US Best Bets 2025

Arts & culture | culinary scene | outdoor adventures

Slovenia

R oughly the size of New Jersey, Slovenia packs a mighty punch. This Central European country is bordered by Austria, Italy, Hungary, Croatia and the Adriatic Sea. Its land encompasses the best of all these places—Alpine mountains, beach coastline, pristine forests, green meadows and medieval cities. The new year will bring numerous events to Slovenia as Nova Gorica, the youngest city (in this 34-year-old country), celebrates its role as a European Capital of Culture. While the city may bring you here, there is plenty to captivate you around the country. Major airlines (think Air France, Swiss, Lufthansa) fly one-stop from the East Coast to Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. We found flights from New York to Ljubljana in the $500-$700 range through April, with prices picking up May-July ($800-$1100) and falling back down for autumn and winter. Once in Slovenia, you can budget your euros by walking or biking around and sampling the Slovenian street food as well.

The 20th century changed things for the land we now know as Slovenia. After being part of Austria for 600 years, it ultimately became part of the former Yugoslavia after WWII. In 1991, Slovenia declared its independence. The young nation's youngest city, Nova Gorica, was chosen as a European Capital of Culture and will be the site of celebrations throughout 2025. Together with its Italian sister city, Gorizia, the two will present “borderless culture” through dance, art, film, cuisine and workshops, all set against the natural backdrop—and what a backdrop it is. In 2016, the Netherlands-based organization Green Destinations declared Slovenia to be the first Green Destination of the World for its commitment to sustainability. Rich in biodiversity, about 13% of Slovenia’s territory is natural parks and protected areas. Ljubljana, recognized as a European Green Capital in 2016, is a pedestrian-friendly city where motorized vehicles are banned. The trees and stone buildings blend into one mosaic, culminating in a forest-ringed hill on which Ljubljana Castle rests.

Europe's hidden gem

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Kurents in Ptuj | Photo credit: Stanko Kozel - Ptuj Institute of Tourism

Farm-to-table dining | Photo credit: Ciril Jazbec

Arts & Culture

Culinary scene

Outdoor adventures

Ptuj | Photo credit: Albin Bezjak - Institute for Tourism Ptuj

Predjama Castle | Photo credit: Alan Kosmač

Bees flying into an apiary | Photo credit: Jost Gantar

Gathering pumpkin seeds | Photo credit: Ciril Jazbec

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Pokljuka Forest | Photo credit: Aleš Zdešar

Medieval town of Kamnik | Photo credit: Municipality of Kamnik

The sea near Piran | Photo credit: Michael Matti

Sunrise at Lake Bled | Photo credit: Michael Matti

Škofja Loka | Photo credit: Miha Skrt

Cheese held by Valter Kramar of Hiša Franko | Photo credit: Luka Karlin

Hiking in Triglav National Park | Photo credit: Jost Gantar

Ljubljana is just one of Slovenia’s many historic cities. Ptuj, the oldest city in the country, sits along the River Drava in the northeast and is known for its annual springtime Carnival. During Kurentovanje, which begins 11 days before Ash Wednesday, locals dress up as Kurents (supernatural beings). Donning sheepskin costumes from head to toe, adorned with large cowbells and handkerchiefs, the locals go door to door around the town shaking sticks sheathed in hedgehog skin in an attempt to drive out winter and any evil spirits. In the Upper Carniola region, Škofja Loka is full of castles and mansions, some of which date back to the 13th century. Others were rebuilt after an earthquake hit this northwest area in 1511. The Inner Carniola region in the southwest is where the impressive Predjama Castle was built inside the mouth of a cave, halfway up a 400-foot vertical cliff wall. The fortress first appears in records dating back to 1202.

Sustainability comes naturally to Slovenians, many of whom have grown up with gardens in their yards. From growing potatoes, tomatoes or beans at home to foraging in fields for elderflowers as a pancake ingredient, Slovenians are experts at farm-to-table. There’s also a strong beekeeping tradition here; in fact, Slovenia has the most beekeepers per capita in the world, so be sure to try the local honey. With different natural ingredients found throughout the country, Slovenia also has 24 culinary regions reflecting this diversity. The western Alpine region is the land of cheese, marble and brown trout species plus Carniolan sausage (created with a recipe dating back to 1896). Central Slovenia is home to different grains and (no surprise) a number of microbreweries. Eastern Slovenia is particularly known for its pumpkin seed oil, which is used in dishes from salads to desserts. In the Karst, or plateau region along the southwest, and Mediterranean, salt has been harvested by hand for centuries to preserve meat and flavor sea bass. No matter where you go, you’ll find sauerkraut and sour turnip on the menu.

Michelin is no stranger here. There are 63 restaurants in the Michelin Guide Slovenia 2024. Hiša Franko retained its three stars for another year. Here you can dine on Arctic char and buttermilk and then savor a dessert of blood orange, black tea, granola, carrot ice cream and salted almond mousse. Restaurant Milka also retained its two stars; close to the Austrian and Italian borders, Milka pairs its culinary offerings (like salmon from the Danube) with a view of a lake and the mountains. Eight restaurants also have one Michelin star each in the latest list. No matter where you eat, try pairing your food with some wine from one of Slovenia’s three wine regions (Podravska, Primorska and Posavska). Maribor has the oldest grapevine in the world; this region was making wine long before the Romans introduced it to France, Germany and Spain. There are more than 28,000 wineries in the country and about 75% of the production is white wine.

Whether your idea of wellness is an invigorating bike ride, spelunking, boating, traipsing through a forest, skiing down a mountain or enjoying thermal springs, Slovenia has you covered. Climbing all 9,396 feet of Triglav, the highest mountain in the country and in the Julian Alps, is considered a rite of passage for Slovenians. If heights aren’t your thing, you can still explore the valleys, forests and babbling brooks of Triglav National Park, Slovenia’s only national park. Head to the Kočevje region in southeastern Slovenia for a bit of time travel. About 90% of the area is covered in untouched woodlands; the Krokar Primeval Forest Hiking Trail takes visitors to the edge of the ancient beech forests of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep an eye out for a glimpse of a brown bear, Eurasian lynx or gray wolf in the distance. Stroll the town of Kočevje (formerly known as Gottschee) and admire St. Bartholomew’s Parish Church, built in the 14th century by German agrarian settlers.

Lake Bled is arguably Slovenia’s most famous attraction. Formed by glacier run-off from the Alps, the lake has some of the bluest water in the world. Take a traditional covered pletna boat to reach Bled Island, where you can ring the wishing bell at the Church of the Mother of God. If relaxation is your wish, head to one of the many thermal spas and mineral springs found around the country. Slovenia’s surface is stunning, but so is its subterranean world. Pack nerves of steel and take a guided tour of the Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this underground canyon, admire the enormous stalagmites and stalactites and watch a river run 328 feet beneath your feet. Ride the underground train in Postojna Cave to get your bearings in this three-million-year-old cave system. Not only is there a chamber so large it can hold 10,000 people, but there is also a literal working post office where you can send yourself a special postcard with a cave postmark as a souvenir.

Best Bet 2025

Slovenia was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2025. Only nine worldwide destinations were selected for this honor, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.

Best Bet 2025

Slovenia was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2025. Only nine worldwide destinations were selected for this honour, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.

Nova Gorica (left); Ljubljana (right)Photo credit: Ernad Ihtijarević (left); Nina Kurnik (right)

Cheesemakers | Photo credit: Ciril Jazbec

Hiša Franko (left); Wine tasting in a vineyard (right)Photo credit: Tomo Jeseničnik (left); Ciril Jazbec (right)

Triglav National ParkPhoto credit: Daniel Taipale (right)

Škocjan Caves | Photo credit: Jost Gantar

Pletna boat | Photo credit: Andrej Tarfila

Lake Bled in autumn | Photo credit: Nikola Jurišič

Žička Kartuzia Monastery | Photo credit: Vid Ponikvar

Arts & culture | culinary scene | outdoor adventures

Photo credit: Jost Gantar