Slovenia

Where the Alps meet the Mediterranean, Slovenia’s bewildering variety of landscapes make this small country feel larger than it is and provide a stunning backdrop to our walking holidays. Near the Austrian border are the Julian Alps, the most southerly of Europe’s Alpine chain. Cut off from their neighbours by dramatic limestone peaks, life still moves at a slower pace here. Locals delight in re-telling the region’s folk stories to visitors. Lake Bohinj was formed by the tears of an unhappy queen, the Alps themselves were gouged out by Zlatorog, the goat with the golden horns. The half-timbered villages still celebrate a calendar of medieval festivals. In the meadows where the sun bleaches grass piled high in timber hayracks, you’ll still hear the tinkle of cow bells.

Nowadays there’s sophistication too at beautiful Lake Bled, put on the map by 19C travellers coming to bathe in its clear waters. Towards Italy are the sun-drenched vines of the Vipava valley where over a dozen wines are produced from Merlot to Riesling. Here the landscape is perhaps more stunning underground. Slovenia has 8,000 cave networks where you’ll find twisted stalagmite columns, underground rivers and the salamander, (also called humanfish because of its pink skin) the only creature known to be able to survive living underground. At the coast Slovenia compares most with neighbouring Croatia, with its colourful harbours, pastel coloured houses, Venetian campaniles and some of the cleanest waters in the Adriatic. And in Ljubljana, you’ll find medieval alleys and Art Nouveau arcades. Largely designed by 19C local architect, Plecnik, who also built much of Prague, the capital has a Central European feel.