An Introduction to Ljubljana…

Ljubljana holidays focus on the compact, historical capital city of Ljubljana which has been positioned for centuries on the main trading route from central Europe to the Mediterranean. It is a city of great cultural and artistic exchange with a seamless blend of old and new, a magnificent castle, Baroque architecture and an old town festooned with cobbled alleyways. A vibrant café society frequents the pretty promenade and bridges over the city’s river.

Our Ljubljana holidays use the best Ljubljana hotels including the the 5 star Hotel Intercontinental Lev which we feature on a year-round basis. Our Ljubljana holiday flights operate from London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham to Ljubljana airport.. The transfer from airport to hotel is just 15 minutes. So book your Ljubljana holiday or Ljubljana hotel with Holiday Options.

 
Ljubljana is large enough to have everything other capitals have and at the same time is small enough to show warmth and hospitality to every visitor. It has a baroque old part of town, with narrow cobbled streets nestled between the castle slopes and the river Ljubljanica.

Lake Bled is described as the alpine jewel of Slovenia. From the summit of the castle cliff a breathtaking view of the mountain scenery opens up.

Gondola-type boats (pletna) can take you to the little romantic island with the lovely Baroque church and the famous wishing bell.

In a country with a hundred speciality soups and a thousand national dishes, there’s sure to be something to suit every palate and pocket. Most menus reflect the tastes and traditions of Slovenia’s neighbours, so an Austrian influence brings sausage, strudel, schnitzel and sauerkraut, Italy contributes risotto and ravioli, and Hungarian goulash is as popular here as in its home country. One thing Slovenia does superbly with no outside contribution is its baked fare – fabulous breads and pastries that look as good as they taste.

Try struklji - stuffed with sweet or savoury fillings, or potica cake with walnuts and honey or cottage cheese and herbs. With many more miles of river bank than coastline, the country’s fish dishes are as likely to be trout as seafood, while pork, veal and beef are the mainstays of the meat menu. And with 14 wine-growing areas and the oldest vine in the world (the 400 year old Podravje vine), Slovenia can tempt you to a feast of fine wines.

Laski, Renski and Rizling are among the best known whites, but look out for Rebula, Pinela and Zelen too. Red wines from Karst and the Adriatic coast hold their own against Europe’s finest – Teran is a popular choice to start your sampling. And Southern Slovenia is home to Cvicek wine – a light, pale russet delight.

Basketry and black pottery, crystal and lace, silver filigree and fine gold jewellery all feature among locally crafted giftware. There are local shops specialising in natural remedies too, so you could add royal jelly, herbal teas and beeswax to your personal mementoes. Award-winning local wines are deservedly popular souvenirs, and travel well. On the coast, try the old town of Koper or the international air of Portoroz.

By the lake of the same name, historic Bled is good place for browsing. And the capital, Ljubljana is within reach of everywhere for some serious shopping – within two hours drive of all the country’s borders.

There are broad beaches at Portoroz, where Slovenia’s climate is at its most balmy, and smaller beaches at neighbouring Piran. Other opportunities for swimming and water’s edge walks are the shores of Lakes Bled and Bohinj.

Sailing, swimming, windsurfing and diving are all available along the country’s Adriatic shore, while a feast of outdoor pursuits draw the visitor inland. Several Slovenian rivers are superb for fishing, kayaking, canoeing and rafting, and hiking and biking are especially popular in the Kranjska Gora and spa regions – where there are hundreds of miles of marked trails.

There are ten golf courses in the country – some arranging temporary membership for visitors. Horseriding is available at Lake Bohinj and those with equestrian interests can visit the Lipica stables of the world famous Lippizaner horses, to tour the stud farm, watch faultless fantastic performances and even ride these amazing animals. With only 3000 in the world, some 10% are here in their homeland.

Theatres, cinemas, casinos and nightclubs provide well varied nightlife in the larger towns and cities, and the capital has an opera house and a symphony orchestra. Nightspots more geared to the ‘young & livelies’ are focused on the coast. But even the small towns and resorts have ample restaurants and pavement cafes for leisurely dinners and people-watching interludes. Several of the larger hotels also offer evening entertainment.

Intercity and frequent-stop train services are efficient and generally inexpensive, as are the regular local and long distance bus routes. Slovenia boasts an extensive network of very good roads, so the gregarious traveller can confidently take to the hills in a hire car for independent exploration. It is usually quicker to travel by road than by rail.