Slovene Dreams Holiday

Tiny Slovenia is perhaps the wealthiest and most westernised of the former communist states of central and eastern Europe.

Independent since 1991, when it was the first part of Yugoslavia to break away from the crumbling federation, Slovenia was spared the devastation that was inflicted on its neighbours to the south.

The country's progress from state-run to market economy and functioning democracy was crowned in 2004, Slovenia became the first Balkan state to join the European Union.

Standing at the crossroads of the Germanic, Italian and Balkan worlds, Slovenia is a land that reflects its neighbours not just in its culture, but also in its geography.

From Austrian Alps in the north, to the green Adriatic coastline of the Veneto; from the Pannonian plains stretching eastwards into Hungary, to the mysterious limestone "karst" caves that Slovenia shares with next-door Croatia, this fascinating country packs a rich range of natural wonders – and climates - into a space the size of Wales.

Most visitors arrive at the airport near the capital city of Ljubljana – once known as Lublin, when Slovenia was a province of the Austrian empire.

With a population of 276,000, Ljubljana retains the feel of a small town, despite having all the facilities of a major central European city.

Primarily Italian baroque in its appearance, Ljubljana nonetheless has five millennia of history on display, from Roman ruins to the Art Nouveau architecture of the 20th Century. Nevertheless, a mere 14 years of independence - and the presence of 50,000 students - gives Ljubljana a very young atmosphere.

By far the biggest city in the country, Ljubljana is the cultural centre of the Slovene nation. It has numerous theatres and musical venues, playing host to some 10,000 events and 14 international festivals each year.

Ljubljana's cultural mix is reflected in the city's cuisine, ranging from traditional Austrian strudels and schnitzels, through Hungarian ghoulash, to more familiar Italian fare.

The local snack of choice, burek, is a pie of cheese, meat or fruit, that is available almost everywhere.

To the west, Slovenia has 46.6 kilometres of coastline. The terrain is much like to environs of Venice to the north: salt flats and lush vegetation. The medieval towns of Piran, Izola and Koper offer excellent watersports, sailing and climbing.

One of Slovenia's unique attractions is its "karst" regions. A geological phenomenon whereby limestone bedrock is dissolved by acidic rain, creating a unique topography of sinkholes and underground caverns, "karst" comes from the German name for the Kras region of Slovenia, along the Adriatic coast.

Slovenia has over a thousand underground karst caves, and some 20 complexes of caves are open to visitors – notably the Postojna cave, first recorded in 1213. Measuring around 21 kilometres in length, with a quarter of that open to the public, Postojna has been visited by around 26 million tourists.

One of its unique attractions is the blind "human fish", an eyeless amphibian, whose flesh is the same colour as white human skin.

Also in the karst region is Lipica, home to the world-famed Lippizaner horses of Vienna's Spanish Riding School and international standard riding facilities.

But why go to Slovenia? Surely, if you want the sea, you should go to Italy or Croatia's Dalmation coast? If you want the Alps or classical culture you should go to Austria?

But where else can you be swimming in the Adriatic before lunch, and two hours later skiing in the Alps? Where else can you explore underground caverns before heading to a vineyard?

Slovenia is a hidden gem at the crossroads of several Europes, that literally offers something for everyone.