Set against a backdrop of the glorious Julian Alps, Bled is a captivating little Slovenian town on the edge of glacial Lake Bled. The area’s natural beauty is best seen on a hike into the mountains, offering sweeping views of spruce forests, snow-covered alpine pasture and farmland. The alpine region above the town is dotted with pretty hill towns and villages such as bee-keeping capital Radovljica.

Wedged between Italy and Croatia, Portorož is set on Slovenia’s tiny sliver of Adriatic coast. There are scenic waterfront promenades, charming seafood restaurants and boutiques. Nearby, the medieval town of Piran unfolds with its winding streets and stunning coastal views, while the Sečovlje salt pans reveal Slovenia’s traditional salt-making in a serene wetland haven for birdlife.