Traveling in Slovenia

[Jason]

Slovenia is one of the greenest European countries and offers landscapes for all tastes. The Alps, the Mediterranean, the lakes, rivers, and falls. In fact, the exuberant Slovenian nature attracts more and more visitors every year.

The country isn't only making green fame for itself. There's heavy investment in making tourist points accessible for everyone. Find out more about this incredible destination here.

Green and Accessible

In 2018, the capital Ljubljana won the Access City prize, the second greenest and most accessible city in Europe. Ljubljana's city centre is completely adapted for people in wheelchairs and vision impairments.

The gaps between stones on the sidewalk and streets are filled to make it smoother for wheels. There's tactile guidance on all sidewalks. The app Better Outdoors offers a channel to complain about any accessibility problems users may have.

Elderly visitors can enjoy tours tailored specially for them, with Feel No Limits. There are tours for disabled veterans that include visits to the coast, the Alps, and more. Even extreme sports are adapted for disabled people, and veterans can have it all: diving, skydiving, skiing, and more.

A Bit of History and Geography

The whole country's region used to be part of the Holy Roman Empire, for almost 1,000 years, until 1806. Later, the area became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

During the rule of the Habsburgs, the Slovenian region was divided into four crown lands. Those were the Littoral, Styria, Carinthia, and Carniola. Each of those regions has its natural and architectural treasures. Get an overview of them below.

Littoral

This southwestern region of the country borders Italy and is bathed by the Adriatic Sea. The area stretches from the sea all the way up the Julian Alps. The Slovene Littoral is a well-developed region economically, being seconded by Ljubljana. The westernmost part of this region is also bilingual, where inhabitants speak both Slovene and Italian.

Styria

Styria is in the north of the country, bordering Austria. It was the Duchy of Styria, and the territory comprised the north of Slovenia and the south of Austria. It's a very historical region that belonged to the Holy Roman Empire until 1806. Then it became a crown land of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I. The region is famous for its vineyards, spas, and of course, the Alps.

Carinthia

Neighbouring Styria, Carinthia has a very similar historical background. Likewise, it used to be a Duchy, borders Austria, and passed by a few empires over the centuries. This region has also made massive investments in inclusion and accessibility.

Carniola

Carniola is where the Slovenian capital is. During Austro-Hungarian times, it used to be divided into three other parts. Those were the Upper Carniola, the Lower Carniola, and the Inner Carniola. Officially, those divisions don't exist anymore. However, those divisions are still mentioned by local inhabitants.

Final Thoughts

Slovenia is a country with an incredibly rich history and well-preserved culture. Across its traditional regions, historical sites are accessible for people with disabilities. The country also offers fun and adventure for everyone.

View full article