Notranjska

A region of countless secrets ... Between the Slovene capital city, Ljubljana, and the coastal part of Slovenia lies the teasing Notranjska region.We could easily say that it has all characteristic of virtuous lady because such a woman, like Notranjska, doesn’t show all her beauties at first and that is why youmust return to her, watch her carefully and give her all your full attention with all your senses.

Notranjska hides mystic forests in her lap which are shelter to many wild animals. Truly this is the green heart of Slovenia. Behind the forests are charming towns and villages. The houses have wide-open doors and modest people with honest smiles.

People here truly learned how to live with nature and that can be particularly seen in the countryside where upright tree branches called “ostrnice”, are put into the ground, on which hay is dried by the wind, spreading a heady fragrance. The Bloke Plateau claims to be the cradle of Slovenian skiing because of the long winters they had, and still have. People here started to use skis as a mode of transport more than 300 years ago.

The Notranjska region is truly a remarkable lady who hides her great age with some success. Imposing castles, such as Castles Snežnik and Predjama (www.turizem-kras.si) and ruins of once opulent castles and mansions, take us far back in time.

But the largest secret of Lady Notranjska is what is hidden within, beneath the surface. The magnificence of nature is visible in numerous limestone caves (www.krizna-jama.si; www.postojnska-jama.si), gorges and fields. These magical lands are so changeable, where today there is a lake, tomorrow there are meadows mowed with dedication by a farmers hands, and where today rivers or streams flow, tomorrow only empty waterways are seen.

Notranjska’s pride is truly a wonder of the world – the disappearing Cerknica Lake, which leaves every visitor inspired. Bird song, soft wind in the grass, the sounds of bees and the colorful wings of dragonflies are all things that impress visitors and draw them back again and again.

That is why you simply must come and discover Notranjska’s secrets.

Sara Mramor