Written by ANNA TYLER
Despite its breathtaking natural beauty, the central European nation of Slovenia remains off the radar for many travellers.
Yet in an area less than a tenth the size of the United Kingdom you can find towering mountains, picture-perfect lakes, vast caves, elegant cities and fast-running rivers.
With even just a few days at your disposal, it’s easy to pack all the country’s major highlights into your trip without ever feeling like you're in a rush.
Breathe in the beauty of Lake Bled
Chances are, if you’ve only seen one photo of Slovenia, it’s Lake Bled. And the turquoise lake, with a steepled church on a tiny islet and a backdrop of mountains, is just as gorgeous in real life.
Glide across the lake to the island aboard a traditional pletna rowing boat, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters, or hike up the hill to storybook medieval Bled Castle.
For active types, the area offers many hiking opportunities, as well as mountain-biking and canyoning.
And if Lake Bled is a little touristy for your liking, you might find you agree with the many locals who prefer Lake Bohinj, just a 26km drive away, which has a similar alpine beauty.
Stroll the compact capital, Ljubljana
Some European capitals can seem overwhelming, unfriendly or even ugly when you first arrive, but not Ljubljana, which is clustered in a compact pedestrianised area on the pretty Ljubljanica river.
For superb views of the city, take the glass funicular up to Ljubljana Castle, where you can also dine in two of the city’s top restaurants – Gostilna na Gradu and Strelec.
Beneath the castle lies the Old Town, a warren of 19th-century wooden shop fronts, quiet courtyards and cobblestone passageways, as well as the city’s various markets.
A stroll or boat ride along the Ljubljanica river, flanked by elegant colonnades and squares, and crossed by several pretty bridges, is a great way to familiarise yourself with the city.
The lively riverside cafes and bars are the perfect place to relax. Later on, head to quirky Metelkova Mesto, where art installations, nightclubs and more bring a former army garrison to life.
Explore enormous cave systems
Slovenia’s Karst region hides a treasure chest of secrets. Whole rivers have been swallowed up by the porous limestone bedrock and once underground the water has carved vast subterranean landscapes.
Slovenia's most famous cavern is Postojna Cave. The cave has been receiving tour groups since 1819, when the Emperor of Austria Ferdinand I came to visit.
Each hour hundreds of visitors are whisked into the cave on a 3.7km-long underground railway. Inside there are vast caverns filled with elaborate stalagmites and stalactites.
Whilst Postojna brings to mind a baroque cathedral dripping with elaborate mouldings, visiting nearby Unesco-listed Škocjan Caves is like stepping into the pages of The Lord of the Rings.
The highlight of a visit is crossing the jaw-dropping 150m-deep underground canyon – you might wish you had Gandalf with you as you stare into the abyss from the narrow Cerkevnik bridge.