An Outdoor Adventurer's Five-Star Guide to Slovenia

Explore natural cave structures in the Alps: The natural cave structures of Slovenia are a must-do. Postojna cave is the most popular to visit, and provides you with an open-air train ride through the structure with a guide. These caves can also be seen in conjunction with Predjama castle — a medieval castle built into the mountain side. If you want to visit a cave a little off the beaten path, consider the Skocjan caves, where you can explore the underground wonders on foot.

Go rafting on the Soča river. It's famous for its part in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. The Soča river is clear and blue, and it's a great way to cool down from the summer heat. It’s considered the best white water rafting in Slovenia, but if that is above your adventure-tolerance, it can also be explored by kayak, canoe or swimming!

Zipline in the mountains: A truly unforgettable and thrilling experience. Slovenia offers two zipline parks that will be sure to bring the adrenaline rush. Expert local guides who will take care of all the details for an easy adventure will take up the mountain for you.

Hike the Vintgar Gorge: One of the most beautiful experiences, hiking up the river through the gorge is a bucket-list item. The gorge, which is carved in by the Radovna river, is accessible by a wooden bridge built into its side. You will take the bridge one-way through the gorge, criss-crossing above the river along the way. Quite literally, a picture-perfect time!

Visit a planina: Velika planina is the largest shepherd settlement in Europe, set high up in the mountains surrounding Slovenia. It is a plateau village surrounded by the Alps, and consisting mainly of shepherd huts and cows! The views are spectacular. The people are friendly, and make sure you grab a bite of fresh yogurt from the local farmers.

Explore Triglav National Park: This national park holds the most famous peak in the country, Triglav (meaning “three-headed one”) - most notably seen on the Slovenian national flag. If you're ready for a hard three-hour hike, you can climb to the top of Triglav. But make sure you go with a local guide to avoid storms and unsafe conditions. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, there are many less dangerous hiking trails to explore this northern part of the Julian Alps.

Swim in one of the many lakes: All of Slovenia’s waterways are worth taking a dip in. Because most are fed straight from the mountain rivers surrounding them, the water is crystal clear and clean. My two favorites are Lake Bohinj (with absolutely stunning views of the mountains) and Lake Bled (notable for its island in the center of the lake!).

Beach day on the Adriatic Sea: If you’re looking for something with a more low-key vibe, I recommend hitting the beach in Piran. In one of the few seaside towns in Slovenia, you can relax on the water, eat a meal with beautiful views of the sea or rent a sailboat to have a full five-star experience.

Milka: Located in the hotel Milka, this Michelin-starred restaurant serves up a Nordic-inspired menu made from all local ingredients. Set on a lake, the views will provide you with the quintessential Slovenian experience.

Hiša Franko: Set in the Soča Valley, this Michelin-starred restaurant was featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table. The restaurant is set in a greenhouse and serves up incredible views of the mountains as you dine on local cuisine.

Grič: Set high up in the mountains, this dining experience will keep your adventure going after your day-time excursions. Also a Michelin-starred restaurant, Grič has humble beginnings — it started as a local haunt.

Guesthouse Novak: Set on a family-run bed and breakfast, this location provides a personalized Slovenian wine experience. It is a must-do if you love wine and want to be immersed in the local culture while surrounded by stunning scenery.

Kmetija Odems: This local farm is home to some of the best yogurt I’ve ever had! The Ovsenik family runs the dairy farm in a small town just outside of Ljubljana.