Slovenia is a young a republic, only about 15 years old, part of the former Yugoslavia. It's just east of Italy and south of Austria with spectacular mountains, the Julian Alps, which are just perfect for hiking. The people are friendly, the country is immaculate, the food is wonderful. The relative unanimity of the region has made it a unique and untouched location, unlike anywhere else in Europe.
Slovenia has a population of two million, of whom the vast majority are ethnic Slovenes. People hailing from the other former Yugoslav republics make up a significant minority, albeit less than 10% of the total population. The Italian and Hungarian ethnic communities have protected minority status, despite their small size.
The collision of four major European geographical units has created a very invigorating landscape, much of it thickly forested. More than a third of the country’s area is protected. The location of the Bled village is a day hike away from Italy and Austria, winding through dense woodlands and stunning limestone peaks. Castles from as far back as the 12th century infuse the landscape with storybook views.
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