Slovenia sits upon the Adriatic coast and is a perfect representation of the lush and fertile Mediterranean. With Italy to the west, Austria to its north, and Croatia at the southeast, Hungary sits at Slovenia’s northeast. Together, they surround Slovenia, which sits like an undiscovered gem in the midst of Eastern Europe.
As with other Mediterranean lands, the soil of Slovenia is rich and the Sečovlje salts flats are so abundant with salt that they have become a nature park. Visiting the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park is a wonderful experience. You can view the history of salt production as well as enjoy the beautiful scenic views and fauna that are indigenous to the region. The Saltworks Museum is open from the beginning of April until the end of October, and provides the visitor a detailed look at the history and methods used in harvesting the salt from the saltbeds.
Karst is the result of a chemical process between limestone and Carbon, and it is the basis of the foundational landscape of Slovenia. The Karst has created magnificent natural landmarks both above and below the surface. There are more than 1,000 Karst caves underwater, making Slovenia one of the world’s most marvelous Karst areas. The Slovenia Karst Caves are the most extensive cave system in the world, and are one of the most popular features to be explored when visiting Slovenia.
Of special mention is the Postojna Cave. When it comes to your East Europe vacation, the Postojna Cave is definitely to be experienced. Tours are provided by train and the Postojna Caves are the most popular cave attraction throughout all of Europe. In addition to the magnificent Postojna Cave are the Skocjan Caves, located in the Skocjan Caves Regional Park. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Skocjan Caves Regional Park features eleven caves, and many amazing natural and unique structures. The park also has a magnificent museum with many biological exhibitions and a guided tour of the educational trail.
The capital city, Ljubljana is where ancient architecture meets the modern world. Ljubljana is the central point for much of Slovenians entertainment and social activities. You will find numerous festivals there, museums, theaters and more. In the warmer months, many of the activities are held open air and it is very common to see visitors and locals alike enjoying a drink outdoors to the sounds of an elegant orchestra or concert.
Not only are festivals an important aspect of cultural life, they are also significant for East Europe business relations between neighboring countries. For Slovenia, festivals are a way of life and a way of generating East Europe economies. The Ljubljana International Biennial of Graphic Art was founded in 1954 and has featured more than 4,000 artists from over eighty countries. It is through work like this that Slovenia improves its cultural as well as economic impact throughout East Europe. As festivals continue throughout Slovenia on a year round schedule, visitors, tourists, and neighboring countries will continue to unveil this countries hidden treasures.
