Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

 

 Enchanting Slovenia -  experience it now

“After all, you don’t travel to arrive, but to travel” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

There simply is no way to tour Europe & not be awestruck by its natural beauty, epic history & dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. Once you have ticked off the great Museums, panoramic vistas & energetic nightlife, what's left? A chance to indulge in a culinary adventure to beat all others, that's what!

 

Central Europe, natural & refined, folksy & cultured, the combination of mountain rusticity & old-world style with its teutonic half-timbered villages, graffiti-decorated Renaissance Squares, medieval walled towns,captivates those looking for old-world appeal,

 

Slovenia, an earthly paradise of snow-capped peaks, turquoise-green rivers and Venetian-style coastline, enriches its natural treasures with harmonious architecture, charming rustic culture & sophisticated cuisine. So, come…experience with us… Slovenia's soul-stirring scenery, spirit-lifting culture, stunning views & world-renowned beaches.

 

Europe’s almost unmanageable wealth of attractions is its biggest single draw: the birthplace of democracy in Athens, the Renaissance art of Florence, the graceful canals of Venice, the Napoleonic splendour of Paris & the multilayered historical & cultural canvas of London.

 

Less obvious but no less impressive attractions include Moorish Palaces in Andalucía, the fascinating East-meets-West brew of İstanbul in Turkey, the majesty of meticulously restored imperial Palaces in Russia's former capital St Petersburg & the ongoing project of Gaudí's La Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

 

There is a huge diversity of natural scenery: rugged Scottish Highlands with glens & lochs; Norway's fabulous fjords, seemingly chipped to jagged perfection by giants; the vine-raked valleys of the Loire & the steppe-like plains of central Spain. If you are looking for beaches, a circuit of the Mediterranean's northern coast reveals one gem after another. Or strike out to lesser known, yet beautiful coastal regions such as the Baltic & Black Seas. Mountain lovers should head to the Alps: they march across central Europe taking in France, Switzerland, Austria, northern Italy & tiny Liechtenstein.

 

Once you have ticked off the great Museums, panoramic vistas & energetic nightlife, what is left? A chance to indulge in a culinary adventure to beat all others, that is what! Who wouldn't want to snack on pizza in Naples, souvlaki in Santorini or even haggis in Scotland? But did you also know that Britain has some of the best Indian restaurants in the world; that Turkey's doner kebab is a key part of contemporary German food culture; and that in the Netherlands you can gorge on an Indonesian rijsttafel (rice table)? Once again Europe's diversity and global reach is its trump card.

 

Europe has some of the best nightlife in the world. Globally famous DJs keep the party going in London, Berlin & Paris, all of which also offer top-class entertainment, especially theatre and live music. Other key locations for high-energy nightlife include Moscow, Belgrade, Budapest & Madrid, while those hankering for something cosier can add Dublin's pubs or Vienna's Cafes to their itinerary. Continue to party on the Continent's streets at a multiplicity of Festivals, from city Parades attended by thousands to intimate Concerts in an ancient Amphitheatre.

 

Central Europe - it is at once natural & refined, folksy & cultured: the combination of mountain rusticity with old-world style captivates. Teutonic half-timbered villages, graffiti-decorated Renaissance squares, medieval walled towns…if you are looking for old-world appeal, this is the right place.

 

Nourishing yourself is more fun in a great atmosphere & Central Europe's abundance of outdoor Cafes & Coffee Houses offer just that. When the temperatures rise in spring, outdoor tables proliferate along with the daffodils & tulips.

 

Beer Gardens across the region offer an opportunity to enjoy hearty food, a convivial atmosphere & a good brew alfresco. Once the weather cools, move inside to a boisterous Beer Halls. Or, for something a little sweeter, try a cake at a Coffee House or Pastry Cafe. The most famous are in Vienna & Budapest, but there are many options - & other interesting places to eat & drink - all across the region. Enjoy a plate of pasta while admiring the Slovenian coast, nosh pierogi (dumplings) on a Polish cobblestone street or dip into fondue lakeside in Switzerland.

 

With mountains covering so many Central European states, it is no wonder that the outdoors holds such an attraction in the region. The Alps rise to their highest in Switzerland, with jagged, Toblerone-like peaks such as the Matterhorn, & march on through southern Germany, across Austria & south into Slovenia.

 

Wander the darkly Gothic alleyways of Prague, admire the baroque excess of Salzburg or take in the colourful old-Venetian influence on the Slovenian port of Piran. Poland & the Czech Republic seem to have more than their fair share of medieval masterpieces, but you can find narrow lanes and quaint townscapes throughout the region – from Bern, Switzerland to Bardejov, Slovakia. Smaller gems such as Bamberg, Germany are often far from the tourist radar. On mornings when the mists lie heavy & crowds are few, you might imagine yourself in an earlier century.

 

And now let us talk about to Slovenia - natural & refined, folksy & cultured, the combination of mountain rusticity with old-world style.

 

Old-World Appeal   | Cultural Feast | Outdoor Pursuits

Slovenia lies in South Central Europe in the Julian Alps at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea, bordered by Austria to the north, Italy to the west, Hungary to the northeast & Croatia to the south/southeast. Despite its small size, this Alpine country at the intersection of 4 large geographical units controls some of Europe's major transit routes.

 

Slovenia, the ‘homeland of diversity’, presents the essence of everything that Europe has to offer. Everything is close, accessible, intertwined. You will certainly learn that opposites attract. Here, the Alps flirt with the Adriatic Sea & the mysterious Karst, while the sunlit hills connect diverse Central Slovenia with the Pannonian Plain.

 

Slovenia did not exist as a nation until 1991 & these lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire & later they were part of the Austro - Hungarian Empire until its dissolution following the end of World War I in November 1918 - when the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats & Slovenes was formed on the 1^st of December that same year & turned into a multinational state named Yugoslavia in 1929. After Yugoslavia was occupied by the Axis Powers & later liberated by the Partisans with the help of Western Allies in World War II, Slovenia became a Socialist Republic inside the renewed Yugoslavia, which although Communist, distanced itself from direct Moscow rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10 day war.

 

An earthly paradise of snow-capped peaks, turquoise-green rivers & Venetian-style coastline, Slovenia enriches its natural treasures with harmonious architecture & charming rustic culture. The greatest Slovenian treasures await.

 

You might be forgiven for thinking that anything of beauty in this greenest of green lands is, well, all natural. But it isn't necessarily so. Where man intrudes is often to good effect, such as at Lake Bled, a glacial lake fed by hot springs, with a view of the snow-covered surroundings. You will also find hidden corners & experiences that you might have looked for on other continents. Virgin forest. Brown bear.

 

The architecture is wonderfully varied: from the Venetian harbour towns of the coast & the rustic Hungarian-style farmhouses of Prekmurje to the gothic Churches of the Julian Alps & the art nouveau splendours of the Capital, Ljubljana where baroque facades mix with the 20^th century architecture of native Joze Plecnik, whose iconic Tromostovje (Triple Bridge) spans the tightly curving Ljubljanica River. The Museums are rich & the culture vibrant. The town of Bled contains a tiny baroque Chapel on a picturesque Islet & a dramatic cliffside medieval Castle looming above.

 

Slovenia is first & foremost an outdoor destination. Local people favour active holidays & you will be invited - even expected - to join in. Known mainly for its Mountains, Ski Resorts & Lakes, Slovenia is the green heart of Europe, which offers something to everyone, in the ‘tourism’ context. Whether you enjoy walking well-trodden paths or prefer to turn off the beaten track, you will find stunning beauty & boutique experiences, combined into a magnificent symphony that can be felt in culture, gastronomy & natural wonders.

 

The list of activities on offer is endless, with the most popular pursuits being skiing, walking & hiking in the mountains, and increasingly, cycling. Fast rivers like the Soca cry out to be rafted & there are ample chances to try out more niche activities like horse riding, ballooning, caving & canyoning. And locals always decamp to the coast & sunbathe on the Adriatic.

 

An incredible mixture of climates brings warm Mediterranean breezes up to the foothills of the Alps, where it can snow even in summer. And with more than half of its total surface still covered in forest, Slovenia does more than simply claim it's 'green', it really is one of the greenest countries on earth.

 

Slovenian cooking borrows a little something from each of its neighbours - Italy, Austria, Hungary & the Balkans - synthesising & reinventing dishes that emerge both familiar & unique. Immerse yourself in the unique stories that simmer in the Slovenian gastronomic pot.  Slovenes have an obsession for using only fresh & locally sourced ingredients.

 

Discover the secret of fullness of flavours, learn about the close connection between people & nature in food production & about their dedication to tradition. The result is a terrific foodie destination, where you will sample dishes in unusual combinations, featuring items like scrumptious pasta dumplings of potato, chives & bacon, salads drizzled with nutty pumpkinseed oil, multi-layered gibanica, a wildly decadent dessert. Slovenian wine is an unheralded strength & regional whites & reds pair well with local specialities. Tasting fruits of the forest & then enjoying the sophisticated cuisine of renowned Slovenian Chefs.

If you are looking for that perfect green & safe oasis, you have come to the right place. Slovenia is the green heart of Europe, where everyone can find something for themselves. So, come……experience with us… Slovenia's soul-stirring scenery, spirit-lifting culture, stunning views, world-renowned beaches.

 

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Slovenia. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences…

 

Come…be inspired & discover the World with us

 

 

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