Slovenia

Surrounded by high Alps and the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia is a hidden gem in the heart of Europe. It is a land where the Pannonian Plain meets the mysterious Karst, where hills and valleys show off their pristine nature. Green mountains, lakes, waterfalls, forests, caves, hills, plains, rivers and the sea – all on 20,273 km2 of land. The beautiful nature is replete with historic buildings, castles, churches and parks, where old traditional customs are still alive and the people are friendly and cheerful.

Slovenia borders on Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. The coastal climate is Mediterranean, and continental in the plateaus and valleys of the east, which makes this country an ideal tourist destination throughout the year.

There are many places to visit, depending on a visitor’s interest and the duration of the stay. The capital of Slovenia is Ljubljana, a charming city with an old centre containing many beautiful architectural masterpieces by Jože Plečnik. The coast offers its visitors a chance to relax in the sun, while making short trips to the historical gardens of Štanjel, walking the streets of medieval Piran, seeing the vast saltpans of Sečovlje, visiting the Postojna Cave or even taking a boat to nearby Venice, the city on the sea. Those who enjoy walking in verdant mountains should stop in Bled to ring the wishing bell in a small church in the middle of the lake, or hike from Bohinj to many of the nearby hills. Slovenia is also known for its great wine and delicious traditional food that appeals even to people with a discerning palate.

For more information about Slovenia visit the following web site: www.slovenia.info

Facts about Slovenia

Portorose in Italian, literally "Port of Roses"

Portorož

Blue, white and green are the colors that cross your mind, when thinking about Portorož and Piran. Blue is the color of the sea that embraces our peninsula, a part of the Slovenian Istria, chilling us in summer and warming us in winter. White is the color of the salt that comes from the sea, and already centuries ago brought wealth and growth to the town of Piran. And green is the color of the Mediterranean vegetation that boasts various pine trees, olive groves, vines and aromatic spices, which complement the region with gorgeous fragrances and exquisite flavors.

Portorož has been renowned as an exclusive health resort since the 13th century and is today considered to be one of the finest tourist resorts, boasting numerous hotels, a tourist port, an airport, different casinos, various congress and wellness centres, an excellent culinary tradition and many possibilities for active tourism. A couple kilometres away you can visit the unique Sečovlje salina nature park, where salt is still produced in a traditional, hand-made way. And just two kilometres from Portorož is the stunning Piran, a typical medieval town with narrow streets and compact houses. The salt pans, the mild climate, the commerce on the sea and on land, have stimulated the growth of Piran and the building of the beautiful Venetian palaces, squares and numerous churches. Piran is beyond doubt a town of culture, which would satisfy your curiosity and impress you with its numerous museums and galleries, lovely shops, a fruit and vegetables market or the fair of antiques at the renovated Tartini Square. The medieval town, embraced by the majestic medieval town walls, is the birthplace of the famous violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini. The whole town is one big monument that just has to be visited. Many people call Piran “A pocket-sized Venice”, beacuse its architecture was heavily influenced by the Venetians. The delights of Piran and Portorož are enhanced by their surroundings that reveal lovely old villages, such as Sveti Peter, Krkavče, Koštabona and Nova vas.

For more information about Portorož visit the following web page: www.portoroz.si