There’s a lot to love about Slovenia

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, get more for your money, and enjoy an incredible European experience, consider Slovenia.

I had the fortune of meeting with the founders of Luxury Slovenia last week in Atlanta along with a small group of travel advisors. After seeing the photos and hearing about the unique experiences for our clients in this beautiful country, I think we were all ready to plan our own trips to Slovenia.

Slovenia is located next to Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. Due to its location, Slovenia has some of the best parts of Europe in one tiny country (it’s drivable in 90 minutes from north to South). The borders of Slovenia make it a great location to combine with other destinations in Europe (such as Italy or Croatia). They have a Mediterranean coastline (on the Adriatic sea) and are just 90 minutes from the Alps. There are incredible castles like what you will find in Germany and wine regions bordering Italy. In addition to wine, you’ll find delicious food to enjoy, stunning landscapes and outdoor activities, and gorgeous coastal cities that rival Dubrovnik on looks but have far fewer crowds.

It's tiny (just a bit smaller than New Jersey) so within an hour, you can be anywhere in Slovenia, making it easy to get around quickly.

And there are only 4,000 hotel rooms in the entire country - meaning that it will never be as crowded as some of those more popular European destinations.

Luxury Slovenia is a preferred partner for my host agency because they have incredible connections and support staff. The team is based in Slovenia and specialized only in Slovenia - they are pioneers of luxury travel in Slovenia and have access to the top restaurants and hotels in the country. They aim for top notch service and support, and can provide my clients with a local expert guide and driver throughout their stay.

How to get there

Ljubljana is the primary airport in Slovenia (accessed by most of the primary hubs around Europe such as Frankfurt), but you can also fly into Venice and you’re just an hour from the Slovenian border and 2 hours from the capital, Ljubljana. This may be a great option if you’re near an airport with direct flights into Venice. By working with me (and a partner like Luxury Slovenia), I can arrange a direct transfer for my clients from Venice to make it super easy. The transfers are only offered in Mercedes to make sure your trip starts out feeling luxurious.

Your Slovenia Itinerary

It’s recommended to stay 8-10 nights while you are in Slovenia to have enough time to see a lot and not feel rushed. If you want to combine Slovenia with another nearby country like Italy, Croatia, or Greece, consider staying at least 4 nights in Slovenia to see as many of the highlights as possible.

Start in the Alpine region in the northwest - just 30 minutes from the capital.

Stay at Hotel Milka (pictured), a boutique property (only 6 rooms) with mountain and lake views. They also have a Michelin star restaurant on site. You’ll only be 25 minutes from Lake Bled, the most important highlight of Slovenia. There are additional accommodations around Lake Bled if you want to stay closer, including a private villa with a private beach on the lake.

Lake Bled is a beautiful place and probably the image you know of Slovenia (at the top of this post). It’s worth visiting to see this incredible resort area and while there, take a private tour of Bled castle and take a private traditional “pletna” boat cruise to the island. You can also go hiking, biking, or I can even arrange for clients to go rowing with Olympic Gold Medalists.

And before you leave, you must try the local specialty - the Prekmurian layer cake is a juicy dessert, stuffed with poppy seeds, cottage cheese, walnuts and apples. The authentic cakes can only be acquired at Lake Bled.

Depart the Alps and travel south to the Slovenian Riviera along the Mediterranean. Stay at Kempinski Palace Hotel, which was built during the Austro-Hungarian period and includes both traditional and modern parts within the hotel. There’s a beach club on site and you can also enjoy sunset cruises or halfday cruises on the Adriatic. You may think you’re in the South of France while you’re here! With my partner, we can arrange visits to local farms and wineries here or setup an excursion to go truffle hunting. No matter where in Slovenia you are, you can rest assured that food is growing right in front of you and that the providers of local cuisine can turn this into unforgettable culinary experiences. Discover protected and special Slovenian cheeses, meat products, sausages, oils, honey, and other food.

If you’re looking to do a lot of wine tastings or enjoy a wine safari, you’ll want to visit Slovenia’s wine region - Goriska Brda.

Located on the border of Italy, you’ll think you are in Tuscany! All wine tastings in Slovenia are done by the owner of the vineyard and their family so expect this experience to feel more intimate. You’ll have an opportunity to really get to know the local culture while you are here.

Finally, you must spend some time in Ljubljana, a charming capital city where you can spend some time exploring the historic city center, dining in the local restaurants, and walking along the river. We can arrange visits to the Ljubljana Castle, museums, or the local markets. While there, stay at the Intercontinental Hotel where we can arrange additional amenities for clients.

Now that I’ve got you interested in visiting Slovenia - when is the best time to go?

While it’s a great destination year-round, the best time to visit is late March/early April through October. Peak season is typically around June-July.

I am really excited about this partner and this destination - and would love to help you plan your own visit to Slovenia soon!