Slovenia’s Secrets
A Local Perspective on a Small Country with a Big Heart
Even we locals pause here. Bled never loses her magic.
Tina & Sašo Reflect on What Makes Slovenia Special
We’ve just returned from leading a 12-day tour of our homeland, Slovenia, and we can honestly say, it left an imprint on all of us. We knew it would be a special journey, but we hadn’t expected it to be quite so moving—for us and for our guests.
Tina’s love for her homeland is contagious, and she can’t wait to share it with you.
Until recently, most travelers we met came for just a taste of Slovenia—two, maybe three nights. Enough time to fall in love, yes. Enough to ask, “Why didn’t I come here sooner?” They were captivated by our dramatic landscapes, the fresh and inventive cuisine, the exquisite wines, and the warmth of our people. But always in passing, as if Slovenia were a side trip rather than a destination in its own right.
That’s what we set out to challenge.
Could this small country—roughly the size of New Jersey, with just two million people—offer enough depth for a longer, immersive experience? We don’t have a single, world-famous icon like the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum. Slovenia doesn’t boast about itself. Yet those who give it more than a passing glance discover its real treasures: authenticity, intimacy, and a sense of wonder that’s increasingly rare in the world of overtourism.
What we do have though is space—space to breathe, to connect, to savor. We wandered through nearly empty villages where families have quietly passed down wine making, pottery, or blacksmithing for generations. We met beekeepers and woodcarvers, artisans who hold the soul of Slovenia in their hands. No crowds, no queues—just stories, smiles, and an invitation to slow down.
One moment stood out: we visited a seventh-generation winemaker, still tending the same earth as his great-great-grandfather. You could see the pride in his eyes and taste it in the wine. That’s the Slovenia I want the world to know.
Diversity in Every Direction
Slovenia is often described as a crossroads, and it’s true. Nestled between the Alps and the Adriatic, we’re surrounded by Slavic, Germanic, Romance, and Hungarian cultures. This mix shows up everywhere: in our dialects and architecture, in our traditions, and, most deliciously, in our food.
Sašo has spent 20 years turning his passion into purpose—guiding with heart, history, and a deep love for Slovenia.
In a single day, you can lace up your boots for a hike through alpine meadows in the Julian Alps, descend into the deep silence of karst caves, and end your evening sipping wine by the sea. Slovenia’s terrain is surprisingly varied for such a compact country. One moment you're in a mountain pass surrounded by wildflowers, the next you’re strolling through olive groves near the coast. This diversity extends to our climates as well: we experience the sharp seasons of the continental interior, the snow-dusted serenity of alpine zones, the salt-kissed warmth of the Mediterranean, and even a whisper of the Pannonian plains in the east.
Our history, too, is rich and textured. From Roman amphitheaters to Habsburg castles, Venetian frescoes to the echoes of Yugoslav socialism, Slovenia carries the imprint of empires and epochs. And yet, through it all, we’ve maintained our own quiet rhythm—a deep-rooted sense of place grounded in community, tradition, and care for the land. It’s a country shaped by complexity, but lived in simplicity. Here, the past is always present, but never overpowering. It informs rather than defines, offering a deeper understanding of who we are, and an open invitation to explore with curiosity and heart.
Culinary Surprises and Quiet Excellence
In recent years, Slovenia has quietly made its way onto the world’s gastronomic map. Ana Roš, star of Netflix’s Chef’s Table and twice named the world’s best female chef, is our most famous culinary ambassador. Her restaurant, Hiša Franko, ranks among the top 50 in the world.
Food and wine are a national hobby in Slovenia
But the real surprise? You don’t have to splurge to eat well here. Slovenia is full of small, family-run inns and countryside gostilnas serving dishes that are seasonal, soulful, and deeply local. We love food—it’s practically a national hobby—and that passion shows.
In the warmer months, you’ll find open-air food festivals like Odprta Kuhna (Open Kitchen) bringing together chefs, winemakers, and home cooks in a celebration of flavor and community.
Speaking of wine: though our production is small and mostly stays within our borders, Slovenia’s wine regions are quietly world-class. Our vineyards sit on the same latitudes as Burgundy and Napa Valley, yielding bottles that are both high in quality and surprisingly affordable.
A Country that Lives its Values
There are other reasons we’re proud to call Slovenia home. We are one of Europe’s cleanest and greenest countries with over 60% of our land being forested. Beekeeping is part of our national identity, and the Carniolan honeybee is a protected species here.
Preparing Zdravljica, “the toast"”
Our crime rate is low. Our tap water is among the best you’ll ever drink. Education is free and widely accessible. Cultural life is rich, and we even have two national holidays dedicated to the arts.
Our anthem, Zdravljica (“The Toast”), says everything about who we are. It’s a poem shaped like a wine glass, a call for peace and unity that we proudly raise:
God’s blessing on all nations,
who long and work for that bright day
when o’er earth’s habitations
no war, no strife shall hold its sway;
who long to see
that all men free
no more shall foes, but neighbours be.
Slovenia may be small, but it holds multitudes. It’s a place where landscapes and cultures, past and present, coexist in beautiful harmony. And if you give it the time it deserves, you may just find what so many of my guests did: a quiet kind of magic that lingers long after you leave.
