All posts by Travel Slovenia

Pericnik Waterfall in Mojstrana has almost frozen over, and the results are magical

The Pericnik Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall in the Triglav National Park, located in the Vrata valley near the village of Mojstrana. The waterfall typically freezes over in winter when temperatures drop below zero. Temperatures in Slovenia are currently hovering around -3°C. Images show the waterfall blanketed in snow and ice, although the water is still flowing.

Pericnik Waterfall frozen in winter
The most impressive sight of the 52 metre-high Pericnik waterfall is right now in the winter when it turns into a giant wall of icicles and floes. (photo: Leon Vidic)

Icicles and floes of the Pericnik Waterfall in winter
With the recent snowfall and freezing temperatures, Pericnik Waterfall has transformed into a giant wall of icicles and floes. (photo: Leon Vidic)

Logarska Valley Is Now Covered In Snow And Is A Total Delight

With the recent snowfall and freezing temperatures, Logarska Valley has transformed into a winter wonderland – along with an Instagram-worthy photo. Logarska Valley Landscape Park is open 365 days a year, 24-hours a day, giving you ample opportunity to enjoy the winter experience.

VIDEO: Logarska Valley covered in snow. (video: Sebi Bevc and Klavdija Caks, Tja Pa Nazaj)

Logarska Valley in Slovenia covered in snow in winter
Logarska Valley Landscape Park transformed into a Winter Wonderland. (photo: Sebi Bevc and Klavdija Caks, Tja Pa Nazaj)

Local people visiting Logarska Valley in Slovenia covered in snow in winter
Logarska Valley is a very popular destination for nature and sports enthusiasts during the winter. (photo: Miro Verbic)

Lake Jasna Has Frozen Over And Now It Looks Even More Spectacular

Lake Jasna is a very picturesque lake near the village of Kranjska Gora. Due to low temperatures and frequent snowfall over the past few weeks, the lake has frozen over and now it looks even more breathtaking.

A group of ducks in a partially frozen Jasna Lake near Kranjska Gora in winter
Kranjska Gora’s Jasna Lake becomes even more spectacular during the winter when it freezes over. (photo: Rok Nosan, Vreme 24/7)

Frozen Jasna Lake near Kranjska Gora in winter
Two weeks of frequent snowfall and low temperatures over the Christmas and New Year period shackled the surface of the lake with a layer of ice. (photo: Rok Nosan, Vreme 24/7)

Lonely Planet Names Ljubljana One Of The Most ‘Sustainable’ Cities In The World

Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana has been ranked one of the most sustainable cities in the world by global travel publication, Lonely Planet.

View of Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia
Lonely Planet has included Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana in a recent roundup of the most sustainable cities in the world. (photo: Jacob Riglin, slovenia.info)

In the introduction to its roundup of sustainable global cities, the travel guide publisher notes that some of the world’s most popular cities are among the worst polluters. However, some busy urban centres are improving their carbon footprint by moving to zero-waste restaurants, eco-friendly architecture, and more.

Europe had the three cities on the list, with Copenhagen (Denmark), Lisbon (Portugal), and Ljubljana (Slovenia) featured in the roundup. North America also saw three cities on the list with the United States having two cities on the list, Portland and San Francisco, while Vancouver is the lone Canadian selection. Singapore and Bengaluru (India) have also been selected for the green city roundup.

‘Slovenia is known for its pristine countryside – but even its capital offers visitors a breath of fresh air. Liveable Ljubljana is extremely clean and increasingly green: streets are washed with rain and recycled water; over 10 hectares of the city center are pedestrianized; and new cutting-edge waste management systems mean the city sends 80% less waste to landfill than it did in 2008 – with the goal to reduce that to just 60kg per person per year by 2025,’ writes Lonely Planet.

With a population of just under 300,000, Ljubljana is one of the smallest and most livable capitals in Europe, situated in a basin between the Alps and the Adriatic. Ljubljana won the prestigious title of European Green Capital in 2016 for having achieved the largest number of sustainable changes in the shortest period of time. In 2019, it won the Best of Cities category in the Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards.

Lonely Planet’s article is available here: Explore 8 of the world’s most sustainable cities!

View of the capital of Ljubljana with its hilltop castle
Ljubljana with its hilltop castle. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, slovenia.info)

View of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, from the boat on the Ljubljanica river
Ljubljana from the boat on the Ljubljanica river. (photo: Mankica Kranjec, Nea Culpa, slovenia.info)

View of Ljubljana, one of Europe's smallest capitals
Ljubljana with its hilltop castle. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, slovenia.info)

Aerial view from Ljubljana Castle on Ljubljana green city
Aerial view of Ljubljana and its castle. (photo: Mankica Kranjec, Nea Culpa, slovenia.info)

Ljubljana the capital of Slovenia
Ljubljana with its hilltop castle in the background. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, slovenia.info)

Aerial view of Ljubljana, one of the smallest capitals in Europe
Aerial view of Ljubljana. (photo: Drazen Stader, Produkcija Studio, slovenia.info)

View of the streets of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia
A street view in Ljubljana. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, slovenia.info)

A female on the balcony with a view of Ljubljana Old Town
View of the Ljubljana Castle from the Neboticnik skyscraper. (photo: Mankica Kranjec, Nea Culpa, slovenia.info)

View of a riverside cafe in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia
One of the riverside cafes in Ljubljana. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, slovenia.info)

View of Triple Bridge in the centre of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia
Triple Bridge in the centre of Ljubljana. (photo: Ales Fevzer, slovenia.info)

All You Need To Know To Visit Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA – the small but beautiful capital of Slovenia
View of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia

Slovenia's capital Ljubljana has all the right ingredients for the perfect city break. It's one of the youngest and most liveable capitals in the European Union. It’s a city with a medieval heart, a city of the Baroque and Art Nouveau, with numerous picturesque bridges across the Ljubljanica river and the vast green Tivoli park, which stretches into the very city centre.

Recent snowfalls have transformed Kranjska Gora into a true winter wonderland

Kranjska Gora is a lovely small alpine village situated in the far northwestern corner of Slovenia, just a mere 5 minutes by car from both the Italian and Austrian borders. On average, Kranjska Gora receives about 100 centimetres of snow every winter but this year has been significantly above average in terms of snowfall. Some snow has fallen nearly every day the last ten days, and currently the snow is about 80 centimetres deep and the temperature is below zero.

VIDEO: The village of Kranjska Gora during heavy snowfall on December 28th, 2020. (video by Rok Nosan, Vreme 24/7)

Village of Kranjska Gora in Slovenia during heavy snowfall in winter
The snow in Kranjska Gora is just epic, some of the locals we talked to said they have never seen so much snow in the last 20 years. (photo: Masa Stefe)

Snowing in the village of Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in winter
The dusting of snow makes the village of Kranjska Gora look even more magical. (photo: Rok Nosan, Vreme 24/7)

Snowing in the village of Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in winter
Visit Kranjska Gora in December if you want to take advantage of beautiful Christmas decorations. (photo: Rok Nosan, Vreme 24/7)

Snowing in the village of Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in winter
Winter is the most wonderful season in Kranjska Gora if you’re not bothered by a little cold and chilly weather. (photo: Rok Nosan, Vreme 24/7)

Snowing in Kranjska Gora in Slovenia at night in the winter
In winter, Kranjska Gora is the Slovenian winter wonderland. (photo: Matej Stegar)

Village of Kranjska Gora in Slovenia during heavy snowfall in winter
If you’re looking for a white Christmas, with all the Alpine charm, you will find it in Kranjska Gora. (photo: Marko Pozin)

More photos: Kranjska Gora Covered In Snow In The Winter

All You Need To Know To Visit Kranjska Gora
KRANJSKA GORA – the most famous Slovenian ski resort and a beautiful alpine village
Kranjska Gora Slovenia

Kranjska Gora is a beautiful alpine village and the most famous Slovenian ski resort situated on the northern tip of the Triglav National Park in the Slovenian Alps, just a mere 5 minutes by car from both the Italian and Austrian borders. The resort isn’t the largest ski area in Slovenia but it’s the oldest one and one of the prettiest. It’s perfect for families with younger children and also for beginner and intermediate level skiers, with pistes easily accessible directly from the center of Kranjska Gora.

This year’s Vatican Christmas Tree comes from Slovenia

The spruce tree decorating St Peter’s Square in the Vatican for Christmas this year comes from Slovenia. The tree was brought in from the Kocevje Region in southern Slovenia which is known as the most densely-forested region in the country, as forests cover as much as 91% of its total area. Slovenia donated the Christmas tree as a symbol of gratitude for the Vatican’s support of the country’s independence movement on the 30th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence from Yugoslavia.

A Slovenian Christmas Tree in the Vatican City
This year’s Vatican Christmas Tree is a gift from Slovenia!

Standing at 30 meters high, the massive 75-year-old spruce tree weighs 7 tons and has an impressive diameter of 67 centimetres. It is s adorned with handcrafted wooden Slovenian ethnographic ornaments made by people in Slovenia, including some young children, but the homeless in Rome and Slovenia were also involved in the craftsmanship.

Furthermore, Slovenia has provided the Vatican with an additional 42 smaller spruce and fir trees and a number of wreaths for doorways to be placed in the offices of Vatican City.

The tradition that a Christmas tree is displayed in St. Peter’s Square during the holiday season was first introduced in 1982 by the then Pope John Paul II. The tree is donated by a different country or region every year.

The tree will remain on display until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 10.

Vatican Christmas Tree coming from Slovenia
The massive spruce tree placed just off-center in Saint Peter’s Square was brought in from the Kocevje Region in southern Slovenia.

A trail through the Kocevje forest in southern Slovenia
Kocevje is one of the best preserved natural areas in Europe with more than 90% of its area covered in forest, some of it a primeval virgin forest that has never been cultivated or interfered with by humankind. (photo: Ciril Jazbec, CJ STUDIO d.o.o., slovenia.info)

Holiday Season In Bled Is Here

Bled is a magical place at any time of the year, but it’s extra special during the holiday season. This year, 2020, everything is different because of COVID-19, but no less magical and picturesque and more calm and peaceful.

Lake Bled in Slovenia at night in the holiday season
Holiday season is quite a romantic time to visit Bled. (photo: Anja Smit)

View of Lake Bled and the town of Bled decorated with Christmas Lights in the holiday season
This year the festive decorations were adapted to the measures against Covid-19. (photo: Anja Smit)

Bled Castle above Lake Bled at night in the holiday season
The medieval cliff-clinging Bled Castle lit up at night. (photo: Anja Smit)

With the traditional turning on the lights, Ptuj entered the festive season

In the beginning of December, Ptuj starts to go into Christmas overdrive and there’s nothing like spending the festive season in this beautiful old town set on the Drava river.

Town of Ptuj in Slovenia at night in the Christmas season
As Christmas gets closer, Ptuj becomes a more an more lovely place. (photo: Matej Stegar)

Ptuj in the Christmas season at night with thousands of holiday lights
Every year in the beginning of December Ptuj transforms into a magical wonderland. (photo: Matej Stegar)

More photos: Photo Gallery: Ptuj at Christmas Time

Slovenia has 9 entries on the list of world’s top 100 most sustainable destinations

Green Destinations has named the top 100 most sustainable destinations to visit in their 2020 Sustainable Destinations Top 100 List, which includes as many as nine Slovenian destinations: Bled, Brda, Soca Valley, Kocevsko, Ljubljana, Logar Valley-Solcava, Miren Kras, Podcetrtek and Rogaska Slatina. The list is published anually with the aim of highlighting the best and most inspiring stories of sustainable tourism to both, business and general public.

View of Logar Valley in Solcava, Slovenia
Logar Valley-Solcava. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, slovenia.info)

Applications were evaluated by the Sustainable Top 100 team, experts from individual countries and Green Destinations partners; for this year, they particularly emphasized the quality of the applications. The Commission has emphasized that none of the destinations on the list is entirely sustainable, as this is impossible, but that all are taking decisive steps in this area and showing very good progress.

View of Lake Bled from the Ojstrica hill
Lake Bled. (photo: Iztok Medja, slovenia.info)

View of the Brda landscape in Slovenia
Brda. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik, slovenia.info)

View of the Kocevsko landscape in southern Slovenia
Kocevsko. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik, slovenia.info)

View of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia
Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, slovenia.info)

View of the Miren Kras landscape in southwestern Slovenia
Miren Kras. (photo: Jost Gantar, slovenia.info)

View of the Podcetrtek countryside in eastern Slovenia
Podcetrtek. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, slovenia.info)

Park in Rogaska Slatina in the summer
Rogaska Slatina. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, slovenia.info)

View of Soca Valley in western Slovenia
Soca Valley. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik, slovenia.info)

Lake Bled is in the Top 10 of Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List

We are delighted to let you know that Lake Bled has landed in the top 10 of Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List. LONELY Planet has named the top 500 travel destinations to visit in their 2020 Ultimate Travel List. Lake Bled came in at number 6.

Aerial view of Lake Bled with the Church of the Assumption of Mary on the island
Slovenia’s most picturesque lake was named the number six place to visit in Lonely Planet’s latest Ultimate Travel List, a book ranking 500 travel experiences all around the world. (photo: Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak)

The longlist of destinations was compiled from Lonely Planet guidebook highlights, before being whittled down to a shortlist. Readers and experts were then asked to vote on their top 20 travel experiences to create a definitive ranking. Entries were also given extra points if their sustainability credentials stacked up, while points were deducted for destinations known to suffer from overtourism.

“We changed the way we calculated the list,” said Lonely Planet’s VP of publishing, Piers Pickard. “For this edition we rewarded extra points to sights that are managing tourism sustainably.” He added: “After seven months of staying at home, now’s the perfect time to start thinking about where and how to travel once normality returns. In putting together this book, we were excited by changes in both the ‘where’ and the ‘how’. We added 200 new entries into our list of the world’s Top 500. And we were both surprised and reassured by just how many of the Top 500 are working hard to create more sustainable visitor experiences.”

The Ultimate Travel List
1. Petra, Jordan
2. The Galápagos Islands
3. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia
4. Okavango Delta, Botswana
5. Yellowstone National Park, USA
6. Lake Bled, Slovenia
7. Iguazú Falls, Argentina-Brazil
8. Temples of Angkor, Cambodia
9. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
10. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Aerial view of Bled Castle and Lake Bled with its photogenic island in the middle
Bled is possibly the most popular tourist destination in Slovenia. (photo: Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak)

Breathtaking aerial view of Lake Bled with its island and overlooking Bled Castle
Perched atop a steep cliff more than 130 meters above the lake, Bled Castle is one of the most-visited historic attractions in Slovenia. (photo: Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak)

All You Need To Know To Visit Bled
BLED – possibly the most beautiful and remarkable Alpine resort in Europe
View of Bled, Slovenia

With an incredibly beautiful glacial lake surrounded by the peaks of the Slovenian Alps, an iconic church nestled in a tiny island in the middle of the lake and a medieval Gothic castle built on a 100-meter cliff overlooking the lake, Bled is possibly the most beautiful and remarkable Alpine resort in Europe.