Forewords of the EDEN ambassador, map of EDEN destinations

In 2007, a new network was established in the European Union involving places and areas that consistently develop the forms of environmental, cultural and socially sustainable tourism. These areas attract tourists by various noble content, themes and programmes. The network is called EDEN, which is an abbreviation of European Destinations of Excellence. In 2008, Slovenia also joined this excellent company with eight winning destinations and fifteen finalists. Every two years the European Commission enables the selections of the best destinations in individual countries in regard to selected topics, thus systematically expanding the network of relatively unknown yet, in terms of content, exceptional places and regions that attract tourists with new experiences and knowledge. Thus, EDEN is becoming more than a network. It is a distinctly positive tourist movement, friendly to nature and man. From visits and stays in the destinations of excellence in Slovenia (and elsewhere in Europe), we come back to our primary social and cultural environments filled with new strength provided by nature, and spiritually richer due to our understanding of the range of cultural treasures.

prof. dr. Janez Bogataj, EDEN ambassador in Slovenia