Quantcast
Channel: Slovenia
Viewing all 62 articles
Browse latest View live

Slovenia is planning to erect fences to control migrants

0
0

Austria Slovenia Migrant Boy Fence

VELIKI OBREZ, Slovenia (Reuters) - Trucks carrying wire fencing arrived in the Slovenian village of Veliki Obrez close to the border with Croatia early on Wednesday, a day after the government said it would start erecting barriers to control the flow of migrants.

Large numbers of soldiers and police were at the scene, some guarding construction equipment, a Reuters photographer there said.

Slovenia is the smallest country on a major route for refugees and migrants heading north on their way to Austria and then Germany.

About 180,000 people, many fleeing war in Syria and Afghanistan, have entered the Alpine state since mid October, when Hungary fenced off its border with Croatia and pushed the migrant route towards it western neighbour.

Prime Minister Miro Cerar said on Tuesday the border would remain open, but the fence would help control the flow of people.

He said his country would not have the resources to shelter large numbers of migrants over the harsh winter if Austria shut its border, creating a bottleneck.

About 175 policemen from other EU states have come to Slovenia to bolster the local force, with another 100 expected in the next two weeks.

Slovenia Army Fence Migrants Refugees

(Reporting by Antonio Bronic, writing by Marja Novak; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Andrew Heavens)

Join the conversation about this story »


Slovenia becomes first ex-communist country to allow same-sex marriage

0
0

More than 1.7 million people are registered to cast their ballots in a referendum on whether to allow same-sex marriage in Slovenia

Slovenia on Sunday began voting in a referendum on whether to allow the largely-Catholic EU member state to become Europe's first ex-communist country to allow same-sex marriage.

Polling stations opened promptly at 7:00am (0600 GMT), although hardly anyone could be seen coming to vote in the first hour, an AFP correspondent in the southwestern port city of Koper said. 

More than 1.7 million people are registered to cast their ballots on the issue which has stoked heated debate in this former Yugoslav republic.

In March, Slovenia's parliament approved legislation redefining marriage as a "union of two" instead of being a "union of a man and a woman", granting homosexual couples the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts, including the right to adopt children.

But opponents immediately launched a campaign to reverse the changes, meaning the legislation never came into force and no same-sex couples were able to tie the knot. 

A group called "Children Are At Stake" managed to gather the 40,000 signatures necessary to force a referendum on the matter. 

"I voted yes. Love is love, regardless of everything," said a 24-year-old woman called Ida. 

Another voter said he was also in favour of the changes, but argued that putting the matter to a referendum was a waste of public money.

"It should be experts or the government deciding about this. They should not leave it to us," said Vojko, a pensioner. 

"This is throwing money away. Of course I'm for it, but if it turns out to be a 'no', the world will laugh at us." 

A divisive issue

Gay marriage

Graffiti scrawled on the wall of a church centre near the polling station gave some kind of indication of the sharp divisions over the issue. 

"Would you take a homosexual donor's blood to save your child?" it asked.

Ahead of the vote debate has been heated, and even Pope Francis has waded in, urging Slovenians to "support the family, a structural reference point for the life of society".

A final poll released by state television on Friday gave the "No" vote 55.5 percent support, with a projected turnout of 46 percent.

In order for the result to be valid, the winning side must include at least 20 percent of eligible voters. Other surveys have indicated a tighter result, however.

If the "No" vote prevails, then the civil code will be changed back, although existing legislation, which allows registered civil partnerships but not the adoption of children, will remain in force.

This is not the first such referendum on the subject, with Slovenian voters rejecting gay marriage in an earlier plebiscite in 2012, although turnout was low.

Polls close at 9:00 pm (2000 GMT), with preliminary results are expected shortly afterwards. 

Genderless marriage?

Wedding Cake Icing Baker

Slovenia has long been ahead of its peers, joining the EU back in 2004 -- nine years before neighbour Croatia -- and the eurozone in 2007 as its first ex-communist member, but its society retains a strong traditionalist streak.

President Borut Pahor and Prime Minister Miro Cerar's ruling Modern Centre Party (SMC) support the "Yes" camp, saying gay marriage would eliminate discrimination and grant equal rights to all citizens in the two-million-strong country.

"At this referendum we're deciding what kind of Slovenia we want to live in," Nika Kovac, a coordinator from the "Cas je Za" (It's time For a Yes) campaign group, told AFP.

"We'll decide whether we want to join the developed world."

Janez Jansa, the former centre-right prime minister from the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), strongly disagreed.

"Erasing the gender from the marriage (definition) gives ground to human rights' violations against our most precious -- our children," Jansa said.

SEE ALSO: The world in photos this week

Join the conversation about this story »

This 'vertical race' in Slovenia is one of the most difficult in the world

0
0

The Red Bull 400 is an annual 400 meter race, but what sets it apart is that the track is at an almost vertical incline, on a Slovenian hill usually used for ski jumping. The race, which requires the use of both hands and feet, is absolutely grueling.

Story and editing by A.C. Fowler

Follow INSIDERon Facebook
Follow INSIDERon YouTube

Join the conversation about this story »

Athletes dunked a basketball 33 feet over a river while hanging from a rope swing

You don't have to tie these shoelaces

This device will keep your shirt tucked in all day

Slovenia's tourism is booming thanks in part to Melania Trump

0
0

Melania Trump

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — The tiny European nation of Slovenia is undergoing a tourism boom partly because it is the native country of U.S. first lady Melania Trump.

The national Statistics Bureau said Tuesday that the number of overnight stays in Slovenia by American tourists has jumped by 10 percent in 2016 when compared to 2015.

Nearly 4 million foreign tourists visited the country of 2 million in 2016, up by about 10 percent.

Slovenian tourist agencies have been organizing special tours "on the footsteps of Melania Trump" showing the places where she lived, studied and worked before she left in her 20s to pursue a modeling career.

A website promoting the Alpine nation of stunning natural beauty says: "Welcome to the homeland of the new First Lady of the United States of America!"

Join the conversation about this story »

Slovenian president: Invitations for Trump to meet Putin in Slovenia still on

0
0

Donald Trump Melania Trump

Slovenia's president said Monday his invitation to host a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin still stands despite the talk of the Kremlin's meddling in the American elections.

Borut Pahor told The Associated Press that a "tradition" of first meetings between U.S. and Russian presidents in the small Alpine state shouldn't be discarded — and Slovenia is also the U.S. first lady's native land.

In June 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush and Putin had their first face-to-face meeting in Slovenia to explore the possibility of compromise on U.S. missile defense plans that Moscow opposed.

"Slovenia has officially expressed readiness ... it is ready to be the host of this meeting," said Pahor, whose country is a member of the EU but has traditional ties with Russia. "They would be welcome in fine atmosphere."

Melania Trump — born Melanija Knavs — left Slovenia in her 20s to pursue an international modeling career.

"Probably it would be attractive for the president of the United States because the first lady is from our country," Pahor said. "I wouldn't be surprised if they decide differently, it's their decision."

Putin has said Slovenia would be a good venue, but added that it's not only up to him.

Pahor said he had "briefly" discussed the issue with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.

"He was polite, but his answer wasn't final," Pahor said.

Trump has been trailed for months by questions about his campaign's ties to Russia. Compounding the situation is the U.S. intelligence agencies' assessment that Russia interfered with the election to help Trump triumph over Hillary Clinton, along with disclosures about his aides' contacts with a Russian official.

SEE ALSO: Congress will investigate Trump's wiretap claims

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why Rolex watches are so expensive


Communist-era spy rooms found near giant cave in Slovenia

0
0

Ljubljana, Slovenia

POSTOJNA, Slovenia (Reuters) - Four surveillance rooms believed to date back to communist-era Yugoslavia and filled with dust-covered listening equipment have been discovered behind a Slovenian hotel situated next to one of the world's largest limestone caves.

The wiretapping rooms were found behind a solid steel door during renovation work at the back of the Hotel Jama and lead directly to the Postojna Cave's interior.

The spy rooms were likely built around 1969 when the hotel was under construction, according to Marjan Batagelj who heads the company managing the hotel and cave, a major tourist attraction in the Balkan state.

The absence of humidity in the rooms made them ideal locations to store sensitive equipment, Batagelj said, while the thick layers of dust suggest the rooms have laid undisturbed for years.

"Those centers were part of a wider wiretapping system operated by UDBA, the secret political police," said researcher Igor Omerza, who has published books on Slovenian history.

"They used this for surveillance of people they believed were their political opponents."

Franz Josip Tito

Omerza said Yugoslavia's former communist leader Josip Broz Tito used to stay at the hotel, as did foreign and local dignitaries.

Cables running from the surveillance rooms to the hotel indicate some hotel rooms had also been tapped, he said.

"I don't think Tito himself was wiretapped, they probably wouldn't dare to do that, but anything is possible. I think they primarily wiretapped guests who met with him there, foreigners," he said.

Batagelj said he might open up the rooms to tourists.

Slovenia, an Alpine state of two million people, was part of communist Yugoslavia until 1991 when it declared independence, an event followed by a brief 10-day war.

Slovenia joined the European Union in 2004 and three years later became the first former communist state to adopt the euro.

(Reporting by Gasper Lubej; writing by Marja Novak; editing by Richard Lough)

SEE ALSO: A new report says Russia is intensifying its spy game in Eastern Europe

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This 'vertical race' in Slovenia is one of the most difficult in the world

Melania Trump's Slovenian hometown sees a huge boost in tourism

0
0

Lake Bled region, Slovenia

LJUBLJANA (Reuters) - The number of tourists in Slovenia rose by 8 percent year-on-year in March, boosted by the fact that new U.S. First Lady Melania Trump was born in the country.

Overnight stays in Slovenia by tourists from the United States jumped 30.6 percent while the number of domestic tourists rose by 22.5 percent, the statistics office said on Thursday.

Analysts said domestic tourist figures reflected improved economic conditions in Slovenia, a country which narrowly avoided an international bailout for its banks in 2013 but expects economic growth of 3.6 percent this year versus 2.5 percent in 2016.

The unemployment rate fell to 10.2 percent in March, down from 12 percent in the same month last year.

The statistics office also said business sentiment in May reached 9.5 points, lower than in April but 5.7 points higher than a year ago, mainly due to improved confidence among consumers and in the service sector. 

(Reporting by Marja Novak, editing by Ed Osmond)

SEE ALSO: Slovenian president: Invitations for Trump to meet Putin in Slovenia still on

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 5 science facts that 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' totally ignored

Brexit trade negotiations will 'definitely' be delayed until the end of the year

0
0

Miro Cerar

  • Slovenian prime minister Miro Cerar says Brexit trade talks will not be allowed to begin as scheduled in the Autumn.
  • The government wants to begin trade negotiations as soon as possible, with Brexit secretary David Davis saying they should happen at the same time as withdrawal talks.
  • The European Council will decide in October if "sufficient progress" has been made in discussions so far.

LONDON — The government will not be allowed to move onto trade negotiations with the European Union in the Autumn, one of the 27 EU leaders who will make the decision has said.

Slovenia's prime minister Miro Cerar told the Guardian newspaper in an interview that not enough progress had been made to move onto discussing a trade deal, in a blow to the government, who want to begin trade talks alongside negotiations over the UK's withdrawal.

The European Council will decide in October whether to give the EU negotiating team the mandate to move onto future trade agreements, and Cerar is one of the 27 EU leaders who will vote on the matter.

The council is looking for "sufficient progress" to be made on three key issues – the Irish border, EU citizens' rights and the divorce bill before giving that mandate.

Cerar said: "I think that the process will definitely take more time than we expected at the start of the negotiations.

"There are so many difficult topics on the table, difficult issues there, that one cannot expect all those issues will be solved according to the schedule made in the first place.

"What is important now is that the three basic issues are solved in reasonable time. Then there will optimism on realistic grounds. I know this issue of finance is a tricky one. But it must also be solved, along with the rights of people."

Brexit Secretary David Davis wrote a column for the Sunday Times newspaper which pressed for wider negotiations to begin, including those on trade.

"I firmly believe the early rounds of the negotiations have already demonstrated that many questions around our withdrawal are inextricably linked to our future relationship," Davis said, arguing "both sides need to move swiftly on to discussing our future partnership, and we want that to happen after the European Council in October."

The Slovenian prime minister dashed Davis' hopes and is the first EU leader to publicly admit that progress would not be made so that the timetable could move on, which will be seen as a defeat for the government.

Cerar said the original schedule was "optimistic" and that "you cannot expect such fundamental issues to be solved in a few months."

The government released position papers on the UK's future relationship with the customs union and on the Irish border last week, in a failed attempt to force talks onwards.

There were reports on Friday that negotiations between the EU and the UK had stalled to such an extent, particularly on the issue of the divorce bill, that the next stage would not start until December, giving the UK just a year to attempt to avoid a "cliff-edge."

The government will publish a further five Brexit position papers this week, including two on confidentiality and goods on the market on Monday, and one on the UK's future relationship with the European Court of Justice.

The shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, told the Guardian: "The prime minister’s ideological obsession that there should be no role whatsoever for the ECJ or any court-like body will continue to hinder the prospect of any meaningful and lasting arrangement with the EU.

"We have already seen that this unnecessary and dogmatic position has prevented a sensible approach to issues such as Euratom and citizens’ rights. If the prime minister does not change course and show more flexibility on this central issue, it will haunt her throughout the Brexit negotiations."

Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake said: "Constant reports of cabinet spats show our government cannot even agree a position between themselves, let alone win concessions from EU negotiating teams in our country's best interests."

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Donald Tusk to UK: 'we already miss you'

This boozy sundae is also a shot

A city in Slovenia just unveiled the world's fist blockchain monument — check it out

0
0

Bitcoin monument Slovenia

  • The first bitcoin monument was unveiled on Tuesday in Kranj, Slovenia.
  • The circular metal sculpture weighs three tonnes and is located on one of the street's roundabouts.
  • The monument was paid for by two local firms that use blockchain technology.


The first monument to the blockchain technology that underpins crypto-currencies took center stage on Tuesday on a roundabout in Slovenia, authorities in the country's fourth largest city said.

Weighing three tonnes and with a diameter of about seven meters the circular metal sculpture was unveiled next to the courthouse in Kranj, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the capital Ljubljana.

The design, featuring the 'B' symbol crossed by two vertical lines that represents both blockchain and the bitcoin currency, was chosen by popular demand.

"We asked citizens on our Facebook page to decide what to place in the new roundabout and this was one of the first ideas we received... Kranj has a lot of companies dealing with high technology," mayor Bostjan Trilar told Reuters.

The monument was paid for by two local firms that use blockchain technology, a software company 3fs and digital currency exchange Bitstamp.

SEE ALSO: There's a bitcoin rapper called CoinDaddy, and he's just one of the fantastic characters in San Francisco's bizarre crypto culture

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Super-Earths are real and they could be an even better place for life than Earth

Incredible facts about Melania Trump that show she's completely unlike any other first lady

0
0

melania trump

First lady Melania Trump stepped into the limelight this week to debut her anti-cyberbullying initiative, "Be Best."

Her campaign has been puzzling to some, given her husband's affinity for insulting his opponents on Twitter, and others ridiculed her for releasing an educational booklet that was virtually identical to one the Obama administration published.

But despite the criticism, the first lady is generally well-liked among the public and is far more popular than her husband, polls have found.

Though Trump is much more private than her predecessors, spending much of her time away from the spotlight, 57% of Americans say they have a favorable impression of her, according to a CNN poll released this week.

Here are incredible facts about Trump that set her apart from other first ladies.

SEE ALSO: White House slams 'opposition media' for pointing out that Melania Trump's anti-cyberbullying booklet is a recycled Obama FTC pamphlet

DON'T MISS: Trump says he was too busy to get Melania a good birthday gift, worries 'maybe I didn't get her so much'

She is only the second first lady in American history born outside of the United States, in Slovenia. The only other foreign-born first lady was Louisa Catherine Johnson, the wife of John Quincy Adams; she was born in England.

Source: Business Insider



Trump is also the only FLOTUS who grew up in a Communist country, back when Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia. Though money was tight for many people in the small town of Sevnica, people who knew Melanija Knavs back then say she was "always very fancy" and "never wore anything from the store."

Source: GQ



Trump is the only first lady to be her husband's third spouse. Donald Trump was previously married to Marla Maples until 1999, and, before that, Ivana Trump until 1992.

Source: Business Insider



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

You can visit a castle in Slovenia that was built into the mouth of a cave and features hidden passageways

0
0

Predjama Castle slovenia

  • The Predjama Castle in Slovenia, which has been listed as the "Largest Cave Castle," is a stunning structure perched on a 400-meter cliff. 
  • The castle is open to the public year-round. Visitors can also buy tickets to explore the Postojna Cave below. 
  • Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.

 

The only thing more fairytale-like than a castle is a castle perched on a 400-meter cliff that's built around the entrance of a natural cave. Oh, and did we mention there's a network of secret passageways? The Predjama Castle in Slovenia has all that and more — and it's open to the public year-round.

Originally dating back to the 13th century, the medieval castle is listed in the Guinness World Records as the "Largest Cave Castle." The structure is not only built into the side of a cave, but also sits on top of the second-longest cave in Slovenia, which spans four floors.

slovenia castle

The castle was used as a fortress for many noblemen over the years, which is why the secret passageway was so crucial. According to My Modern Met, the knight Erasmus of Lug (Erazem in Slovenian) was the lord of the castle in the 15th century. He was a well-known robber who was forced to flee when he killed the commander of the imperial army. The castle became his refuge, and from there, he used the hidden passageways to get supplies and continue his robberies.

Read more: You can stay in an Italian medieval fortress known as the 'Castle in the Sky' for just $114 per night

Predjama Castle

Today, Predjama Castle is open year-round to visitors who can also buy combo tickets to see the great Postojna Cave below. For the latter, visitors can access over three miles of chambers, passageways, and cave formations beneath the earth.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How Jay-Z and Diddy used their fame to make millions off of 'cheap grapes'


'Just like real Melania': A wooden statue of the First Lady that was carved using a chainsaw draws a crowd in her hometown

0
0

Melania Trump statue

  • A life-size statue of First Lady Melania Trump that was carved out of a living tree with a chainsaw was unveiled in her hometown of Sevnica in Slovenia on Friday.
  • The sculpture's commissioner said he understood why some people would think the sculpture "falls short as a description of her physical appearance" but maintained that it was still "absolutely beautiful."
  • "You know what makes her resemble Melania?" a woman who went to see the sculpture asked. "Look at how high she climbed to the top, just like real Melania, who rose to the top of America. A little girl from Sevnica. Hats off to her."
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A life-size statue of First Lady Melania Trump that was carved out of a living linden tree with a chainsaw was unveiled near her hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia on Friday.

The statue was formed from the trunk of a linden tree, Reuters reported. Melania's sculpture appears to be wearing the same light blue-colored outfit as the one worn during President Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017. 

Melania Donald trump inauguration outfit

The sculpture was carved by Ales "Maxi" Zupevc, using a chainsaw after being commissioned by 39-year-old artist Brad Downey, an American artist based in Berlin, according to Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

Zupevc is a local resident of Sevnica and was born in the same hospital and year as Melania, Reuters reported. Commissioned art pieces like the sculpture does not keep Zupevc employed full-time — the chainsaw-artist normally works as a pipe-layer.

Downey told AFP he understood why some people thought the sculpture "falls short as a description of her physical appearance" but maintained it was still "absolutely beautiful."

A group of people gathered at the site to see the sculpture's debut.

"The sculptor worked a long time on this, I think it took him three days to make it," one man said to Reuters. "He did it all using a chainsaw, and that's what made it hard to make it — and she does not look as beautiful as she normally is."

One woman said the sculpture as an inspirational message of Trump's journey to becoming the First Lady.

"You know what makes her resemble Melania?" a woman asked, according to Reuters. "Look at how high she climbed to the top, just like real Melania, who rose to the top of America. A little girl from Sevnica. Hats off to her."

Trump was born in April 26, 1970. In 1996, she began a modeling career and eventually moved to New York, where she became a US citizen ten years later. In 2005, 34-year-old Melania married 58-year-old real estate mogul Donald Trump.

SEE ALSO: 7 Melania Trump looks the internet was up in arms about

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A law professor weighs in on how Trump could beat impeachment

I took a 2 week vacation to Slovenia, and it's easy to see why Lonely Planet rates it as one of the best-value countries to visit in 2019

0
0

soca valley river

  • Slovenia has become one of the 10 best destinations of 2019 in terms of value to go on vacation, according to the Lonely Planet.
  • Formerly part of the Yugoslavia republic, the country covers around the same amount of area as does West Virginia and it has a population of two million.
  • After two weeks of vacation there, I'm convinced its attractions and prices make it one of the top spots to visit this year if you're traveling on a budget.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

For many years Croatia has hovered at the top of the list of most visited destinations in Europe— this is probably thanks to its stunning beaches and its ties with Game of Thrones.

However, there's a smaller region that Croatia has overshadowed for some time, despite the fact that it's underrated in many ways.

Slovenia has slowly been creeping to the top of the list — and this year, it entered into the top 10 of Lonely Planet's "value for money" ranking.

 

Piran slovenia

In addition to Slovenia's considerable economic development since it gained independence in 1991, its strategic location and proximity to central Europe have allowed its tourism scene to thrive, despite the country's relatively small size.

Read more: Turning your weekends into vacations can make you happier than money

In short, it's a comfortable, safe, and attractive destination, where there's a lot you can do in a reasonably short space of time — what's more, Slovenian culture prides itself on its hospitality.

After spending two weeks in Slovenia, here's why I think everyone should include this place on their list of upcoming holiday destinations.

Slovenia is accessible from other popular vacation destinations

Slovenia is an excellent choice of destination for a short trip if you're traveling elsewhere in Europe — you can fly to Venice or Trieste and do the rest of the journey by car.

As the country is also within the Eurozone, if you were thinking about traveling elsewhere around Slovenia, you'd be unlikely to need to switch currencies.

The country is actually pretty small — approximately two-thirds the size of Michigan — which means you should be able to see quite a few places in Slovenia in the space of a week.

 



Getting around is easy and cheap, whether by rental car, by train, or by bus

If you have the time to organize your trip on your own and you're not too restricted by your budget, I'd recommend traveling by car — the roads are impeccably maintained, the travel time is short, and the landscapes make drives through Slovenia an experience in themselves.

Slovenians generally tend to speak very good English so, if your Slovenian, Hungarian, and Italian aren't up to scratch, it's very easy to communicate with the people who live there.

The country is also very safe.

As in any country, there's always some risk of getting pick-pocketed but my experience was that there was a great sense of security wherever I went — I even left my cell on a restaurant table to go and order a drink at the bar.



Slovenia is a treasure trove of culture and history

Despite a history of wars and earthquakes, much of the country's historical heritage has been well preserved — many of the buildings have been restored, offering an attractive mix of Central European, Italian, and Balkan architecture.

Ljubljana, Maribor, and Ptuj are just some of the cities I'd recommend visiting.

In addition, the cities' infrastructures, the short distance between them, and their small sizes all make it very easy to visit several cities in the space of a few days.



There are lots of outdoor activities available in Slovenia

In addition to urban areas, Slovenia is also home to some stunning scenery, making it an excellent place to debut outdoor activities like hiking, rafting, kayaking, canyoning, and paragliding.

Triglav National Park, which lies in the middle of the Julian Alps, is one of the most beautiful mountain formations in Europe.

The park offers a plethora of trekking routes, from the simplest to the most complicated.

With beautiful lakes and rivers, as well as stunning mountains and canyons, Slovenia is an ideal place to try out outdoor activities like kayaking or hiking.

The landscape is varied enough to offer differing levels of difficulty for most activities — although there are several spots where you can try out activities like these, the most famous is Soca Valley.

As well as rafting and kayaking, you can also go paragliding in the area.

 



It's home to some wonderful places that look straight out of a fairytale

One of the most famous places to visit in Slovenia is Lake Bled, home to a stunning castle and crystal-clear turquoise waters — but you could also visit magnificent waterfalls or fascinating caves in Postojna or Skocjan.

There is also another stunning lake — Lake Bohinj — and other impressive castles, like Predjama.



Slovenia is also a great place to visit if you're a fan of good food and drink

Slovenia also has a lot to offer to wine lovers.

Slovenia produces some excellent wines, particularly white wines — many of them are considered to be among the best in the world.

Within the three wine regions, there are up to 52 different vines. Goriska Brda is one of the most prominent regions, offering wine made from the Autochthonous grape variety, Rebula.

Similarly to some other countries like Greece, in many restaurants, you can order different sizes of pitchers of house wine for very affordable prices.

These wines pair well with dishes made with trout, common to Slovenia's rivers and lakes.

The country is also home to the oldest vine in the world, Maribor, which is over 450 years old and has miraculously survived all kinds of catastrophes.

If fish isn't your thing, you can still enjoy the Austrian and German influences on the country's cuisine with all kinds of sausages and sauerkraut available and, with Italy as a neighbor, Italian cuisine is no short supply either.



The country's coastline is also underrated

Slovenia only has 42 kilometers of coastline and, compared with the magnificent beaches in Croatia, there can only be one winner — but to compensate for it, Slovenia is home to one of the most stunning coastal cities I've ever laid eyes on: Piran — or the Slovenian "Venice".

Situated on a small peninsula, this little spot beside the Adriatic is a must-see, even if it's only to go and get lost in its narrow streets, to sip on some wine in one of its many seaside bars, or to bask in the rapture of its sunset.

Read more: I'm a rookie hiker who just trekked through the Himalayas for the first time — here's what I wish I'd known beforehand

There are also areas specifically designated for bathing in the Adriatic off the promenade — and the best part? You can go for a dip without getting sand everywhere.

Piran also produces one of the highest quality salts in the world — if you visit, you'll have a plethora of choices for souvenirs to take back home to friends or family. (for cooking, as body cream and even with chocolate!)

The prices are affordable, although there are options for all pockets.



Its prices are very reasonable for those who don't have bottomless pockets

Although it may not necessarily be the cheapest country to visit when compared with other parts of the world, its prices are very reasonable for those who don't have limitless pockets and is good value.

To give a rough idea of prices, a local beer — Lasko and Union being the most popular brands — will set you back roughly $2 in the more popular bars in the main cities.

Of course, there are options to cater for all tastes — if you're looking for a more luxurious option in accommodation, they're certainly in no short supply.

Read more:Inside a secretive luxury estate hidden in the Spanish mountains, where homes can cost $30 million and include helipads, horse paddocks, and Michelin-star chefs

That said, you'll also find there are a lot of other affordable accommodation, food, and drinks options that are of more than decent quality.

To give you an idea of how much it could roughly cost in total, a flight to Slovenia can cost anywhere between $280 and $500, while a typical budget for a week — including accommodation, food, and activities — could cost you up to $660 for the tightest pockets to around $1,100 for those who want to splash out a little more.



A luxury travel company exec says Japan, Slovenia, and Antarctica will be the hottest travel destinations of 2020

0
0

slovenia

Forget Italy and Bali.

The three hottest travel destinations of 2020 will be Japan, Slovenia, and Antarctica, Albert Herrera, senior vice president of global product partnerships at luxury travel company Virtuoso, said in an interview with Business Insider at Bloomberg's The Year Ahead: Luxury Summit in New York City last week.

Bloomberg's second luxury summit, which this year focused on sustainability in the luxury sector, drew power players in the industry such as Tiffany & Co. CEO Alessandro Bogliolo, Rent the Runway cofounder and CEO Jennifer Hyman, legendary architect Robert A.M. Stern, and Klaus Zellmer, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.

Virtuoso is a global network of more than 1,800 luxury travel advisers and operators. Herrera oversees the company's relationships with luxury hotels and properties, cruise lines, on-site destination companies, and tour operators.

Here's his take on the biggest luxury travel destinations of 2020.

Japan will be one of 2020's top travel hotspots thanks to the Olympics

2020 will be a big year for Japan.

"Japan is very hot because of what's happened this year with the evolution of the dynasty and the Olympics next year," Herrera said. 

Earlier this year, Naruhito became Japan's new emperor after his 85-year-old father, Akihito, became the first Japanese monarch to abdicate the throne in more than two centuries.

In 2020, Tokyo will host the summer Olympics, drawing an estimated 10 million visitors.

Tokyo Japan

Tokyo was named the world's best big city of 2019 by the 600,000 respondents to Condé Nast Traveler's annual Reader's Choice Survey. According to the survey, the Japanese capital took the top spot thanks to its combination of big-city life and natural landscapes, as well as its tasty cuisine.

And Japan tied for first place with Spain, France, and Germany as the best country for tourists in 2019, according to the World Economic Forum.

Slovenia is an under-the-radar alternative to European hotspots

The central European country is not yet a household travel destination, but according to Herrera, it should be.

"It's fresh, it's different, and yet it's in Europe," he said, adding that it's a short flight from popular destinations like Venice.

lake bled

Bordered by Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Italy, Slovenia is known for its mountains, ski resort towns, and picturesque glacial lakes. And it won't break the bank: Lonely Planet named it one of the best value destinations to visit in 2020.

Antarctica is attracting multigenerational travelers as an up-and-coming luxury destination

Antarctica will also be a top destination for travelers in 2020, according to Herrera.

More than 55,000 tourists visited Antarctica in the 2018-2019 season — a more than 18% increase from 10 years earlier, according to data from the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. Most visitors come from the US, China, Australia, and the UK, many of them on luxury cruises.

Many Antarctica travelers are multigenerational adults — "not just the honeymooners," Herrera said.

"For example, the Lindblad [Expeditions] ships, they have about 40 or 45 people, and some of them are complete with two families. Grandma pays for everything. ... It's like the high-end version of saying, 'I'm going on a big Alaska cruise.'"

antarctica travel tourism

And then there's the fact that warming waters and winds due to climate change have been eating away at the frozen continent's ice sheet. Antarctica is now losing six times more ice annually than it did in the 1970s, according to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

According to travel blogger Barry Choi, Antarctica's perceived impermanence may be adding to its appeal, a phenomena he calls "last-chance tourism."

"Last-chance tourism is basically people trying to see sights that are under threat, either due to over-tourism, weather or nature," Choi told Global News in 2018. "And there's a real possibility that in a few years, these attractions won't be available to the public anymore." 

SEE ALSO: The new CEO of Trivago says travelers want the coziness of an Airbnb but the predictability of a hotel, and it's creating a new type of company

DON'T MISS: I spent 5 days in Monaco. Here's what life looks like in a land so wealthy it doesn't even track poverty rates.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Patrón Tequila sells a bottle for up to $7,500 — here's why the brand is so expensive

The 7 best affordable places to retire abroad

0
0

Da Lat, Vietnam

US News & World Report recently determined the best, most affordable places to retire overseas.

On the list were small cities like Bled, Slovenia. The cost of living in Bled, a town known for its eponymous fairy-tale like lake, is much lower than that of the United States; rent, for example, is 57.27% lower in Slovenia than in the US, according to the database site Numbeo.

The list also included larger cities such as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, which has a population of 164,101. The coastal city is known for its stunning landscape, beach resorts, and of course, its lively food scene. 

Keep reading to see which other places topped the list.

SEE ALSO: The best affordable Caribbean and Central American beach towns to buy a home

DON'T MISS: Portugal is the best country in the world for American expats to retire in. A Utah couple who moved there in 2012 gave us a breakdown of how they live on a $2,330 monthly budget.

George Town, Malaysia

Cost of living: The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown George Town is around $367. The cost of living in Malaysia is 45.55% lower than that in the United States (with rent not taken into consideration). On average, rent in Malaysia is 72.87% lower than it is in the United States. 

What George Town is known for: Trip Advisor notes that George Town (the capital of the Malaysian island Penang) is home to many of Malaysia's iconic Buddhist temples and has museums which showcase the rich history of the country.



Bled, Slovenia

Cost of living: According to Expatistan, the average monthly rent for a 900-square-foot apartment, fully furnished, is around €780 ($857) a month. Numbeo reports that consumer prices, rent, restaurant prices, grocery prices, and local purchasing power are all higher in the United States than in Slovenia, with rent in the US about 134.04% higher than that in the Slovenia. 

What Bled is known for: Located near the southern border of Austria, Bled is home to its eponymous lake and known for a "fairy-tale like" church which sits atop a rock island in the middle of the lake, Trip Advisor notes.



Chiang Mai, Thailand

Cost of living: The cost of living in Chiang Mai is 54.40% lower than the cost of living in New York; the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown Chiang Mai is $389. The cost of living in Thailand, with rent not taken into consideration, is 31.65% lower than that in the United States. Rent in Thailand is 58.35% lower than that in the United States. 

What Chiang Mai is known for: Located in in northwest Thailand, The New York Times reported that this city is known for its traditional markets and temples, which tell the rich history of the country. Chiang Mai has a mixture of both "contemporary art and design to complement the old."



Mazatlán, Mexico

Cost of living: The average monthly cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown Mazatlán is $334.11. The cost of living in Mexico, with rent not taken into consideration, is 50% lower than that of the United States. Rent in Mexico is, on average, 71.55% lower than that in the United States. 

What Mazatlán is known for: Located on the west coast of Mexico, this beach town is noted for its warm weather and seafood scene, CNN Travel's Susannah Rigg writes. 



Da Lat, Vietnam

Cost of living: The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown Da Lat is around $366.98. The cost of living in Vietnam is about 46.19% lower than that of the United States (with rent not included). Rent in Vietnam is 66.32% lower than in the United States. 

What Da Latis known for: Located in the Central Highlands of southern Vietnam, Da Lat is called the "city of eternal spring."According to The Guardian, nearly 3 million tourists visit Da Lat annually, and the typical tourist spends an average of four days there.



Popoli, Italy

Cost of living: The average total monthly budget for a couple who lives in Popoli will be around $1,200, including rent, according to US News & World Report. Numbeo reports that the cost of living in Italy is 6.23% lower than that in the United States (with rent not included). Rent in Italy is also 47.64% lower than in the United States. 

What Popoli is known for: Nestled within the mountains of central Italy, this small town offers stunning views. As noted by travel blog Live and Invest Overseas, Popoli is a town which traces its roots back to the Stone Age and has seemingly remained untouched by rapid globalization.



Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Cost of living: The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown Puerto Plata is about $188. The cost of living in the Dominican Republic is about 38.59% lower than that in the United States (with rent not included). Rent in the Dominican Republic is around 73.97% lower than rent in the United States. 

WhatPuerto Plata is known for: Located on the northern tip of the Dominican Republic, this coastal town is noted for its stunning architecture, views, and beach resorts, Trip Advisor writes.



Recycling paper into papier-mâché lampshades

0
0
  • Maja Petek is an artist from Slovenia.
  • She creates home-decor items like lampshades using recycled objects and natural materials.
  • The base material for all these pieces is paper, which she recycles by turning it into a pulp and molding it into lampshades.
  • Visit Insider.com for more stories. 

Following is a transcript of the video. 

Narrator: Maja Petek is an artist from Slovenia.

She specializes in creating home decor using paper.

She uses a method called paper clay, which is a type of papier-mâché.

The difference from traditional papier-mâché is that paper pulp is molded instead of laid down in strips.

She uses it to make decorative bowls and lampshades.

First, she shreds paper she collects from local schools.

Then she soaks it in warm water overnight.

She mixes it into a pulp and drains the water.

Depending on the design, she adds decorations like sea glass or buttons.

Maja applies the pulp mixture to a gymnastic ball to create the round shape.

Once the pulp dries, it's polished and sanded.

A water-resistant wood glue finishes the lampshade.

To make this functional, she adds a special wooden holder.

This is where all the electrical parts are attached.

For safety, they should be used with energy-saving light bulbs.

Join the conversation about this story »

Viewing all 62 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images