Culture Trips Feel-Good Places To Visit In 2021 Slovenia

Sustainable tourism is a huge consideration for many people looking for travel inspiration right now. Slovenia ranks highly in this category, thanks to its emergence as a trendy destination during a time when an ethical way of exploring new places comes to the forefront. Here’s a look at a country that’s making the most of its natural beauty and the great outdoors.

Here at Culture Trip, we’ve seen a massive rise in searches for Slovenia in recent years. The picturesque Lake Bled is always a big draw, with misty scenes that make for perfect social-media posts. The great thing about this Central European country is that it lives up to its own hype, guaranteeing fantastic value for money, a wide selection of enchanting places to explore and a lack of crowds even during peak season.

Ljubljana, the cultural and economic centre of Slovenia, has been designed to make the most of its natural parks and historic architecture, creating an environment that is easy to navigate even on your first visit. There are many must-visit attractions in the capital, but even if you’re just after a relaxing short break, you can simply wander around the pretty streets and narrow pathways at your leisure.

Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital, is a lovely city to roam

One of the reasons Slovenia is seen as a sustainable tourist destination is that it can entice visitors to different corners of the country with relative ease. In the northwest is the Julian Alps, home to Lake Bled, while on the border with Austria you’ll find several outstanding ski resorts that are among the best in Europe. Winter-sports enthusiasts looking for a fresh challenge should consider this region instead of the more traditional yet overcrowded locations such as Switzerland and Austria.

To the west, Slovenia shares a border with Italy, and in the south, there’s an even longer connection with Croatia. Slovenia is an important crossroads between countries – a reputation that has seen it influence its neighbours and vice versa. As such, the majority of tourists who enter the country come from Italy, Germany, Austria and Croatia. Many bring their own vehicles or rent when they arrive, as the road network stretches throughout the country. While there is a train service here and regular buses, your best bet to get around is your own set of wheels.

Towering mountains in the north, rolling hills and calm lakes throughout, as well as an overall pleasant climate, make for a destination we can’t wait to return to in 2021.

Feel-good places to stay in Slovenia

1. Hostel Celica

Hostel

Let’s start with an unlikely candidate. There are several luxury hotels in Ljubljana perfect for romantic holidays, but how about a night behind bars instead? This former prison (no really) has converted each cell into rooms with a difference, with walls featuring works of art to transport you away from the building’s previous life. We think a stay with a difference is one of those experiences that will remain with you for a long time after your holiday, although perhaps don’t ask for porridge for breakfast.

2. Vila Bled

Hotel

A table with orange juice, coffee and croissants on the terrace at Vila Bled, with a view of Lake Bled outside

At Vila Bled, you have direct access to Lake Bled for water-based adventures, or you can simply relax on the terrace while taking in the fairytale views. The hotel also has an award-winning restaurant, specialising in seasonal and local ingredients. We previously picked out this property as a candidate for the ultimate minimoon escape.

3. Hotel Piran

Hotel

We haven’t spoken much about the coast yet, so here’s our chance, with this remarkable hotel. This property claims to be only five steps from the sea, and from looking at the pictures, that seems about right to us as well. The town of Piran is famed for its medieval architecture, and this boutique hotel is a budget-friendly place to stay as you start to explore the setting.

4. Kempinski Palace Portorož

Casino Hotel, Chain Hotel, Love Hotel, Spa Hotel

The classy restaurant at Kempinski Palace Portoroz, with a chandelier and white tablecloths on the tables

Also on the coast, the Kempinski Palace Portorož takes a far more luxurious approach. The timeless decor is reminiscent of the grand hotels that once attracted the rich and famous to far-flung destinations, but this is a modern classic fit for today’s discerning traveller. It’s about as glamorous as it gets, and we all deserve a bit of that at the moment.

Methodology

The Culture Trip list features places with a feel-good factor that we can’t wait to visit in 2021 and beyond (once we can travel again). It celebrates travel that’s good and makes you feel good. The destinations are dedicated to sustainability; they offer something new and exciting, or an unforgettable moment that will make us fall in love all over again with the world we’ve missed in 2020.

Culture Trip compiled the list based on insights and recommendations from its global community of travel experts and local insiders, combined with search data from millions of users from around the world to understand interest in those destinations.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.