Explore Slovenia with Hostelling International Slovenia!
Slovenia is a small and hearty country full of contradiction, which are connecting the Alpine and Mediterranean world and where the Kars melts together with the Pannonia straights. The diversity of this small country does not fail to surprise every time, even the most demanding travellers. With the smells of the sea life you can enjoy the beauty of high mountains. Is there anywhere else in the world, you can go alpine skiing and wet your feet in the warm Adriatic sea, in a single day? Mountain meadows offer you the most stunning views of river valleys and gorges carved by nature. The huge karst caves will open the secrets of the underworld to you. And the tastings of the homemade cuisine and excellent wine is just the icing on the cake.
While exploring and experiencing these beauty Popotniško združenje Slovenije will help you with its network of 48 Youth Hostles in the whole country, which are meant for individual travellers, groups and families at affordable prices.
Photographer: J. Skok
You can experience Slovenia in a relatively short time, for this country covers only about 20.000 square kilometres. Cites are covered and connected with a good road network and offer quick access to mobile travellers. Those, who are a bit limited by being connected to public transport should above everything else visit these three destinations:
The capital, Ljubljana, has everything larger capitals can offer, but it succeeded in keeping the charms of the relaxed smaller city. It’s a picturesque and vivid city with many surprises in stored – you will not be sorry. The cultural happenings with many events is marked by rich tradition and modern creativity. The forests, rivers and lakes around it are offering perfect outdoor experience. There are 6 hostels to choose from in Ljubljana, opened through most of the year. Two belong to the Alibi, and are meant for the individual travellers, located in the very heart of the city. Hostel Park, is within the complex of a hotel and only 10 minutes from the railway station – offering many discounts. Hostel Ljubljana is meant for larger groups, for it has a bus parking and is only 10 minutes by public transport from the centre of the city. There are also two seasonal hostels Tabor and DIC, which are open only during summer time and open doors to individual travellers as groups that wish to be in the heart of the city.
Photographer: M. Tancic
Bled with the surrounding natural beauty is one of the most beautiful Alpine resorts, known for the mild climate and thermal lake water. The beauty of mountains is reflected on the surface of the lake, sun and peace, fresh air give pleasant feelings in every season of the year for a relaxing or an active holiday. Bled is inviting business world, artists, athletes, researchers, young and old, from all over the world. The beauty convinces them to return again and again. You can spend the night in the hostel Bledec, where they’ll be happy to host you and give the homely feel to your voyage. Or you can chose the Radovljica hostel, which is in a lovely medieval town just 15 minuts away from Bled.
Photographer: Bobo
Maribor (the capital of culture 2012 and the capital of youth in 2013 ), the second largest city is just an hour away from the capital and is an university, cultural and theatrical city with many galleries, museums, concert and congress halls, shops, a famous park, sporting objects and more. It is developing high class tourism, which is based on excellent wine, well preserved city centre representing the long history, where gothic and renaissance are hand in hand, but the most obvious style is the baroque. The beat of the city is happening on the squares and streets of the city and the most popular area is the riverside of Lent and the oldest vine in the world, where the river used to divide, but now it combines the city. There are 4 hostels in the city. There’s the UNI in the very centre and is a part of the high class hotel. Just over the bridge from the oldest centre is the hostel Pekarna, opened as a part of the youth centre, where cultural events are taking place all over the year attracting young and young at heart. You can also decide to go to hostel Mlada lipa, just 5 minutes from the foot of the Pohorje mountain. And last but not least is the Videc hostel, located on top of Pohorje. Both are great for hikers, mountain bikers and winter enthusiasts.
Photographer: Dusan Vrban
There’s also many other great destinations, which we recommend to you, during your stay in Slovenia. For budget friendly options with high class offer, we invite you to see the list of all the Slovenian Youth Hostels here.
Photographer: B. Kladnik
Stud farm Lipica is one of the oldest stables in the world and the birth place of the Lipizzaner horses. The tradition of raising white horses is over 4 centuries long and placed in the unique karst world and is one of the natural and cultural monuments of Slovenia. Come and see the world of the white horse at the place of its origin and at the great HI hostel membership price.
Postojna cave, is an underground cathedral, where centuries mean nothing. With its 20km of tourist halls, it is one of the longest and riches caves in the world and excellent for tourist visits, for it’s accessible to everyone. It was adored by about 34 million visitors so far, who rode the underground train through the lighted caverns and guided by professional cave guides. With HI membership cards you get to use the student discount.
On the website of Popotniško združenje Slovenije you can also find other offers, where you can get a membership discount, with your membership card.
So, what are you waiting for?! You can start your tour of Slovenia – the heart of Europe – which is also a great base for exploration of the rest of the central Europe and their capitals.
