Slovenia Is “Bella” even when it isn’t white

With this in mind, a study tour for Serbian media representatives, organized by TU Events in cooperation with the Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) and the Slovenian Spas Association, began in Ljubljana, beautifully dressed in the warm colors of autumn. The trip was designed to showcase Slovenia's diverse tourism offer, with a particular focus on its renowned spa and wellness destinations, while also highlighting the country's rich cultural heritage, gastronomy, and natural attractions.

As expected from the "European Green Capital," Ljubljana's city center is closed to motor traffic. Instead of cars, the streets are filled with pedestrians, cyclists, and silent electric vehicles. It is impossible not to notice how dramatically Ljubljana has transformed over the past two decades into a modern, cosmopolitan city and a vibrant cultural capital. Today, thanks to the growing number of visitors from around the world, finding a hotel room, a restaurant table, or even a seat at the theater or a concert often requires advance planning.

Every neighborhood boasts outstanding restaurants where international cuisine is complemented by Mediterranean and traditional Slovenian specialties, accompanied by a wine selection worthy of much larger and more established wine regions. Everything seems to function effortlessly-fast, quiet, and smooth-but behind that apparent ease lies hard work, dedication, innovation, and advanced technology. At the heart of it all is Ljubljana's strong commitment to multiculturalism, a spirit that resonates throughout the region and across Europe.

 After strolling across the famous Triple Bridge, we headed to Ljubljana Castle, the city's magnificent medieval fortress perched just a few minutes above the bustling streets below. Since the funicular railway was introduced in 2006, reaching the castle has become both quick and comfortable.

Throughout the year, this historic landmark successfully balances its rich past with a lively present. Today, Ljubljana Castle hosts receptions, press conferences, concerts, exhibitions, theatrical performances, and offers exceptional dining experiences within its historic walls.

Leaving the castle behind, we descended toward the Slovenian coast. Our next destination was the charming seaside towns of Piran and Portorož, home to the LifeClass Hotels. The elegant Grand Hotel Portorož 4* Superior became our home for the first night of the journey.

The LifeClass group consists of six hotels, one five-star property and five four-star hotels located in the heart of Portorož, Slovenia's most prestigious coastal resort. Together they offer 775 rooms, excellent restaurants, modern conference facilities, and an extensive selection of thermal and wellness experiences. Alongside treatments typical of the region, such as sea mud wraps, sea salt exfoliations, and saltwater baths, guests can also enjoy authentic Indian Ayurvedic therapies and traditional Thai massages. Several indoor pools filled with seawater and thermo-mineral water, combined with a comprehensive sauna complex, complete a wellness offer that, according to our hosts, attracts visitors throughout the year.

The Portorož and Piran region stretches along Slovenia's Adriatic coastline, from the Italian border to Croatia, embracing the full diversity of Slovenian Istria. Thanks to its mild Mediterranean climate, the area is especially pleasant during autumn, inviting visitors to enjoy leisurely walks along the seafront promenades. Here, centuries-old traditions blend naturally with a contemporary lifestyle. Gastronomically, premium olive oil, freshly caught seafood, locally produced salt, and excellent wines define Istrian cuisine, ranging from simple traditional dishes to refined gourmet creations.

The following warm October morning, we set off for our next destination-Novo Mesto. Nestled in the heart of the Dolenjska region along the Krka River, the town has developed into an important industrial center thanks to its favorable location, with strong automotive and pharmaceutical industries. Krka, headquartered here, is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At the same time, the area's natural advantages have fostered the development of spa tourism and health resorts.

Our visit to Dolenjske Toplice revealed a spa destination with centuries of tradition. Its thermal springs and surrounding vineyards in the picturesque Krka Valley have attracted visitors for generations. Today, guests enjoy everything from excellent cuisine, massages, fitness facilities, and scenic walking trails to relaxing in thermal pools naturally heated to body temperature. These mineral-rich waters are also widely used in the treatment of rheumatic conditions and rehabilitation following injuries and surgical procedures.

Reluctantly leaving Dolenjske Toplice behind, we continued toward one of the region's true jewels-Otočec Castle, located on a small island in the middle of the Krka River. It is not only Slovenia's only water castle but also the only castle in the Dolenjska region that was destroyed and later completely restored. Its impressive exterior is matched by an equally elegant interior, carefully renovated to preserve its historical charm while serving today as the luxurious five-star Hotel Grad Otočec. Guests can choose from sixteen lavishly furnished rooms decorated with natural materials, while the renowned castle restaurant delights visitors with fresh local ingredients and imaginative cuisine. Outside, the beautifully landscaped park blends seamlessly with the surrounding natural scenery.

With some reluctance, we left this extraordinary place behind-after all, it doesn't take long to grow accustomed to beauty-and continued our journey toward Terme Ptuj, where we would spend the night.

Terme Ptuj, our next destination, had already earned a reputation among our group as the perfect place for some much-needed relaxation. We arrived in the evening, and the lobby of the Grand Hotel Primus 4* welcomed us with what seemed to be the perfect illustration of modern Slovenia. The first thing we noticed was an R2-D2-like robot roaming around and displaying promotional messages from sponsors, while, just a few steps away, a man dressed as a Roman legionary stood beside the reception desk greeting arriving guests. It was a striking combination of a vision of the future and a deep respect for tradition-an excellent formula for an outstanding tourism experience.

Interestingly, although Terme Ptuj is one of Slovenia's youngest spa resorts, it is located in Ptuj, the country's oldest town. The history of Ptuj dates back to the Stone Age, while the Romans later developed it into one of the region's most important commercial centers. Today, its beautifully preserved old town and castle are protected as cultural heritage monuments.

The following morning, we embraced the Slovenian lifestyle by hopping on bicycles. Accompanied by our excellent guide, Janez Kopar, we explored the town while cycling over two-thousand-year-old streets and cobblestones, enjoying picturesque views of Ptuj reflected in the waters of the Drava River. We stopped at Slovenski Square, home to the impressive Orpheus Monument-a five-metre-high Roman memorial that has become the oldest and most recognizable symbol of the city. Its name derives from the relief depicting scenes from the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Nearby, another remarkable landmark caught our attention: the Town Tower, whose walls incorporate ancient tombstones, stone reliefs and Roman urns. Our walk continued to the Dominican Monastery, founded in the 13th century and rebuilt several times over the centuries, resulting in a fascinating blend of architectural styles. Unfortunately, rain interrupted our sightseeing before we could visit another of Ptuj's treasures-the medieval Ptuj Castle. Today it houses a museum famous for its collection of traditional carnival masks, reflecting the town's centuries-old carnival heritage.

Our journey then continued toward the Rogla ski resort, home to the impressive Treetop Walk tower with a spectacular 40-metre-long slide. Unfortunately, heavy rain and dense fog prevented us from enjoying the panoramic views, so, thoroughly soaked, we returned to our van and continued toward our next destination.

That destination was Thermana Laško, located in eastern Slovenia, just 10 kilometres from Celje. Its healing thermal springs were already known during Roman times, while under the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary, the picturesque town of Laško, nestled along the Savinja River, developed into an elegant spa resort. Opened in 2008, Hotel Thermana Park Laško 4* Superior quickly established itself as one of Slovenia's leading wellness destinations. Its signature attraction is the impressive indoor pool complex beneath a vast glass dome, which opens during the summer and glows with spectacular lighting effects on winter evenings. Above the wave pool, waterslide and lazy river are three suspended whirlpools that offer a unique relaxation experience. During winter, our hosts explained, bathing in the outdoor thermal pool is especially memorable. Gastronomy is another major highlight, with menus focusing exclusively on fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. We thoroughly enjoyed both the cuisine and the exceptional hospitality before continuing our journey.

Terme Čatež is Slovenia's largest natural thermal resort and, thanks to its proximity and extensive facilities, perhaps the country's most popular destination among Serbian visitors. Surrounded by nature and supplied with thermal water emerging at temperatures between 42°C and 63°C, the resort offers virtually everything one would expect from a world-class spa destination. The complex includes three hotels-Hotel Čatež 3*, Hotel Terme 4*, and Hotel Toplice 4*-as well as the unique Indian Village, apartment complexes and an extensive campsite. Throughout the year, guests can enjoy either the Summer or Winter Thermal Riviera. The indoor Winter Thermal Riviera is located within Hotel Toplice, while the outdoor Summer Thermal Riviera features approximately 10,000 square metres of water attractions. Here, too, we experienced the pleasures of Slovenia's famous thermal waters before ending the day with a special dinner prepared by our gracious hosts.

The final morning of our Slovenian adventure greeted us with beautiful weather once again. After breakfast, we headed to Podčetrtek and Terme Olimia. Rich cultural heritage, breathtaking natural surroundings and outstanding gastronomy are just some of the attractions that make Podčetrtek such a popular destination. However, the true jewel of the region is Terme Olimia, repeatedly recognized as Slovenia's leading wellness destination. Its flagship attraction, Wellness Orhidelia, offers an exceptional spa experience where, "in harmony with nature," body and mind are restored through unique sauna rituals, personalized treatments and carefully designed relaxation techniques. Those seeking family fun alongside relaxation will find it at Termalija Family Fun & Relax, an exciting world of pools and water attractions suitable for all ages. Podčetrtek and its surroundings have even more to offer, including Jelenov Greben, where visitors can stroll among freely roaming deer and feed them with corn, as well as the 17th-century Monastery of Olimje, home to one of Europe's oldest pharmacies-the third oldest still in existence.

And so our Slovenian journey came to an end. After lunch, we slowly made our way back to the airport and boarded our flight to Belgrade. Rather than offering a traditional conclusion, I would simply say that Slovenia is a destination worth visiting with many different goals and at any time of the year. Above all, it represents green, intelligent and responsible tourism at its very best.