Green, active, healthy

SLOVENIA

Green. Active. Healthy. www.slovenia.info

Slovenia is a green country.

The vastness of its forests, the sheer abundance of clean water, the preservation of biological diversity and the country’s commitment to sustainable tourism are the major reasons that Slovenia deserves its place among the green wonders of Europe.

In recent decades, incredible opportunities for sports and recreation have made the country a dream destination for lovers of hiking, cycling, skiing, canoeing, golf and other outdoor activities. If you’re looking for activity or adventure close to nature, there’s something for you at any time of the year...

Green inspirations.

You will find inspiration everywhere: in the view from your window, on your dinner plate and in your glass, in every breath drawn in the midst of our forests, in a drop of water on your skin, in the wind that blows in your direction, in the darkness of a mysterious Karst cave, in the centre of a town encased by greenery or in the sun beyond the summits of the Alps. Slovenian nature will truly inspire your individualism. This is a country for curious and demanding people who like to experience the natural environment with their entire being.

Active Slovenia.

Slovenian nature is the playground for our numerous world class sporting champions. Relative to our population, we consistently out-perform the competition in terms of medals won at major events from the Olympics to World and European Championships in individual disciplines. A country of 2m is waiting to welcome you to its truly great outdoors...

Visit Slovenia.

Two million inhabitants living within approximately 20,000 km2 and among them so many winners! There are a myriad of people who live healthily and feel good, inspired by Slovenian nature every day. You can join them!

Come and meet Slovenia! Be active in a green country.

It’s healthy!

Choose your active holidays www.slovenia.info/activeholidays

Slovenia, tourist map, 1:630 000 - 2010, 2nd edition / Published by: Slovenska turistična organizacija (Slovenian Tourist Board) / Concept and editing by: Primož Kete, Prof. Branko Rojc, PhD / Cartographic processing, mapping and page layout: Geodetski inštitut Slovenije (Geodetic Institute of Slovenia), Jamova 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia / Sources: Turistična karta Slovenije, 1:500,000 (2008); data from the Geodetic Institute of Slovenia and data from the Slovenian Tourist Board. / All rights reserved. Any copying, duplication or remaking of the map in part or in whole is prohibited without the prior approval of the Geodetic Institute of Slovenia.

National border

Conference venue

Palace, castle

International border crossing

Golf course

Museum, art gallery

Main road

Tourist cave

Natural heritage site

Scenic railway, vintage train

Wine-growing region

Site of archaeological importance

International airport

EDEN - European Destination of Excellence

Technical monument, mine

Sports aerodrome

Canoeing, rafting

Cultural heritage monuments recommented for visitors

Cable car

Triglav National Park

Site of architectural importance

Tourist information

Regional Park

UNESCO world heritage site

Port, marina

Slovenian Alpine path

The Geodesic centre of Slovenia

Winter sports resort

European long distance footpaths E-6, E-7

Zoo

Spa

Church

Casino

Monastery, convent

THE FIRST SLOVENIAN OLYMPIC WINNER

IZTOK ČOP

Bled.

Gold medal, Sydney Olympics 2000, rowing – double scull // Bronze medal, OG Barcelona Olympics 1992, rowing – pairs

SLOVENIA IS GREEN DIVERSITY. Home to the Julian Alps, a Mediterranean coast, the Pannonian Plain and the eponymous Karst region, wherever you travel in the country Slovenia’s nature is utterly imposing. At iconic Bled, deciduous forests give way to snowy peaks, themselves magically reflected in the waters of a lake widely considered among the most beautiful in the world.

By tradition, newlyweds ring the bell in the 15th-century church on the island in Lake Bled for good wishes; more recently however, the bell has been used to celebrate victories by the participants of important rowing events on the lake or to signify other notable achievements by climbers, hikers and even anglers!

The Julian Alps are home to numerous winter sports resorts including Kranjska Gora, Vogel, Kanin, Planica (ski-jumping) and Pokljuka (biathlon & cross-country skiing).

Triglav represents the highest peak at 2864m and it is said every Slovenian should attempt to climb it once in their lifetime.

THE POHORJE HILLS – MARIBOR. A forest reserve full of extraordinary natural features.

PERSISTENCE PERSONIFIED

PETRA MAJDIČ

Lovrenška lakes. Pohorje.

Bronze medal, Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010, cross-country skiing – sprint // Recipient of the Terry Fox Award for courage and determination in Vancouver

JALOVEC. An awe-inspiring 2600m + high peak in the Julian Alps.

Whether exploring on crosscountry skis during the winter or on foot during the summer, setting an active pace with Nordic walking or cycling on maintained tracks – Pohorje in Slovenia’s east represents another landscape variation.

It is home to the Lovrenška lakes, a botanical, zoological and hydrological feature that is unique within Southern Europe surrounded as they are by vegetation growing on a peat bog and filled only by precipitation.

36% of Slovenia’s land belongs to the Natura 2000 European green network while with almost 60% of the country forested Slovenia is one of the most wooded countries in Europe.

WORLD RECORD HOLDER

MARKO BALOH

Logarska valley.

World record ultra-cyclist in multiple disciplines (12 & 24 hours, 200 miles & 1000 km) // Winner of the USA RAAM pairs race, 2008

SLOVENIA PRESERVES NATURE’S BEAUTY. Slovenia is a land for challengeseekers! The best show their strength in the Olympic Games and in the most demanding World Championships. However Slovenia and its natural wonders offer an inspiration for numerous other titles in all areas of life and work. Slovenians in the Guinness Book of World Records include Marko Baloh as well as an ultramarathon swimmer, a longdistance biker who travelled the world on her own, a climber who was the first to descend from the world’s highest mountain on skis, a band whose song has been the most broadcasted in the world and several others.

THE RADOVNA RIVER. A fly-fishing paradise.

Protected areas represent a large part of Slovenia. Triglav National Park, one of the Europe’s oldest, and the area around Solčavsko, where the Logarska valley landscape park dominates, have both been awarded European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) titles. The Soča river valley offers adrenaline rushes in narrow gorges whether from the water or the air, coupled with new explorations along paths linking First World War monuments. Logarska valley belongs among the most recognisable natural pearls of Slovenia, while special adventures are promised by a panoramic path leading above the valley to the Solčavsko region. Mountain farms work to preserve Slovenia’s ancient rural tradition and offer local natural produce for visitors’ enjoyment.

WORLD CHAMPION

PETER KAUZER

The Soča river valley.

Gold medal, World Championship Bratislava, Slovakia 2011, kayak-canoe - slalom wild water (K-1) // Winner of the World Cup 2009 season

Slovenia is blessed with more river water per inhabitant that most European countries. Picturesque mountain streams, intermittent springs and glorious waterfalls complement rivers such as the Soča and the Savinja. And where there are rivers so there are well-kept hiking paths...

THE Grmečica WATERFALL. Slovenia is a land of waters and waterfalls.

THE NOBILITY OF THE CLASSIC SCHOOL

LIPICA STUD FARM TEAM

Lipica. KARST.

Hosts of and participants in numerous International Equestrian Association (FEI) events, including World Cup Dressage, World Cup ShowJumping and the World Pony Driving Championships

SLOVENIA - LAND OF ACTIVITIES. The whole country is easily accessible from the capital Ljubljana. Just 50 kilometres to the west are the astounding Karst region with its abundance of underground limestone caves and the 500-year old horse-breeding tradition of the Lipica stud farm. Two hours in the country’s east are the distinctive ethnographic features of the Pannonian Plain and the wine-producing slopes that surround it. On your way east why not stop in the ancient town of Ptuj or pay a visit to Slovenia’s second city Maribor, which has the honour of hosting the European Capital of Culture in 2012 along with other local partner towns. Wherever you go, expect rapid changes in landscape and local culture. Why not explore the Karst from the back of a Lipizzaner horse, view Maribor by river raft or relax on the golf course near Ptuj!

Equestrian clubs and with riding opportunities are available all over Slovenia. The most famous is Lipica stud farm that has been a cradle of Lipizzan horses for more than 500 years: these horses are born black yet turn an elegant white in adulthood when they are used for ceremonial duties around the world. Lipica is in the Karst region – a limestone landscape of underground rivers and caves that gave its name to similar geological phenomena elsewhere.

THE POSTOJNA CAVE. A world-renowned underground nature sight!

The most visited cave in Europe.

A NEW FIELD OF SUCCESS

MATJAŽ GOJČIČ

Ptuj.

The first Slovenian golf player to qualify for the European Tour // Member of the Slovenian Golf Team

MARIBOR 2012. The European Capital of Culture.

In Lipica, not far from the stud farm, is one of Slovenia’s golf courses and golf practice areas (and the only one open throughout the year). Arguably the most beautiful background-setting for golf is provided by the Alps near Bled however!

The European Capital of Culture that Slovenia hosts in 2012 will integrate the festival’s home Maribor with nearby towns including Velenje with its unique industrial heritage, Ptuj with its antique features, Novo mesto with its astonishing archaeological finds, Murska Sobota with its rural culture and Slovenj Gradec in its capacity as a global city of peace. The European Basketball Championship will also be hosted across various Slovenian towns in 2013.

ON THE WAY TO THE TOP

VASILIJ ŽBOGAR

Piran.

Silver medal, Beijing Olympics 2008, sailing – laser class // Slovenia’s first ever representative in the America’s Cup

SLOVENIA - LAND OF HEALTH. Blessed with a largely Mediterranean climate and with the riches of the Adriatic Sea nearby, Slovenia is a land full of health and wellness centres. Offering preventive and curative medical programmes along with alternative programmes for the preservation of good health, they are often based around the dozens of naturally-occurring thermal springs in the country. Relaxation is never far away and is further enhanced by the distinctive local cuisine and superb range of wines.

The Slovenian coast, while relatively short, offers the visitor great diversity: from the Mediterranean soul of the medieval town Piran to Portorož’s pleasant and relaxed vibrancy to Koper’s 15th century Praetorian palace, the influence of the Venetian tradition on this side of the Adriatic remains strong. Whether swimming, sailing or just sunbathing – Slovenia’s seaside has something for all.

THE ROGAŠKA HEALTH RESORT. A place of health and well-being going back 400 years.

NEW ACHIEVEMENTS

ANJA KLINAR

The Šmarješke Toplice Thermal Spa. Slovenian health resorts.

Silver medallist, European Swimming Championships, Eindhoven 2010 – women’s 400 m individual medley // Swimmer of the year 2009 & 2010

THE COPEK MILL. The Prekmurje region entices with its romantic, ethnological heritage.

Natural health resorts can be found on the Adriatic coast as elsewhere in Slovenia - near the wine slopes in the east or south of the country, on the Pannonian Plain, sheltered by the hilly Pohorje or near the old towns. Each one of them will surprise you with its individuality!

Don’t forget to try some of Slovenia’s rich culinary treasures, attributable to the historic and geographical mixing of Germanic, Slavic and Romanic influences.

Propose a toast with the worldclass wines that have flourished in this fertile region since ancient times and which are enjoying a strong revival today. Improve your health with Cviček, a special Slovenian wine, or with mineral waters that were exported from Slovenia to various European courts centuries ago.

THE BEST SLOVENIAN MARATHON RUNNER

ROMAN KEJŽAR

Ljubljana.

Three-time Olympic participant at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008

SLOVENIA - LAND OF DIVERSITY. Although the variety of Slovenia’s landscapes can be discovered in just a couple of days owing to the country’s compact size, if time permits it’s worth exploring the astounding transitions between towns and nature. Ljubljana, the nation’s capital, offers hundreds of lively street events but also the peace and serenity of green forests and vast marshes accessible within walking distance. The city plays host to a famous marathon every autumn but runners and joggers looking for something less strenuous are catered for as well – indeed pleasant tracks can be found throughout the country, many offering stunning natural views to accompany your exercise.

Along with the Ljubljana Marathon, serious runners may also be interested in events such as the Three Hearts Marathon in Radenci, the Run to Vršič – the highest road pass in Slovenia, the summer night jog around Lake Bled or many other events which take place every year.

THE LJUBLJANA MARSHES. A landscape park, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, because of the presence of prehistoric pile dwellings (or stilt-houses) at the site.

SIMPLY A WINNER

TINA MAZE

Črna na Koroškem. Slovenian ski resorts.

Slovenia’s most successful alpine skier, a double Winter Olympic silver medallist at Vancouver 2010 (slalom & giant slalom) // The World Alpine Skiing Champion from Garmisch Partenkirchen 2011 (giant slalom)

SLOVENIA - A WINTER COUNTRY. In winter, Slovenia’s easily-accessible snow-covered mountain slopes come alive. Numerous well-equipped winter resorts offer conditions for all types of skiing, snowboarding and sledding. At the heart of the stunning Julian Alps is Vogel with spectacular views and challenging possibilities for freestyle skiing. Further north is Kranjska Gora, a World Cup venue for men’s alpine skiing, while to the west is Kanin, the highest-lying ski resort in Slovenia. These are just three of many popular winter locations in this unique part of the country. Winter sport is easily accessible from many larger towns as well. The Maribor Pohorje hills, where the elite women skiers compete in a World Cup race each year, is a short ride by city bus. Krvavec is similarly close to Ljubljana. Connections between Slovenia’s health and ski resorts are well established – why not visit Rogla for instance which hosts World Cup cross-country skiing yet also has a hot thermal spa.

Throughout Slovenia you will find cross-country skiing routes. The most modern facilities for this sport are found at the Pokljuka Sports Centre which has also hosted Biathlon World Cup races in recent years.

Slovenia is also renowned for its ski jumping and ski flying. The ski flying facility at Planica, a valley amidst the Julian Alps, has played host to a number of world records. Planica also has an Olympic Sports Centre in operation which, among other things, has an organised museum collection with a room dedicated to former and present record holders.

PLANICA. A site of the world’s first-ever 200-metre ski jump.

LET SLOVENIA BE AN INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SUCCESS! Many lovers of an active healthy lifestyle have already being inspired by Slovenia. It is used for training by numerous top sportsmen and sports teams from Europe and beyond. The sheer diversity of the landscape makes it suitable for a vast range of sports and outdoor activities while world-class facilities are common throughout.

Selected centres throughout Slovenia provide not only excellent accommodation with individually-tailored diets but also sites suited to a huge variety of sporting disciplines. From high-altitude training to general conditioning, Slovenia has something to offer a professional sportsman at any point in their preparation or recovery schedule.

The selected wellness centres and certified health resorts all over Slovenia, along with the various hotels and training centres, provide the right environment for sportsmen, including: Leading venues include: Olympic Sports Centre, Planica – including a high altitude condition simulator, gym & fitness centre, outdoor fields and other external surfaces, massage and testing areas // www.osc-planica.si Pokljuka Sports Centre – including new external surfaces for biathlon, cross-country skiing and other sports as well as internal fitness facilities // www.center-pokljuka.si Pohorje – Maribor – including the football camps, Arena and Bolfenk, as well as other sports and accommodation facilities // www.pohorje.org Rogla Olympic Centre – the climatic health resort recognized as having among the Top sport facilities, including high altitude rooms and numerous sports surfaces for summer and winter training // www.rogla.eu Kranjska Gora – including winter and summer external sports surfaces, the new Vitranc sports hall and hotel accommodation for teams // www.kranjska-gora.si //

BASKETBALL

SLOVENIA Proud host of the European Basketball Championship for men in 2013. www.slovenia.info/eurobasket

DON’T MISS IT!

Organizing committee of Pokljuka Poslovna cona 37 a 4208 Šenčur T: +386 (0)4 279 19 20 F: +386 (0)4 279 19 05 E: biathlon.pokljuka@siol.net www.biathlon-pokljuka.com

Biathlon World Cup (men’s and women’s) Pokljuka, 12. – 16. DECEMBER 2012 Since 1991, competitors from all over the world have gathered together in the midst of snow-covered forests of the extensive Pokljuka plateau, which hosted the first biathlon world cup competitions. In 2009, Pokljuka was brought to life again with the newly-constructed biathlon centre and the central facility: the Center hotel, which provides competitors and professional staff with direct access to the site. The Pokljuka Sports Centre on the contact point between Bled and Bohinj will tend to professional athletes as well as all other sports enthusiasts and those who merely want to fill their lungs with fresh Pokljuka air and let nature take them over.

Branik Maribor Ski Club Mladinska ulica 29 2000 Maribor T: +386 (0)2 220 88 31 F: +386 (0)2 220 88 39 E: zlata-lisica@sk-branik.si www.goldenfox.org

49th Golden Fox Trophy World Cup: women’s slalom and giant-slalom races Maribor, 26. – 27. JANUARY 2013 Back in 1964, Pohorje and Maribor hosted the first Ladies’ Alpine Ski World Cup. That was also the year the first Golden Fox was born on the “stara Fiska” slope. This trophy has been deeply planted in the Slovenian athletic consciousness as a synonym for first-class Ladies’ alpine skiing that has also left an indelible impression in world skiing. Over and over again, Maribor witnessed the creation of history of Slovenian Alpine skiing. Great victories of Mateja Svet, Urška Hrovat and Tina Maze will and could never be forgotten.

Organising committee Ljubno 2013

Plac 2 3333 Ljubno ob Savinji T: +386 (0)3 583 42 48 E: info@ljubno-skoki.si http://ljubno-skoki.si

Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup Ljubno, 16. – 17. FebruarY 2013 Ljubno is a town in the upper valley of the Savinja river and is a good hour’s drive away from both Ljubljana and Maribor. The town straddles the gate to the wonderful Logarska dolina valley and has lived with ski jumping for more than eighty years.

In the 2011/2012 season, the town of Ljubno has made a step forward in its positioning as a women’s ski jumping venue. Ljubno hosted a historical event – the first women’s ski jumping World Cup season and, hence, joined Planica with its 95-metre jumping hill as the second Ski Jumping World Cup venue in Slovenia.

Vitranc Cup Organizing Committee Borovška cesta 99 a 4280 Kranjska Gora T: +386 (0)4 588 53 00 F: +386 (0)4 588 13 85 E: info@pokal-vitranc.com www.pokal-vitranc.com

52nd World Cup, Vitranc, Trophy World Cup: men’s slalom and giant-slalom races Kranjska Gora, 9. - 10. MARCH 2013 Kranjska Gora is a summer and winter tourist center in the South-Western part of Slovenia at its tripoint with Austria and Italy, the southern part of which reaches into Triglav National Park. Kranjska Gora partly aquired its good reputation as a ski resort from the World Cup in Skiing. The best skiiers in slalom and giant slalom compete every winter on the slopes under Vitranc. During the week during which the Vitranc Cup is organised, the valley and the peaks are lit up with festive colours. Namely, we celebrate more than 50 years of the Vitranc Cup. Come, join us and become our friend.

Ski Association of Slovenia Organizing Committee of Planica Podutiška cesta 146 1000 Ljubljana T: +386 (0)1 513 68 06 F: +386 (0)1 513 68 23 E: planica@sloski.si www.planica.si

World Cup Ski Jumping Final Planica, 22. – 24. MARCH 2013 The breathtaking valley below Ponce, situated in the heart of the Slovenian Alps will yet again serve as the venue for the World Cup Ski Jumping final.

As tradition has dictated for decades, at the end of March, more than 60,000 visitors from all over the world gather in Planica, while millions watch the competition from the comfort of their own homes. We promise you, we will arrange everything necessary to make sure the competitors will fly as far as possible.

Unior Celje Ski Club Organizing Committee of Rogla Aškerčeva ulica 13 3000 Celje T: +386 (0)3 75 76 000 T: +386 (0)1 23 29 264 E: cross-country@rogla.eu E: cross-country-rogla@unitur.eu www.rogla.eu

Rogla Open World Cup in Cross country 2013 Rogla, 20. – 22. DECEMBER 2013 In the idyllic environment of the Zreško Pohorje mountain range, where, in recent years, winter has been generous with natural snow, lies Rogla, which boasts a great 1,517 m above sea level. There are many diverse activities from which to choose on the surrounding white ski slopes, but the highlight of it all is the competition for the Cross-Country World Cup.

www.slovenia.info Slovenian Tourist Board Dimičeva 13 | SI - 1000 Ljubljana tel.: +386 1 589 85 50 fax: +386 1 589 85 60 e-mail: info@slovenia.info Interact with us on: SloveniaInfo

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Published by: The Slovenian Tourist Board / Editors: Lučka Letič, Nataša Tomc / Design and DTP: Studio Terminal Text: Ines Drame / Photography: M. Lenarčič, D. Grögl, D. Wedam, Bobo, M. Rupnik, T. Jeseničnik, M. Vranič, Postojnske jame archives, STO archives, EPK archives / Printer: Littera Picta d.o.o. / Circulation: 30,000, March 2012