sLOVEnia, of course!
5 of the J5Travel team have spent just over a week in Slovenia on our annual team trip. I had visited myself for just a few days in March 2023 and was so enamoured that I managed to persuade the team that this was an exciting destination for us all to explore together.
They now believe me!
Check out our Top 5 highlights below of a country that offers value, no crowds, great wine, great food, incredible scenery, numerous outdoor pursuits and warm-hearted, generous people. Our top supplier for the country is Luxury Slovenia and we are lucky enough to call the owners our friends. Matej and Mattej, affectionately known as T and double-T are remarkable brand ambassadors for their country and you will feel their passion in any Slovenian itinerary you allow us to create for you.
1. Vintage Boat Sunset Tour
It maybe sounds just a little corny, but when you have a private cruise on this beautiful boat and are lucky to enjoy a wonderful sunset, plus you love wine, local cold cuts and olives, then I can honestly say this was one of the best and most relaxing few hours I have ever spent on a tour. Our first hotel, the Kempinski Palace was located in Portoroz on the small slither of Slovenian coastline bordering the Adriatic Sea. We caught the boat just a couple of miles north in Piran and both towns are well worth exploring for old world charm and great local fish restaurants.
2. Škocjan Caves
This incredible cave system (there are over 15,000) is situated in the Kras Plateau of South-West Slovenia. The caves entered on UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural world heritage sites in 1986 and they represent the most compelling underground phenomena in both the Karst region. Slovenia and Europe. Photos 700 ft underground are not my strong point and the picture gives you no idea of the scale. But, if the Statue of Liberty was placed at the level of the underground river you can see, she would not touch the ceiling!
You do need to handle a lot of steps for this adventure, both down and up.
3. Hotel Milka
This boutique hotel, with just 6 rooms/suites is uniquely designed, with sumptuous comfort & unparalleled service in an Alpine setting. The small fine dining restaurant has Michelin 2-star status!
Guest comfort here makes you feel like family and friends. and that Milka will be your refuge away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Photo is from my balcony with my in-room morning coffee. It's also a perfect location for the many activities available in the Lake Bled area.
4. Golf
While the rest of the team enjoyed the sightseeing highlights of Lake Bled, I headed instead to play golf at a course rated in the Top 50 in the World.
Royal Bled Golf Club, nestled in the stunning Slovenian Alps, offers a world-class golfing experience. Renowned for its immaculate fairways, pristine greens, and breathtaking mountain views, it's a must-visit for golf enthusiasts. The King's Course, with its challenging layout and serene setting, is among Europe's finest, and I can confirm these were the most pristine fairways I have ever had the privilege to play on. Whether you're a seasoned player or a beginner, Royal Bled combines natural beauty with exceptional golfing, making every round unforgettable. Please don't ask me what I shot!
5. The Singing Lesson
Our one poor day of weather in Slovenia meant we could not complete either kayaking or eBiking which had been on our schedule. But when you have extraordinary partners you work with, sometimes rabbits can be pulled out of the hat! Despite some reticence we were convinced as a team to take a singing workshop (after a quick wine tasting downstairs). This was with maestro Peter Jud, a violinist in the Slovenia Philharmonia orchestra and a renowned opera singer. And so the J5 Choir has been born! There is a video of the main performance, but I have been instructed that this must not see the light of day for at least 30 years. That said, I cannot begin to tell you how much fun this was.
Slovenia could very easily have been a TOP 10 article this week. All the items below were also wonderful experiences we enjoyed. If you are looking for an Italy alternative, then please let us suggest Slovenia for you. As I said, you will find it fantastic value in comparison.
- Groznjan hilltop village - enchanting medieval architecture in an art focussed destination.
- Truffle Hunting + 4-course lunch truffle tasting menu
- Brioni Islands - incredible Roman ruins and 100 million year old dinosaur footprints!
- Rovinj - beautiful coastal town in Istria (north-west Croatia)
- Bled Castle - the mighty Bled Castle offers the finest views of Bled island
Ooh and Prus Family Vineyards! - the best wine tasting experience you could ever imagine, privately with the winemaker.
So if you're ready to take on the LOVE in Slovenia, we're here to make sure you have the most unique experience to make a truly memorable trip. Click the button below to get started planning.
Hi, I'm John, and I'm told I have a cool accent. I absolutely love travel and I am proud to have built a team as passionate about exploring the world as myself. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts. We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.