City, mountains, countryside: family-friendly Slovenia has it all
21st May 2018
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At the start of 2016 Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana, was declared Green Capital of Europe.
By the end of the year, Slovenia itself had become the first country in the world to be designated a Green Destination.
If that alone doesn’t make you want to book your next family holiday here, you may be tempted by Mediterranean cities that easily rival the neighbours in Croatia, a magnificent Alpine landscape, spa towns in the north and a single ski-pass that covers upwards of 12 ski resorts.
But don’t leave it too long to decide: affordable, uncrowded and lovely Slovenia is now on the map.
Direct flights from the UK to Ljubljana take just over two hours.
In 2016, Ljubljana was Green Capital of Europe and Slovenia became the world’s first country to be designated a Green Destination.
One single ski-pass accesses Slovenia’s ski-areas which are all within an hour and a half, or less, from Ljubljana airport.
Lipica in western Slovenia is the birthplace of Vienna’s legendary Lipizzaner horses and home to the world’s oldest stud farm.
Slovenia is small enough to base a holiday in the capital Ljubljana and spend time in each of the country’s other regions from the Mediterranean coast to the Alps. Slovenia has a Mediterranean coastline and shares borders with Italy, Croatia, Austria and Hungary.
Triglav National Park is one of the oldest in Europe, covers an area of 840km² and is home to the impressive Julian Alps.
Ljubljana’s one of the European cities people are always torn about: on the one hand they want to rave about how lovely it is and, on the other, are tempted to just keep quiet. The second option’s becoming increasingly difficult, since a year as European Green Capital revealed to the world everything from graceful Ljubljana Castle and the red roofed medieval quarter to Baroque architecture that rivals Salzburg and the city’s collection of truly remarkable Art Nouveau buildings.
One of Slovenia’s best family ski resorts, just over an hour from Ljubljana on the Austrian border. Several major international downhill and slalom events are held here every year and advanced skiers have altitudes of over 1200m and spectacular Alpine scenery. Good for beginners and intermediate too, with a wide range of kids’ activities, several ski schools and excellent childcare and kindergarten.
Cerkno’s the most advanced and award-winning resort in Slovenia. The ski-area’s on Mount Srni Vrh with altitudes of 1300m, 12 slopes and 10 lifts – it’s the only resort in the country with covered lifts and 100% snow-making.
Slovenia on the Med isn’t enormous but manages to pack an astonishing number of breathtaking seaside resorts, natural phenomena and pretty beaches into a small space. The coast’s less than two hours drive from Ljubljana but, with temperatures of 27˚ and plenty of sunshine, it’s a summer holiday in its own right and far less busy than nearby Croatia.
Bled Lake is the largest in Slovenia and has the country’s only island, it’s also the most famous area in the Alpine region and a fantastic base for outdoor adventure holidays in spring and summer.
The east of Slovenia is where to find terraced vineyards, gorgeously pretty villages, traditional country festivals, amazing rivers and some of Europe’s finest spa towns. Again, it’s an area close enough to the capital for days out and good for touring around with older kids.
Hire a car in Slovenia and take advantage of the country’s small size to explore almost every region. The roads are excellent even in rural areas and you won’t drive far without coming across a town or village. Ljubljana is just over an hour from the coast and even the furthest reaches of Pannonian on the Hungarian border are less than a couple of hours drive away.
