Slovenia, between nature and adventure
travel·@geoffreyc84·
0.000 HBDSlovenia, between nature and adventure
Slovenia, one of the smallest countries in Europe, is home to many treasures: more than eleven thousand caves, virgin forests, a well-preserved coastline; as snow-capped peaks, springs of thermal water and hills among which are the roads of wine and olive oil ... Independent since the early 1990s, Slovenia has opened up to tourism without damaging its idyllic landscapes thanks to its environmental protection policies.  © Jošt Gantar_Slovenian Tourist Board **Nature to the heart of the flag** - Mount Triglav, at a height of 2,864 meters, remains the symbol of the country, and is located - as on the flag - in the northwestern corner. This summit, the highest in the country, is in one of the oldest national parks in Europe. On 90,000 hectares, glacial lakes, gorges and valleys serve as a backdrop for chamois, deer and sometimes bears living in the area. The hiking trails here offer breathtaking views of the Julian Alps. And at its feet, two lakes have made Slovenia famous. The most famous is that of Bled, which small traditional boats known as "pletnje" cross. We will take them to visit the island in the middle of the lake and its church. In Bled, one will taste the famous "kremšnita", the local millefeuille, and one will benefit from the baths with sight on the lake, before leaving to Bohinj. The second glacial lake is about thirty kilometers away. Here, the frame is no longer that of the "postcard" but offers a breathtaking view of the peaks.  © Iztok Medja, Postojnska jama d.d. Postojna_Slovenian Tourist Board **Rivers, waterfalls and caves** - In the vicinity of Triglav Park, two of the main rivers flow through the country. The tumultuous Soča, which descends along the border with Italy, and the Sava, which takes the route of the Balkans, to reach the Danube. Soča, or "Emerald River" as it is known, is particularly popular with rafting, kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts. The course of the river, moreover, closely follows the front which, during the First World War, saw the armies of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire confront each other. Fortifications, ossuaries, museums and even "a path to peace" characterize these lands, which have seen hundreds of thousands of people die. Underwater, rivers and streams have dug thousands of caves. And the territory they have infiltrated and modeled, the "Karst", has even given its name to this geomorphological phenomenon: karst erosion. Of the 11,000 caves, about 20 are open to the public. The most visited is undoubtedly Postojna, which has been equipped with a small electric train since 1818. UNESCO has inscribed on the World Heritage List the Škocjan underground complex, which extends for more than 6 km. Here, forget the little train, the visit is done on foot and the guide will even have the prudence to turn off the light after your passage! Finally, for those who prefer history to geography, the caves of Predjama do not disappoint. This system of caves is in fact preceded by a castle, which was the home of the rebel knight Erasmus of Predjama.  © Tomo Jeseničnik_Slovenian Tourist Board **A coast of fishermen and violinists** - If it is not known worldwide for its coast (which measures only 46 km!), Slovenia can still boast of beautiful sandy beaches and charming towns on the seafront. Piran, with its red roofs and its peninsula form extending into the Adriatic, remains the most picturesque destination. And for good reason: Piran is a cultural city, where life is good. Here, no statue of statesmen, but a sculpture of a musician, a violin in the hand. This is Giuseppe Tartini, composer of the eighteenth century. And if the salt works are no longer active, you can still visit them, now transformed into an open-air museum. But if for you the sea means above all beach and swimming, stop at Portorož, the seaside resort of Slovenia. Its sandy beach is indeed a rarity in this region. Between baths, casinos, water activities and musical events, there is no place for boredom. The capital of the coast is Koper which remains the most important port of the country. The incessant human activity has not upset the surrounding landscapes. On the contrary, cycling enthusiasts will be able to discover Slovenian Istria (and even neighboring Croatia) by taking the old railway of the "Parenzana", now transformed into a cycle track. **Cheese, wines and desserts, specialties of Slovenia** - In this land of mountains, hills and sunny coasts, the gastronomy is full of excellent and varied dishes. The Julian Alps, with the Triglav Park and the high plateau of Velika Planina, are the reign of sheepfolds and pastures. Here, we will taste typical cheeses, such as Trnič or Tolmin cheese. In the karst region, whipped by the cold wind and strong said "buria", is produced a delicious dry ham, which bears the registered designation of origin (AOC). It is salted with sea salt, just like the local sausage, the "kranjska klobasa". While the coastline and Slovenian Istria are inevitably linked to the sea and its products, the interior of the country offers more game and freshwater fish (trout in the head). Olive oil also gives way to homemade butter or pumpkin oil. Among the most traditional dishes, štruklji, made with stuffed dough boiled in water, remains a must. Choose your favorite ingredients and taste them for starter or dessert, there are more than a hundred variants! As far as wine is concerned, Slovenia has several good surprises. In the west of the country, in the hills of Goriška Brda, which is often called "Slovenian Tuscany", wines of excellent quality are grown. Rebula, tokaj, but also sauvignon, pinot, merlot and cabernet are among the most famous vineyards. In Maribor, the second largest city in the country, there is the oldest vine in the world, backed by the original wall dating from 1657. Finally, before leaving the table, take a look at the dessert menu. Slovenia's rich past has left a trace in its gastronomy, and this is particularly noticeable for sweet dishes. From Austria comes the strudel, which is called "zavitek". It is stuffed with apples, cream cheese or cherries. From Hungary come the "palačinke", the crepes that have conquered all the countries of the former Yugoslavia. On the coast, the influence of Venice left the famous tiramisu or panna cotta. But the national dessert remains the "potica", a nut roll cake found throughout the country.  © Jacob Riglin, Beautiful Destinations_Slovenian Tourist Board **Ljubljana, the green heart of Slovenia** - When talking about good restaurants, a detour to the capital Ljubljana is essential. Here all cultural, historical and gastronomic influences intertwine. It will not be difficult to find a place to taste all the specialties. The nerve center of the country also remains a city on a human scale, which can be visited on foot or by bike (Ljubljana is also one of the smallest capitals in Europe!). For her involvement in the preservation of the environment, she was named in 2016 "Green Capital of Europe", becoming the first city in the East to win this title. Finally, "the city of dragons" bears the imprint of the greatest Slovenian architect, Jože Plecnik, who designed several buildings in the capital and its famous Triple Bridge. Walking along the Ljubljanica River, you will be captivated by the soothing atmosphere that reigns there. Far from being a boring city, the Slovenian capital enjoys the animation orchestrated by the 40,000 students it hosts. Several festivals are organized especially during the summer, its clubs open until early morning and its artists who have invested and reinvented the place will show you another side of the young Slovenia, that of a dynamic country turned towards the 'to come up.