Although most of us are not allowed to travel currently, I want to help you look forward to the times when you will be able to do it again.
As I come from the most beautiful country in the world – said every person ever about their country – I will share with you 10 reasons why everyone should visit Slovenia.
I was born on the Coast, minutes away from the Italian border, and my childhood consisted of watching Rai 1, listening to Eros Ramazzotti and swimming in every pool I could find (I have a fear of large bodies of water so I avoid the sea).
Then we moved to the countryside, a 3-hour drive away, and suddenly I was freezing in the winter, used German words to describe my outfit, and every autumn people celebrated killing pigs.
It was a big shock and I am still not completely accommodated to this new lifestyle but I get to live a different life with every move I make. New environments mean new people and new people means new lessons.
Slovenia is diverse, unlike any other place you have visited, and I want you to experience everything it has to offer (minus the pig killing, obviously).
We may be small and you probably never heard of us – no, we are not Slovakia-, but we have a big heart. Size doesn’t matter, alright? It’s all about the quality, not quantity.
Here are 10 reasons why you should visit Slovenia:
- It is one of the safest countries in the world.
Did you know Slovenia has been in the top 10 safest countries in the world list for many years now? It’s true and the fact is you are safe to walk around my country whether you are a woman or a minority.
Crime is so low that whenever someone gets murdered, we freak out thinking we are becoming the next USA. It is quite hilarious, actually, but it only proves that we grew up in such a safe environment that any violence surprises us.
- More than half of Slovenia is covered with forests.
We are one of the greenest countries in Europe and if you love trees as much as I do, then you will want to visit our Triglav National Park and forests that are home to many non-human animals, including brown bears, wolves and the Eurasian Lynx.
- We are unique.
Slovenians are too Germanic to be seen as typically Slavic, but too Slavic to fit in with the Austrians and Germans. Add in the influence from Italy and Hungary, and you realize Slovenians are too diverse and unique to be put in a box.
Koper looks like a lovely Italian city and Maribor could be mistaken for Vienna. We contain the whole of Europe in our tiny country and you can tell how much we love our neighbours by listening to our anthem that praises all nations.
- We are an eco-friendly nation.
Ljubljana was chosen as the European green capital in 2016, and people are incredibly passionate about protecting our clean waters, fresh air and moving towards a sustainable future.
Most people, no matter their politics, share the love of gardening and cycling. We love sustainability and spending time in nature so if you want to move, come here.
Being an environmentalist in Slovenia is praised and, honestly, expected.
- We have the oldest vine in the world.
As I don’t drink alcohol this does not appeal to me but a lot of people might want to try a glass of wine made from the fruit that still grows on the oldest vine in the world.
Well, you can find it in Maribor.
- We have the sea and the mountains, and you can visit both in less than 3 hours.
The greatest thing about living in such a small country is the beauty of waking up by the sea and spending your afternoon skiing and admiring the Julian Alps.
You can visit any part of Slovenia in a matter of hours, no matter where your starting point is. If you love to travel and explore new places, coming here is a must.
- We have a human fish!
Yes, we do have a human fish. It is an olm, an aquatic salamander that you can find in the Postojna Cave.
- Some of the best athletes come from Slovenia.
Luka Dončić, Tadej Pogačar, Goran Dragić, Anže Kopitar, Jan Oblak and Samir Handanović are just a few athletes you might have heard of if you follow football, hockey, basketball or cycling.
No, you will probably not run into them but you do get to visit the country that moulded these men into powerhouses they are today.
- Most people speak at least two foreign languages.
I started learning English and Italian when I was 6, was surrounded by people who spoke Croatian throughout my whole childhood, studied Spanish in school, and had three foreign languages in high school (English, Italian and German).
Most people in Slovenia are like me and can communicate in many different languages. That is why travelling around the country is so easy and you need not worry you will be unable to express what you want or need.
- We have clean water.
Yes, you can drink tap water here without the fear of throwing up hours later. It is a privilege we don’t take for granted. Visit us and you too can enjoy the beauty of nature, simplicity and the good life we have here.
You are totally convinced, huh? I know you are.
Honestly, my country is green and wonderful and it offers clean water and fresh air, and everything we humans crave in this busy, chaotic world.
While it is not perfect, life here is much better than in most places on Earth. I feel safe here, and being a woman this is something I value very much. Once again, let me express how aware I am of the privilege I have as a Slovenian person.
I know saying that I am proud of having been born here is stupid as I did not choose it, but I am grateful that I was. I am so very lucky.
This is one privilege I will always acknowledge and never take for granted.
If you want to witness Slovenia through my eyes and learn a thing or two about how to create a sustainable eco-vegan lifestyle along the way, please make sure you are following me on Pinterest and Instagram.
Tanja
