and autumn by the colourful hiking and cycling trails… Slovenian ski centers and winter resorts attract Alpine and tour skiers, cross-country skiers, borders, sledgers. Many schools of skiing will introduce you to winter joys which can also be experienced by air and at some places – by paragliding.

Cultural and Historical Heritage

There are over two hundred museums and museum collections in Slovenia. The most important heritage is preserved by the National Museum, the Slovene Museum of Ethnography, and the Museum of Natural Science of Slovenia. Among the museums of European significance belongs the World War I Soca (Isonzo) Front Museum in Kobarid, which was awarded the European Museum of the Year award by the Council of Europe.

Sacred Heritage

Wherever the eye wanders in Slovenia, it catches sight of a bell tower, whether on top of a hill or in the center of a city. Slovenia is a country of churches that testify to the artistic and architectural features of the land and the past life of its people.
 
In Slovenia, it is possible to find antique Early Christian basilicas; pre-Romanesque chapels; Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Romanesque churches; and outstanding architectural works of the modern age linked with the name of the famous Slovene architect Jože Plecnik or other prominent architects. Solitary churches on hilltops are a special feature of Slovenia, which the experts link to pre-Christian religious groups and the high refuges of the earliest inhabitants. Particularly interesting among the sacral monuments are the churches fortified with walls and towers against the Turkish raids.

Architectural Heritage

Slovenia is a country rich with interesting architecture. Its capital Ljubljana is a unique exhibition site for the work of the renowned Slovene and European architect Jože Plecnik. The Architectural Museum in Ljubljana also bears witness to his creativity.
 
But the appearance of Slovene cities, towns, and villages was created centuries ago with churches, monasteries, and castles stretching back to the Romanesque period, the first medieval cities, Renaissance mansions and city halls, Baroque renovations, Classicist parks and palaces, and Art Nouveau hotels and banks. Many renovated facades in the Slovene cities testify the respect for past architectural achievements. The preserved beauty of Slovene castles often shelters museums, art galleries, and prestigious event halls.


source: www.slovenia.info