Slovenia in picture

Many times you can get a lot better sense of what the places really look like when you see them. As a common phrase states: "A picture is worth more than a thousand words". For that reason I have decided to share with you few links with the panoramic photos. Through them you will be able to see the views of the most of the places I have been introducing to you through this blog.

Have fun watching them.

Triglav

Triglav2

Bled

Bled2

Ljubljana Castle

Ljubljana

Lipica

Postojna Cave

Postojna Cave2

Piran

Piran-Tartinij Square

Portoroz

Krvavec

Source: http://www.slovenia.info/

Soca river

Anytime from April to October anyone who considers himself or herself an adrenaline junkie should experience a rafting along the 96 km long Soca River. The white-water rafting trips have been organized by Soca Rafting for over 20 years. This club also provides extra activities, such as, picnics by the river and home-made liquor tasting at a local inn. Excursions typically provide 1-1.5 h of rafting time.

The Soca River is part of the Soca Valley which is deeply carved into the white limestone of the magnificent Julian Alps. This is an amazing valley of wonderful colors, full of waterfalls, pools, ravines and canyons, with its own distinct flora and fauna. An extremely blue-green Soca River flows over white gravel and through this fairy-tale valley. As you follow the valley northwards from Nova Gorica (near the Italian border), you can also take some time to visit Kobarid, where you will find an excellent museum reflecting the region's importance as one of the main “fronts” during WW1. As already mentioned, between April and October in the upper reaches of the Soca Valley the town of Bovec visitors can experience world class adventure sports. Furthermore, this area also becomes a fly-fishing haven, the indigenous marble trout being the sought after trophy. There are possible arrangements of licenses for anyone who likes fishing. There are also great hiking and kayaking possibilities in the area.

Here is the web site address of the Soca Valley for anyone who would like to further explore this wonderful part of Slovenia. http://www.dolina-soce.com/home-en.html

Lipica and Postojna

In the southwestern part of Slovenia is a region called Kras (Karst). It is a land of rare beauty, secret underground waters and caves, special climate and scarce vegetation. This is also a place where you can find two quite distinct national wonders of Slovenia.

First of them is Lipica. This special place is the home of one of the world's most famous breed of horses, the Lippizaner (400 lipizzan hourses today in Lipica). Here, the tradition of selection and breeding of pure Lipizzan hourses has been alive for over than four hundred years. As well as watching the horses perform at the Classical Riding School at Lipica, visitors can take the reins of a thoroughbred Lippizaner themselves. There are pony rides for children as well. Lipica is also a recreational and sports centre of a worldwide reputation, where visitors can spend wonderful moments of relaxation. In the complex of Lipica is to the visitor available the Hotel Maestoso, Klub Hotel Lipica, tennis courts, golf course, mini golf, swimming pool, sauna, fitness centre, souvenir shop, museum collection of old carriages and many other. It is also possible to spend an entire holiday on and around the stud farm; the two on-site hotels provide swimming pools, a fitness center, sauna, casino and nightclub. There is also a wedding hall for romantic weddings for all of you who are planning on getting married.

Another Slovenian national wonder of the Karst are the caves. The most known of them is the Postojna cave. The Postojna Cave system is the largest known cave system in Slovenia. This is a system of a 20 kilometer (12-mile) labyrinth of subterranean passages, filled with fantastical stalagmites, stalactites and other rock formations. It is considered by experts to be one of the finest examples of Karst landscape, where limestone rock has been heavily eroded to form underground streams, a phenomenon that has created several other caves in the area. An electric train will take you through one part, after which you can walk about 2 km/1.8miles through the most beautiful part of the caves. You will be shown a mysterious and rare cave amphibian Proteus Anguinus or human fish which can be only in the Postojna cave.

Krvavec

Since the winter months are here, many people are planning on going skiing or snowboarding in the mountains. In my last blog post I spent some time talking about our capital, Ljubljana. If you are planning on going to visit our largest city in the coming months, you have to take some time and experience a beauty of the winter on a whole new level. It will only take you 30 minutes of driving to arrive at the Mt Krvavec Winter Ski Resort, which is on the altitude between 4757 and 6466 feet. Krvavec is one of the most popular winter resorts in Slovenia. During the ski season, the snow at Krvavec is guaranteed for 100 days. The skiing extends across 262 acres, 138 acres of which has been converted into ski-slopes with a combined length of around 20 miles. On 90% of the ski-slopes and on the cross-country ski-course at Krvavec, natural snow is backed up by artificial snow if needed. Due to the center's favorable location, the skiing season usually starts as early as the end of November and may last over 150 days until early May. The ski routes are varied and ideal for both recreational and professional skiers. The rich additional package includes a ski school, rental and service of ski equipment, a polygon for beginners and a playground for children, and thus attracts and delights beginners. A huge attraction at the Krvavec Ski Resort is the snow hotel, the so-called Igloo Village, which is a must-see attraction. The pleasant atmosphere, the food and beverage offer, and numerous parties will enchant you and may ensure that you come back. One advantage of the ski resort that has to attract you is the fact that when the sun is especially generous, Krvavec is as beautiful as the beach for sunbathing.

Ljubljana - The Capital

Has anyone already decided to go to Slovenia? I have more places that you need to see when you get there. Today I will introduce you to our capital city, Ljubljana.

For all of you who are used to live in big cities in America, Ljubljana represents more of a town with its population of 276,000 people. The city is located in the middle of the country, between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, in a basin where the Ljubljanica River flows into the Sava. It has all the facilities of a modern capital, and yet it has preserved its small-town friendliness and relaxed atmosphere. We like to say it is sufficiently large to contain everything that a capital should have, but small enough to preserve the individuality of its people. It is a vibrant city full of surprises. The city’s surrounding area, packed with natural beauty and cultural sights of a city's dynamic history, is renowned for the walking, hiking and cycle trails and a wide variety of culinary pleasures. It is a city with a soul. Ljubljana is also a heart of the political, economic, cultural and scientific life of the Slovene nation.
The first impression that most visitors get of Ljubljana is that it is an exceptionally young city. It is home of the University of Ljubljana with over 50,000 students, who give it a special vibe. As four Slovene regions meet in Ljubljana, the city's numerous restaurants and inns offer a wide range of local delicacies and superb wines that you have to try. Ljubljana did not earn the label of "the city of wine and vine" for nothing.

Ljubljana Castle, the city's most striking landmark, adds a special touch to the city's cultural vibrancy. It is an attractive tourist sight and a picturesque venue for concerts, theater performances, exhibitions, conferences and official functions.

Ljubljana is also a city of culture. It is home to numerous theaters, museums and galleries, and boasts one of the oldest philharmonic orchestras in the world. For the people of Ljubljana culture is a way of living and thinking and is very much a part of everyday life. Over 10,000 cultural events take place in the city every year, among which there are 10 international festivals.

Ljubljana is a city that people often return to because of the work or all the pleasant memories of previous visits. It is similar to a number of other pleasant European cities, but yet it is different. If you want to be fully assured that Ljubljana is an interesting, pretty and friendly place then you have to experience it on your own.

Triglav Mountain and The Triglav National Park

Once you visit Slovenia you definitely need to see our highest mountain. If you are not excited about the climbing on the top of the country, however,you can at least see the Triglav National Park, part of which is the Triglav Mountain. Triglav, with 2864 m (9396 feet) is the highest peak of Slovenia and also of the Julian Alps. The meaning of its name, "three-headed", can describe its shape as seen from the Bohinj area. The mountain is located between valley of Trenta, Vrata, Krma, and Bohinj. From top you will have a spectacular view of the whole country. On a sunny day you can even see the mountains in Austria and Italy, or all the way to the Slovenian Sea. The mountain represents an important symbol of my country. A stylized depiction of its distinctive shape is the central element featured on our national flag.

As I have mentioned, the Triglav Mountain is part of the only Slovenian national park, The Triglav National Park (TNP). It extends along the Italian border and close to the Austrian border in the north-west of Slovenia, that is, in the south-eastern section of the Alps. The park covers 880 square kilometers, or 3% of the territory of Slovenia. The Triglav National Park is among the oldest European parks. The day-tour to these amazing features of the country will enable you to explore the green-parts of Slovenia. And believe me, it is worth of visiting.