Specialist tour operator, Just Slovenia, has teamed up with a company of award-winning professional photographers to offer short breaks including two-day photographic workshops and excursions.

Based in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s fascinating and highly photogenic capital, participants benefit from expert photographer guides and small groups, which allow flexibility to adjust itineraries according to weather and lighting conditions.

A guided tour of the capital with plenty of opportunity to take photographs, dinner with the photographer and time to discuss and view images, plus a half-day excursion are all part of the itinerary.

Prices start from £549 per person based on two people sharing and include flights from Stansted, three nights’ bed and breakfast at the Central Hotel in Ljubljana, one evening meal, plus airport transfers.

For further information, telephone 01373 814230 or visit www.justslovenia.co.uk.

Slovenia achieved a score of 78 in National Geographic Traveler’s prestigious ‘Destinations Rated’ survey, the fifth highest score amongst 133 worldwide destinations. Slovenia was the highest ranked country in the list, which was topped by regions of Norway, Canada, New Zealand and Japan.

The list, the sixth to be formulated by National Geographic Traveler, is described as “an assessment of authenticity and stewardship, evaluating the qualities that make a destination unique and measuring its ‘integrity of place.’”

The survey is conducted by the National Geographic Society’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations with locations evaluated by a panel of 437 experts. Criteria on which destinations are judged include environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management; and outlook for the future.

The panellists are experts in a variety of fields – geography, history, sustainable tourism, ecology, monument protection, archaeology, destination management, travel writing and photography.

Slovenia won praise from the panel for being “savvy about balancing tourism with cultural and historical preservation” Ljubljana, the capital city, was described as “colourful, vibrant and architecturally appealing”, while “Slovenia’s Alps and wine country remain among the most sustainable and authentic places to visit in Europe.”

For further information on the survey, the complete list of destinations and a fuller description of Slovenia’s achievements in the eyes of the panel, please see http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/destinations-rated/intro-text

1. New boutique hotel opens in Ljubljana
2. New ‘Friendly countryside’ guide highlights Slovenia’s rural attractions
3. Runners and kayakers invited to participate in two Ljubljana marathons
4. Ljubljana International Film Festival takes place in November

1. New boutique hotel opens in Ljubljana.

The Allegro Hotel has recently opened in the old town square in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. The location is just minutes away from cafés, restaurants, bars and tourist sites.

The three-star boutique hotel has 12 rooms, including a single room, doubles, twins and rooms with extra beds for larger groups or families. Each room is individually decorated with a different colour theme and distinctive period furnishings. All rooms are equipped with en-suite bathrooms, wireless Internet access, air conditioning and television. Rooms facing to the south have balconies and views of St Jacob’s Church while other rooms have views of the city.

Prices start from €130 per night, including a buffet breakfast and based on two sharing.

For more information visit www.allegrohotel.si.

2. New ‘Friendly countryside’ guide highlights Slovenia’s rural attractions

The Slovenian Tourist Board has produced a new ‘Friendly countryside’ guide to showcase how tourists can make the most of the country’s beautiful nature and rural hospitality.

Each year, Slovenia’s countryside regions produce 90-90 million litres of wine, 400 tonnes of olive oil and support 140,000 bee colonies, giving rise to three of the most popular souvenirs for visitors. Sampling local products within characteristic regional dishes is just one way to ‘taste the countryside’, but with over 400 farms open to visitors, there is also the chance to stay overnight and take part in daily farm chores. Tourist farms are renowned for their warm welcome that will allow visitors to get to the heart of Slovene customs and traditions.

The ‘Friendly countryside’ guide includes information on almost 200 of these tourist farms, listing their sizes; facilities; and attractions and activities in the local area. Each farm is rated on a system of one to four apples, indicating its level of amenities.

As well as the extensive listings for farms offering accommodation and meals, the countryside guide offers an introduction to Slovenia’s varied landscapes and outdoors activities, including its vast underground caves, gorges and thermal springs.

The Friendly Countryside Guide is available to view online at the Slovenian Tourist Board website, www.slovenia.info. Follow this link: www.slovenia.info/pictures/publication_language/2009/STO_-_Katalog_Turisticne_kmetije_-_ANG__pub.pdf. A printed version of the guide is also be available at tourist information offices throughout Slovenia.

3. Runners and kayakers invited to participate in two Ljubljana marathons

Entries are being accepted until 20th October 2009 for the Ljubljana Marathon, which takes place on 25th October.

Local and foreign runners will take to the streets for the 14th year with the choice of three courses – a full marathon, half marathon, or a 10.5km fun run. In 2008 more than 13,000 runners took part in the event.

The marathon route takes runners through Ljubljana’s Old Town and the green outskirts of the city. Numerous spectators line the route to support and encourage the runners taking part.

Prospective competitors can find full details including entry costs and a route map on the website www.ljubljanskimaraton.si.

While runners gather their strength at ‘pasta banquets’ on the eve of the marathon, water sports enthusiasts will be putting themselves to the test on 24th October in the 3rd International Kayaking Marathon. Kayakers and canoeists will test their strength on various courses between the city centre bridges on the River Ljubljanica. The longest course measures almost 20km, while recreational canoeists can choose between courses of 5km and 9km.

Previous entrants to the Ljubljanica kayak marathon have included medal-winners from the canoeing world championships. For information and entry forms for this event, contact the Kayak Association of Slovenia by emailing kajak.zveza@siol.net.

4. Ljubljana International Film Festival takes place in November

The 20th annual Ljubljana International Film Festival (LIFFe) takes place from November 11th-22nd 2009, offering cinemagoers a selection of contemporary films from around the world.

As well as screenings of international films, visitors to the film festival will be able to participate in features workshops, interactive multimedia projects and talks.

They will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite film in the Dragon Audience Award, the winner of which will be granted distribution in Slovenian cinemas. Audiences can vote as they leave the screening or via text message.

The full film festival line-up will shortly be available at www.liffe.si where tickets can also be purchased online.

Right before the outbreak of the Second World War, the community of Slovenia’s fourth largest city, Kranj, began the construction of underground tunnels which could be used to shelter and protect residents. The tunnel network included a 1,300m-long bunker that was frequently used during Slovenia’s occupation in 1944 until the end of the War, when the danger of bombings increased.

70 years on from the start of construction, the fascinating history of these tunnels can be explored on guided tunnel tours, available for visitors on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday and Sunday mornings and costing €3 per person.

The tunnels measure two metres across and concrete was used to reinforce the walls.

Nowadays, the environment inside is very close to that of the Karst caves. Stalactites and stalagmites grow from the ceilings and the ground, while animals such as cave crickets, the European cave spider and bats can all be found living there.

Kranj is situated around 20km from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. For more information about the tunnels and tours visit www.tourism-kranj.si <http://www.tourism-kranj.si> .