Now’s the ideal time to get to know this small, diverse country at the centre of Europe
Lockdown rules are lifting, meaning that a precious few countries are finally – finally! – possible to visit again without major restrictions. Among them is Slovenia: a lush land of well-designed cities, alpine landscapes and exceptional dumplings.
This nation of 2 million also has serious sustainability credentials. The capital, Ljubljana, is often rated among Europe’s most eco-friendly cities, and is the place to start your trip. But we suggest trying to take in as much of this diverse country as possible. Here are four ways to ace that low-impact trip.
Forget about driving to Ljubljana. The old city has been vehicle-free since 2007. But this doesn’t mean you have to walk everywhere. Visitors hopping between sights can jump on a free electric golf-cart-slash-tourist-train, or borrow free bikes. Book a stay at Urban and Green B&B for extra eco points.
For a proper alpine experience, head to Kmetija Urška, where you can collect eggs, bake bread and sleep in a hayloft. Fancy a bougier option? Try Bohinj Eco Hotel. It’s heated by a geothermal spring down the road, and apparently uses just 4 percent of the energy a comparable hotel usually would.
Slovenia is big on food and drink. ‘Farm to fork’ is a huge deal here – join a foraging expedition, like the one run through farmhouse Hiša Marni, to pluck your dinner from the ground. Also make sure to visit one of the country’s natural vineyards, which have been making on-trend skin-contact wine for centuries. Take a tour at Guerila Wines, then stay at nearby Bio Hotel St Daniel to keep drinking into the night.
If you want to see the future of sustainable fishing, head to Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, where biologists are aiming to create the ‘best fish in the world’. They hand-feed their sea bass and visitors can paddle-board their way around (before eating the fish themselves). Stay at the L-Stile glamping site, where you can pick your own veg too. Eating well and not destroying the planet? Sounds decent, tbh.