Slovenia

This compact and strategically important country is dominated by mountains, rivers and major north–south and east–west transit routes. Slovenia borders Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. One of the smallest countries in Europe, it lies in an enviable geographical position between the majestic Alps and the Mediterranean. The capital, Ljubljana, is situated in the heart of the country, along the banks of the Ljubljanca River, within a two-hour drive of all the state borders. The old part of the town is particularly delightful. Towering over the city are the twin towers of Ljubljana Cathedral (1708), which house some impressive frescoes. In the east, Slovenia’s second-largest city, Maribor, is only 10km (6 miles) from the Austrian border. The fashionable mountain resort of Bled is set on the idyllic Lake Bled, where skating and curling take place in winter, and swimming and rowing in summer. Slovenia's national cuisine shows an Austro-German influence with sauerkraut, grilled sausage and apple strudel often appearing on menus. Ljubljana has a good opera house and the symphony orchestra plays regularly in the Big Hall of the Culture and Congress Centre.