Slovenia

Former Yugoslav state wows visitors
with natural beauty and cultural wonders

Of all the breakaway republics of old Yugoslavia, Slovenia is the most prosperous and the safest to visit. It is also one of the most scenic: from its Adriatic shores to its Alpine peaks, Slovenia is loaded with natural beauty. Many European vacationers travel here to spend all their time with a beach towel on the country’s small strip of emerald blue coast. But there is so much more to see inland, ranging from mountains and lakes to old vineyards and undulating farmland. The standard of living here is much like that of Western Europe. The culture reflects the long occupation of Habsburg control; before the Habsburgs, Slovenia was part of the Roman Empire for nearly five centuries.

Shortly after independence, the country turned its eyes to the West and joined the European Union and NATO in 2004. About 90% of the population is made up of a single ethnic group, the Slovenes, so the country is not sharply divided by ethnic tensions. Slovenia is bordered by Austria, Hungary, Croatia, and Italy and train travel is both inexpensive and accessible.

© 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.