Dober dan! Welcome to the green piece of Europe—Slovenia, a nation that sits at the crossroads of the Alps and the Mediterranean. There are around 2 million people living here, and the capital is Ljubljana, a city so green and walkable that its name translates roughly to “The Beloved.” The official language is Slovenian, and the country is known for its high level of English proficiency and its deep connection to nature.
Slovenia covers about 20,273 square kilometers (7,827 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as the state of New Jersey in the U.S., or about two-thirds the size of Belgium. Despite being small, it is incredibly diverse; you can ski in the mountains in the morning and dip your toes in the Adriatic Sea in the afternoon.
The most popular sports are Skiing, Basketball, and Cycling, with the country producing global superstars like Luka Dončić and Primož Roglič. Their national animal is the Lipizzaner Horse, the famous white dancing horses that originated in the village of Lipica.
The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of white, blue, and red with the national coat of arms in the upper left corner, where the white, blue, and red are traditional Slavic colors and the coat of arms features Mount Triglav, three yellow stars, and two wavy blue lines representing the sea and rivers.
The food is a delicious intersection of Italian, Alpine, and Balkan flavors. You must try Kranjska klobasa, a protected smoked pork sausage. Another favorite is Štruklji, rolled dumplings that can be filled with anything from cottage cheese to walnuts. For dessert, the Bled Cream Cake (Kremna rezina) is a must, featuring layers of puff pastry, vanilla cream, and custard.
Slovenia is home to Lake Bled, a picture-perfect glacial lake with a tiny island and a church in the center, overlooked by a medieval castle. The country features the Postojna Cave, a massive karst cave system where you can ride a subterranean train and see the “human fish” (proteus), a rare blind salamander. You can visit the Soča Valley, famous for its emerald-green river and heart-pounding white-water rafting. Interestingly, Slovenia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and is a nation of beekeepers; it even pioneered the proposal for the UN’s World Bee Day!
From the dragon statues of the Dragon Bridge to the coastal charm of Piran, Slovenia is a land of hidden gems and sustainable beauty. Hvala! That means “Thank you!”