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The tiny European nation of Slovenia has long been regarded one of the continent's best kept secrets, mixing the affordability of eastern Europe with the natural beauty of the west's most exclusive Alpine retreats.
Planted directly beneath Austria, the country is sandwiched between Italy to the west and Croatia to the east, while also bordering Hungary and reaching out across the Adriatic Sea.
Given its eclectic mix of neighbours - not to mention its long history of imperial occupation - it comes as little surprise that Slovenia is a virtual melting pot of foreign influence, with the Romans, Habsburgs, Austro-Hungarians and Ottomans all leaving their mark on the country's unique language, culture and heritage.
Forgoing a more in-depth historical review, Slovenia's most recent upheaval came in 1991 when it broke away from Yugoslavia. This fortuitous move ultimately paved the way for the development of its fledging tourism industry and it wasn't long before investors from the west realised the potential of the country's vast Mediterranean coastline and green rolling landscape.
Rather than exploiting their extensive natural resources, however, Slovenians have turned their country into a beacon of traditionalism and unblemished natural rustic beauty, combining the most picturesque of medieval town municipalities with a luscious thick countryside peppered with coniferous forests and serene mountain trails.
The coastal town of Piran sports some of the country's finest medieval architecture with its narrow streets, compact houses and iconic sea-front church towers. Comforting swathes of brick-red roofs perched above row after row of impeccably white-washed buildings embody the uniformity and cohesion of the historic small town - home to a mere 16,000 people - but like all of Slovenia's many quaint urban retreats the serenity and isolation of mother nature is never far away.
Head to the north-east, to the deserted mountain range of Pohorje, and you will find some of the finest landscapes in Europe. Overlooking the Southern Limestone Alps, the region entrances all who visit it - a truly marvellous embodiment of unspoilt natural beauty.
Though skiing expeditions to the Alps are of course a popular activity in the winter months, visitors flock to the region all year round to breathe in the fresh country air and enjoy the region's stunning 1,000 square miles of primeval forests, peppered with well-worn walking, cycling and horseback riding paths.
More adventurous tourists can even try their hand at parachuting, hot air ballooning and hang-gliding, but with such an ameliorating mixture of natural scenery on offer there's no shame in slowing to a snail's pace and resigning yourself in awe to the sublime beauty of Slovenia's pristine greenery.
In sharp contrast to the concrete jungle that constitutes much of urban Britain, an incredible 58 per cent of Slovenia's land is covered by forests and this inevitably leads to a vibrant mixture of flora and fauna. Wild deer, boars, hedgehogs and red foxes all share the landscape with a dizzying array of colourful birds and flowers.
Throw in the sun-drenched vineyards that drape the hilly suburbs of Maribor and the underspoken majesty of the enigmatic capital city Ljubljana and it should come as little surprise that Slovenia is affectionately dubbed the Green Heart of Europe by those who know it best.
Book now to discover this under-appreciated gem of central Europe all for yourself.
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