A Magical Winter Break in Slovenia

Slovenia’s largest city and capital since independence 1991, Ljubljana is the country’s cultural, educational, economic and political hub. Emblematic for Slovenia as a whole, it is an extremely pretty and easily manageable place with many wonderful attractions either in the historic centre or within easy reach by road.

With no world famous attractions to tick off, Ljubljana is perfectly for semi aimless wanderings, soaking up the city’s rich history and vibrant cosmopolitan vibe. People watch with a glass of crisp local wines by the Ljubljana, duck into an offbeat gallery, see the opera or head to Metelkova City, a converted military barracks that has become the creative centre of Slovene counterculture. Above all, Ljubljana is a place to be explored.

Meet your local guide for private guided walking tour of Ljubljana city. Ljubljana is one of those central European cities that grabs you with the eternal charm of its classic architecture, beautiful bridges, friendly locals and great food and wine. The architecture of Ljubljana is strongly influenced by the former Austro-Hungarian Empire and its beauty is omnipresent. Some of the famous sights are the Magistrat (Town Hall), the Baroque town mansion, the 18th-century cathedral, the Shoemaker Bridge and the Jewish quarter.

No trip to Ljubljana is complete without taking a water- based tour, and the handmade wooden boat operated by the young team at Laker Craft is easily the most attractive of all the crafts plying the waters of the Ljubljanica. A ride lasts just under an hour, and offers views of most of the Old Town's major sights from a unique vantage point.

Enjoy a meal at AS Aperitivo which has a menu bursting with everything from tapas and pasta dishes to grilled meats and fish.

Set amidst the snowcapped Julian Alps less than an hour from Ljubljana, the mirror emerald lake is small enough to walk around on foot. The beautiful Church of the Assumption, sitting on an islet, dates from 1698. According to local tradition, one who can ring the bell loudly enough will be granted a wish and a husband who can carry his new bride the 99 steps up from the dock into the church will be ensured a happy marriage. With the waters off limits of motorized craft, the island is reached on pletna boat - a huge gondola type vessel - or by rowboat.

Watching over the lake is the imperious Bled Castle. The oldest part of the medieval castle is the Romanesque tower while other buildings were constructed in the Renaissance style during the the 17th century.

Ljubljana is a magical city at Christmas, with twinkling lights, festive decorations and if you're lucky, a dusting of snow. Explore this winter wonderland on foot, visiting the Christmas markets and stopping to recharge and warm up with a steaming mug of gluhwein.

Igloo villages are built from scratch every year and while from the outside they look like huge piles of snow, inside they are an intricate network of tunnels.You'll head to the beautiful Triglav National Park to explore one of the lesser known villages, where you'll enjoy a tour through this little snowy settlement, have a go at building your own igloo and sit down to a delicious local dinner.

Hike through the sparkling winter wonderland on snow shoes that let you cross the snowy landscape.

Take a funicular ride up to the city's most prominent landmark, Ljubljana Castle, which encapsulates the story of Ljubljana over its rich and dynamic history. In the company of a guide, visit the Outlook Tower, the castle's prison, an exhibition Slovenian History and an early 19th century well, with a wooden tread wheel crane for hoisting water, which is still operational today. This is a wonderful opportunity for photo enthusiasts, as the castle commands magnificent panoramic views of the area.

Perched high up in the archer's tower, Ljubljana castle's new restaurant overlooks the city from a grand position. Chef Igor Jagodic, one of the top chefs in Slovenia, and ethnology professor Dr. Janez Bogataj have created an inventive menu of historic dishes made modern.

Explore the charming Slovenian capital at your own pace. Wander along its cobbled streets, explore the boutique shops and Christmas markets and discover attractions such as the Museum of Illusions. This is a fun and interactive museum whose exhibitions, optical illusions and holograms will challenge your perceptions of space and everything you think you know about it.