Curiosities / The beauty of Slovenia through the eyes of the foreign media

Slovenia as a sustainable and natural gem that everyone must experience.

Date: 11. 10. 2023

"As far as the eye can see, there is dreamy beauty. Where is a more beautiful world to be found? Is there a place more wondrous than home? From the mountains, I gaze into the distance, over the hills, the valleys, the mountain peaks. In the distance, I see the blue sea. Is there a place more wondrous than home?"

This is how the legendary band, Avsenik, wonder about Slovenia's natural beauty in the popular song, "Slovenia, whence thy beauty?", with the world becoming more and more aware of the charms of our small but magical corner of the world. A small, beautiful, mysterious, sustainable and magical country that has everything – just to name a few of the adjectives foreign journalists have used to describe their experience of Slovenia in the past year.

Slovenia - natural beauty and sustainable tourism

National Geographic: Slovenia among the 25 most extraordinary destinations for 2023

National Geographic’s global editorial team profiled Slovenia and the Slovenia Green Gourmet Route as one of the 25 most extraordinary places and communities to inspire your next trip in the “Nature” category. As such, Slovenia is one of the eight European destinations that made it to the list of 25 selected destinations. (Photo: Andrej Tarfila, www.slovenia.info)

Lonely Planet: Slovenia among the top 10 destinations in 2022

Slovenia is one of the greenest countries in the world. This has also been noticed by world-renowned travel guide Lonely Planet, which ranked Slovenia in fifth place among the top 10 destinations worth visiting in 2022. In addition, the distinguished guide has placed a photograph of the coastal town of Piran on the cover of its 2022 book edition of Best in Travel.

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The Guardian: Piran among the top 22 ideas for a sustainable holiday in 2022

The seaside town of Piran, with its romantic streets and medieval Venetian architecture, wins the hearts of all who visit. It has also convinced the reputable British media outlet, The Guardian, which ranked the Slovenian coastal gem among its top 22 sustainable holiday ideas for 2022. In addition to the calm cosmopolitan ambience that the city has preserved, despite many social and political changes over the centuries, focus is also drawn to the city's rich culinary offer.

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Condé Nast Traveler: Slovenia once again among the top 10 sustainable destinations

Condé Nast Traveler, one of the most prestigious and influential media outlets in the field of tourism, has ranked Slovenia on its list of the twelve most sustainable destinations worth a visit, for the second year in a row. The tourism media giant was first and foremost convinced by Slovenia's orientation towards sustainability, which is also reflected in the local seasonal cuisine, which follows the trend of climate responsibility.

The Times: The Julian Alps among the 12 most sustainable destinations

A large part of the Julian Alps is located in the Triglav National Park. The protection of the area and its natural and cultural heritage thus requires the responsible establishment of paths and routes for outdoor activities. It is this balance between man and nature that is highlighted by the British media outlet, The Times, which ranked the Julian Alps on its list of the 12 most sustainable destinations.

Virtuoso Life: Slovenia among the top 10 destinations in the world worth visiting in 2022

What convinced Virtuoso to include Slovenia on its list of the top 10 destinations in the world for 2022? The world's leading network of agencies specialising in luxury and experiential travel, highlights, among other things, the country's boutique geographical diversity, which puts the capital of Ljubljana with its UNESCO-protected architectural heritage within day-tripping distance of seaside villages and the three excellent wine-growing regions that still fly under the radar on the US market.

Men's Journal: Slovenia among the best places for "optimistic" travellers

The American publication, Men's Journal, also paid special attention to Slovenia, which is included on its list of the best places for “optimistic” travelers. The article highlights Slovenia's diversity, reflected in the landscape as well as gastronomy and wine.

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Sustainability certifications

At Sava Hotels & Resorts, we want what is best for our guests and our planet, and we believe in the present and future of sustainable tourism, digitalisation, and the coexistence of tourism with the local environment, which we pursue in shaping our offer. The latter is prepared in accordance with the Strategy for the Sustainable Growth of Slovenian Tourism, which emphasises green, healthy, active, and sustainable. This is also demonstrated by the numerous sustainability labels and certificates held by our accommodation and other facilities in Bled.

International media on Bled

Environmental daisy - Ecolabel flower

The environmental daisy, or Eco daisy, is a European Union eco-label that distinguishes products or services that meet high environmental standards and high standards of usability. One of the proud holders of the label is our Hotel Savica Garni in Bled (Sava Hotels Bled).

Green Key

The Green Key environmental label is the leading standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operations, and ensures that all guests who choose a certified facility directly contribute to the protection of the environment. The recipients of this important environmental certificate are Hotel Park, Rikli Balance Hotel and Park Café in Bled (Sava Hoteli Bled), Hotel Histrion in Portorož (St. Bernardin Resort), Hotel Livada Prestige in Terme 3000 – Moravske Toplice, Hotel Radin in Zdravilišče Radenci, and Grand Hotel Primus in Terme Ptuj.

Slovenia Green Accommodation

As the holders of the Green Key eco-label, Hotel Park and Rikli Balance Hotel (Sava Hoteli Bled), Hotel Histrion (St. Bernardin Resort Portorož), Hotel Livada Prestige in Terme 3000 – Moravske Toplice, Hotel Radin in Zdravilišče Radenci, and Grand Hotel Primus in Terme Ptuj were also awarded the Slovenia Green Accommodation label in the context of the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism. The Slovenia Green Accommodation label has also been awarded to Hotel Savica Garni (Sava Hoteli Bled) as the holder of the EU Ecolabel.

Alpine Pearls

We are proud to be one of the pearls of the Alpine Pearls network, which connects holiday destinations with the highest level of wonderful experiences in unspoiled nature, excellent local cuisine and environmental friendliness

Slovenia - a gastronomic paradise on the sunny side of the Alps

Forbes: Revealing the top gastronomic images of Slovenia

Slovenia has so far been unjustifiably overlooked in terms of gastronomy. This is why Forbes magazine started its own Culinary Guide to Slovenia, where they focus on finding the best gastronomy Slovenia has to offer. They highlight Michelin-starred restaurants, top-quality orange wines and other award-winning drinks, as well as the offer of boutique 5* accommodation in the capital.

Olive Magazine: Slovenia among the best gastronomic destinations in 2022

The British online culinary media outlet, Olive Magazine, which reaches as many as 2 million gastronomy enthusiasts, has ranked Slovenia among the best gastronomic destinations in 2022, because, as they say, the Slovenian culinary scene offers endless possibilities for unforgettable gastronomic pleasures.

The Slovenian Tourist organisation hosted Jaz Fielder, who took a closer look at Slovenia's gastronomy on behalf of Euronews. He diligently describes his gastronomic experience, which begins in Ljubljana and ends on the Coast and in the Vipava Valley. He does not forget to mention that Slovenia is green - in more ways than one, and concludes his experience of Slovenian cuisine with the sentence that Slovenia is a country that can hardly wait to be tasted by the whole world.

The New York Times: Slovenia has placed sustainable cuisine at the centre of its identity

The mighty American newspaper, The New York Times, ranked Slovenia among its 52 destinations where tourists can feel like they are part of the solution, meaning that it is among the destinations where the services and experiences are operated in a sustainable way. Slovenia was described as "a European country with a population of just over 2 million which has placed environmentally responsible travel and good food and wine at the very centre of its identity."

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The gastronomy in Sava Hotels & Resorts: sustainable, local and fresh

In 2021, when Slovenia was the proud holder of the title, European Region of Gastronomy 2021, we at Sava Hotels & Resorts were among the partners and associate members who co-created the gastronomic story with our projects, programmes and events. Project Slovenia – 2021 European Region of Gastronomy includes opportunities for education in the field of healthy and natural living and the sustainable development of gastronomy, and strengthens the national promotion of culinary and gastronomy experiences, creating synergy with local environments and cultures. You can enjoy all of the above in all of our seven destinations, as evidenced by the many accolades for fresh, local and sustainable meals our guests can enjoy.

Gastronomy at Sava Hoteli Bled: Bled Local Selection, the Michelin Plate, Recommended by Michelin, and Green Cuisine

At Sava Hoteli Bled, we swear by fresh ingredients. We prepare all the sauces ourselves, make the best jams from home-made ingredients in the hotel kitchens, and also make home-made ice cream. Excellent locally sourced products, such as fresh local vegetables, dairy products and outstanding locally bred trout, also play an important role in our menu. We are very proud of the Bled Local Selection, the Michelin Plate and Recommended by Michelin awards for the Julijana Restaurant in Grand Hotel Toplice in Bled and the Green Cuisine award for Park Café.

Quality mark for 2021, more than 50 Prekmurje dishes sourced from local suppliers

Slovenia’s Tourist Board awarded Terme 3000 - Moravske Toplice with the Quality Mark award for "Local gastronomy in hotels" in 2021. The Thermal resort offers more than 50 Prekmurje dishes made according to the recipes of our grandmothers with fresh ingredients from local suppliers.

Authentic Istrian breakfast and fresh local ingredients

At the St. Bernardin resort in Portorož, the Salinera resort in Izola and the San Simon resort in Strunjan, you will be impressed by the diversity, passion and harmony of the flavours of our authentic Istrian cuisine. Characterised by Mediterranean and continental influences, it is distinguished by the fresh local ingredients, Piran sea salt, authentic Istrian spices and herbs, premium olive oil, and a range of fine Istrian wines.

Slovenia among the best at the Safe & Sustainable Tourism Awards

The European sustainable information platform, Sustain Europe, has awarded Slovenia as one of the 5 recipients of the Safe and Sustainable Tourism Awards 2021 in the category of best destinations.

The recipients of the 2021 Awards are destinations and providers who, according to Sustain Europe, have “maintained a vision of their ambitious and achievable sustainability goals, whilst being proactive in recovering from the COVID-19 crisis and prioritising the health of visitors and staff in the sector”. However, only the safest and most sustainable tourist destinations in Europe were selected, meaning those that currently truly represent the best the tourism industry has to offer. And Slovenia has been added to this list, accompanied by Iceland, Greece, Istria, Malta, Gozo and Comino.

Safe and sustainable holidays at Sava Hotels & Resorts

Hygiene Standard Plus

For your safety and protection, Sava Hotels & Resorts has introduced a number of protective hygiene measures. This has been implemented in accordance with the recommendations issued by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), and the measures and recommendations drawn up by the World Health Organization (WHO). Working with our medical staff, we have enhanced these measures even further, and called them Hygiene Standard Plus.

Plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities

We are lucky that all seven of our destinations lie in the embrace of nature, which allows you to spice up your holiday with outdoor activities throughout the seasons. From hiking and cycling in Prekmurje, Pomurje, Styria, Bled and the Coast, to winter sports and discovering natural and cultural treasures in the most beautiful corners of Slovenia, and water activities in the warmer months by the Slovenian sea or at Lake Bled.

Sustainable gastronomy and organic waste reduction

In addition to our menus including fresh ingredients from local suppliers, we are also very successful in reducing organic waste in our kitchens, which we have achieved by ordering produce as needed, ordering already cleaned vegetables, exercising close control over delivered food and rejecting substandard food, using up food before its expiry date, complying with normative consumption estimates of produce and preparation of food to order, etc.