Wishing you all a very Happy Easter-at-home and with your loved ones via your screens!
Easter in Slovenia brings back centuries-old traditions which have been passed on through the generations, and are still strong today. Although most Slovenians aren’t exactly devout adherents to Catholicism, Easter is still the most important holiday in the country. It’s considered more religious and more serious than Christmas.
But amid the coronavirus crisis, this Easter will be very different for the thousands of Christians in Slovenia, as strict rules social-distancing and mass gathering rules remain in place and churches are closed. Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. Some churches are streaming live services over Easter and people are also able to worship using conference calls and other modern technology.
Easter festivities and processions may be cancelled but there’s no reason why we all can’t celebrate in the comfort of our own homes and keep the spirit of Easter alive with family-friendly activities and colourful Easter decorations. Of course, there’s also fun with Easter eggs. Rather than an Easter-egg ‘hunt’, in Slovenia there’s an Easter egg ‘fight’. Everyone chooses an egg from a basket and hits it against their adversary’s egg. The winner is the one who emerges with an intact egg.
No matter if you’re religious or not, Easter in Slovenia is also a culinary gathering of the whole family. On Easter Sunday the whole family gathers together for a traditional Easter breakfast, the most abundant breakfast and the culinary highlight of the year. Slovenia’s traditional Easter food consists of smoked ham, horseradish, bread, coloured hard boiled eggs, and potica (rolled sweetbread).
As the Easter is informally referred to by many as ‘the Slovene eating holiday’, we thought it would be a good time to share an authentic recipe for a traditional Slovenian Easter breakfast. Do give it a try: Traditional Slovenian Easter Breakfast
A traditional Slovenian Easter breakfast includes eggs, ham, horseradish and Potica (a Slovenian sweetbread). (Food photography: Mateja Jordovic Potocnik, Cooking and food styling: Branka Vodovc and Spela Vodovc, Design: Gregor Zakelj)
Mother Nature doesn’t care about a pandemic. Slovenia’s countryside is blooming with spring colour and the weather is warm and sunny.
Every spring many of the normally lush green meadows on the slopes of Mount Golica turn almost completely snow-white because of the white blossoms of wild-growing daffodils. (photo: Ales Krivec)
The countryside of Bela Krajina, a small region in the far southeastern corner of Slovenia, is known for its gentle landscape of birch trees and vineyards. (photo: Jost Gantar, slovenia.info)
Spring is such a wondrous time of year in the Slovenian countryside. The trees begin to bud, blossoms appear on trees, then the blossoms give way to the fresh green color of new leaves. It is so impressive to watch the trees and see how quickly they change from day to day! (photo: Domen Dolenc)
Spring is a great time of year to walk among blossoming fruit trees in Slovenia’s countryside. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik, slovenia.info)
Some good news about coronavirus situation in Slovenia. According to official statistics, Slovenia is defeating the coronavirus.
Slovenia recorded 1,021 cases of the coronavirus and 30 deaths as of April 6, much fewer than its neighbors Italy and Austria. More than 14,000 per one million people (28,253) in Slovenia’s population of two million have been tested. The growth rate of daily new infections has already decreased and with the number of coronavirus-related hospitalisations and deaths stabilising, the Slovenian government said it would start gradually lifting its lockdown after Easter if the numbers of cases and deaths remained stable.
A graph showing daily number of people tested positive for coronavirus, a number of deceased coronavirus patients, and a total number of hospitalized coronavirus patients, patients in intensive care units, and patients released from a hospital.
A graph showing the number of people tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19 in Slovenia
A graph showing the number of tests performed for coronavirus COVID-19 in Slovenia
Coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Slovenia by municipality.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Forests cover more than 60% of Slovenia’s surface area (or about 1,264,000 hectares) and the growing trend of surface areas being covered by forests is continuing. Slovenia is the third most forested country in the European Union, only behind Finland and Sweden.
Slovenia belongs to the most forested countries in Europe as more than 60% of the country is forested. (photo: Jost Gantar, slovenia.info)
Forests have the important function of protecting our living environment by recharging water resources and preserving our country’s land. In recent years people have come to consider diversified advanced roles forests have in preventing global warming, use in promoting health, culture, education and the preservation of various living organism. Also, forests are looked to for producing timber, an environment-conscious material, with a low load on the environment.
Pokljuka Forest. (photo: Ales Zdesar, slovenia.info)
The renowned digital magazine Condé Nast Traveler included two Slovenian castles among the 24 most beautiful castles in Europe. The cliff-top Bled Castle was included on this prestigious list above all because of its picture-perfect setting on top of a 130-meter cliff above the crystal waters of Lake Bled and the Gothic-style Predjama Castle earned its spot on the list because of its dramatic and completely unconquerable appearance.
Bled Castle sits on top of a cliff that rises 130 metres above the northern side of Lake Bled for more than 1000 years. This is the oldest castle in Slovenia, dating back to 1011. (photo: Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak)
“What is it about castles that is so alluring to travellers?” asks the article’s author Caitlin Morton. The answer, she suggests, is that “aside from getting us one step closer to living out our fairytale fantasies, they showcase some of the world’s best architecture and most stunning landscapes.”
Lake Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular sites thanks to “emerald waters, a church-dotted islet, views of the Julian Alps, and, of course, a Disney-like castle on a hill”, says Morton. “Climb up the forest trail to see Bled Castle’s orange-roofed towers and 11th-century walls up close, then turn around to be afforded some of the most picture-perfect views of the lake you’ll ever find.”
Predjama Castle lies just outside of the town of Postojna. “The Gothic-style Predjama Castle is easily one of the world’s most dramatic castles, built directly into the side of a 404-foot cliff that hides a network of cave passages,” says Morton. Tours of the castle are available year-round, although hibernating bats in the caves restrict underground tours to the months of May to September.
Also included on the list are the following castles: Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany), Hohenwerfen Fortress (Austria), Trakai Island Castle (Lithuania), Castello di Miramare (Italy), Frederiksborg Castle (Denmark), Hohenzollern Castle (Germany), Château de Chenonceau (France), Pena Palace (Portugal), Castel del Monte (Italy), Kylemore Abbey (Ireland), Catherine Palace (Russia), Alcázar of Segovia (Spain), Corvin Castle (Romania), Egeskov Castle (Denmark), Eilean Donan Castle (Scotland), Château de Chillon (Switzerland). Schönbrunn Palace (Austria), Château de Chambord (France), Bran Castle (Romania). Alcázar of Seville (Spain), Örebro Castle (Sweden) and Bodiam Castle (England). The article is available here!
Bled Castle
Bled Castle is perched high on the top of a cliff overlooking Lake Bled as well as the Bled town. It’s a medieval castle dating back to 1011 and has been added to over years with Romanesque and Renaissance additions. The castle isn’t particularly large, but is definitely worth a visit while in Slovenia, even if it’s just to take in the stunning views.
Entrance to the castle is €13 per person and this gives you access to the courtyard where you can enjoy the spectacular views, as well as the museum and art galleries which are located in the castle buildings. There are also souvenir shops, including a live forge where hand-made metal works are produced and a printing shop where you can purchase hand-made certificates produced with an old fashioned roller print. You can also enjoy a meal or drink with incredible views in the restaurant and bar.
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)
Bled Castle stands high above Lake Bled, and it offers beautiful views. (photo: Matej Vranic, slovenia.info)
The towers, the ramparts and moats are part of the castle’s architectural design. Inside the castle, there’s a restaurant, a blacksmith’s shop, wine cellar, printing works and museum. (photo: Adrijan Pregelj, slovenia.info)
Bled Castle welcomes thousands of visitors every winter. (photo: Franci Ferjan)
Predjama Castle
If you enjoy visiting caves and you like visiting castles, you will love Predjama Castle, the largest cave castle in the world. It’s built in the mouth of the cave, halfway up a 123-metre cliff. It is more than 800 years old, although there’s evidence that humans actually inhabited this cave from as early as the Stone Age. The Slovenian name for Predjama Castle is Predjamski Grad, which means “the castle in front of the cave.”
Predjama Castle is possibly the most unique, creative and architecturally impressive castle in the world. (photo: Miha Krivic / slovenia.info)
Predjama Castle is perched up in the middle of a vertical 123-metre high cliff face, jutting out of a cave. When it was built, every part of the castle was built using the cave’s structure. The natural formations were turned into water systems, tunnels, stairs, hallways, etc. (photo: Iztok Medja / slovenia.info)
Predjama Castle is recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world’s largest castle built within a cave mouth. (photo: Valter Leban / slovenia.info)
A number of cities across Slovenia officially turned on their Christmas lights yesterday evening. Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana, Koper and Maribor kicked the season off at 5 p.m., followed by Velenje at 6 p.m. Celje and Kranj will turn their lights on today and tomorrow.
You know Christmas is coming when Ljubljana’s Old Town is transformed by sparkly, glowing lights. (photo: Dean Dubokovic)
Ljubljana will also feature an exhibiton of ice sculptures, with sculptures that recall the city’s past. Ice rinks will also be set up in some towns.
Christmas decorations at Tito Square in Koper, the largest city on the Slovenian coast. (photo: Jaka Ivancic)
A Christmas tree in Maribor. (photo: Matej Vranic)
The main Tartini square in Piran at Christmas. (photo: James Smith)
An Alpine Village is set up in the village of Kranjska Gora every winter. (photo: Matej Vranic)
The Festive Winter Village in Bled alongside the lake. (photo: Matej Vranic)
Great news for foodies! The long-awaited cookbook that brings traditional Slovenian recipes to kitchens worldwide Is finally here!
A traditional Slovenian Easter breakfast.
The story of this important culinary and cultural book started four years ago, when author Spela Vodovc launched Cook Eat Slovenia: a series of cooking classes dedicated to traditional Slovenian food for international travelers. Her dream was to share one-of-a-kind — yet traditional — experiences. Visitors quickly became friends while learning from a local girl, who taught and served the kinds of food Slovenians have eaten at home (for everyday and festive occasions) for centuries.
Over the years, she’s hosted hundreds of happy foodies in her classes. The result of those sessions, along with hundreds of years of gastronomic passion across generations, is this cookbook: Cook Eat Slovenia. This publication is the first of its kind, dedicated to bringing the delicious experience of Slovenian cuisine to people around the world.
Inside, you’ll find more than 100 family recipes and tips for cooking traditional Slovenian dishes. Divided into chapters for each of the four seasons — with a focus on fresh, local ingredients and rich cultural traditions — it tells a story … rather than only teaching readers how to cook. More than just a book of recipes and instructions, this is a map to the author’s culture through traditional Slovenian dishes.
The goal is to fill stomachs and hearts while also providing a travel guide to an amazing culinary destination: the beautiful little country of Slovenia.
About the author
“Food has always played an important role in my family and I’m continuing that legacy,” says Spela Vodovc, the author of Cook Eat Slovenia cookbook. “I’ve been passionate about food and cooking since I was a little girl. I learned how to cook the old-fashioned way, and now I want to share my passion and enthusiasm for food and Slovenian cuisine with the world. I want to bring back the romance of old traditions with some almost-forgotten recipes and most recognized Slovenian dishes.”
The traditional Slovenian recipes found in this extraordinary edition have been in the Vodovc family for generations. Most of the recipes you will find in the pages of this intimate collection have never been written down, anywhere. They have just been kept in the author’s head, and in her mother’s and her grandmother’s and so on for many generations before that. Until now!
Spela Vodovc, the author of Cook Eat Slovenia, posing with a classic Slovenian walnut potica.
Slovenia is nestled between Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary. It is the only country in Europe that combines the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain and the Karst limestone plains. Within a tiny stretch of land, foodies will find a truly hidden gem with 24 culinary regions. Over the centuries, culinary influences have merged with local tastes to form a unique, diverse, and distinct Slovenian cuisine.
We are delighted to let you know that Slovenia is one of the safest countries in the world to visit, according to a new report from security specialists at International SOS.
The International SOS report ranked Slovenia as “insignificant” risk. (photo: Alex Strohl)
For those who are planning a holiday for next year and wondering which countries are the safest, International SOS released its 11th annual Travel Risk Map, an interactive map which predicts the safest and most dangerous places to travel in 2020, as well as the biggest issues travellers will face, including infectious diseases and political violence. Countries were ranked in different risk categories, ranging from “insignificant” to “extreme” risk.
In its predictions for 2020, the safest countries to travel to are Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Luxembourg and Switzerland. The US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and most of Europe were rated as having a “low” level of travel risk, in addition to Argentina, Japan, China and Namibia. Those ranked as having a “medium” risk level include Russia, India, South Africa, Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Mozambique, Brazil and Indonesia. The report considers Libya, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan to be “extreme” risk countries due to ongoing conflicts.
The Travel Risk Map 2020 maps out security risks across the world. (International SOS)
There is a wide array of options for accommodations in Slovenia, including hotels, guest houses, apartments, bed and breakfasts, hostels, camping and glamping sites and farm stays. Find out which places to stay in Slovenia we recommend and why!
We are delighted to let you know that Slovenia has landed on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of “The 40 Most Beautiful Countries in the World”.
Conde Nast Traveler published its ranking of “The 40 Most Beautiful Countries in the World” and Slovenia was included on this prestigious list. (photo: Ales Fevzer, slovenia.info)
CN Traveler took the top 30 countries listed in the “attractiveness” section of the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report and polled their editors for their personal picks to come up with a final list.
In it’s report, CN Traveler wrote: “Tucked between Italy and Austria, with a chunk of the Alps and an opening onto the Mediterranean, Slovenia seemingly has a little bit of everything. The Julian Alps are striking from all angles, but they become especially impressive when serving as backdrop to the emerald-green waters of Lake Bled. And then there are the forests, which cover half the country’s surface.”
The complete list of “The 40 Most Beautiful Countries in the World” includes Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand, Austria, Dominican Republic, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Mauritius, Spain, Mexico, Australia, Greece, Kenya, Namibia, Finland, Chile, Thailand, Philippines, Croatia, Portugal, Cyprus, Venezuela, Botswana, Montenegro, Oman, Nepal, Brazil, Seychelles, Slovenia, Peru, Sri Lanka, Japan, The United States of America, Italy, Turkey, South Africa, India, Morocco, and Colombia. The article is available here!
Launched in the United States in 1987, Condé Nast Traveler is a market-leading monthly travel magazine that offers travel ideas, competitions, and guides.
Lake Jasna. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik, slovenia.info)
Slovenia has been recognized as the Hottest Destination of 2019 by Virtuoso, the global luxury travel network. The award was given during the 31st Annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, to an audience of 6,000 members of the luxury travel industry, representing travel agents, hotels, airlines and cruise lines from all over the world.
Slovenia is working hard on its image of boutique destination. (photo: Ana Pogacar)
Virtuoso bestowed some 20 awards from best river cruise line, to the best-curated travel partner or the most innovative lifestyle partner. Slovenia, represented by the Slovenian Tourist Board, took the hottest destination title.
Slovenia’s diversity and beautiful nature contribute to making it the Hottest Destination but the country is also famous for its warm and welcoming people, charming capital Ljubljana, numerous lakes, rivers and waterfalls, and in providing great value.
Slovenia has been recognized as the Hottest Destination of 2019 by Virtuoso.
Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. (photo: Andrej Tarfila)
Triglav Lakes Valley in the Julian Alps. (photo: Ales Zdesar)
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