Slovenia, the story of love

green cities and healthy waters

London, WTM 2015 – November 2nd 2015

Welcome to Slovenia, where the mighty Alps meet the Mediterranean, where the peaceful Pannonian Plain meets the mysterious Karst. Slovenia is a story of mountains and the sea, forests and waters, fields and vineyards and of towns surrounded by nature.

Here in Slovenia nature is extremely generous with her thermal springs and mineral waters. 2016 will be the year in which we celebrate her ‘healthy waters’. Slovenian thermal springs were first developed by the Romans, but now it is your turn to relax in our natural spa pools and indulge in the latest wellbeing treatments.

Or perhaps you’d like to explore our green capital, Ljubljana, with natural spaces at every turn and the Ljubljanica River flowing through its heart. We invite you to find out why Ljubljana has won the European Green Capital Award 2016.

Maja Pak, Acting Director of Slovenian Tourist Board, said:

“This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Slovenian Tourist Board and from the very beginning we have been present at London’s WTM. The main themes for this year are Slovenia as a green, active and healthy place, and of Ljubljana having been named European Green Capital 2016. Continuous presence in the UK market, greater promotion during 2015 and increased visibility in the British media have led to a high growth of tourists from Great Britain, with a 23% increase recorded in the first nine months. As well as mountain resorts and city breaks in Ljubljana, there was increased interest in Slovenia’s natural spas, with 38% more visitors within the first eight months.”

Petra Stušek, Director of Ljubljana Tourism, said:

“The title Ljubljana, European Green Capital 2016 represents an acknowledgment of our work and efforts over the past years and at the same time gives us momentum to continue in this direction. We believe in the development of sustainable tourism, especially for urban destinations. By making the city greener and cleaner Ljubljana will ensure an equal quality of life also for future generations.”

Why you need to feel Slovenia in 2016

Europe’s greenest capital.Forget busy highways andconcrete jungles, our capital is a place of peace and natural beauty with 75% covered in green spaces. From the Ljubljana Botanic Garden to the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship that encircles the city, we invite you to feel the love in Ljubljana, the European Green Capital 2016 and the first destination that successfully passed the certification and has already received a golden certificate of Slovenia Green destination.

Take part in our birthday celebrations. Join us as we celebrate our 25th birthdayin 2016.There’s never been a better time to come and visit us, whether you’re looking for an active city break, a dip in our world famous thermo-mineral pools, a few days basking in the Mediterranean sun or pure white powder snow and stunning Alpine scenery for your skiing and snowboarding holiday.

Play Slovenia’s glorious greens. The IAGTA recently named Slovenia the Undiscovered Golfing Destination of the Year 2015.Beginners and experts alike can play a round in some of Europe’s most stunning landscapes, from the Pannonian Plain, among vineyards and hills, below the Alpine peaks and in the idyllic Karst landscape.

Slovenia is green. Quite literally – an abundance of nature stretches from the Alps in the north and northwest to the Pohorje in the northeast, the Pannonian Plain in the east, and the wine-growing hills and thermal water regions of the southeast. Forests blanket nearly two thirds of the country, while a third is protected within the framework of the Natura 2000 European network.

Slovenia is active. This is the country of vacation and recreation in all seasons, be it skiing, snowboarding and ice climbing in the Slovenian Alps in winter or hiking and biking in summer.This is one of the most diverse natural playgrounds on earth, perfect for hikers, cyclists, skiers, golfers, speleologists, riders, paragliders, kayakers and countless other sport fans.

Slovenia is healthy. Throughout 2016 we will be celebrating Slovenia’s healthy waters, which have been attracting visitors for centuries. Visit our naturaland thermal spas & resorts to enjoy wellness treatments intertwined with centuries-long tradition, experience with thermal waters and the latest discoveries from health experts to enrich your body and invigorate your soul. We’re equally proud of our local food and drink, with wine region GoriškaBrda on the border with Italy having recently been named a European Destination of Excellence 2015.

Press opportunities

We have several group press trips planned throughout the year, and would be more than happy to arrange tailor-made press trips. A few press trip ideas:

The Green Capital Experience.Wander Ljubljana’s many green spaces, visit the Ljubljana Botanic Garden, follow the winding embankments of the Ljubljanica River and indulge in delicious local Taste Ljubljana produce.

Slovenian Spa Indulgence.Follow in the footsteps of the Romans and visit some of the world’s finest natural and thermal spasas we spend 2016 celebrating the healthy properties of Slovenia’s mineral-rich waters.

Adriatic to the Alps.Discover why Slovenia was named the Undiscovered Golfing Destination of the Year 2015, with courses and driving ranges hidden amongst vineyards and beneath mighty Alpine peaks.

Slovenia through the Centuries.Slovenia might be a young and beautiful, turning 25 next year, but the Slovenes are an ancient nation. Learn about the vibrant and intense history from the first settlers, to one of the greatest battle of the Roman times and the turbulent wars of the 19th century that have shaped today’s independent country.

Additional information

Slovenian Tourist Board,

Dimičeva 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija

Tel.: 00386 (0)1 5898 550, Faks: 00386 (0)1 5898 560

Information Office London

Embassy of Slovenia, 10 Little College Street, SW1P 3SH London

P: +44 20 7227 97 13

Tine Murn, Head of UK & Ireland communications,

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