| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 03/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 36 |
| Copyright: Other |
Product overview by Matthew Bond
Operators make a bee line for peak practise
Slovenia offers more than meets the eye
From its stunning Julian Alps to its 46 km of coastline, Slovenia could be described as small but perfectly formed.Although operators are worried that people see the destination as a bleak and war-torn country, the reality could not be much further from the truth. Indeed, there are not many countries where your activity options include skiing, hiking and dormouse hunting. Use our guide to sort the best from the bizarre:
Spas
If relaxation is high on the agenda, Slovenia has 16 spa resorts from which to choose.
Whether your client is mentally or physically drained, there is no shortage of remedies on offer from fruit compresses to vapour inhalation.
Both the mentally or physically strained there are no shortage of places to indulge in a fruit compress or vapour inhalation, or any number of de-stressing remedies.
The Health Resort at Rogaska, in the east on the Croatian border has been used since the 1960s and is the longest-established health spa in the country.
It offers a comprehensive range of treatments alongside the spa facilities for rehabilitation, gastrointerological and metabolic conditions.
There is also a beauty centre, tennis courts, horse riding, a small golf course and in winter, ski-slopes with artificial snow.
Thermalia Travel features two packages to the resort – The Big Magnesium Cure and Slimming Programme.
The Big Magnesium Cure leads in at £517 per person for seven nights, which includes one medical consultation, gymnastics and one treatment as prescribed by the physician every day. The package also includes return flights to Ljubljana, return transfers and half-board accommodation.
Calming waters: de-stress in one of Slovenia’s 16 spa resorts
Climb every mountain:walkers have an abundance of options
Activities
Activity holidays are abundant in Slovenia, with opportunity for horseriding, skiing, white-water rafting, fishing, ballooning, golf and sailing to name a few.
Mountain sports are the most popular and the biggest resorts can be found in the Julian Alps such as Kranjska Gora, which regularly hosts World Cup ski races. Advanced skiers may decry the lack of hair-raising black runs but for the beginner and intermediate there are plenty of blues and a few reds to tackle.
Slovenia is also ideal for the party crowd, as the cost of apres ski here is rated among the lowest in Europe. A small beer costs around 80p, a bottle of house wine £3.60 and a pizza £2.90.
First Choice, Thomson Ski and Snowboarding, Balkan Holidays and Crystal all have skiing product here.
A Crystal spokeswoman said: “Slovenia represents exceptionally good value. It has a similar feel to Italy and Austria plus a good standard of hotels.” Crystal’s seven-night lead-in for this winter, including a half-board stay in a four-star hotel by Lake Bled, and free drinks with all evening meals is £289.
For mountain sports of a less frantic nature, Slovenia can cater for walkers after everything from a gentle stroll in the hills to an assault on the summit of a mountain
A number of operators including Thomson and Inghams feature Slovenia in their summer lakes and mountains programme. “It is going extremely well and we plan to extend our product next year,” said a Thomson spokeswoman.
The Postojna Caves are considered to be the largest in Europe and their limestone chambers and impressive stalagtites and stalagmites are a must see. The area also teems with wildlife, including brown bears and golden eagles.
Thomson Lakes and Mountains sells a three-star hotel at Bohiny, in the heart of the Triglev National Park, with a seven-night half-board lead in of £325, with extras including daily packed lunches, bicycle hire and a free panoramic flight over the National Park and Julian Alps.
Only in Slovenia…
The thought of pursuing cute, furry creatures for fun may seem strange to most people but the Slovenians take it very seriously.
The Slovenian dormouse hunt starts in the Michaelmas season in September and is extremely popular with locals.
Slovenian dormice are completely different from the UK variety, weighing in at up to 500g. Measuring up to 18cm long, they are classed as forest pests and numbers have to be controlled.
Tourists can become involved in the hunt and although no operators sell it specifically, there are certain hotels and guesthouses that will gladly arrange it.
Beekeeping is almost an art form in Slovenia and can be admired at what could be the world’s only bee museum.
Situated just outside Lake Bled, admission is just £1 and for most of the year, a horse drawn carriage can take you there.
If you don’t fancy that, stay at your hotel and the bees might come to you. A travelling beehive goes around the entire country throughout the year.
Chocolate heaven can be found at the Olimje Monastery, close to the Atomske spa resort in the east of the country.
Not your usual monastery visit, the monks here handmake and then sell chocolate. Those who do not have a sweet tooth can buy handmade olive oil and ointments.
Lake Bled: a popular spot for nuptials
Weddings
In July each year the Rikli’s Days festival at Lake Bled celebrates the life of the man who brought health tourism to Slovenia over 100 years ago. The festivities include fireworks and the placing of 10,000 white candles in the lake, floating on eggshell halves.
Couples looking for a wedding with a difference can get married on the same shores in wonderful surroundings.
Crystal Weddings sells a comprehensive package which includes the ceremony and reception for £850 per couple.
Also included is a horse-drawn carriage to the shore and a Slovenian gondola ride across the water to an island on the lake where the ceremony takes place.
Programme controller Stefan Popovich said the package was very popular, especially during summer.
“It is a unique selling point and is quite unusual due to the spectacular venue,” he said.
Flights and accommodation are also available at £319 per person for seven-nights’ half-board in a four-star hotel.
The honeys: visit the bee museum