Slovenia > Portoroz
An Introduction to Portoroz…
Portoroz holidays centre on Slovenia’s most celebrated seaside resort, Portoroz or the “ port of roses”. The town has a distinctly French and Italian influence and has been known as a health resort since the 13th century.
The best Portoroz hotels are The Grand Hotel Bernadin, the Hotel Histrion, The Hotel Marita, Hotel Slovenija and Hotel Marko. Our Portoroz holiday flights operate from London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham to Ljubljana airport, named after the capital city of Slovenia. The transfer from airport to hotel is 1 hour, 30 minutes. So book your Portoroz package holiday or Portoroz hotel with Holiday Options. Portoroz late deals and holiday offers at very special prices are available.
Portoroz, or the ‘Port of Roses’ is Slovenia's most celebrated Mediterranean seaside resort. The town has a distinctly French or Italian Riviera influence.
It is situated in an open, wind-sheltered area and enjoys a beautiful, balmy climate.
Its beaches are the largest on the coast.
The warm, clear waters of the Adriatic are perfect for swimming and indulging in watersports of many kinds. For lovers of healthy foods, there is an abundance of olive oil, fresh vegetables, ground spices, seaside fruits, pasta, tantalising seafood and excellent wines. Portoroz is well stocked with elegant hotels, restaurants, boutiques and sports centres.
The town has been known as a health resort since the 13th century when the Benedictines from the Monastery of Saint Lawrence treated certain diseases with seawater and salt mud. One can still take the waters at the town's pleasant health spa. This is an idyllic resort, amidst Mediterranean vegetation and strolling paths.
Key Facts
Location
In south-central Europe, Slovenia fills the gap between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. Almost completely encircled by its neighbours, the country keeps a toe in the water with a short stretch of coastline sandwiched between its borders with Italy to the northwest and Croatia to the south. Austria and Hungary meet its northern and eastern boundaries respectively.
Beaches
There are broad beaches at Portoroz, where Slovenia’s climate is at its balmy and smaller beaches at neighbouring Piran. Other opportunities for swimming and water’s edge walks are the shores of Lake Bled and Bohinj.
Food & Wine
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 baked fare – fabulous breads and pastries that look as good as they taste. With many more miles of riverbank 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. 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.
Shopping
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 momentoes. Award winning wines are deservedly popular souvenirs.
Entertainment
Theatres, cinemas, casinos and nightclubs provide varied nightlife in the larger towns and cities, and the capital has an opera house and a symphony orchestra. Nightspots attracting younger people are focused on the coast, but even the small towns and resorts have ample restaurants and pavement cafés for leisurely dinners and people-watching interludes. Several of the larger hotels also offer evening entertainment.
Getting Around
Intercity and frequent-stop train services and 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 adventurous 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.
Activities
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. Hiking and biking are especially popular in the Kranjska Gora, Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj 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 Lipizzaner horses, to tour the stud farm, watch faultless performances and even ride these amazing animals.
Essentials
Language
Slovenian, although English is widely spoken in most hotels and restaurants.
Money
The currency of Slovenia is the Euro.
Local Costs
A 3 course dinner will cost around £20 and a glass of wine around £2.
The above prices are approximate and for guidance only.
Vaccinations
None are compulsory
Water
We recommend buying bottled water. |
