Slow Down in Slovenia

If you’re dreaming of a luxury time-out and Slovenia isn’t on your destination short list, it’s time to reconsider. This Central European country’s landscape has a lot to offer, from pastoral countryside and towering, snow-capped mountain peaks, to deep, shimmering lakes resting along beautiful shores and a collection of lovely lodging choices.

Royalty already discovered the Sunrose7 heritage boutique hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica in northwestern Slovenia, and you can, too. This minimalist, adults-only property is located in the Slovenian Alps. The cellar features premium international wines and plenty of local Slovenian selections. There’s also an expansive wellness center with a full menu of massages and therapies, plus Turkish, Finnish and infrared saunas and an infinity pool. Guests have complimentary access to the Aquapark & Wellness Bohinj just across the street from the hotel, a health-centered complex fitted with a variety of swimming pools and its own Sauna Park.

Is indulging your sweet tooth one of your favorite travel perks? Plan a stay at the Chocolate Village by the River, a luxury riverside glamping resort conveniently located on the famed Drava Cycling Route. It’s within minutes of Maribor’s city center, extensive shopping options and cable car transport to Slovenia’s largest skiing, hiking and cycling center. It’s also a few short steps to the world-renowned Teta Frida chocolate factory, where a variety of organic, cocoa-based concoctions are produced. Take a chocolate-making lesson, or enjoy a break at Teta Frida’s Chocolate Café where everything has a chocolate focus. Afterwards, head back to the resort to enjoy a Chocolate Massage or a sauna with a chocolate bath.

Traditional Slovenian chocolate cake along the river in the center of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Photo: Rosshelen | Dreamstime.com

Close to the Italian border, the DAM Boutique Hotel & Restaurant offers visitors a premier luxury escape with a choice of seven guestrooms and two suites, all designed by Ksenija Đorđević. The property is in the town of Nova Gorica, owned by Slovenian celebrity chef Uroš Fakuč. Local touches include regional dishes, and artwork in guestrooms and shared spaces created by up-and-coming Slovenian artist Klemen Brun.

From a culinary perspective, travelers to Slovenia intent on savoring destination-based cuisine are in for a treat. Slovenia offers three wine-growing regions and 24 distinct gastronomic regions — a bounty from which local award-winning chefs draw from, including Ana Roš, recognized as the 2017 World’s Best Female Chef. Owner and head chef of the much-lauded Hiša Franko restaurant, Chef Roš was featured in the Netflix documentary Chef’s Table. Her restaurant is currently ranked No. 48 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Slovenia was also named the European Region of Gastronomy 2021 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism; and was noted in 2019 as one of the BBC’s Top Foodie Destinations.