Plan to visit all areas of the country

It's easy to get caught up in Slovenia's western half's beauty, proximity, romance, and popularity. The capital, the Julian Alps, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, the Soa Valley, Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, the country's Gorika Brda wine communities, the hilly Karst Region, and the Adriatic Coast are among the attractions crammed into this area.

It would be a travesty, however, for those who want to truly experience Slovenia to overlook the country's eastern side. Culturally similar to the Balkans, this half of the country is just as interesting and beautiful, and it's also less crowded due to the buzz surrounding western Slovenia.

Begin your exploration of Maribor and Ptuj, which are linked by the Drava River in the country's northeast. There are numerous spa and wellness resorts in the country's central-eastern region that are well worth visiting. For history buffs, no trip to Slovenia would be complete without a visit to the Sava River in the southeast, where dramatic castles dot the landscape.