The Improb has published a list of the top 10 cleanest countries in the world, with Slovenia coming in fifth place. Cleanliness is one of the most prominent factors to select a touristic destination and we couldn’t be more glad to share the news that Slovenia is in this prestigious list. People give a lot of importance to cleanliness and prefer to visit places which are environmental friendly.
With a population of about 287.000, Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana is one of the cleanest capitals in Europe, and it looks gorgeous. (Image by Miran Kambic)
The Improb summed up their decision with the following words: ‘Sandwiched by Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, Slovenia is a gorgeous country filled with breathtaking mountain landscapes. But the mountains aren’t the only impressive things about Slovenia – the entire country, in general, is a picture of cleanliness and sanitation. Towns and cities in Slovenia are well-kept, making it a joy to walk around in the streets as a tourist.’
On top of the list is Finland. Second is Iceland and Sweden comes in at the third spot. Also making the top 10 are Denmark, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Estonia, Malta and France.
Improb is a Men’s magazine featuring the best in unique gear, apparel, gadgets, rides, buyer’s guides and more. The article is available here!
The streets of Skofja Loka. (Image by Jost Gantar)
The streets of Ptuj. (Image by Jost Gantar)
The streets of Radovljica. (Image by Jost Gantar)
The streets of Kamnik. (Image by Jost Gantar)
The streets of Kostanjevica Na Krki. (Image by Jost Gantar)
The streets of Celje. (Image by Jost Gantar)
The streets of Piran. (Image by Michael Matti)
The streets of Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. (Image by Nea Culpa d.o.o.)
We are glad to report that the Slovenian fine-dining restaurant Hisa Franko from the small town of Kobarid in northwestern Slovenia has made it among the world’s top 50 restaurants on a list compiled by Restaurant Magazine, a British trade magazine that solicits votes from 1,000 fine-dining experts from around the world, including chefs and food media. Hisa Franko claimed the 48th spot. The restaurant is headed by star chef Ana Ros, the recipient of the 2017 World’s Best Female Chef award.
Congratulations to Ana Ros and her team at Hisa Franko for making the cut for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018. (Image by Dean Dubokovic)
It was the first time a Slovenian restaurant earned a spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list – often referred to as ‘the Oscars of the food world’. The fine-dining experts summed up their decision with the following words: ‘Chef Ana Ros put Slovenia on the gastronomic map after being voted The World’s Best Female Chef in 2017 and starring in her own episode of Netflix’s cult series, Chef’s Table. Pronounced Hi-sha Franko, the restaurant is located in the stunning surrounds of the Soça Valley and has drawn visitors to Slovenia from all over the world. Ros and her team offer a six-course and an eight-course tasting menu, each starting with the restaurant’s homemade bread, local butter and cheese lollipops made by Ros’s husband and somellier Valter Kramar.’
The top five restaurant for 2018 aren’t dramatically different from past years, with Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, rising from second place to once again take out the top gong. Past winner El Celler de Can Roca in Spain came in at No. 2 and France’s progressive Mediterranean restaurant Mirazur rounded out the top three. Last year’s winner, New York City’s Eleven Madison Park, slipped to No. 4. Bangkok’s Gaggan, a restaurant known, among other things, for its emoji-only menu, placed fifth to be named the best restaurant in Asia.
Since its 2002 inception, the London-based awards have gained prominence among chefs around the globe, rivaling the longstanding Michelin guides with its star system.
The full list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants is below, including restaurants from 23 different countries across six continents. The list was announced at a ceremony in Bilbao, Spain. It was the first time the ceremony was held in Spain. The event has been held before in London, New York and Melbourne.
1. Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)
2. El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain)
3. Mirazur (Menton, France)
4. Eleven Madison Park (New York City)
5. Gaggan (Bangkok, Thailand)
6. Central (Lima, Peru)
7. Maido (Lima, Peru)
8. L?Arpege (Paris, France)
9. Mugaritz (Errenteria, Spain)
10. Asador Etxebarri (Axpe, Spain)
11. Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico)
12. Blue Hill at Stone Barns (Pocantico Hills, New York, USA)
13. Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico)
14. Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)
15. White Rabbit (Moscow, Russia)
16. Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy)
17. Den (Tokyo, Japan)
18. Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain)
19. Geranium (Copenhagen, Denmark)
20. Attica (Melbourne, Australia)
21. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée (Paris, France)
22. Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)
23. Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy)
24. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (Shanghai, China)
25. Cosme (New York City, USA)
26. Le Bernardin (New York City, USA)
27. Boragó (Santiago, Chile)
28. Odette (Singapore)
29. Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen (Paris, France)
30. D.O.M. (S?o Paulo, Brazil)
31. Arzak (San Sebastian, Spain)
32. Tickets (Barcelona, Spain)
33. The Clove Club (London, UK)
34. Alinea (Chicago, USA)
35. Maaemo (Oslo, Norway)
36. Reale (Castel Di Sangro, Italy)
37. Restaurant Tim Raue (Berlin, Germany)
38. Lyle?s (London, UK)
39. Astrid y Gastón (Lima, Peru)
40. Septime (Paris, France)
41. Nihonryori RyuGin (Tokyo, Japan)
42. The Ledbury (London, UK)
43. Azurmendi (Larrabetzu, Spain)
44. Mikla (Istanbul, Turkey)
45. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (London, UK)
46. Saison (San Francisco, USA)
47. Schloss Schauenstein (Fürstenau, Switzerland) 48. Hisa Franko (Kobarid, Slovenia)
49. Nahm (Bangkok, Thailand)
50. The Test Kitchen (Cape Town, South Africa)
One of Slovenia’s most stunning and impressive natural sights, the Vintgar Gorge near Bled, is open to public again today! During winter the gorge is closed, but this year it was closed for maintenance until today (June 23rd).
The entrance fee is €5 for adults, €4 for students and €2,5 for children, which goes to support the maintenance of the walk. The gorge is open every day from 8.00 to 19.00. There is a free parking area available in front of the entrance to the gorge. Be sure to wear good shoes, arrive early, and bring your camera, but, remember to put your camera away at times and LIVE the experience, there’s nothing in the world like seeing something with your own eyes. You will love every minute of this beautiful place! Perhaps wear layers of clothes, as even on a hot summer day it gets cool in spots especially if you get damp from spray.
The gorge was completely impassable until it was discovered in 1891. The gorge’s stunning natural beauty was immediately recognised and work commenced on the construction of a wooden walkway along its 1,600-meter-length. The river is rushing and roaring and the gorge is sometimes narrow, so the construction to secure the trail was not easy but they sure did a wonderful job, opening the gorge to the public on August 26th, 1893. Almost immediately, it began to draw visitors from around Europe and beyond. The gorge was given the name Vintgar, meaning ‘wine garden,’ because of vineyards that once were nearby. Nowadays it leads visitors past rapids and pools (around every corner is a pleasant surprise ranging from roaring rapids to peaceful emerald green pools filled with fish) to the 16 metre-high Sum waterfall at the gorge’s furthest end, which is said to be the highest river waterfall in the country.
Even if you aren’t much of an outdoor enthusiast, Vintgar Gorge is a must when traveling through Slovenia. (photo: Miroslav Asanin)
Vintgar Gorge is about a 1,6 km long and easily accessible with paths and wooden walkways. (photo: Luka Esenko)
At the end of the walk is the Sum waterfall, which is the highest river waterfall in Slovenia. (photo: Dejan Hudoletnjak)
Jezersko is a pristine and very scenic mountain valley in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps on Slovenia’s northern border with Austria. It is a gorgeous place but sadly really underrated. It definitely deserves to be more widely known among international travelers. That’s why we are delighted to report that Jezersko joined 28 destinations in Austria, Italy, Bavaria and South Tyrol, which form part of the international network of Mountaineering Villages. The goal of the network is to bring together destinations which are developing tourism on the basis of mountaineering tradition, without mass tourism, large tourist infrastructures and with a permanent approach.
Jezersko offers a wide range of mountaineering experiences: it is full of hiking and mountaineering trails. It not only offers hiking trails covering all degrees of difficulty, but also a rich selection of climbing routes for both winter and summer, as well as kilometres of cross-country skiing trails. Jezersko also provides a variety of activities like mountain biking, ice-skating and snowshoeing. It boasts more than 60 kilometres of hiking trails, the oldest originally preserved mountain hut, 16 summits, more than 300 alpine routes. (Image by Tomo Jesenicnik)
Mountaineering Villages, as the name suggests, these villages/destinations are nestled in the mountains; unspoilt, tranquil, small villages that have retained intimacy, a living mountaineering activity and their cultural tradition.
The complete list of destinations/villages that form the network are Ginzling, Großes Walsertal, Grünau im Almtal, Hüttschlag im Großarltal, Jezersko, Johnsbach im Gesäuse, Lesachtal, Lunz am See, Mallnitz, Malta, Matsch, Mauthen, Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, Reichenau an der Rax, Sachrang, Schleching, Sellraintal region, St. Jodok, Schmirn & Valsertal, Steinbach am Attersee, Steirische Krakau, Tyrolean Gailtal, Vent im Ötztal, Villgratental valley, Weißbach bei Lofer, and Zell / Sele.
A few (more) images from Jezersko (all images below by Jost Gantar / Slovenia.info)!
Some wild, unspoilt, undiscovered places still exist – yes, even in Europe, and yes, even less than an hour away from an international airport. One of them is Jezersko, a pristine mountain valley in northern Slovenia, only 40 minutes drive from Ljubljana Airport.
The small romantic and by coincidence heart-shaped Lake Plansar is surrounded by impressive mountains of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps.
The valley is a popular tourist destination for Slovenes, but has not yet been discover by masses of foreign visitors.
The valley is a good starting point for hikes, but also lends itself perfectly for more relaxing vacations.
Located at 1543 meters above sea-level, below the imposing northern walls of Mount Grintovec, the Ceska Koca mountain hut is the oldest originally preserved mountain hut built in 1900 by the Czech branch of the Slovene Mountaineering Association in Prague, from which it also takes its name.
If you were thinking of cooling off a little in the Adriatic Sea then we have some great news. Whereas the temperature of the sea would normally be around between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius at this time of year today in Piran the temperature was measured at 24 degrees Celsius.
The temperature of the water in the Adriatic sea in Piran has reached 24 degrees Celsius and more and more locals and tourists don’t want to miss the chance to jump into the water and go swimming. While there are no beaches in Piran you can swim off one of the many piers along the harbour. (Image by Michael Matti / Slovenia.info)
Another great news is that Lake Bled is getting warmer too. The official bathing season has not yet started, but the temperature of the lake is already nice enough for many bathers at 21 degrees Celsius. Lake Bled is known for having the longest swimming season of any alpine lake in Europe (from June to late September).
A remarkable 360 degree view from the Pletna boat, a traditional gondola-like row boat with a canopy that takes visitors from the shores of Lake Bled to the island in the middle of the lake. (Image by Ziga Ivanc / Slovenia.info)
We are delighted to report that the fertile, wine-rich Vipava Valley (Vipavska Dolina in Slovenian) is among the top 10 places to visit in Europe for 2018, according to a prestigious travel guide Lonely Planet.
The charming old village of Vipavski Kriz in the Vipava Valley. (Image by Marijan Mocivnik)
‘Peppered with terracotta-tiled hamlets and gothic spires, and lined with grapevines stretching along gentle slopes, it would be easy to mistake the Vipava Valley for a rustic Tuscan idyll. But these fertile winelands, bounded by steep karst plateaus to the north and south, are still remarkably undiscovered.’ the Lonely Planet substantiated their decision.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe is compiled annually by the travel company’s European experts to reveal their pick of the most exciting and underrated destinations to visit across Europe. The experts say that this year’s list directly tackles the hot topic of ‘overtourism‘, ‘aiming to inspire travellers to discover some of the best lesser-visited regions, alternative city breaks and hidden gems, beyond Europe’s busiest tourist hotspots‘. There is growing concern over the increase in tourism to popular European destinations, particularly over the summer months, so with this list they wanted to show that there are a wealth of wonderful alternatives to discover across the continent.
On top of the list is the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. Second is Cantabria (Spain) and the Dutch province of Friesland comes in at the third spot. Also making the top 10 are Kosovo, Provence (France), Dundee (Scotland), Small Cyclades (Greece), Vilnius (Lithuania), Vipava Valley (Slovenia) and Tirana (Albania).
Lonely Planet’s article is available here: Best in Europe!
An elevated view of the vine covered hills in the Vipava Valley. (Image by Marijan Mocivnik)
Elevated view of the Upper Vipava Valley. (Image by Nea Culpa d.o.o.)
The Vipava Valley is best explored by bicycle. (Image by Tomo Jesenicnik)
Lonely Planet advises visitors to explore the region on local-led cycle tours that pick their way down quiet lanes between vines, pausing at wineries for tastings and conversation with the makers. (Image by Tomo Jesenicnik)
Zemono in the Vipava Valley. (Image by Tomo Jesenicnik)
The Goce village in the Vipava Valley. (Image by Tomo Jesenicnik)
Historic old houses in the village of Goce. (Image by Tomo Jesenicnik)
After a harsh, cold winter, spring is such a beautiful and welcome time of year in Slovenia. The meadows all across the country are full of wild flowers and everyone starts to smile more as the sun shines brightly and begins to warm the air. Especially worth visiting in this time of year are Golica and Velika Planina, known for their white daffodils and purple crocuses, which, every year at the end of April or in May, cover the slopes appearing like white snow-like and purple carpets. This year, the daffodils and crocuses bloomed quite early thanks to the warm spring.
We are happy to report that Slovenia achieved impressive results in road safety in 2017, with a drop in fatalities by -20%. That is the second highest drop among the European Union countries in the past year, only behind Estonia which achieved the 32% drop. Slovenia now ranks very close to the EU average with 50 deaths per million inhabitants and aims to cut road mortality to 35 deaths per million inhabitants by 2022, according to the government’s road safety programme for the period 2013-2022.
The Crni Kal viaduct is the longest motorway bridge as well as the tallest structure in Slovenia, located on the A1 motorway, about 20 kilometres east of Koper and 80 kilometres southwest of Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. (Image by Piotr Skrzypiec)
In 2017, the EU countries with the best road safety scores were Sweden (25) and the United Kingdom (27), followed by the Netherlands (31), Denmark (32), Ireland (33) and Estonia (36). On the other hand, the EU countries with the highest fatality rate were Romania (98) and Bulgaria (96). While the European Union average decrease in the number of road deaths from 2016 to 2017 was only 2%, some countries made much more progress, such as Estonia with -32% and Slovenia with -20%.
European roads remain the safest in the world: in 2017, the European Union countries counted 49 road fatalities per one million inhabitants, against 174 deaths per million globally.
All images below provided by Slovenia.info!
The Puh Bridge over the Drava River in the town of Ptuj is 430 metres long and 18 meters wide and was opened for traffic in May 2007. (Image by Jost Gantar)
An elevated view of a road bridge across the Soca river with the town of Nova Gorica in the background. (Image by Alex Stokelj, Invida d.o.o.)
The well-maintained, winding countryside roads are fun to drive. (Image by Boris Pretnar)
A group of motorcyclists on the road through the Logarska Valley in the Solcava area. (Image by Ales Fevzer)
At an elevation of 1,611 metres, Vrsic is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia and connects the Gorenjska region with the Trenta valley. (Image by Boris Pretnar)
The Mangart Road that leads over the Mangart saddle, with its elevation of 2,055 meters, has a number of turns and is the highest-lying road in Slovenia. (Image by Jost Gantar)
Cyclists are the most vulnerable people on the road and efforts are needed towards a zero accident concept. (Image by Jost Gantar)
Most roads in Slovenia are well maintained and of a high standard. (Image by Julia Wesely)
Get ready Slovenia, Polar temperatures are coming this weekend and there’s a good chance we’ll all be able to walk across the frozen Lake Bled to the picturesque island with a church in the middle.
A special experience is a walk on the ice-covered Lake Bled all the way to the island, but only when the ice is thick enough. (photo: Franci Ferjan)
When temperatures drop below freezing for several consecutive days, ice is formed on the Bled lake. (photo: Franci Ferjan)
Lake Bled freezing has been a very rare occurrence in the past few decades. (photo: Franci Ferjan)
Lake Bled, with its Gothic church in the middle of a lake, traditionally an important pilgrimage destination, has long been one of the most popular destinations in Slovenia. Its picturesque island church is visited by thousands of tourists every year, but except in the winter, when the lake frequently freezes over, there is only one way to reach the island: by rowing a boat across the lake. (photo: Michael Matti)
Slovenia is one of 22 destinations that Bloomberg Businessweek says will be “especially hot” this year. Mentioned twelfth, Slovenia is the only Central European destination on the list titled “Where to Go in 2018.”
Triglav National Park, one of the largest national reserves in Europe. (Image by Daniel Taipale)
In its introduction to the list, the highly respected business and financial publication states that, “The alchemy of being in the right place at the right time is exactly what transforms a good vacation into a great one. With that in mind, we’ve scoured the globe for the most exciting openings and events in 2018 and boiled them down to 22 especially compelling destinations.”
Bloomberg Businessweek extols Slovenia as the next Iceland. The major international publication also notes that, “Adventures such as rappelling down cliffs near Lake Bled or navigating the labyrinthine Skocjan cave system are easily accessible from the castle-topped capital of Ljubljana, where a minimalist Intercontinental Hotel just opened.”
Other destinations on the list include Salvador (Brazil), St. Kitts, Chilean Patagonia, Borneo, Jordan, Dundee (Scotland), Georgia, Cambodia, Abu Dhabi, Namibia, Singapore, Los Angeles, Florence, Fiji, South Korea, Washington, Los Cabos (Mexico), New Orleans, Southern Tanzania, Copenhagen and Tunisia. The article is available here: Where to Go in 2018
All images by Slovenia.info!
Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. (Image by Nea Culpa d.o.o.)
The coastal town of Piran. (Image by Nikola Jurisic)
Skocjan Caves, an absolutely magnificent wonder of nature and one of the world’s largest known underground canyons. (Image by Nea Culpa d.o.o.)
Lake Bled with its island in the middle. (Image by Foto Video Coppo di Marco Coppo)
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