OVERVIEW

Slovenia is often called 'Europe in Miniature', 'The Sunny Side of the Alps', 'The Green Piece of Europe' and, though they may sound like tourist-brochure blurbs, they're all true. From beaches, snow-capped mountains, hills awash in grapevines and wide plains blanketed in sunflowers, to Gothic churches, baroque palaces, historic castles and art nouveau civic buildings Slovenia offers more diversity than countries many times its size. Among Slovenia's greatest assets, though, are the Slovenes themselves - welcoming, generous, multilingual, and broad-minded.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

• You can't choose a bad time to visit Slovenia. There's plenty to do and see in every season. Spring is a very nice season in Slovenia, especially April and May, when colourful wild flowers bloom everywhere on the lush highland meadows. Skiers will find plenty of snow at the winter resorts located at higher altitudes until April. If you're budget conscious, then this time of the year is perfect for a visit because of off-season rates.

Holiday Highlights

• Visit Ljubljana
• Visit Lake Bled
• Excursion to Pletna and Postojna Cave