Stunning  Slovenia holidays & tours

One of the smallest capital cities in Europe, Ljubljana is the first stop on most Slovenia holidays, with plenty to keep you entertained. Ride the funicular up to its medieval hilltop castle, where a fort has overlooked the red-roofed streets below since the 11th Century. Or discover Roman history, with ruins hidden away below ground level. Ljubljana’s pedestrian centre is perfect for strolling, pausing at riverfront cafes or trying food from market stalls. Watch out for dragons as you go, with statues dotted across the city, alongside intricate bridges, vibrantly painted buildings and the green escape of Tivoli Park.

Lake Bled’s fairy-tale setting is one of the most famous on any Slovenia tours, its medieval church isolated on a tiny tear-shaped island in the lake, tree-lined slopes rising up in the background. Set in the spectacular scenery of the Julian Alps, it’s a highlight of our Slovenia holidays, with the area’s picturesque villages and often snow-capped peaks making you feel as if you’ve stepped into a storybook. Nearby Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s largest glacial lake, with a cable car to whisk you high above the water before gazing back down on the still blue surface.

If you’ve always wanted to explore the country’s short but spectacular coastline, our Slovenia escorted tours take you to pretty Piran, one of the best-preserved historic towns on the Adriatic, where the lucrative salt trade resulted in a photogenic explosion of pastel houses crammed along narrow twisting streets. Sitting on a narrow peninsula, you’re never far from the sea as you wander, admiring the Venetian Gothic architecture and spectacular sunsets. Or Portorož, the Port of Roses, made its name as a spa destination and imperial favourite. More modern than Piran, you’ll be reminded of a more laid-back French Riviera.

The oldest town in Slovenia, Ptuj can often be overlooked on Slovenia holidays but there’s far more than history to discover here. Like Ljubljana, it’s dominated by its castle, but the town is also known for its wine, including the country’s oldest cellar housing a gigantic barrel, and for its colourful Shrovetide carnival bringing the streets to life every year. Storks nest on the red-tiled roofs of the town, with its string of monasteries and towers, while many of its medieval buildings are protected, so special is this lovely spot.

Slovenia’s only national park takes its name from the country’s highest mountain, the Triglav, and sprawls across the Julian Alps, making up part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The emerald-green Soča river runs through the park, as well as two of Slovenia’s most famous lakes – Bled and Bohinj – and the peaks of Kranjska Gora, with its winter ski centres. On our Slovenia guided tours, spy majestic waterfalls, explore flower-filled slopes, and spot wildlife, including (if you’re lucky) the country’s brown bears.