Slovenia has been dubbed many things – “Europe in Miniature”, “The Sunny Side of the Alps”, “The Green Piece of Europe” – and they’re all true. The country abounds in top-notch attractions – the stunning Julian Alps, beautiful Lake Bled and tranquil Lake Bohinj, the Kras underground caves of Postojna, and its lovely sliver of the Adriatic Sea around Piran. Add cities like Ljubljana and historic towns like Ptuj – both with unsurpassed architecture, museums and a unique energy of their own – and you indeed have a cross-section of Europe.

Slovenia at a glance:

State: Democratic parliamentary republic since 1991; member of
European Union since 1 May 2004
Official language: Slovene
Size: 20 273 km²
Neigbouring states: Austria, Italy, Hungary and Croatia
Population: 2 039 399
Largest towns: Capital – Ljubljana (261 700), Maribor (108 600),
Kranj (39 400) and Celje (38 400)
Currency: euro