Business publication Slovenia at EXPO Milano 2015

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Slovenia at EXPO Milano 2015 www.exposlovenia.si

Your business partner and tourist destination on the sunny side of the Alps

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FEEL the colours. In our country, you will feel green with all your senses. Here, legends write history and people coexist with dragons. Welcome to our country, to enjoy active holidays, to take care of your health and make sure your whole family has the widest and biggest of smiles.

So small, yet so diverse. Wherever you may be, the mountains, lakes, fields of wheat, Karst caves, wine hills, medieval towns or the sea, are always close by. Let your friendly hosts indulge you, and let them spoil and pamper you; welcome to the most beautiful country in the world, welcome to SLOVENIA.

HolidaysinSlovenia.eu TuristiÄ?na agencija SonÄ?ek, Maribor, Slovenia | info@sonchek.com

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Financed by the Ministry of the Republic of Slovenia for Economic Development and Technology.

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Photos: 1 Ljubljana, ©Dunja Wedam, www.slovenia.info, 2 ©Port of Koper, 3 Bled; ©Franci Ferjan; www.slovenia.info, 4 ©Krka - R & D center in pharmaceutical companies

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www.investslovenia.org

Slovenia’s time-tested qualities make it a prime location for greenfield production, regional HQ, distribution and logistics centre or R&D facility.

We provide support for foreign investors looking to take advantage of the country’s strengths. We continue to work with businesses under our aftercare programme to ensure your investment is a success.

SLOVENIAN ASSOCIATION FOR QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE

Quality Mark SQ – Slovenian Quality Quality Mark SQ could be awarded for high quality products or services developed by companies having good business results, based on their own local (Slovenian) knowledge and know-how, using mainly Slovenian raw materials and semi-finished products and, of course, everything implemented in Slovenia.

It is a transparent and traceable process, based on several documents, regulations, procedures and questionnaires (including quality system) justifying the award of quality mark. Only on the basis of successful assessment of all aspects, it is possible to issue a decision to obtain the certificate for a specific product or service and assign the right to use the Quality Mark SQ. Our efforts have been recognized by the oldest and most important organization in the field of quality in Europe, European Organization for Quality, which has granted to SZKO the right to add to its SQ logo the European accreditation – »EOQ Recognized«.

Advantages and benefits of SQ Mark: EOQ RECOGNIZED

 Improvements in a company based on the findings of the assessment – higher quality.  Better recognition of products or services quality on domestic and foreign markets.  Increased suppliers confidence to companies having Quality Mark SQ.  Higher degree of meeting customers expectations.

QUALITY MARK SQ: BETTER RECOGNITION OF SLOVENIAN QUALITY, AND AT THE SAME TIME DUAL PROMOTION – FOR THE COMPANY AND FOR SLOVENIA

Succeed with Quality Who are we?

Slovenian Association for Quality and Excellence (SZKO) is an independent, nonprofit and non-governmental organization. It comprises individuals and organizations who want to succeed in various areas of society through quality and excellence of their products, services, processes and systems, and in this way help to improve competitiveness and prosperity of Slovenia.

Key activities:  Organizing seminars for QM – Quality

Managers Participants gain comprehensive knowledge of quality management, which enables them to organize the effective management of processes and overall successful business performance. Quality Managers training has been delivered in accordance with internationally harmonized EOQ scheme.  Quality Managers certification SZKO has been accredited for certification of professional qualifications according to the harmonized Quality Managers’ scheme in accordance with the requirements of the European Organization for Quality (EOQ). More than 24.000 Quality Managers have been certified throughout Europe, including 150 in Slovenia.  Quality Excellence training SZKO by itself, in collaboration with EFQM experts or in partnership with MIRS (Metrology Institute of the Republic of Slovenia), can provide the necessary knowledge for developing organizations’ excellence in private and as well in public sector. We organize seminar Journey to Excellence (J2E), workshop Leaders for Excellence (L4E), Internal Assessors Training and training according to excellence model – EFQM Assessor Training (EAT).  Annual SZKO Conference Traditionally, two-day experts meeting has been organized during the European Quality Week in the beginning of November. Association’s members and others interested in quality and excellence development take part in the event, more than 80 authors present their papers to 300 to 400 participants every year.  Publications Quality Magazine, Monthly Newsletter and other materials in print and electronic form.

Slovenian Association for Quality and Excellence (SZKO, Dimiceva 13, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Tel: + 386 5898 490, email: info@szko.si, internet: www.szko.si

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Published by: SPIRIT Slovenia Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Development, Investment and Tourism Dimičeva ulica 13, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Editor-in-chief: Tilen Majnardi, M. Sc. AD & D: Marko Pentek, www.mgo.si Translation: PSD prevajalske storitve d.o.o.

Kvedrova cesta 5A, 1000 Ljubljana

Proofreading: Amidas d.o.o.

Ukmarjeva ulica 2, 1000 Ljubljana

Printed by: COLLEGIUM GRAPHICUM d.o.o. Štepanjska cesta 11A, 1000 Ljubljana

4 SLOVENIA IN NUMBERS

5 DISCOVER AND FEEL SLOVENIA Interesting but less known facts

9 SLOVENIA AT EXPO MILANO 2015

15 AMBASSADORS OF SLOVENIA AT EXPO MILANO 2015 Tina Maze, Samir Handanović

16 SLOVENIA: A LOVE STORY

22 VISIT SLOVENIA AND EXPERIENCE CULTURE

27 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 52 55 58 61

REGIONS OF SLOVENIA The The The The The The The The The The The The

Coastal-Karst Region Littoral-Inner Carniola Region Gorica Region Upper Carniola Region Carinthia Region Central Slovenia Region Southeast Slovenia Region (Lower Carniola) Central Sava Region Lower Sava Region Savinja Region Drava Region Mura Region

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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Slovenia’s value proposition as a location for FDI Investment Opportunities

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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Automotive Industry Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Industry Electronics & Electrical Industry ICT Industry Logistics & Distribution Machining & Metalworking Industry Wood-processing & Furniture Industry Agri-food

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SLOVENIA – ITALY

Expo 2015: boost for economic cooperation with the host country, Italy

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PARTNERS

CONTACTS

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Partners of the Slovenian Pavilion at EXPO Milano 2015 Business Centre of the Slovenian Pavilion General information for doing business and investing in Slovenia EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

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SLOVENIA IN NUMBERS

Helsinki ▪

▪ Oslo

▪ Stockholm

▪ Riga

Moscow ▪

Copenhagen ▪

Dublin ▪

Vilnius ▪ ▪ Minsk ▪ Amsterdam

London ▪

Berlin ▪

Warsaw ▪

▪ Brussels ▪ Kiev ▪ Prague

▪ Paris

Vienna ▪ ▪ Bratislava

2000 km

1000 km

▪ Chisinau

▪ Budapest

▪ Bern

500 km

Ljubljana ▪ ▪ Zagreb

250 km

Venice ▪

▪ Belgrade

▪ Bucharest

Sarajevo ▪

▪ Madrid ▪ Lisbon ▪ Rome

Prishtina ▪ Podgorica ▪

▪ Sofia ▪ Skopje

Tirana ▪ ▪ Ankara

▪ Athens

Slovenia in numbers 4

SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

Basic economic indicators 2015 Population: 2,062,731 GDP in EUR m, current prices: 38,558 GDP, real growth, in %: 2.4 ILO unemployment rate, in %: 9.2 Exports of goods and services, real growth, in %: 5.6 Current account balance, in EUR m: 2,266 Average monthly gross earnings, in EUR: 1,515.98 Currency: euro (EUR)

DISCOVER AND FEEL SLOVENIA

Discover and Feel Slovenia -

Interesting but less known facts

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Slovenia is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of water. It has almost 27,000 kilometres of rivers, streams and other watercourses. It also has numerous thermal and mineral springs and many subterranean waters.

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Slovenia is the third most forested country in Europe.

Almost 60% of its territory is covered in forest. In recent decades, the proportion of forest has been increasing, since over 1,200,000 trees are planted each year.

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Slovenia’s Karst Plateau (Kras) has given its name to karst landscapes and karst phenomena all over the world. It was in the Karst that experts first explained numerous karst features such as underground caves, dolines and sinkholes.

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Over one-third of Slovenia’s territory is protected and included in Europe Natura 2000 network, which protects biodiversity.

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Slovenia is among the most biologically diverse countries in the world.

Slovenia accounts for less than 0.004% of the Earth’s surface yet is home to more than 1% of all living and 2% of all terrestrial species. A total of 24,000 animal species.

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Slovenia has one of the largest brown bear populations in Europe.

Between 500 and 700 bears are believed to live in Slovenia.

01 Grmečnik Waterfall ▪ Photo: Dunja Wedam/www.slovenia.info 02 The Škocjan Caves Park ▪ Photo: B. Kladnik/www.slovenia.info 03 Proteus Anguinus, at the Postojna Cave ▪ Photo: Postojna Cave Archives/www.slovenia.info 04 Slovene woods ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik/www.slovenia.info 05 Ratitovec Mountain ▪ Photo: Marko Pentek 06 Kočevje Forest, brown bear ▪ Photo: Bobo/www.slovenia.info

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DISCOVER AND FEEL SLOVENIA

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The oldest vine in the world, over 400 years old, grows in Maribor, the second largest Slovenian city.

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The world’s oldest wheel was found in the Ljubljana Marshes and is presumed to be 5,100 to 5,350 years old.

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The Solkan Bridge is the world’s longest stone-arch railway bridge. The main arch spans 85 metres, with a total bridge length of 219.7 metres.

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Divje Babe near Idrija – where a 60,000-year-old cave bear bone flute was discovered, the oldest known musical instrument in the world.

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Slovenian beekeeping is known for painted beehive panels, and is home to the Carniolan honey bee – one of the rare internationally recognised and protected bee species in Europe.

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The Vilenica Cave at Lokev is the oldest show cave in Europe. Tourists have been visiting it since 1633. Every year the Vilenica International Literary Prize is awarded in the cave’s "Ballroom".

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The Slovenian Herman Potočnik pioneered the development of space rocket technology. Under the pseudonym Noordung, he published a book entitled "The Problem of Space Travel" in 1928.

The book was a turning point in world space rocket science. Many solutions enabling man to live in space were presented in the book.

Due to the fact that when the book was published computers and solar cells had not yet been invented, his work is truly ingenious.

DISCOVER AND FEEL SLOVENIA

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The Slovenian alpine skier Tina Maze holds the overall record for points collected in a single season in the Alpine Skiing World Cup. In the 2012/2013 season she won 2,414 points and significantly exceeded the previous 13-yearold record held by the Austrian skier Herman Maier, who collected 2,000 points.

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The Slovenian Davo Karničar was the first man to ski down Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world.

He was also the first man in the world to ski the highest peaks of all seven continents.

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The Alpine valley of Planica is the "birthplace" of ski flying. Over 60 ski jumping and ski flying world records have been set there. Ski jumpers in Planica were the first to break the magic 100-metre and 200-metre barriers.

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The Slovenian ultramarathon swimmer Martin Strel was the first man to successfully swim the largest rivers in the world, the Amazon, the Mississippi and the Yangtze.

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Slovenia is the only country that has a coat of arms "cosmogram", featuring the symbol of Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia – ”Father of Slovenians” (2,864m). It’s named after a three-headed deity and represents a kind of pilgrimage mountain for all Slovenians.

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The Slovenian National Anthem "Zdravljica" is probably the only anthem in the world that does not just glorify one nation and one country, but proclaims timeless and always relevant values such ​​ as peace, cooperation, and friendship.

07 A grapevine over 400 years old at Lent in Maribor ▪ Photo: B. Bajželj/www.slovenia.info 08 The Solkan Bridge on the way to Nova Gorica ▪ Photo: Nea Culpa 09 Beehive panels ▪ Photo: Dunja Wedam/www.slovenia.info 10 The world’s oldest wheel ▪ Museum & Galleries of Ljubljana; Photo: Matevž Paternoster/MGML 11 Neanderthal bone flute from Divje babe (Paleolithic) ▪ Photo: National Museum of Slovenia 12 Vilenica Cave, 2nd chamber – "Aleja kapnikov" ▪ Photo: Emil Kariž, Speleological group of Sežana 13 Herman Potočnik Noordung ▪ Photo: KSEVT 14 The Problem of Space Travel ▪ Photo: KSEVT 15 KSEVT Opening ▪ Photo: KSEVT, Nada Žgank 16 Tina Maze ▪ Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA 17 Ski Flying Hill, Planica ▪ Photo: Aleš Fevžer/www.slovenia.info 18 Triglav from Viševnik ▪ Photo: K. Kunaver/www.slovenia.info 19 Davo Karničar ▪ Photo: Urban Golob 20 Marathon swimmer Martin Strel ▪ Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA 21 “Zdravljica”, the Slovenian National Anthem

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ADDRESS BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF SLOVENIA

Green,

the Colour of the Future Ladies and Gentlemen, The Universal Exposition Expo Milano 2015, held under the theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life", reflects well the current global moment and points to the connectedness of all people and the interdependence of humankind and nature.

We live in a period when the human impact on the environment and space is so intense that the positive or negative consequences of our actions are of great importance for the health of the planet and the well-being of society.

We are faced with many challenges, such as climate change, the shortage of and increasingly limited access to food and raw materials, the degradation of the environment, and a decline in biodiversity.

All of this seriously affects the restorative capacity and functioning of the environment and the ability of humans to ensure their food security, health and existence in general. The degradation of the environment and the inappropriate use of space have a negative impact on human well-being, the lives of current and future generations and, last but not least, on the 8

SLOVENIA â–Ş EXPO MILANO 2015

competitiveness of the economy, entailing considerable costs for society as a whole.

These are important global challenges that should not be addressed individually by each country, but through collective and coordinated action at the global and regional levels. This global moment requires each individual within society to reflect on their own way of life, the effects of their actions and habits on social progress, the state of the environment and the quality of life of future generations.

Awareness that we live on a planet that cannot be an object of endless economic exploitation is indeed on the rise, but it is still far from sufficient to help us resolve problems on a global scale in a coordinated and adequately effective manner.

Slovenia is one of the 145 countries participating in the Universal Exposition Expo Milano 2015. The purpose of the country’s participation and its ambitious and bold presentation concept at this exposition is to demonstrate its love of nature through five thematic areas: (I) salt pans, (II) honeybees, (III) thermal and mineral waters, (IV) hiking and biking, and (V) the black carbon measurement

project. The exhibition Pavilion is built with natural materials and is intended to attract visitors and highlight our character and our natural disposition: dynamic, open and oriented towards seeking new opportunities and solutions. The Universal Exposition Expo Milano 2015 is certainly the right place to display such a disposition, since it encourages our awareness of the fact that by taking small steps we can do something good for ourselves and for our planet. It simultaneously provides an opportunity to establish new business contacts and find a path towards green and sustainable development.

Dr Miro Cerar Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia

SLOVENIA AT EXPO MILANO 2015

The Slovenian Pavilion at EXPO Milano 2015 – front side ▪ Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Slovenia at EXPO Milano 2015 Slovenia is presented at EXPO Milano 2015 with its own Pavilion under the slogan "I FEEL SLOVENIA, Green.Active.Healthy."

The Slovenian Pavilion is perfectly located at the centre of events.

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SLOVENIA AT EXPO MILANO 2015

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Jerneja Lampret, General Commissioner of “Slovenia at EXPO Milano 2015”: “EXPO Milano is an exciting, interesting and educational experience we will never forget.

It will stay with us forever. We have poured all our knowledge, experience, and I can say with certainty, a significant part of our personality into the presentation of Slovenia. Our positive, “green” energy can be seen everywhere you look: on corner walls, the ambience of our Pavilion, the stories through which we wish to present our little paradise on the Sunny Side of the Alps. The Slovenian Pavilion is therefore not only a building, a room and exhibition equipment, but also the story of Slovenia, the story of the people who live and feel it.

We hope you will feel Slovenia and visit us.”

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

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01 Slovenian Pavilion at EXPO Milano 2015 – inside ▪ Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA 02 Jerneja Lampret, General Commissioner of “Slovenia at EXPO Milano 2015” ▪ Photo: STA 03 Slovenian Pavilion at EXPO Milano 2015 – inside ▪ Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

SLOVENIA AT EXPO MILANO 2015

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04 Opening ceremony with the Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek ▪ Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA 05 Slovenian Pavilion at EXPO Milano 2015 – inside ▪ Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA 06 Slovenian Pavilion at EXPO Milano 2015 – food corner with traditional Slovenian dishes ▪ Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA 07 Slovenian Pavilion at EXPO Milano 2015 – inside ▪ Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

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he architectural design of the Slovenian Pavilion was made by SoNo arhitekti, d. o. o. The Pavilion was constructed by Lumar IG, d. o. o.

SoNo Architects brings together a new generation of Slovenian architects in the creation of modern, high-quality architecture comprising a mix of architectural theory, study and research of locations, innovation, and experimentation with modern materials and construction methods.

Lumar Ig is one of the leading manufacturers of low-energy and passive prefabricated wooden buildings in Slovenia. The company offers innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions and is active on both the Slovenian and foreign markets.

The Slovenian Pavilion

SLOVENIA.

The Slovenian Pavilion’s pyramidal design, based on a dynamic geometric pattern, is reminiscent of the country‘s landscape – Alpine mountains, the Pannonian Plain, and the Mediterranean hills melding into arable lands with a vast underground labyrinth of karst caves featuring abundant stalactites and stalagmites.

The Pavilion is made of natural materials – wood and glass. Slovenia is one of the most densely forested countries in Europe, making wood a strategic raw material.

Slovenia also boasts an exceptional historical heritage. For example, the world’s oldest known wooden wheel with an axle was found in Slovenia. Over 5,200 years old, it is older than the Egyptian pyramids and the Mayan civilisation.

The story of Slovenia is the story of love of nature. Its name – SLOVEnia – even has the English word "love" running through it!

The story of "Five buckwheat grains to preserve GREEN, ACTIVE and HEALTHY Slovenia" is presented to visitors to the Slovenian Pavilion through interactive and multimedia features. We hope that a visit to the Slovenian Pavilion will promote the awareness that even small steps can enable us all to do some good for ourselves, for Slovenia, and for Earth. Visitors will be presented with five buckwheat grains, symbolising the five senses of the national brand slogan "I Feel Slovenia". Traditionally cultivated in Slovenia, buckwheat is a particularly healthy grain, an important crop for consumers, farmers and even bees.

Slovenia is presented through five main themes: salt pans, bees, thermal and mineral waters, hiking and cycling, and the measurement of black carbon particles.

Green. Active. Healthy.

The world’s oldest known wooden wheel with an axle was found in Slovenia. At 5,200 years old, it is older than the Egyptian pyramids and the Mayan civilisation.

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SLOVENIA AT EXPO MILANO 2015

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Salt

Bees

Salt greatly improves the taste of food.

Unground and unrefined Piran salt is a gift from the sea that is harvested on a daily basis from the ancient salt fields in the heart of a protected regional park. The Slovenian salt pans are one of the few in the world where salt is produced manually in accordance with traditional customs and procedures dating back to the 14th century.

Thanks to substrate biosediment, Piran sea salt is the only salt in Europe that is naturally sweet and white. The fields of "white gold" also hide the salt blossom, hand-collected virgin salt that captures the most primal taste of the sea with all its minerals. The quality of the salt blossom surpasses even the world‘s most prized varieties of "la fleur de sel". And while salt was once a strategically important commodity, today it is used in cooking, cosmetics and eco-tourism in Slovenia.

The latest wellness trend in the salt fields features the beneficial effects of mud and sea brine from the salt pans.

In Slovenia, beekeeping is a way of life.

Symbolising a healthy and vibrant planet, bees have a special status in Slovenia.

The country is home to the indigenous Carniolan gray bee - the second most widespread bee breed in the world, which is used in the production of honey on all continents. Nowhere in the world are such splendid dwellings for bees constructed as those in Slovenia, where beehives feature painted and illustrated panels; numbering more than 10,000, they represent a unique element of the world’s heritage. Due to their innovativeness, Slovenian beekeepers are also the global pioneers of sustainable tourism with bees. You can relax your body and soul to the sound of buzzing bees in special Slovenian beehives while enjoying a honey massage.

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

04 Sečovlje salt pans ▪ Photo: SPIRIT 05 Carniolan gray bee ▪ Photo: SPIRIT 06 Carniolan gray bee ▪ Photo: SPIRIT

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SLOVENIA AT EXPO MILANO 2015

07 07 The Soča River ▪ Photo: Domen Grögl 08 Mt. Peca underground cycling ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik/www.slovenia.info

The story of Slovenia is the story of love of nature. Its name – SLOVEnia – even has the English word "love" running through it! The story of "Five buckwheat grains to preserve GREEN, ACTIVE and HEALTHY Slovenia" is presented to visitors to the Slovenian Pavilion through interactive and multimedia features.

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Hiking and biking A healthy diet and exercise are part of a healthy lifestyle. As a land of green holidays, Slovenia offers opportunities for a variety of activities throughout the seasons.

Hiking and biking are popular ways of discovering the diversity of Slovenia’s regions. They also serve as an inspiration for its many athletes who achieve excellent results, with Slovenia ranking as one of the most successful countries in the world in

terms of the number of medals per capita in the Winter and Summer Olympic Games.

We invite you to live your adrenalineinspired dreams by cycling through the labyrinth of abandoned tunnels under Mt. Peca, discovering millions of years of history in the most famous tourist cave in the world in Postojna, riding the white Lipizzaner horses indigenous to Slovenia, and canyoning and rafting in the emerald Soča River, one of the most beautiful Alpine rivers in Europe.

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SLOVENIA AT EXPO MILANO 2015

09 09 Measuring concentrations of black carbon over the melting glaciers – The “Adventure for Science” Project ▪ Photo: Matevž Lenarčič 10 Thermal water ▪ Photo: SPIRIT 11 Glass of mineral water ▪ Photo: SPIRIT

Black carbon

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Thermal and mineral waters Slovenia is a country of beneficial waters.

Not only are its waters healthy and drinkable, but the country also bottles mineral water containing the richest source of magnesium in the world. Waters in Slovenia are also a source of adventure. Slovenia has 87 natural thermal springs and the globally unique black thermal water, known as "black gold".

Spa tourism and relaxation in wellness centres are among the most popular ways to spend a vacation in Slovenia.

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

To show its awareness of the importance of sustainable development and green technologies for the preservation of our planet‘s future, Slovenia will present the results of the project "Adventure for Science" at Expo Milano 2015. Matevž Lenarčič, the world’s best pilot in 2013, measured concentrations of black carbon in the atmosphere with the help of an innovative high-tech ultralight airplane produced by the Slovenian company Pipistrel and measuring technology developed by a different Slovenian company. Together with CO2, black carbon is the largest cause of global warming, but in the form of solid particles it can be efficiently removed from the environment at a relatively low cost. The flight, spanning 91,000 kilometres and crossing all seven continents, three oceans and 60 countries in 369 hours, is a unique achievement in the world. As part of the project, measurements were also taken in places as remote and inaccessible as the North Pole.

AMBASSADORS OF SLOVENIA AT EXPO MILANO 2015

Tina Maze, Ambassador of Slovenia, EXPO Milano 2015: "As an athlete, I am an ambassador and promoter of Slovenia. It is an honour to represent such a country and people. It’s no secret that I feel a personal attachment to our National anthem, which is about sincere friendship among peoples and countries.

Friendship and cooperation is also needed should we want to solve our global problems, among them, of course, the preservation of a healthy environment for future generations.

Our small country is so beautiful, different and wonderful that it would be a shame not to visit and discover it. There are not many small countries that ”have produced” so many champions, top sporting results, great athletes, … . Consequently, I would like to invite you all to visit us to realise why we are the way we are, why we try to make tomorrow better, greener, friendlier."

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Samir Handanović, Ambassador of Slovenia, EXPO Milano 2015: "I am glad to have chosen a job mainly performed on green fields, literally on the grass. My ”office” reminds me of Slovenia.

It is clean, transparent, green and full of action. As someone working abroad, I have a special relationship with my homeland. Most of the time, I have no direct contact with it and that is why I can ”understand and feel” it better. Therefore, I can honestly say: Come to Slovenia, take your time to discover it.

Slovenia is not only an attractive tourist destination, but a story you should experience."

02 01 Slovenian alpine skiing superstar Tina Maze with the Crystal Globe for her 2012/2013 record breaking season ▪ Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA 02 Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanović at the World Cup in South Africa ▪ Photo: Archives Xinhua/STA

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SLOVENIA: A LOVE STORY

Špičnik ▪ Photo: www.slovenia.info

SLOVENIA: A Love Story Visit the land where every love story is very personal.

Choose and experience your own!

Green. Active. Healthy.

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

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our experiences in Slovenia will lead to new business plans and business partnerships. They will connect you to people who love to surpass everyday limits. They will take you to the capital and surprise you with stories from all its diverse regions. They will inspire you with the capacity for many business events and meetings, as well as culinary delights and unique accommodation. Your experiences in Slovenia can encompass entertaining evenings in casinos and enjoyable days at shopping centres. You will be pleasantly stretched at sports and recreation venues in nature. You can choose a golf course or facilities for other activities in the various regions of Slovenia. Wherever you are, you will feel that special Slovenian love that connects the Alps with the Adriatic Sea and the Pannonian Plain, as well as the Karst in between, in a completely unique way.

This connection between the sea and mountains, the forests and the waters, and the Karst underground and the pleasant climate is the essence of the love that Slovenia carries in its name.

SLOVENIA: A LOVE STORY

Discover the diversity of Slovenia You will feel this special Slovenian love in the cluster of diverse landscapes as well as at specially selected destinations: in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, where it seems that even the typical dragons on the bridge are in love; in the Alps, where the treasures of nature are protected by the Goldenhorn; on the coast of the Adriatic Sea among the salt workers; in underground Karst caves and among other unique features of the stony landscape; at spas, where you will fall in love with yourself; at tables laden with specialities from 24 gastronomic regions and 3 wine-growing regions; and in nature, where you will be embraced by trees at every step.

Everything is nearby in Slovenia: you can reach any Slovenian destination within two or three hours from any starting point.

With its exceptional location in Central Europe, positioned between Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, Slovenia is easily accessible. Slovenia is only a few hours drive from Venice or Vienna, and there are the good road, rail, and airline connections from all over Europe. Being a coastal country, you can also reach Slovenia by sea –Slovenian marinas are accessible by private vessels, by speedboats which connect the Slovenian coast during the summer season with Venice and Trieste, for example, and also by the cruise ships that occasionally come to Koper, the largest city on the Slovenian coast.

It is truly worth visiting for the inspiration of diversity in the only country in the European Union that over manageable distances features the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain, and the Karst, the source of the name of all karst phenomena of this world.

Free climbing on Burjakove Peči in the Topla Valley, Koroška ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik/www.slovenia.info

Among the people of Slovenia Despite having slightly more than 20,000 square kilometres, the fourth smallest country in the European Union, and with only 2 million inhabitants, Slovenia is right at the top of the world in many ways.

Many ski jumpers fly on Slovenian Elan skis, and a number of legendary skiers have been inscribed in the history of Alpine skiing on Elan skis. Matevž Lenarčič flew around the world in an ultra-light plane that the company Pipistrel produces for the most demanding buyers around the world.

A song by the Slovenian folk ensemble Avsenik is the most frequently played song in the world. The Slovenian innovator Peter Florjančič holds more than 400 patents.

Slovenia is the top-ranked country

according to the number of medals won at the Olympic Games per capita. The alpine skier Tina Maze, one of the rare skiers who has won all alpine skiing disciplines, is from Slovenia.

When you visit Slovenia, expect to be infected with the Slovenian desire to overcome limitations. This originates from the unbelievable diversity of a country that is relatively small at first glance. Someone who has little, wants more. Someone who has a little of everything, can achieve anything. Slovenia abounds in diverse landscapes and is an inspiration for grand achievements.

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SLOVENIA: A LOVE STORY

natural features. Nature in Slovenia is mighty and accessible, green and activityfriendly.

Due to its accessibility, integration in the centre of Slovenia, and its modern tourist and conference capacities, Ljubljana is an excellent choice for various business and professional meetings.

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In Ljubljana

In the Alps

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is embraced by nature. It proudly bears the title of the European Green Capital 2016 and has won the prestigious 2015 WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow award. It lies on a river on which those seeking the golden fleece supposedly travelled, and was chosen as a home by long-gone pile dwellers and the ancient people of Emona. The pile dwellings on the Ljubljana Marshes, where the oldest wheel with an axle was found, are also on the UNESCO World Heritage List, while Roman Emona, the predecessor of Ljubljana, is celebrating 2,000 years since its birth. This city along the river is characterised by bridges that connect the left and right banks into an attractive whole, especially with the Triple Bridge, which together with the nearby picturesque market was designed by the distinguished architect Jožef Plečnik. The castle above the city is a wedding venue for many vows of love; the picturesque river embankments are full of corners for social gatherings.

Ljubljana is also attractive for shopping tourism, in both the old city centre and the modern BTC, which is one of the largest shopping centres in Europe.

Once you fall in love with Ljubljana and Slovenia you will not hesitate to invite guests here.

Nature is close and the mountain tops are visible from the country’s capital.

Mt. Triglav is the highest peak in Slovenia.

This stunning mountain, featured on the Slovenian coat-of-arms, is the focal point of Triglav National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Europe, where 84,000 hectares – or 4% of Slovenian territory – are protected. The treasures of the Julian Alps are protected by Goldenhorn – the symbol of the preservation of Slovenia’s natural treasures, which are actually protected by almost 50 parks and almost as many nature reserves.

Lake Bled lies beneath the peaks of the Julian Alps. This icon of Slovenian tourism has been popular among distinguished guests from all over the world for centuries.

Special ”pletna” boats can take you to the island in the middle of the lake, which is an excellent venue for weddings. If you ring the bell of the church on the island located in the lake your wishes will come true.

Perhaps you desire unique accommodation.

In Slovenia, you can camp in forest villas or choose many other forms of original accommodation.

The Julian Alps are a venue for great sporting victories: rowers measure their strengths on Lake Bled, kayakers and canoeists frequent the green valley of the Soča River, ski jumpers achieve record distances at the legendary Planica, the Pokljuka Plateau attracts biathlon competitors, Kranjska Gora, a venue for Alpine skiing races, is attractive in all seasons. Various trails invite you to challenge yourself in nature. In the summer, they will take you to Lake Bohinj with its Wild Flower Festival and other

01 Ljubljana’s Old Town from the air ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik/www.slovenia.info 02 Goldenhorn – Zlatorog ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik/ www.slovenia.info

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More than 10,000 kilometres of marked hiking and cycling trails run across the Alps and other Slovenian regions.

SLOVENIA: A LOVE STORY

In the Karst

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In the Mediterranean In Slovenia you can reach the coast of the Adriatic Sea from the vicinity of the highest mountains in only two hours. The most beautiful features of the Slovenian coast are combined in the landscape park that includes the northernmost traditional saltpans in the entire Mediterranean still operating. But, the clean sea, kind sun, and characteristic wind are not enough to produce the salt flower with its pink pyramid-shaped crystals. Slovenian salt workers know that the best salt is only produced with love – love originating from Piran, the most beautiful town on the Slovenian coast, which for centuries has invited families to the saltpans.

Many paths lead from the streets and squares of this picturesque Mediterranean town to the natural and cultural sites of the coast and the nearby Istrian hills.

They boast inviting olive plantations and vineyards, caressed by the salty winds in the hinterland. The winds mix with the music of virtuosos such as Giuseppe Tartini and the sounds of birds returning to the protected wetlands.

For centuries, visitors have been coming back here for their well-being.

Already in the 13th century, people in the nearby Portorož knew how to preserve health with seawater and mud from the saltpans. And these traditions are still offered at the modern spas and wellness centres. The well-arranged beaches by the clean sea, experiences in nature and at events, as well as the excellent local cuisine are additional reasons to feel the local love spiced with tasty salt.

More and more people on cruises come here to experience the love that Slovenia has to offer.

And that this love is connected to a special kind of luck, is demonstrated by the many who experience it in Slovenia’s casinos.

The Karst is located between Ljubljana and the Adriatic Sea – it is a region full of natural features beneath the earth’s surface and the origin of all karst phenomena of the world. Postojna Cave is here: with more than 36 million visitors, it is the most visited karst cave in Europe; also because it has featured a special underground train since 1818. How was it formed? Like 10,000 other caves in Slovenia. The soft rocks were carved by waters, which created an underground world of stalactites and stalagmites, and with their persistence and power, the waters also shaped other unusual forms on the surface of the karst landscape.

The Lipizzaner horses from the oldest stud farm graze here; they are special white horses that you can meet and view at a riding performance or on a carriage ride.

The living museum of the Karst stretches from Lipica to the Italian border, around the Škocjan Caves, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List; the Karst is a protected area of numerous natural and cultural features. In this area where culture and nature intertwine in a unique karst manner, the continental and Mediterranean climates also intertwine. The gentle influences of the sea allow for year-round golfing at the wonderful course here.

Some karst phenomena are especially kind to curious eyes, 03 Salt Pan – Sečovlje ▪ Photo: U. Trnkoczy/ www.slovenia.info 04 The Postojna Cave ▪ Photo: Iztok Medja/ Postojna Cave Archives, Postojna

while others are appropriate for diverse experiences and events in an unusual environment.

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SLOVENIA: A LOVE STORY

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At Spas

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At the table The Karst is also one of the 24 gastronomic regions of Slovenia. Each region, which immediately surprises one with its distinctiveness, has its own culinary specialities. Among the approximately170 typical dishes, there are some whose Slovenian origin is protected in the European Union. Try a cured meat like Karst prosciutto; indulge in Soča trout; taste Kranjska sausages and sample the different Slovenian potica pastries.

A premium wine from one of the three Slovenian wine-producing regions makes a perfect companion for each local dish.

The wine-growing areas in Slovenia are among the best in the world, and vines have always stretched across the sunny hills. They also play an important role in

05 Branik – Table setting ▪ Photo: Jošt Gantar/ www.slovenia.info 06 Terme Topolšica, Wellness ▪ Photo: Peter Marinšek/www.slovenia.info

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old stories about the Slovenian god of joy.

So it is no wonder that in Slovenia, precisely in Maribor, the second largest Slovenian city, the oldest vine has grown for almost half a millennium.

The Primorje, Posavje and Podravje wine regions are famous for wines that have won many distinguished awards in Slovenia and around the world. Culinary delicacies and wines, including a number of original and unique wines (zelen, cviček, teran, ranina, rebula and many others) can be tasted in genuine Slovenian inns, various restaurants that offer local culinary specialities in all seasons, and at tourist farms.

Workshops for learning about local culinary delicacies and tasting typical dishes can also be an attractive part of motivational meetings.

There are many places in Slovenia where you will be served wine together with Slovenian mineral water. The 87 springs producing natural thermal and mineral waters are a special treasure of Slovenia.

These waters and other natural factors are the basis for 15 verified natural spas that are located from the Pannonian Plain across the south-eastern part of the country to the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Slovenia has an enviable health spa tradition. The thermal waters in Slovenia were already attracting people seeking health in ancient times. Many thermal spas have a history that dates back to the Roman period, to the medieval nobility, to the time of alchemists, and the era of the rising European courts. Today, Slovenian thermal and health spas have upgraded their natural features and traditional experience with top-quality medical knowledge, various therapies, and the latest wellness approaches.

Contemporary thermal pool complexes in architecturally interesting accommodation facilities of all kinds invite you to different regions. Along with health spas, which are the perfect starting point for getting to know nearby Slovenian towns and the landscape, there are also many excellent opportunities for sports and recreation: well-marked walking, hiking and cycling trails, golf courses, tennis courses, ball game venues, riding, and winter sport venues. You can have fun experiences and excursions everywhere.

SLOVENIA: A LOVE STORY

Medical wellness that is always connected to the proven efficiency of natural factors (from micro-climate specialities, aerosols amidst the forests, to thalasso therapy at the seaside) is the perfect choice for preventing the consequences of a stressful business life.

Pohorje, the Wood ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik/www.slovenia.info

In nature You will find a cure for stress in Slovenia even if you are not searching for one.

Green, active and healthy Slovenia abounds in luxuriant nature. There are over 22,000 animal and plant species on somewhat more than 20,000 square kilometres. More than a third of Slovenia is included in the Natura 2000 network. In just 20,273 km2 there are approximately 28,000 km of waterways, and some 1,300 lakes larger than 10,000 square metres.

Forests are an environment for all natural features. Slovenia ranks third among European countries in term of forest cover.

The oldest remains of primeval forests are in the Kočevsko region, and they are unique in Europe.

Conifer forests are mightiest in the Koroška region and in the Julian Alps, where they merge with the rocks of the mountain peaks. The forests growing on the Pohorje Hills, geologically the oldest part of Slovenia, protect paths to peat bogs.

Anyone can access the forests, which even reach into towns with trees and parks.

Tourism in Slovenia respects sustainable commitments. This is proven by the five Slovenian EDEN destinations (European Destination of Excellence). You can find them by the Soča and Kolpa Rivers, amidst the mountains – in the Solčavsko region and Logar Valley, in Laško, a health spa town, and in Idrija, a town with a mining tradition, all on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Partner-Wise In Slovenia, you are always only a short walk away from a protected nature area; at the same time, nature in Slovenia is the place for the best active experiences: hiking and cycling, water sports and fishing, golf and riding, paragliding, caving and climbing, winter adventures on ski slopes, stadiums, driving test courses and fun parks.

Slovenia has preserved all its features with a special love of nature, activities in nature, and health, which is inseparably connected to a symbiosis with nature. Discover green, active and healthy Slovenia in your own way: business- and partner-wise.

Find opportunities for collaboration at www.slovenia.info, exhibitions and meetings in Europe, and at selected events in Asia and America. Representatives of various Slovenian tourist associations, regional destinations and local organisations as well as various Slovenian tourist companies collaborate on presentations of Slovenian tourism.

Partnerships are further developed at the annual Slovenia Incoming Workshop (SIW) at a selected tourist destination in Slovenia.

Find business opportunities. Find inspiration in Slovenia! Come as tourists, leave as friends, and return as partners.

Come as tourists, leave as friends, and return as partners.

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VISIT SLOVENIA AND EXPERIENCE CULTURE

Piran ▪ Photo: B. Jakše, S. Jeršič/www.slovenia.info

Visit Slovenia and experience culture

Slovenia is a people-friendly country; it lies at the crossroads of the Alpine, Pannonian and Mediterranean worlds, in the slipstream of different cultures and languages. Here, tradition and creativity intertwine with modern trends, and the natural and cultural landscapes are national assets. Scattered with villages and towns, none with more than 300,000 inhabitants, and full of historic sights, Slovenia offers a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience.

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isiting Slovenia means to find out more about Europe on a small scale: the blue Adriatic Sea, the Karst – the region that gave the name to similar geographic phenomena all around the world, the Alps with their outstanding peaks, the emerald Soča River, and a part of the Pannonian Plain with its extended villages along the Mura River and storks on chimneys. From the oldest whistle to pile dwellings, from situla art to Roman towns, from medieval castles with villages, to modern towns. The Slovenian nation and its culture are the result of a constant mixing of northern and southern, eastern and western impacts, which are most beautifully reflected in its cultural heritage.

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It smells like the Mediterranean in the ancient towns of Koper, Izola and Piran on the Slovenian coast Piran and its picturesque peninsula hide an amazing medieval legacy in its narrow streets. The old palaces reflect the heritage of Serenissima; in the summer, it undulates to the cadences of the Tartini Festival.

The mighty Church of St. George, which extends over a precipitous wall right above the sea, was constructed on the site of the previous church, which dated back to late antiquity. The Maritime Museum, which has an extraordinary archaeological, ethnological and artistic legacy also manages the Museum of Salt-Making, where you can view different types of salt production.

All are equal in the last dance in John of Kastav’s paintings in Slovenian Istria.

One shouldn’t miss Hrastovlje when heading inland. Modest and squeezed between grey walls, this church would not stand out in the stony Istrian landscape.

But in this church, John of Kastav painted the famous Dance of Death more than 500 years ago. Lord and lady, poor and rich, old and young dance to the rhythm set by bony death. The shocking Danse Macabre of Hrastovlje will accompany you beneath the steep karst edge of Črni Kal to the Karst of Divača.

VISIT SLOVENIA AND EXPERIENCE CULTURE

The Slovenian Karst prides itself on the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, as well as on the largest and most visited cave, Postojna Cave.

Pliny and Dante and probably Homer too were allegedly inspired by the Škocjan Caves, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List mostly due to their unique karst underground world and dazzling features. Anyone interested in further exploring the Karst should certainly visit nearby Lipica, with over 400 years of tradition of breeding Lipizzaner horses.

These are the world-renowned white horses which entertained imperial Vienna with their dance routines. The oldest tourist cave, Vilenica, is located close by. It has been open to visitors since 1633 and is renowned for its annual international literary festival, which attracts distinguished authors from around the globe.

The famous Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle can be visited in the Notranjska Region, which also features one of the largest intermittent karst lakes, Lake Cerknica, a unique natural reserve of marshy plants and birds among forests ruled by wolves and bears. At the time of the fall of the Roman Empire, a defensive wall was built in this area to prevent barbarian intrusions. Today, the remains of what were once late Roman fortresses (Claustra Alpium Iuliarum) can be viewed in Ajdovščina and amidst the mighty forests of Hrušica.

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Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and home to a people who live a rich cultural and social life at the crossroads of diversity.

01 The Škocjan Caves Park ▪ Photo: B. Kladnik/www.slovenia.info 02 National and University Library Ljubljana The Staircase ▪ Photo: B. Jakše, S. Jeršič/ www.slovenia.info

All paths lead to central Slovenia, where the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, has been settled for thousands of years.

The Neolithic settlement along the Ljubljanica River was once part of the pile dwellings which, together with the melancholic and mysterious swampy plain in the southern part of the city, are now protected by UNESCO. The remains of Roman Emona, built 2,000 years ago, can be seen in archaeological parks and the City Museum of Ljubljana. The medieval castle on the hill above the city offers an attractive museum collection and wonderful panoramas. The modern city

prides itself on its beautiful Baroque cathedral and Robba Fountain on one side of the river, and the Modernist Fabiani and Plečnik architecture on the other side.

Many people visit Ljubljana to see Plečnik’s masterpieces, such as the National and University Library, the Three Bridges and Križanke. Ljubljana is a charming and lively modern city that abounds in culture, especially during the Ljubljana Summer Festival.

Towards the Dolenjska Region, numerous churches are set on hills, which are quite typical throughout Slovenia.

Two and a half millennia ago, the hills were settled with prehistoric folk who were skilled iron workers and traded with the people of ancient Europe. The largest Iron Age settlement was located between Stična and the baroque Cistercian monastery, founded in 1130, which is worth visiting.

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The heritage is extremely rich in the Dolenjska and Bela Krajina Regions Novo Mesto, which is quite proudly called the town of situlae by local residents, is the home of the Museum of Dolenjska, housing over 20 bronze situlae from the graves of noble people from the Iron Age. We should not forget the richness of the romantic sights on the Krka River, such as the chapter church with a Tintoretto painting or the nearby Otočec Castle.

Ancient tales are told on the Gorjanci Hills on the border with Croatia. The mighty monastery at the foothills of the mountain is home to Carthusians, solitary guardians of the local lieu de mémoire.

On the other side of the Gorjanci Hills lies the romantic and archaeologically rich Bela Krajina Region. The Roman Mithraeum above Rožanec and the collections in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Črnomelj as well as the local museum are well worth visiting. A rich ethnographic collection is displayed at the museum in Metlika, where the Vinska Vigred Festival takes place every year – a celebration of wines, delicacies from the Bela Krajina Region and ethnological features.

International folk dance groups present their dances in nearby Črnomelj every year and gather at the oldest festival of this type in Slovenia – the so-called ”Jurjevanje”.

When returning over the Gorjanci Hills, the road takes us past Kostanjevica, known as the Venice of Dolenjska, and its forma viva to Brežice, known for the annual Seviqc Festival of old music, which takes place in the local Baroque castle with a colourfully painted hall of knights from the end of the 17th century.

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The Counts of Celje brought power to the town of Celje and carried the glory of the three golden stars into the world.

Celje, the town of counts, or Celeia as it was known in the Roman period, was one of the rich centres of Noricum, a the Celtic kingdom. Because it abounded in ore and stone quarries on the Pohorje Hills, it also remained autonomous during the Roman period. The remains of Celeia hide beneath the medieval counts’ mansion, where you can walk on a paved road built 2,000 years ago, which is part of the unique museum collection of the Celje Regional Museum.

The Counts of Celje, who were the only competitors of the Habsburgs, also owned the mighty castle above the city.

03 Celje ▪ Photo: Matej Vranič/www.slovenia.info 04 Ptuj and the Drava River ▪ Photo: A. Fevžer/ www.slovenia.info

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The town of Ptuj the mystical treasury of millennia Passing the edges of the Pohorje Hills, we arrive in Ptuj, which grew as the hub of trade routes. The most famous is the antique Amber Route, which led from the Baltics to the Adriatic Sea. Poetovia, as the city was named during the Roman era, was initially the camp of a Roman legion, and subsequently a customs centre; the town was also mentioned by Tacitus.

The exceptional museum collection at the castle is famous for its musical instruments, tapestries and Turquerie collections, which prove the wealth of Ptuj, which was based on wine trade. Ptuj is also known for a carnival festival called Kurentovanje, where the mythical ”kurenti” fight the winter. According to tradition, they dance wildly and with their scary masks chase away winter and ask for an abundant grape harvest.

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The picturesque Koroška Region is known for its ironwork heritage and the legend of King Matjaž.

The Koroška Region is squeezed between the Štajerska and Gorenjska Regions.

The mythical hero, King Matjaž, sleeps beneath Mt Peca. The centre of Koroška, Slovenj Gradec, has a rich and diverse past, which is presented in an exceptional gallery collection. The Carinthian ironwork heritage is preserved in the Museum of Ironworks in Ravne.

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Mt. Triglav, the national symbol, and Lake Bled with the island “on the national postcard”

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The plains of Prekmurje have been an inspiration for Slovenian poets and writers for centuries.

Soon the road brings us to the Pomurje Region, with long villages between which the Mura River winds lazily. The Pomurje Museum in Murska Sobota presents a picturesque meeting between the prehistoric past of Prekmurje, a settlement of Slavs and Hungarians, and the present time. Lendava is known as a multicultural town, intertwining features of the Slovenian, Hungarian, Croatian and Jewish peoples. The cultural and linguistic diversity is most beautifully reflected by the collection at Lendava Castle, where excellent international exhibitions are displayed; it is also famous for its art gallery.

The second largest city in Slovenia, Maribor, with the oldest vine in the world, is a place of merry people and a festival centre.

The Gorenjska Region is the most picturesque and richest Slovenian region, the pride of Slovenia: Mt. Triglav in the oldest national park in Europe, Lake Bled with its castle on the cliff, the Baroque pilgrimage basilica in Brezje, the Gorenjska national costume, and Bohinj with the Savica Waterfall are frequent images presented to the world. The centre of the region is Kranj, which played an important role during the migration period, it is also one of the most important centres of Slovenian culture. The lively past is displayed in the collections of the Museum of Gorenjska, including the Prešeren House, dedicated to the greatest Slovenian poet, France Prešeren. Another proof that Slovenian society abounds in culture is that one of the national holidays is Prešeren’s Day, the day of Slovenian culture.

Maribor, the European Capital of Culture 2012, is one of the liveliest cultural centres along the Drava River. It is famous for the Lent International Summer Festival, and distinguished by concert, opera and theatre events. In the past few years, it has been known especially for its excellent and internationally renowned ballet productions. The Regional Museum nestled in the heart of Maribor Castle hosts contemporary exhibitions that provide information about the rich past of the city and its surroundings.

05 Maribor ▪ Photo: Matej Vranič/www.slovenia.info 06 Pleterje – the only operating Carthusian Monastery or Charterhouse in Slovenia. ▪ Photo: Lenarčič/www.slovenia.info

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The Škofja Loka Passion Play is a live masterpiece based on the oldest drama in the Slovenian language and staged with over 900 volunteers every 6 years

cultural monument, dedicated to soldiers who were killed on the Soča Front.

This monument to peace was erected with great dedication, and served as a spiritual haven for Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Jews and atheists during the hardships of Second World War.

Škofja Loka is one of the best preserved and most picturesque Slovenian medieval towns. Not only the mighty castle above the town and the castle collection, but also the town itself has become a unique medieval museum. This is mostly due to the Easter Passion Play, an original medieval play which is 300 years old.

A unique sight of 20th century heritage is the Bohinj railway tunnel that connected the Gorenjska Region via Baška Grapa with the Primorska Region at the beginning of the 20th century. Bohinj had a crucial role in the First World War. Franja Partisan Hospital is located in the nearby Cerkno Hills. This hospital is a monument to humanity and bears the European Cultural Heritage designation. Idrija, which due to its mercury mine, together with the Spanish Almadén, is registered on the UNESCO Heritage List, is also in the vicinity. The emerald Soča River winds along the other side of the Alps along the Italian border. With its primal beauty, it preserves the memory of those fallen in the First World War. Numerous graves and the award-winning museum in Kobarid testify to the slaughter of that time. Today, the Walk of Peace trail runs through this area as a reminder of the irrationality of war.

A beautiful wooden church in Javorca above the banks of the Tolminka River is located along the route. It is an exceptional

The emerald Soča River with its primal beauty preserves the memory of those fallen in the First World War

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07 Javorca above Tolmin, Secession Memorial Church, WW I ▪ Photo: Bobo/www.slovenia.info 08 Most na Soči ▪ Photo: Lenarčič/ www.slovenia.info

The Posočje Region together with the Goriška Region has long been a lively crossroads of cultures. Numerous festivals of modern and classical music take place there every year. It is no surprise that as we drive across the national border in the beautiful wine-producing region of Brda we may not even notice that. Numerous castles and mansions, rich wine cellars and dreamy villages on the blossoming hills accompany us along the way. Not long ago it was completely different, and we are informed about this by the smallest museum in the world, arranged in the military guard tower on the former border crossing between Slovenia and Italy in Vrtojba. A place where once there was an invisible iron curtain is now a place of symbiosis and connection.

Prepared by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

The Mura Region The Carinthia Region

The Upper Carniola Region

The Gorica Region

The CoastalKarst Region

The Drava Region

The Savinja Region The Central Sava Region

The Central Slovenia Region

The Littoral-Inner Carniola Region

The Lower Sava Region

The Southeast Slovenia Region (Lower Carniola)

Regions of

Slovenia

A unique diversity on only 20,000 square kilometres

Experience the pure beauty of the sunny side of the Alps, the invigorating smell of the Adriatic Sea, feel the touch of the Alpine winds meeting Adriatic softness, the purity of the green forests, the tranquillity of the hills and clean rivers, enter the mysterious Pannonia plains and modern, sustainability-oriented Slovenian urban centres with rich history.

FEEL SLOVENIA.

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Coastal-Karst Region

Lipica Stud Farm ▪ Photo: Lipica Stud Farm

Istria and the Karst

A world of precious natural and cultural beauties One of the most interesting and varied regions of Slovenia stretches from the sea over the Šavrini Hills to the Karst. The two seemingly different landscapes have much in common and that is also why they present themselves together. They are connected by a rich history, unique nature and renowned culinary offer, but are distinguished by geographical and cultural features.

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The land of natural parks Istria and the Karst are rich in parks and natural areas and therefore it becomes somewhat difficult to choose which ones to visit. Beginning the trip in the coastal area, first there are the renowned salt pans of the Sečovlje Salina, where skilled craftsmen still produce salt using traditional techniques and processes. Proceeding towards the hinterland, on the outskirts of Koper, part of the territory is covered by the largest wetland in Slovenia, the Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve, important for its rich fauna and flora.

This richness, however, is not present only on the surface but also underground.

The peculiarity of the Karst area is its underworld with the jewel of the Škocjan Caves, the only natural monument in Slovenia listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plunging into the tunnels dug for millennia by the Reka River is undoubtedly an experience that offers impressive views over the largest underground canyon in Europe.

The majority of the Karst territory is part of the Karst Living Museum, where it is possible to explore the fantastic world of the Classical Karst with all its natural and cultural features.

The Coastal-Karst Region

Trips along the green hill paths and villages of Istria and the Karst The peculiarity of the Karst area is its underworld with the jewel of the Škocjan Caves, the only natural monument in Slovenia listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spending free time outdoors during pleasant sunny days has become a great privilege in today’s hectic world.

The walking and cycling paths of Istria and the Karst offer unforgettable adventures.

On one side the view opens onto the gulfs of Koper and Trieste, on the other onto the Alps. It does not matter in what season you plan a visit, the view is always thrilling.

Even the bravest athletes will be satisfied.

The rocky cliffs located near Osp, one of the oldest villages in Slovenia, are one of the top climbing destinations in the world, considered an important goal and great challenge for climbers.

But the Istrian and Karst villages offer much more. Following the Brkini Fruit Road and the Karst Wine Road, it is possible to enjoy authentic local experiences enriched by stories from the daily lives of the local population. When visiting Štanjel and Pliskovica on Kras and Hrastovlje and Padna in Istria it really feels like one has taken a trip back in time to soak in the cheerfulness of the local feasts and osmicas .

The aromas of the traditional cuisine

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A special feature of the region is the vast culinary offer. Both the Istrian and the Karst cuisines represent exceptionally flavourful dishes. If you opt for a soup for lunch, then you will be served a plate of "bobiči", a typical Istrian soup prepared with corn, beans, potatoes and pork meat, or a plate of Karst "jota", which instead of corn is cooked with turnip or sauerkraut.

▪ REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

But you definitely cannot leave the Karst without enjoying Karst cured ham, "Kraški pršut". The secret ingredient that differentiates "Kraški pršut" from other prosciuttos is the bora wind, which blows especially during winter and ensures that the meat dries naturally. This is also why this product has a geographical protected designation of origin. As a characteristic of Istria we could mention "fuži" with truffles, a special type of pasta similar to garganelli topped with truffle sauce. Both culinary traditions are based on seasonal ingredients, which ensure a healthy and varied diet.

The experienced oenologists will suggest a glass of top quality wine to complement your meal. With soup, cheese and fish, a glass of white wine, such as Istrian Malvasia or Karst Vitovska Grganja, will be a perfect match, whereas a special touch to the slightly heavier meat dishes can be provided by the red wines.

Istria and the Karst have a really special feature: from the same vine the two regions produce two different types of wine, Refosco in Istria and Teran in the Karst.

Due to the differences in the soils, the two varieties have a different and very special taste.

The Karst Region is also known as an important producer of liquors and brandies. The famous Karst juniper brandy is distilled from fermented juniper berries and enjoys a protected designation of origin indication.

Speaking of Istria, we should not forget the extra virgin olive oil. Olive growing has a very long tradition thanks to the favourable climate and soil. The use of olive oil is not limited to only the traditional cuisine, but it is present also in wellness and beauty centres.

01 The Škocjan Caves ▪ Photo: Borut Lozej 02 Wellness & Spa ▪ Photo: LifeClass Hotels & Spa 03 Casinò ▪ Photo: Casinò Portorož

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Coastal-Karst Region

04 04 Izola ▪ Photo: Jaka Ivančič 05 Thalasso Spa Lepa Vida ▪ Photo: Arne Hodalič

Countless events enliven the atmosphere.

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Mud, salt, sea…to distract the body and mind After a long day, who would not want some time to rest and relax? If you have been dreaming of a great spa where you could spend even an entire day, then Istria is the perfect place for you. In the middle of the salt pans of the Sečovlje Salina, a true oasis of peace and serenity is arranged completely outdoors. The atmosphere is different, rich in fragrances from the environment, allowing you to forget about your daily challenges. For more traditional but always high level treatment, you can choose the Terme & Wellness LifeClass, which offers the most complete thermal, therapeutic and wellness services in Europe.

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For a perfect family trip Istria and the Karst are an ideal destination for families. The Lipica Stud Farm is definitely worth visiting as it is the home of the charming Lipizzaner horses. For those who wish to admire the beauty, elegance and style of these fascinating horses, a performance by the classical riding school is an experience should not be missed.

Children will definitely enjoy the company of the little ponies, which can take them on a short ride. To savour the atmosphere of a past time, take some time and explore the grounds while enjoying an unforgettable carriage ride.

Being in the right place at the right time can provide great satisfaction. Istria and the Karst organise events that are hard to forget. The season begins with the more adventurous ones, such as running and cycling races, and continues with the popular ones, linked to the local traditions.

Stalls in the square, perfumes from the sea, traditional dances and music, all this and much more.

Numerous events are linked to the culinary traditions redolent with the aromas of the specialties and seasonal products. The region celebrates various wine, prosciutto, fish, asparagus and even dessert festivals. These are the best opportunities to learn about and try the dishes that characterise this small but charming part of Slovenia.

Istria and the Karst are really something special and invite you to a unique experience.

The Littoral-Inner Carniola Region

▪ REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

The Križna Jama Cave – Kalvarija ▪ Photo: Gašper Modic

A land of stone with a soft heart –

Green Karst Slovenia

The Green Karst is definitely one of the most unique tourist destinations in Slovenia.

It is located in the south-western part of Slovenia, at crossroads connecting Italy, Central Europe and Croatia. The natural heritage and karst phenomena are the main highlights of the Green Karst. The stone landscape is shaped by water, which carves through the stone, creating a unique landscape intertwined with thousands of caves.

Every cave is special and offers visitors a unique experience.

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Littoral-Inner Carniola Region

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he caves will leave you speechless while you explore the mysterious underground of the Green Karst.

The most famous and the largest caves in Slovenia are the Postojna Caves, with more than 200 years of tradition. Križna Cave, famous for its cave bear bones and 40 underground lakes, is the most beautiful water cave in Slovenia. Planinska Cave is a cave with the largest underground confluence of two rivers in the world.

Although the natural wonders hide underground, they can also be seen on the earth’s surface. The nature park in Rakov Škocjan is one of the most preserved natural environments in Slovenia. Natural bridges, ravines, caves and the Rak River create a natural scene that will take your breath away while you take a walk on the marked trails.

The seasonal lakes of the Green Karst are another natural wonder. These

mysterious lakes appear and disappear depending on the season. During autumn and winter, the water bursts from the underground, filling the lowlands of the valleys, thus creating more than 20 seasonal lakes in the Green Karst.

Cerknica Lake is the largest seasonal lake in Europe and more than 17 smaller lakes can be found in the Pivka Valley.

You can take a bike and cycle around the entire region, visiting Jezerski Hram – the Cerknica Lake interpretation centre and the Ecomuseum of the Pivka Seasonal Lakes, where you will find out how such lakes form, learn about the flora and fauna, and see how nature influences the everyday life of the past and present.

In spring and summer, the lakes offer a completely different picture. As the water disappears, various plants and flowers appear, offering a perfect location for 32

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04 01 The Pivka River in the Black Caves ▪ Photo: Postojna Cave Archives 02 Šobec farm – traditional foods ▪ Photo: Tomaž Penko 03 Cerknica Lake ▪ www.zelenikras.si 04 The legend of Martin Krpan ▪ www.zelenikras.si

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photography, walks and a place where you can simply enjoy the peaceful nature.

Although many lakes and rivers appear and disappear in the Green Karst, some of them remain for the entire year. Rivers such as the Reka, the largest karst river, and the Unica, one of the tributaries of the Ljubljanica River, offer a perfect place for fishing.

Those who would like to cool themselves in the summer, can visit Lake Bloke, a place where you can take a swim, paddle and relax at a glamorous camping site.

The natural wonders of the entire Karst area in Slovenia are presented in a new museum exhibit at the Notranjska Museum in Postojna. The Karst Museum is a unique exhibition space entirely focused on the presentation of this unique phenomenon – the Karst. Through modern and dynamic presentations, visitors can explore all aspects of this stone landscape, from the creation of the stone in the prehistoric seas to life on this rough

terrain. A large part of the exhibit is dedicated to the most beautiful karst phenomena – caves. Although Slovenia has more than 11,000 caves, the largest ones can be found in the Green Karst, so it is no wonder that the science of cave exploration started right in the centre of the region in Postojna. As caves have been used by people for thousands of years, they offer a unique place for all kinds of research, from not only the geological but also the anthropological and historical points of view. Not long ago, explorers discovered the treasure of Predjama, a collection of gold and silver objects, carefully hidden in a cave for more than 500 years. Today, visitors from all over the world can admire the treasure from Predjama Castle in the new museum exhibit in the Karst Museum.

Nature and people have always been tightly connected. The museums, collections and castles of the Green Karst tell the stories of life in the past. You can take a walk down the Krpan hiking trail, following the footsteps of the mighty salt smuggler Martin Krpan, who defeated the Turkish army and rescued the empire.

The Predjama, Snežnik and Prem Castles stand as witnesses to a thousand years of history, taking you back to the age of knights and dragons. These mighty fortresses were built on the most important strategic positions and they still reign over

The Littoral-Inner Carniola Region

the land. Each castle is a unique pearl.

Predjama Castle is the most famous Slovenian castle, built in a cave in a 123-meter-high cliff. It is home to the legend of the knight Erazem of Predjama, who boldly stood up to the emperor and lost his life following the betrayal of one of his servants. In the vast forests of Snežnik Mountain, romantic Snežnik Castle stands surrounded by trees, fields and water. The Castle boasts its original interior, showing how the nobility lived in the previous centuries. Prem Castle is the smallest of these, reigning over the Reka River Valley for more than 800 years. With the museum exhibit presenting prehistoric settlements and numerous castles in the valley, you can see how different armies fought over this strategically important region. Although only three castles in the region are preserved, you can become an explorer, take a hike and discover the hidden ruins of the past in the Green Karst.

Those who seek historical diversity will be amazed by the richness the Green Karst has to offer. Because of the strategic position, many armies fought wars over these lands, each of them leaving a piece of its culture behind.

A unique place to visit is the Park of Military History in Pivka, a tourist and

museum centre that has experienced intensive development over the last couple of years. Various museum exhibits and the diverse museum collection offer visitors unique insight into Slovenian and world history. The main collection comprises artillery, tanks, cannons and aircraft.

The most attractive museum exhibit is definitely the submarine, which can also be viewed from the inside. In this small Yugoslav submarine visitors can learn more about the mysterious world of submariners.

The offer of the Park is complemented by the thematic restaurant (Kantina Pivka), where visitors can enjoy a traditional home-style meal, have a taste of army food, or take a sip of fine wine in the wine cellar.

Traditional home-style cuisine is our speciality. Restaurants and tourist farms prepare dishes with traditional ingredients, such as potatoes, beans, kohlrabi, sauerkraut, and various types of meat, but each chef puts a different twist on how the dish is prepared. Forests provide for some special types of dish; depending on the season, you can taste dormouse goulash and dishes prepared with bear meat.

▪ REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

Lakes, vast green forests, mountains and caves offer many possibilities for activities all year round. Take your time and enjoy some relaxing fishing, bird watching or wildlife photo shooting. Experience bearwatching tours and see nature in its primal beauty.

Take a ride in a hay cart or explore the Green Karst on horseback, by bicycle, or on foot. Soar into the air, visit the mountains, swim in the lakes, and descend into the mysterious underground.

More info: RDA Green Karst, d. o. o.

DMO Postojna Cave-Green Karst Prečna Ulica 1 6257 Pivka, Slovenia +386 (0)5 721 22 49 info@zelenikras.si www.zelenikras.si/en

05 Predjama Castle ▪ www.zelenikras.si 06 Snežnik Castle ▪ www.zelenikras.si; Photo: Tomaž Penko 07 Lake Palčje ▪ www.zelenikras.si 08 Park of Military History Pivka ▪ www.zelenikras.si 09 Fishing ▪ www.zelenikras.si

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Gorica Region

The Emerald Soča Valley ▪ Photo: Nea Culpa

The Emerald Land Where life runs in colours

In north-western Slovenia, lying between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, a unique world extends where life runs its course in vivid colours according to the rhythms of nature.

It has always been lively in the geographical triangle between Slovenia, Italy and Austria; here different worlds and cultures are constantly mixing. Welcome to the Emerald Land, where you can gather so much energy and experience! It starts in the north with the spectacular karst source of the alpine Soča River, which pushes the emerald current to the surface. Its unique, almost miraculous colour interweaves like a rainbow through other natural beauties on its way to the sea. Each colour of this rainbow links up in the Emerald Land: the Soča Valley, Idrija and Cerkno, Brda, Nova Gorica, the Vipava Valley and the Karst Region. Experiencing this Slovenian region is like tapping into a source of positive energy.

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The Gorica Region

The Emerald Soča Valley

▪ REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

The blue depths of the Idrija and Cerkno region

The golden-yellow reflections of Brda

The oldest Slovenian mining town has coexisted with the second largest mercury mine in the world for almost five hundred years. Due to its rich mining heritage, Idrija has been included in the prestigious Unesco World Heritage List. It is famous throughout the whole world for Idrija lace, created by the very skilful hands of bobbin lace makers. Embraced by the Cerkno Hills in the Pasica Gorge lies the Franja Partisan Hospital, one of the better-equipped hidden hospitals of the Second World War. Pamper your taste buds with delicious Idrijski žlikrofi (stuffed dumplings from Idrija)! These are made in local kitchens and restaurants and their speciality is a unique stamp, i.e. the fingerprint of the chef who prepared them.

The hills shining in the sun, lines of fruit trees, olive tree plantations and colourful views of the landscape have made the Brda hills an instantly recognisable land of intoxicating moments. The energy of the sun and the love of Brda winemakers have created top-quality wines, among which Ribolla (Rebula) is the most renowned. It glitters in the glass in attractive shades of golden-yellow. Take a panoramic bike ride across the varying hilly landscape, take a walk through the fortified medieval villages and enjoy yourselves while visiting idyllic Brda homesteads. In May and June enjoy delicious cherries, for which the Brda region is famous all over the world.

The most beautiful experiences and tastes:

Šmartno is a charming hilltop

most magnificent sights in the Soča Valley. The lowest point of Triglav

The Antonio’s Mine Shaft is one of the

marvellous view of the picturesque

National Park, and one of its most

oldest preserved mine entrances to the

landscape opens out.

beautiful entry points.

Idrija mercury mine. It is listed as a

The Cherry Festival, which takes place

The Soča Outdoor Festival is a sports

Unesco World Heritage site.

in June, is the biggest event in Brda.

event that takes place in the summer.

The Idrija Lace Festival, which takes

At that time the landscape is enriched

Bovec (Bovški) and Tolminc cheeses

place in the summer in Idrija, is a

with Brda cherries, already worshipped

represent the tradition of cheese-making

homage to bobbin lace making.

back in imperial Vienna and once adored

in the Soča Valley. Tolminc full-fat cow’s

Idrijski žlikrofi is a culinary speciality

by the elite in Saint Petersburg.

milk cheese dates back to the 13th

from Idrija which holds a European

Frtalja is a typical Brda dish, prepared

century. The special characteristic of

designation as a guaranteed traditional

as a fried omelette made of beaten eggs,

Bovec cheese, made from sheep’s milk, is

speciality.

in which the inhabitants of Brda put a

its typical aromatic-piquant flavour.

The dish is made of pasta with potato

mixture of fresh chopped herbs.

In the morning, when the Soča Valley is still in the shade and the morning dew hasn’t yet dried on the grass, the mountain peaks of the Julian Alps are already bathing in the first rays of the sun. Catch the most beautiful views of the mighty Alps and take a deep breath. Here, by the vivid emerald Soča River, there is fresh air in plenty, and a wide range of activities to choose from.

Playful canoeing in the river’s pools and rapids, a descent down a zipline, and kilometres of hiking and cycling paths invite numerous lovers of outdoor activities.

Embraced by nature, take a walk along the Peace Trail, which connects the preserved heritage sites of the First World War and the Isonzo Front – already a century old.

The best experiences and tastes: The Tolminka Gorges are one of the

The most beautiful experiences and tastes: Renaissance village. From there, a

stuffing and can be a delicious side dish

Curious fact:

at every meal.

Did you know that the emerald Soča

Curious fact: Did you know that Ribolla is the most

River, in its upper reaches, is one of the

Curious fact:

recognisable local white vine variety of

favourite destinations in Europe for lovers

There are more than 700 km of mine

Brda? It is a modest and persistent vine

of fast, wild rapids? It is a real paradise

shafts under Idrija, from which more

variety, growing on the local sunny slopes

for those who want to experience various

than 147,000 tonnes of mercury (almost

in the flysch soil, from which high-quality

activities on water, such as rafting,

two Great Pyramids of material) were

wines are produced, ranking amongst the

canoeing and hydrospeeding.

dug throughout the years.

best wines in the world.

01 Enjoying Tolmin cheese at the Kozjak Waterfall in the Soča Valley ▪ Photo: Nea Culpa 02 Žlikrofi, a traditional specialty from Idrija ▪ Photo: Nea Culpa 03 Cycling in the picturesque Brda region ▪ Photo: Nea Culpa

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Gorica Region

Nova Gorica in the shade of the red roses

The green beauty of the Vipava Valley

The purple magic beauty of the Karst

The city of roses, entertainment and exciting moments, located close to the border with Italy, awaits your visit. Feel the thrill while testing your strategic knowledge and luck in the numerous casinos and gaming halls and playing live games of chance. Let red be your lucky colour! Wander through the surrounding villages, take part in several food festivals, taste excellent wines and admire the largest collection of Bourbon Roses in the world. These are named after the Bourbons, the last descendants of the French royal family, who escaped to Goriška, and whose tomb rests in Kostanjevica Monastery.

Follow the stream of shades of green in the Vipava Valley. Catch them in a glass of Zelén, a high-quality wine from the local wine producers. This indigenous vine variety grows on fertile soil, rich due to the sediments left by the Vipava River, the only European river that has a delta source.

The Vipava Valley is home to mellow fruit – peaches, apricots and cherries. Discover the variegated landscape by bike, on foot or get a bird’s eye view from a paraglider.

The red karst soil hides the secrets of the unique karst underground. Here the water has been cutting works of art from the limestone for thousands of years, and has created the unique shapes of the underground world. Jerina (terra rossa), a red karst soil, adds an additional flavour to Teran wine. The local people, who like to serve it with the delicious thinly-sliced pršut (prosciutto), are proud of this wine with its red shades and recognisable taste.

The flowering shrub sumac is typical of the landscape, colouring the land a vivid red in the autumn, when it glows in all its beauty.

The best experiences and tastes: The Otliško Okno (The Otlica Natural Window) is a karst phenomenon in the shape of a drop (a window), from where a

The best experiences and tastes:

The best experiences and tastes:

marvellous view of the Vipava Valley

The view from Cerje, where you can

The Solkan Bridge is a prominent bridge

opens out.

embrace the Alps and the Adriatic Sea at

with the longest stone arch in the world.

The Tastes of the Vipava Valley is a

the same time with only one look.

It was built as part of the important

traditional festival of wine and food,

The Walk of Peace from the Alps to

railway link between Trieste and Vienna,

taking place in May at Zemono Manor.

the Adriatic Sea along the intact parts

and trains still cross it today. The

Fishing on the Vipava River is a

of the karst plateau takes you to the

museum’s steam train is especially

paradise for recreational fishermen. The

most interesting memorials and other

interesting.

most popular technique is fly-fishing,

monuments from the rich legacy of the

The radicchio of the Goriška Region is

while Soča trout, pike and sheatfish are

First World War. It attracts numerous

a winter crop, recognisable for its

among the special prizes.

hikers, cyclists and other lovers of

similarity to a rose. It was appreciated

Vipavska jota is a stew made from

outdoor activities.

even in the 19th century and known as far

turnip or cabbage, beans and potatoes.

Teran PTP wine and prosciutto create

as the Court of Vienna.

a perfect harmony of flavours. The high-

Curious fact:

quality red wine with its typical aroma,

Did you know that Zelén is an indigenous

and Karst ”pršut” (prosciutto) with its

Did you know that the walls around

white grape variety from the Vipava

European protected geographical

Kostanjevica Monastery in Nova Gorica

Valley? In the sun’s rays the wine

indication, go hand in glove.

are adorned with the largest and most

sparkles yellow with green shades and a

perfect collection of red Bourbon Roses in

noble spirit.

Curious fact:

the world?

04 The Solkan Bridge on the way to Nova Gorica ▪ Photo: Nea Culpa 05 The Otlica Natural Window overlooking Vipava Valley ▪ Photo: Nea Culpa 06 Prosciutto and wine tasting in the Karst Region ▪ Photo: Nea Culpa

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The Upper Carniola Region

▪ REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

Triglav, the highest Slovenian mountain, is the centre of Triglav National Park. ▪ Photo: RDO Gorenjska Archives

Slovenian Alps –

Gorenjska

In the north-eastern corner of Slovenia, at the country’s frontiers with Italy and Austria, you can surely expect some interesting discoveries!

Feel your heart beat faster among the mountain peaks, waterfalls and torrential streams, amidst the forests and the alpine meadows, in picturesque villages and ancient towns… in the embrace of stunningly beautiful scenery!

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owhere are the highest alpine walls so accessible, while few places are so beloved by kings, presidents and artists from the world over. In this pastoral idyll life still beats with the pulse of ancient times, the dolce vita of medieval towns, with luck forged in age-old ironwork, dancing to the rhythm of the most popular folk melody in the world, Na Golici. …It’s so simple and so close!

Get inspired The Slovenian Alpine region boasts more than 90 protected areas and sites, the largest and single most important of which is the Triglav National Park. This is indeed a land of impressive peaks and waterfalls, picturesque gorges and canyons, serene lakes and vivacious rivers, as well as remarkable flora and fauna.

Be active If you love the great outdoors, you will simply fall in love with Alpine Slovenia! In addition to thousands of kilometres of mountaineering and hiking trails, as well as cycling routes through the forests and meadows, there are numerous rivers EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Upper Carniola Region

01 01 Bled at sunrise ▪ Photo: Jošt Gantar 02 Cycling around the beautiful nature of Gorenjska. ▪ Photo: Rožle Bregar

and lakes providing opportunities for relaxation or an adrenaline rush, as well as the snow-covered slopes of small yet well-tended winter resorts much beloved by alpine skiing champions.

You can also soar amidst high mountains; then there is horse riding, a most excellent golf course, as well as plenty of possibilities for fishing. Check it out yourself.

Relax In the midst of magnificent forests and alpine streams, experience health and wellbeing in the fresh air of the sunny mountain climate. A relaxing break in Alpine Slovenia invigorates both body and spirit.

Discover The beautiful nature competes with the rich cultural heritage. Many legends, ancient towns, and traditional crafts await your visit. Get in touch with them in the museums or while searching for a unique tourist souvenir.

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Join in

Taste it

Plan your trip according to the major events, which are held all year around: from traditional events, with roots stretching way back in history, to modern World Cup events in various sports.

Gorenjska boasts a great many traditional, cultural, entertainment and sports events.

While some will only take a day, other will keep you busy for the whole weekend or even longer. Don’t miss out!

Gorenjska built the foundations of Slovenian and European apiculture, with local honey produce found all over the region. Combining traditional Slovenian food and genuine modern cuisine, the region will not leave you hungry. You will be served not only tasty dishes, but also healthy produce from local farmers.

Encounter the local specialties and farmers at local markets and take a bite.

The Upper Carniola Region

Do business

Take a photo

Suitably equipped venues for business meetings and similar events may be found in many places, but there are few in the world where the possibilities for relaxing in nature are just a single step away. A conference or business event in the Slovenian Alps offers you so much more.

Visit some of the most photogenic places in Slovenia, such as Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, the church in Jamnik or the mountain pastures of Velika Planina. Wait for a sunset over the mountain peaks or catch some morning sunshine in a flowery meadow.

Smile with family and friends surrounded by the facades of medieval towns.

Say “I do” Get married in a natural setting, in the romantic ambience of a castle or a ”legendary” venue high in the Alps. Stories from the past relate that marriages entered into in Gorenjska have an excellent chance of lasting longer!

Take away Gorenjska is not only home to natural superlatives and diverse living traditions, it is also a place where innovation knows no limits. International awards for design and innovation together with the long tradition of world-renowned producers are proof thereof.

▪ REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

Nowhere are the highest alpine walls so accessible, while few places are so beloved by kings, presidents and artists from the world over. In this pastoral idyll, life still beats the pulse of ancient times, the dolce vita of medieval towns, with luck forged in age-old ironwork, dancing to the rhythm of the most popular folk melody in the world, Na Golici. …It’s so simple and so close!

Take a journey!

03 Gorenjska boasts many traditional and cultural events. ▪ Photo: Primož Černe 04 Traditional Slovenian crafts are still alive in the Slovenian Alps. ▪ Photo: Archive RDO Gorenjska 05 Hiking is possible all year round. ▪ Photo: Archive RDO Gorenjska

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Carinthia Region

Greenness of the Pohorje woods ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik

Koroška K

Takes you by surprise In the north of Slovenia, along the border with Austria, lies the region of Koroška. The area consists of three valleys: the Meža, Drava and Mislinja as well as three mountain ranges: the Pohorje, Karavanke and the Savinja Alps. It may be one of the smaller regions in Slovenia, but it is all the more diverse and picturesque. Its plentiful gems are scattered throughout numerous little towns, villages and the surrounding valleys stretching far below the mighty mountain peaks, which dominate the skyline.

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oroška is one of the hilliest and most forested regions in Slovenia. It is marked by white stones and the soft edges of the hills which form its distinctive vista, with green forest tones of the deep, dark and in some places, nearly impenetrable woods. Koroška is perfect for hikers, as they have many options to choose from, such as the European Long Distance Path E6 or the Slovenian Mountain Trail, which cut through the region. Trails popular with hikers include the Koroška Alpine Trail, the peaks of Uršlja Gora, Pohorje, Kozjak and Smerkovec and the more demanding ascents to Peca, Olševa and Raduha.

There are many attractive thematic trails not far from the towns, which are suitable for relaxing walks, fun physical activities or adventurous hikes. The experience of unspoiled nature is enhanced by the solitude. You will almost never stumble upon hordes of mountaineers.

The main regional outdoor activity and ski centre, Kope – Ribniško Pohorje, can be found at the western and highest part of Pohorje.

One of the most stunning natural highlights in Koroška is the amazing Topla Regional Park below Mt. Peca.

Koroška boasts more than 1,000 kilometers of marked (either on the ground

The Carinthia Region

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or with maps) cycling tracks indicating the various terrains and difficulty levels.

There is also a unique underground biking trail, a number of outstanding single tracks for mountain bikers, the international Drava River Cycling Route, the first Mountain Bike Park in Slovenia, the Pohorje Hills Biking Trail, the Bike Trail along the Mislinja Valley and many more.

You can create unlimited combinations for a tour up, down, between or even through the mountains.

The strategic position of the turbulent border region has always dictated the lively cultural and artistic vibe of Koroška, which can be viewed through its rich heritage.

The medieval core of Slovenj Gradec, the Peace Messenger city, is home to the Koroška Regional Museum, the Koroška Gallery of Fine Arts and a memorial museum in the house where the composer Hugo Wolf was born. There is a unit of the

regional museum located in Ravne na Koroškem housing fascinating collections.

Numerous other collections and exhibitions are housed across the entire region. Ravne is also home to the Dr. Franc Sušnik Central Library of Koroška.

Koroška is famous too for its rich Christian heritage. Just beneath the peak of Uršlja Gora (1699 m), stands the highest church in Slovenia, the Church of St Ursula.

The picturesque and diverse architecture of the succursal churches located on nearly every hilltop, reflects numerous local features and keeps the landscape of Koroška recognizable and places it amongst the most culturally enticing parts of Slovenia.

Today, activities of the past are getting a bit of a facelift. In previous centuries, the area was dotted with mines. Today, the former mine in Mežica has been

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01 View from Ojstrica ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik 02 Traditional cuisine – mošt (apple cider) ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik 03 Ribniško Jezero lake at Pohorje ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik 04 At Strojna ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik 05 Topla Regional Park ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik 06 Church of St Ursula – the highest church in Slovenia ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Carinthia Region

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transformed into a tourist mine and a museum, offering unique activities including underground biking and kayaking in the disused tunnels under the mysterious Mt. Peca. Podzemlje Pece museum is a central point and information centre of the crossborder Karavanke – Karawanken Geopark, which is a member of the European and global geopark network under UNESCO. Additionally, rafting, formerly the most important economic activity of the Drava Valley, is still possible using the original rafts, which are now generally reserved for tourists.

Koroška boasts the highest altitude farms in Slovenia, which are dispersed across the entire region. Local hospitality can be experienced at the numerous tourist farms dotted across the countryside.

Natural, homemade and traditional are the perfect words to describe the local cuisine; the best of which is the tasty brown or rye bread and the excellent cider made from age-old varieties of apple. www.koroska.si

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07 Winter at Pohorje ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik 08 Kope – Ribniško Pohorje ski resort 09 Kayaking through the flooded tunnels of a mine ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik 10 Underground biking through abandoned mine galleries under Mt. Peca ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik 11 Pohorje is a part of the European network Natura 2000 ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik 12 On the way to high mountain huts and viewpoints ▪ Photo: Aleš Fevžer 13 Woodrafting on the Drava river ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik

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The Central Slovenia Region

▪ REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

Panoramic view of Ljubljana ▪ Photo: Janez Kotar

The Central Slovenia Region.

The Capital Ljubljana.

The Centre of Slovenia.

Right in the centre of Slovenia there is a region where all the diversities of the country come together and all of Europe meets. This is a region where the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, intertwines with the diverse countryside of the 25 central Slovenian municipalities that surround it like a green embrace. A region where the urban blends with the rural and where contemporary creativity intertwines with tradition.

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Central Slovenia Region

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Love in the heart of Slovenia and in its capital’s name.

Ljubljana is a city that has love in its name.

In Slovenian, the name Ljubljana sounds very similar to the word 'ljubljena', meaning 'beloved', and for those who know Ljubljana well the two words mean the same.

Ljubljana, along with its region, is right in the heart of Slovenia, but due to its rich history, green soul, modern amenities and creative energy it is also close to the hearts of those who have visited it. Ljubljana is a perfect base for exploring the diverse beauty of Slovenia, offering the chance to visit the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst and the Pannonian Plain within a single day – which you can do in no other European country.

A dynamic crossroads of five thousand years of history.

In Ljubljana, the period of prehistoric stilt house dwellers meets the time of the Roman city of Emona, the Baroque holds hands with Art Nouveau, and the Slavic 44

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soul goes side by side with the genius of Europe’s great 20th century architect and urban planner Jože Plečnik. Each of the periods in the city’s history has something to show. At the Ljubljana Marsh wetlands, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world’s oldest wooden wheel with an axle, crafted 5,200 years ago, was found among the ruins of a prehistoric pile dwelling. In Ljubljana, the spirit of ancient Roman times has been revived in celebration of the Roman city of Emona, which stood on the site of Ljubljana 2,000 years ago. In 2015, Ljubljana celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Maks Fabiani, whose famous Art Nouveau buildings left an indelible mark on the city’s appearance.

The very heart of Ljubljana, its central market, designed by Jože Plečnik, is guarded by dragons, tamed to sit at the ends of a 19th century bridge. While the medieval castle towering over the uneven roofs of the historical city centre makes Ljubljana look like something from a fairy tale, the streets, squares, and river embankments below are full of life due to countless cafés, theatres, concert venues, museums, galleries, and open-air festivals.

The region’s rich history is also reflected in

the cultural heritage and traditions of Ljubljana’s surrounding areas.

The European Green Capital 2016 – a city in harmony with nature.

Ljubljana is a city that loves everything green, which is reflected not only in its huge amount of greenery and close connection with its green surrounding region, but also in the fact that it has been awarded the prestigious title of the European Green Capital 2016. Wherever you are in Ljubljana, you are always close to the great outdoors. The city’s dynamic conurbation comprises the mountainous landscape of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, the Alpine foothills, the unique landscape of the Ljubljana Marsh Nature Park, and an area of amazing karst poljes, underground caves, rivers, and lakes. The region is crisscrossed by hiking trails and cycle routes, and within minutes you can be at a golf course, a ski resort, a thermal spa with views of the Alps or at a high mountain pasture on top of the scenic Velika Planina plateau.

The Central Slovenia Region

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01 Sunrise at Velika Planina plateau ▪ Photo: Aleš Frelih 02 Ljubljana – Breg ▪ Photo: Dare Brenko 03 Ljubljana – concert in Congress Square ▪ Photo: Dunja Wedam 04 Green Ljubljana ▪ Photo: Dunja Wedam 05 The Ljubljana Marsh ▪ Photo: Rok Godec 06 Strolling along the River Ljubljanica ▪ Photo: Dunja Wedam

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Unique flavours at the meeting point of different culinary regions.

Ljubljana, with its surrounding region, is a haven for gourmet foodies. Despite lying at the crossroads of different culinary influences – including Mediterranean, Alpine, Pannonian, Balkan, and various international cuisines – it has developed and maintained a very unique culinary heritage, well represented both on the menus of restaurants in Ljubljana, which list typical Ljubljana dishes in their Taste Ljubljana section, and those of traditional countryside gostilnas, where favourite culinary delights are offered under the Taste Central Slovenia brand. Another good choice for food lovers is the Open Kitchen food market at Ljubljana’s Central Market, where food is prepared by a large number of different Slovenian chefs on Fridays from March to October.

Green, smart, central and leading.

Lying in the centre of the country and being the most densely populated and, in terms of the number of inhabitants, the largest Slovenian region, the Central Slovenia Region, with a quarter of the country’s population, accounts for more than one-third of Slovenia’s GDP. It has the largest concentration of high quality human resources, knowledge, entrepreneurial spirit and innovative activity. It is a green and smart region where art, culture, business, and technology go hand in hand in order to promote the country's intellectual and economic development and sustainability.

A diverse choice of tours of Ljubljana and trips to places in Central Slovenia and the rest of the country are available from what is called the ‘experience store’ at www.visitljubljana.com. You can also get your Ljubljana Card and explore the city easily and at a good price.

Visit www.ljubljana.si to learn about the life of Ljubljana and www.rralur.si to learn about developments in the region.

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Southeast Slovenia Region (Lower Carniola)

Otočec Castle ▪ Photo: Terme Krka

Dolenjska, Bela Krajina & Kočevsko-Ribniško (Lower Carniola)

Gently set in south-eastern Slovenia, between the Ljubljana Basin and the Sava River, Dolenjska has many surprising faces. The varied relief, numerous streams, karst features and biodiversity create its unforgettable dynamic. Through the local landscapes extend abundant deep green forests, whose primeval remains and giant trees are absolutely breathtaking. The valleys of the sparkling Krka, Mirna, Rinža, Kolpa and Lahinja rivers, which provide a home to rare plant and animal species, invite visitors into their quiet retreats.

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The Southeast Slovenia Region (Lower Carniola)

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n the slopes of its hills ripen sunkissed grapes, which, once they are in the wine cellars, grow into a veritable poetry whose verses run inwards.

In the bosom of its deep springs bubble restorative and healing thermal waters.

The rich heritage refines the hamlets, villages and towns of Dolenjska. Castles, buildings, monuments, gardens and a wealth of religious and architectural heritage are the jewels that form its rich entirety. This is home to genuine people.

Friendly, open and happy. They are rightfully proud of their achievements, creativity and natural and cultural heritage, and they are always ready to share it with others. Their hospitality knows no boundaries; their tables are laden with culinary delights and wine. Their smiles are wide, their words are soft and soothing and their hearts are full of pleasant melodies.

Here you can embrace the soft warmth that accompanies you long after you leave its kind glebes, a warmth felt on every subsequent meeting. Here you feel at home, wherever you have come from and wherever you are headed. Here you are not alone, even if you don’t know anybody. And here you see for the first time, you perceive, feel and become softer, even though you have arrived stiff and numb from the burden of time.

Bela Krajina is a land of ancient traditions and people who carry their hearts in their hands, as Toni Gašperšič

wrote. Bela Krajina tables groan under the weight of delicacies that are not found anywhere else. As Zeleni Jurij (Green George) awakens our senses in spring, similarly Bela Krajina revives old experiences and adventures.

Experience your inner strength in the home of the Kočevje brown bear. The intact heritage of Kočevsko is also an inexhaustible source of inspiration to present generations. The hidden corners of nature in Kočevsko reveal educational and hiking trails. They run past the forest reserves, the ruins of disappeared villages, forest giants, karst caves and panoramas, and reveal hidden wildlife. The remains of castles and monuments whisper stories of the past. Kočevsko offers a variety of delicacies from nature, including Kočevsko honey and delicious venison.

We have woven different experiences into a string of five gems that reflect the best and most beautiful things on offer:

01 Kočevsko Jezero lake ▪ Photo: Jošt Gantar 02 Rafting on the River Kolpa ▪ Photo: Jošt Gantar 03 Adrenalin park in Osilnica ▪ Photo: Jošt Gantar 04 Dolenjske Toplice Spa ▪ Photo: Terme Krka

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Health and relaxation Health is the trademark of the region; we are all aware that wellbeing is a source of health. Not just the spas with their tradition such as Dolenjske Toplice and Šmarješke Toplice, but the entire Dolenjska region with its gentle undulations and kind residents, local delicacies and opportunities for all types of sport, offer a genuine source of health.

Active vacation This destination is practically made for various forms of outdoor recreation, since it is less congested and has just the right dynamic for cycling. Since it is so soothingly forested, it is ideal for hiking.

The Krka, Kolpa and other rivers and lakes provide swimming in natural pools, kayaking, canoeing and rafting, and they also offer idyllic natural beaches. Over 540 km of cycle routes, 982 km of hiking trails, 412 km of bridle paths and 412 km of waterways in the Krka and Kolpa rivers.

You can enjoy a game of golf, tennis, a tour of the adventure park and in winter there is skiing in Bela Krajina.

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Southeast Slovenia Region (Lower Carniola)

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Heritage trails

Cuisine and wine

The natural, cultural and living heritage include an exceptional cultural landscape, archaeological sites, Kolpa Nature Park and Lahinja Nature Park, traditional architecture, handicraft activities and events. An international team of experts selected 30 points in the range of cultural and natural heritage that we recommend for you to explore during short or long stays. If you are up for longer stays, you can choose between accommodation in thermal spas, hotels, private accommodation, boarding houses, farms and cottages.

The traditional cuisine of Dolenjska was certainly influenced by the neighboring countries and their traditional dishes, so it is possible to find Italian, Hungarian, Balkan and other characteristics in the local cuisine. Homemade bread and Bela Krajina flat cake are still baked in many families, and are served in many local restaurants. Everyone should find something for himself. Wines such as Cviček, Belokranjec and Metliška črnina are among the best-known, and tastings are offered at many winemakers, vineyard cottages and wine shops in Lower Carniola and Bela Krajina.

Vineyard retreats Vineyard cottages tourism is a unique, appealing and attractive experience intended for visitors who are looking for authenticity, something genuine, peace, relaxation and romance in the Lower Carniola countryside. Nowhere else but in Dolenjska can you find so many vineyard cottages and wooden cellars. They are situated on the edge of the vineyards in prominent locations with beautiful views.

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All photos on this page by: Jošt Gantar 05 Handmade pottery in Ribnica 06 Vineyard cottage 07 Vineyard 08 Bela Krajina Easter eggs 09 Kočevje 10 A modern take on traditional cuisine

For current deals and information, please see visitdolenjska.eu.

Follow us on Twitter @visitdolenjska and Facebook.com/VisitDolenjska.

The door of Dolenjska is wide open for any human desires, needs and tastes – leave behind the miseries of everyday life and experience unique, pure, extraordinary and unforgettable different experiences.

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The Central Sava Region

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The green Zasavje landscape ▪ Photo: Bruno Urbanija

Experience

Zasavje Zasavje is the smallest Slovenian region, located in the very centre of a small and young country. Previously an idyllic, secluded and hilly region, the discovery of rich coal deposits forever changed it by introducing rapid industrialization, immigration and the establishing of worker communities. In a century or two, coal mining helped facilitate the formation of the largest industrial and worker hub in Slovenia, which has been gaining a new direction in recent decades with the closing of the mines and dying out of traditional industrial activities.

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oal mining and industry have thoroughly transformed the three narrow Zasavje valleys, but left the surrounding hills virtually intact.

This makes Zasavje today a place of striking contrasts: the urbanized valleys instantly change into unspoiled hills.

And it is this interconnectivity of two opposite poles that make Zasavje most unusual and most attractive.

Although on the surface Zasavje is still densely populated by numerous industrial remnants – together with the king of all industrial objects and mine-shaft towers, the thermal power plant chimney by the River Sava, which at 360 meters is the highest chimney in Europe – the most interesting objects are those hidden under it.

Under the watchful eye of the cave dwarf Perkmandeljc, who also used to be called Blagovnik, one can find five kilometres of underground tunnels; some traversable on foot, others by a small underground train; here you can see a realm of tunnels for yourself.

The glass industry frequently accompanies mining. In the only surviving glassworks in Zasavje you can observe the work of glassworkers turning rock into seethrough glass with the help of fire.

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Central Sava Region

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01 Coal mine shaft ▪ Photo: Matjaž Kirn 02 Njiva – miners’ housing ▪ Photo: Matjaž Kirn 03 Miners’ brass band ▪ Photo: Simon Tanšek 04 Inside the highest European chimney ▪ Photo: Robert Ahlin

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The ethnological trail, beginning in a small apartment-turned-museum, offers the visitor a glimpse of the living conditions in worker housing and the story of the lives of miners and their families.

The circle of hills surrounding the three urbanized valleys has lured the people of these narrow valleys to visit its peaks for ages.

For this reason mountaineers built mountain huts on its most frequented peaks long ago. These huts patiently await and kindly take in wanderers who wish to indulge their eyes in "trips" from one end of Slovenia to the other or just admire how the blue of the skies meets the green of the hills.

These cottages are set on the highest peak, Kum, as well as on Zasavska Sveta Gora, Gore and Kopitnik, rising over the 50

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steep Sava gorge, and Kal, Mrzlica, Sveta Planina and Čemšeniška Planina situated on the "rooftop" of Zasavje, offering exquisite views. They are all reachable by numerous marked paths.

Several Zasavje farms have opted to practice organic farming, growing tasty foods as well as offering a part of their time to visitors. Natural cheeses and other dairy products, heirloom varieties of fruit and fruit products, rolled cakes and other sweets, herbal gardens, farm animals, farm architecture and a view of their lives and work are just a part of the rich variety they offer.

Natural diversity, the remnants of times past and old crafts offer numerous activities and combine pleasure with work, simultaneous indulgence of the senses as well as filling up the brain cells. In

landscape parks and protected areas, nature is continuously displaying the richness of its flora and fauna; either unusual species, such as the endemic blind cave beetle (Anophthalmus schaumi kumensis), a species of bug from which the interpretive nature trail around Kum derives its name, or well-known ones, such as the hardworking bee, the subject of the Valvasor Apiculture Trail in Izlake.

Hard work at the farms and in the factories and a low standard of living left a significant impact on the Zasavje cuisine.

The dishes are simple and less distinct, but tasty and appealing: Isn’t a real masterpiece where you make a royal feast from limited and simple ingredients?

Zasavje offers also a journey into the prehistoric era. Archaeological and prehistoric creativity workshops take you through ancient times and the Middle Ages

The Central Sava Region

and offer fascinating topics, archaeological work and making replicas of jewellery, tools and other finds.

Although numerous regulation schemes during previous centuries have in some places tamed the wild River Sava, it still offers an unforgettable ride by boat, raft or kayak. There are enough exciting rapids that the river Sava also helps raise world champions.

Air is not a natural element for human travelling, but it does offer the excitement of meeting with clouds and birds. Numerous peaks offer starting points for gliding and gentle drops towards green valleys.

Still, the most opportunities are offered by the solid ground of mother Earth.

Horse riding or cycling are the means by which one can traverse Zasavje through and through; lazy straights, steep climbs and wild drops, with various styles of horse riding.

Where the rocks are not covered by earth or greenery, there is a high chance that the visitor will find climbing trails; short or long, less steep or dangerously daring.

Zasavje is diversity packed into 250 square kilometres. In other words, in Zasavje you never walk straight: you are either climbing to or descending from somewhere. And everything sits on the palm of your hand – urbanized narrow valleys, after a hundred meters, race up into the sky and tradition and new energy are densely packed into a small area in high concentrations. In this respect, you can never be sure whether you will set your eyes on a magnificent medieval church or an inspired youth dance group; or you might sit down and enjoy a table of typical Zasavje dishes that, granted, may have unusual names, but they more than make up for it with their pleasing flavour.

With everything said and unsaid, Zasavje is not as small as the topographers say.

Granted, it is impossible to spot on a globe or a large-scale map, as cartographers only measure physical distances and not the "length" of the cultural and natural wealth.

The only option then is to come and have a closer look. It is impossible to discover a new world in the 21st century, but you can always find your way into the three wonderful gorges.

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05 Čemšenik ▪ Photo: Grega Gobovc 06 Funšterc ▪ Photo: Robert Balen 07 Čemšenik mountain ▪ Photo: Lovro Rozina 08 On the Zasavje downhill track ▪ Photo: Lovro Rozina 09 Waterfall on Mitovščica brook ▪ Photo: Dominik Pavlič 10 Glass factory ▪ Photo: Lovro Rozina 11 Krumpantoč ▪ Photo: Robert Balen

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Lower Sava Region

Jovsi floodplain ▪ Photo: Hrvoje Teo Oršanič

Posavje – Simply beatiful

Situated in the southeast corner of Slovenia, Posavje is one of the country’s most diverse regions, and is just waiting to be explored by visitors seeking the authentic Slovenian experience without having to jostle with busloads of tourists.

However, to say that Posavje is off the proverbial beaten track would be somewhat misleading, as it lies along the main road and rail links between Ljubljana and Zagreb, making it easily accessible from either capital, both as a day trip destination or a convenient stopover on longer journeys.

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The Lower Sava Region

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04 01 Wine storage in Repnice caves ▪ Photo: Jošt Gantar 02 Tasting Cviček wine ▪ Photo: Hrvoje Teo Oršanič 03 Rafting on the River Sava 04 Bizeljsko Buckwheat Cake ▪ Photo: Hrvoje Teo Oršanič

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onsisting of six separate municipalities – Radeče, Sevnica, Krško, Kostanjevica, Brežice and Bistrica ob Sotli from west to east – Posavje is known first and foremost as one of Slovenia’s premier wine-growing regions, but is also blessed with a host of natural, historical and cultural attractions. While each municipality is a unique destination in its own right, wherever you go in the region you can be assured of finding welcoming people, tasty traditional food, excellent wine and beautiful natural surroundings to enjoy your time in.

The gastronomic flavour The Posavje Region boasts numerous wine and culinary specialities, like Krško Polje pig, apple "voščenka", pear "tepka" and plum "prinela" and wines such as "Bizeljčan", Blue Franconian, predicate, ice, and sparkling wines; as well as the famous regional wine "Cviček".

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Cviček wine The right bank of the Sava is home to

Experience nature

Outdoor activities

Nature in the Posavje region is simply beautiful. Those who love unspoiled nature are keen to visit the Posavje region, which prides itself on numerous natural features, such as giant trees, unique ecosystems, an energy point, underground treasures and other features.

Visitors can take part in numerous activities in nature; some more relaxing and others quite adventurous. The most popular pursuits are balloon flights, rafting, kayaking and canoeing on the River Krka, cycling, go-karting and horse riding.

Cviček, a native Slovenian wine and a true speciality.

Producers of the true Cviček receive the PTP (traditional production) certificate, certifying production of traditional origin. Due to the favourable climate and good soil, high quality red and white grape varieties thrive in the Posavje region. When the varieties are combined in the right ratio, Cviček is born

Jovsi and Dobrava

Rafting on the Sava river in Radeče

Jovsi is an extensive floodplain located

Back in the time when transporting goods

alcohol content. This native wine consists

along the River Sotla which provides

on the River Sava was a major activity,

of the red grape varieties Zametna crnina

shelter to numerous depleted, as well as

Radeče was one of the river’s main

(70%) and Blue Franconian (10%) as wel

endangered animal and plant species.

rafting ports, and the town has a strong

as white grape varieties (20%). It is often

rafting tradition dating back over five

claimed that red wine growing on volcanic

Repnice – caves dug in flint sand which

centuries. From May to the end of

soil has healing properties. It is not

was brought to this area by the

October they operate a grand raft in all

surprising then, that doctors have

Pannonian Sea millions of years ago.

its glory, inviting you to take a relaxing

recommended Cviček to patients with

Because of the constant temperature of

ride in the great company of Radeče

diabetes and patients with low gastric

8° C and permanent humidity at 95%,

raftsmen.

acid or high blood pressure.

storing crops, notably turnips, which

Posavje thematic trails festival

Bizeljsko Buckwheat Cake

gave the caves their name (turnip =

Posavje thematic trails festival is

A savory pogača cake made of stretched

repa/repnice). Now they are used mostly

organized every May and June and offers

filo pastry with buckwheat and wheat

for wine storage.

over 30 hiking/biking/horse guided tours.

flour and filled with cottage cheese and

– a mildly aromatic, dry wine with low

they have been used in the past for

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Lower Sava Region

eggs. In the region of Bizeljsko it used to be prepared on festive occasions and for Christmas dinner. It can be also wrapped in pork net.

Cultural events The Posavje Region offers a wide variety of activities for cultural enthusiasts. This was home to numerous outstanding personalities who left a special mark on Slovenian cultural history. The region is full of cultural sights such as castles, archaeological finds and various ethnological collections, plus numerous churches that adorn the landscape.

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Sevnica Castle First recorded in the land register in 1309 as Castellum Liechtenwald, it is set high above Sevnica’s old town on a hill that was the site of an earlier castle dating back to the 11th century. While the castle officially spent its first half millennium under the ownership of the Salzburg archbishopric, during this time it had many distinguished tenants, including

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Baron Boltežar Lamberg, who is known for inviting in 600 peasant rebels during the Croatian-Slovenian peasant uprising of 1573, and the powerful Moscon family, who were responsible for renovating the castle at the end of the 16th century in a late Renaissance style that has remained until the present day.

Svete Gore (Holy Mountains) Powerful architecture, breathtaking views, peace and tranquillity emanating from the old walls invite you to Svete Gore. This is one of the oldest religious and pilgrimage centres in Slovenia, which you can reach either on foot or by bike.

Kostanjevica na Krki Kostanjevica na Krki is one of the oldest

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and smallest towns in Slovenia. It stands on an island in the River Krka. Its first mention as a town came in 1252.

Archeological research has shown that the site has been settled since prehistoric times, and finds testify to the presence of Illyrians, Celts and Romans. The old town centre on the island is defined by the parish church of St James, built before 1220, then the church of St Nicholas, built around 1400, and the former ministerial manor. In 1997, because of its surviving medieval layout, the town was proclaimed a cultural and historical monument. Today Kostanjevica na Krki is the cultural and tourism centre of the wider region.

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Nature and health The Posavje Region will fill you with energy.

Not only through its natural beauty and tranquility, but also through its abundance of natural energy. You can experience the healing powers of mineral waters in the various thermal spas and their swimming complexes, saunas and other facilities.

09 05 Sevnica Castle ▪ Photo: Tanja Žibert 06 Svete Gore (Holy Mountains) ▪ Photo: Hrvoje Teo Oršanič 07 Posavje thematic trails festival ▪ Photo: Jošt Gantar 08 Kostanjevica na Krki ▪ Photo: Matej Jordan 09 Terme Čatež ▪ Photo: Terme Čatež

The Savinja Region

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Celje Castle ▪ Photo: Gregor Katič

Savinja –

region of well-being The story of the Savinja region begins with thousands of small pictures that, at first glance, seem to be unrelated. The possibilities are endless: from hiking, climbing and cycling in unspoiled nature to adrenaline water experiences.

The middle of the mighty forests offers the perfect conditions for relaxing your body in the wellness centres and seven thermal health and spa resorts. Unique natural combinations, contrasting characters and seemingly incompatible posts have created a wonderful image of colours, best understood when seen as a whole.

This is a world that needs to be experienced from up close and admired from afar.

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Savinja Region

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hen you feel that you need to relax and get away from the crazy pace of everyday life, visit us. The touch of eternity, conjured up by culture and art, will follow you every step of the way and lead you through different periods, from Antiquity via the Middle Ages to modern times. Despite its relatively small area, our region has for centuries offered a wealth of options aimed towards good health and general wellbeing.

This is a green land, a land of pristine nature and friendly people. If you are seeking pleasure, rejuvenation, and above all, exciting moments and unforgettable experiences, then you are on the right track. They say treasures can be found at the end of the rainbow. Do you need freshly milled flour? The mills around here are still operating! Home-made cheeses and spreads, pastries, warm bread, hop brandy, beer and hop picker‘s snacks – all this goodness will pamper you and keep you among us for longer than you initially planned.

The attractions of the Savinja region are successfully marketed under two regional destination organizations (RDO) through RDO The Land of Celje (21 municipalities: Braslovče, Celje, Dobje,

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Dobrna, Kozje, Laško, Podčetrtek, Prebold, Polzela, Rogaška Slatina, Rogatec, Slovenske Konjice, Šentjur, Šmarje pri Jelšah, Štore, Tabor, Vitanje, Vojnik, Vransko, Zreče and Žalec) and RDO Savinjsko-Šaleška (10 municipalities: Solčava, Luče, Ljubno, Gornji Grad, Rečica ob Savinji, Mozirje, Nazarje, Šmartno ob Paki, Šoštanj and Velenje). Following read about the main tourist attractions of both destinations.

09 01 Celje Castle ▪ Photo: Gregor Katič 02 Žiče Charterhouse ▪ Photo: Matjaž Jambriško 03 Eco-Museum of Hop-Growing and Brewing Industry 04 Kozjansko Park ▪ Photo: Matevž Lenarčič 05 Kocbek Lodge on Korošica ▪ Photo: Matevž Lenarčič 06 Šmartinsko Lake 07 Terme Olimia – Wellness Orhidelia ▪ Photo: Terme Olimia 08 Hops ▪ Photo: Matjaž Jambriško 09 Typical local delicatessen ▪ Photo: Matjaž Jambriško

Six spa resorts: Terme Dobrna, Terme Zreče, Thermana Laško, Rimske Terme,

The Land of Celje invites you

Rogaška Slatina and Terme Olimia.

The Land of Celje comprises 21 municipalities. It stretches across 1,598 km2 and has a population of 193,000. There are 13,552 companies in this area, which is famous in Slovenia for:

reaching all the way from the period of

The town of Celje with a rich history the Roman Celeia to the medieval counts – The Old Castle of Celje. Today, the town is the administrative, cultural, educational, business, sports and fair centre of the Savinja region.

The Savinja Region

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Savinja and Šalek Valleys The Savinja and Šalek valleys are

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Kozjansko Regional Park, a protected natural area, which is vital for tourism in the area.

Hops, which have a rich tradition in the Savinja region and are closely connected with the town of Laško, which is known for its brewery with a 187-year tradition. In Žalec there is the EcoMuseum of Hop-Growing and the Brewing Industry.

Viniculture and the history of the wine trade with wine-growing areas along the Šmarsko-Virštanjska wine tourism trail and the Podpohorska tourist road.

Places with rich cultural and ethnological content (Rogatec Open Air Museum, birth houses of the composer Ipavci and poet Anton Aškerc).

Cycling and hiking tracks (Obsotelje & Kozjansko, Spodnjesavinjsko, Laško, Vrbje pond, Lake Šmartinsko, Lake Slivniško).

situated in the northern part of Slovenia.

The imposing mountain range of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, picturesque natural parks, lakes and the vivid River Savinja are popular destinations for hikers, photographers and active holiday enthusiasts. The Logar Valley and its surroundings are described by Lonely Planet as one of the most beautiful Alpine glacial valleys in Europe. From the colourful meadows, pastures, mysterious caves, delicious Slovenian cuisine and homesteads of Solčavsko, European Destination of Excellence 2009, to the urban vibe in Velenje, a city with its own Pippi Festival, socialist heritage and legendary castle stories. Some visitors find the Savinja and Šalek valleys even nicer in winter, when it offers great escape, far away from the "crazy busy world". Golte ski resort, idyllic snowcovered unspoiled locations, boutique wellness facilities and Topolšica Spa are a perfect choice for a winter ski break.

The tradition is enriched with culinary specialities, including most famously the Zgornjesavinjski želodec, a geographically protected dried meat product produced by a special procedure dating back more than a hundred years. In the Coal Mining Museum, 160 m under the ground, a miners' lunch is served in the deepest Slovenian dining room.

16 10 Logarska Valley – Robanov Kot ▪ Photo: Archive of Saša Ora d.o.o.

11 Cycling ▪ Photo: Matjaž Jambriško 12 Rogatec Open Air Museum ▪ Photo: Matjaž Jambriško 13 Olimje Monastery 14 KSEVT – Vitanje ▪ Photo: Tomaž Gregorič 15 Pekel cave ▪ Photo: Matjaž Jambriško 16 Škalce vineyards ▪ Photo: Archive of TIC Slovenske Konjice

Natural. Genuine. Inspiring.

Active. Adventurous. Fun. Urban. Business. Cultural. Innovative.

Healthy. Relaxing. Homely.

Welcome to the adventure mosaic!

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Drava Region

Maribor – the oldest grapevine in the world ▪ Photo: Domen Groegl

The

Podravska

Region

The Podravska region, full of colour, diversity, and natural treasures, extends along the River Drava in the northeast of Slovenia. Here, at the crossroads of the past and present, of the urban and rural, the forests gently make way for the vineyards and the flat land gently rises into wine-growing hills and then even higher, reaching just over 1500 metres. The cities of the region live in perfect harmony with the unspoiled nature. The two urban centres are Maribor, the second biggest city in Slovenia, and Ptuj, an ancient city on the River Drava.

T

he cultivation of wine on these hills has its roots in the times of the Roman Empire, and in the Middle Ages, the fine wines from the region were known across all of Europe. The cities and the whole region grew and flourished along with the wine trade. The symbol of the rich wine making heritage is the Old Vine, which has been growing for over 400 years in the old city centre of Maribor. It is without a doubt the oldest vine in the world and even has its own entry in the Guinness Book of Records. And while Maribor has one of the biggest wine cellars in Europe, Ptuj boasts the oldest wine cellar and the oldest vintage in Slovenia, from the year 1917. Food-lovers will be delighted by traditional dishes such as Štajerska kisla juha, meat from tünka and gibanica, accompanied by excellent white wines. One speciality of the region is pumpkin seed oil, which is used in traditional dishes, but also in salads and even desserts. Štajerska kisla juha is a broth that can be prepared from different cuts of pork or even organ meat, the most interesting varieties being broth from pig’s trotters or from the stomach. The defining characteristic of the broth is a rich aroma of vinegar.

Even today, meat from tünka is the most common way of preserving pork in

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The Drava Region

▪ REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

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Specialities of Slovenian Farms (May), a traditional exhibition which is the most important culinary event celebrating the produce of hardworking Slovenian farmers; Lent Festival (June), a multicultural festival during which the Drava riverside becomes the centre of cultural and social life, with people dancing to music from all over the world; Arsana Festival (July), a festival which brings a number of musical events and great concerts by Slovenian and international musicians into the picturesque old city centre; Art Styas (July), an international festival

03

which brings a fresh breath of 01 Ruševec Green Village – Eco cottages ▪ Photo: Sintija Križnič 02 Cycling at Mariborsko Pohorje ▪ Photo: Aleš Fevžer 03 Local cuisine ▪ Photo: Aleš Fevžer 04 Maribor - the old part of town (Lent) ▪ Photo: Jurij Pivka

the Štajerska region. When the pig is butchered, individual pieces of meat are put into pickling salt, then smoked and, together with lard, put into wooden or

contemporary art into this historical city with various exhibitions, installations, performances and visual arts;

The region is home to many festivals which attract visitors throughout the year.

In 2012, the quality and success of cultural events in the area brought to Maribor the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture. There are many well-known and massively attended festivals that deserve to be mentioned:

Days of Poetry and Wine (August), a literary and oenological festival which combines public poetry readings and talks with international authors with tastings of excellent wines; Old Vine Festival (October), a festival of the rich wine-making culture in the

metal containers – called "tünka" – where the meat slowly develops its

Kurentovanje (February), a celebration

surrounding wine regions, with many

characteristic flavour.

of traditional carnival masks as well as

culinary events and the largest

the biggest carnival in Central Europe;

St. Martin’s Day celebration in Slovenia;

cream filling – the exact recipe changes

Golden Fox (February), the classic Ski

Festive December (December),

from village to village, but it is always

World Cup Giant Slalom and Slalom

a collection of various interesting events

traditional and delicious.

competition for women attracts over

during this festive season when towns

20,000 visitors every year, who come to

are covered in Christmas lights and

support Slovenian and foreign skiers;

enticing smells waft from the stalls ...

Gibanica is a dessert with a quark and

You can try the traditional food in numerous inns, restaurants, and on tourist farms.

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Drava Region

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06 05 Ptuj ▪ Photo: Ciril Ambrož, archive RDO 06 Ptuj golf course ▪ Photo: archive GK Ptuj 07 Kurent – carnival mask ▪ Photo: Črtomir Goznik 08 the Roman Games ▪ Photo: Matija Brodnjak

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The Podravska Region is also a land of castles and manors, many of which are still in very good condition. Ptuj Castle keeps an important part of the regional cultural and historical heritage in the form of museum collections that which are among the most visited in Slovenia. Here, cultural experiences follow visitors at every step while they walk through the historical centres of cities and towns, attend a theatre performance, or admire artwork at one of the many galleries.

The towns of the region have a special connection with nature, culture, and sports, a combination that ensures relaxation and a lively atmosphere throughout the year. Whether you are looking for relaxation or for an adrenaline rush, the answer is waiting for you on one of the numerous cycling or walking paths, in one of the adrenaline and adventure parks, in water sports or mountain biking.

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

In winter, the Pohorje sports complex attracts both beginners and seasoned skiers with a rich array of fun activities on the snow. Modern hotels and spas take care of your health and well-being with saunas, massages, thermal pools, fitness equipment, yoga and various sports. If you want special treatment, you can decide on mountain wellness and enjoy the beneficial effects of energy points.

Thanks to excellent geographical positioning, good infrastructure, a mild climate and a highly developed sports culture, the area is becoming a popular destination for the training of elite athletes, groups as well as individuals.

An enjoyable experience and good results ensure that they come back again year after year. We’ve even hosted some of the lead athletes on a global scale, who were very pleased both with the hotel accommodation and the sports infrastructure.

However, the heart of the region is the people, who love, respect and care for their heritage by making it come alive in the present. We offer our visitors everything that is good and pleasing to the eye, we offer you joy, pleasure and well-being; good memories and unforgettable experiences; hedonistic pampering and delicious specialties; and, most importantly, we offer you kind words and a wide, sincere smile.

The Mura Region

▪ REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

Frangež House of Sparkling Wine

Pomurje

Region of Hot Springs and Culinary Delights Traveling to Pomurje is not just cycling and enjoying soothing geothermal springs, but is principally about giving your taste buds a treat and tasting traditional dishes accompanied by home-made wines in one of the many inns and wine shops in the region.

Pleasurable cycling in forests, fields, and vineyards The region around the River Mura, a lowland embraced by hills reminiscent of Tuscany or Alsace, yet different, is woven into the central European landscape with its mix of cultures, languages, and cuisine. The softly rounded hills, planted with vineyards or covered in forests, cry out for discovery. Numerous cycling paths leading past landmarks, wine shops and inns are perfect for active, but not too strenuous, leisure time.

Suggestions for cycling trips can be found at www.viapomurje.si. The view from the hills of Goričko, Lendavske Gorice or Jeruzalem stretcches far, past what was once the Pannonian Sea. The largest Baroque castle in Slovenia is located in the middle of the Goričko Nature Park. Construction was

started in the 11th century by members of the most famous European Christian military order – the Knights Templar.

The castle, built on basaltic tuff of volcanic origin, prides itself on having 365 rooms, some of which can be used for spending the night. The picturesque landscape of the EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

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REGIONS OF SLOVENIA ▪ The Mura Region

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park and the views of rustling forests and crop fields fill the traveler with energy and inner peace.

The Romans, who brought along the forebear of the contemporary grapevine, the pilgrimages of crusaders and pilgrims, as well as the Turks with their raids towards the West, have all left their mark on Jeruzalem, which nowadays is renowned for excellent wines and has become a centre of viticulture. Jeruzalem and its holy name, its energy hot-spots, its wine route, its magnificent scenic outposts and its pilgrimage church is rightfully called a heavenly place. The crusaders, who passed through on their search for what is now Israeli and Palestinian Jerusalem, were well aware of that even in the 13th century.

Volcanoes and hot springs The peaceful and dreamy landscape is still very hot under the surface. True, the volcanoes, which were erupting 3 million years ago, are no longer active, but you can nonetheless learn about their fiery past in the adventure park of Vulkanija.

The thermal baths and health resorts are lively and bustling. In Pomurje you come across one every 20 kilometers or so – and each of them offers something different. From soaking in black water, enjoying a whirlpool bath or a sauna, to an adrenaline-filled ride on the Aqualoop slide with its 360-degree turn. The wide range of water fun on offer is very enticing yearround for children and families.

For a full relaxation experience, guests as well as visitors to Pomurje‘s thermal baths can make use of the thermal pools.

Bathing in thermal waters has a positive effect on the whole body – it soothes, tones, 62

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refreshes, improves blood flow and relieves pain. In the wellness centres you can submit yourselves to unique treatments with pumpkin oil, honey and herbs from the meadows of the ancient Pannonian Sea.

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Culinary Delights A shining example of intertwining cultures, languages and cuisine is Lendava, the global capital of Bograč (a stew made from 3 types of meat – pork, beef and venison), where at summer‘s end each year the Bograč Festival has taken place for many decades. A stroll through the streets of Lendava, between the historical background of burgher houses and the foot of the picturesque vineyards of Lendava, where the famous dish is prepared in some hundred cauldrons, is a special experience.

A particularly significant mark on the town was left by the historical intertwining of two nations, which is reflected in the cuisine, where Hungarian and Slovenian tastes intermingle in many dishes, such as Kvašene ugorke (Leavened pickles) with red peppers, Dödoli, Bograč, Sataraš, and Paprikaš. When you stay in the area for a while, similarities in the language become quickly apparent and easily

06 01 Mill on the River Mura 02 Jeruzalem Vineyards ▪ Photo: Ciril Ambrož 03 Cycling along the River Mura 04 Stork – trade mark of Pomurje region 05 Grad Castle ▪ Photo: Samo Tanacek 06 Relaxing in thermal water, Terme Banovci ▪ Photo: Zoran Vogrinčič

The Mura Region

▪ REGIONS OF SLOVENIA

10 12

07

13

08

11

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recognisable, as many expressions and words are used on the Slovenian as well as the Hungarian side.

Heading a little further to the south we encounter another interesting culinary event - Diši po Prekmurju (Smells like Prekmurje). This is a festival of wine and cuisine, where visitors can taste local and traditional dishes. Prekmurska gibanica (Prekmurje layered pastry) and Prekmurska šunka (Prekmurje ham) are two traditional dishes that bring much pride to the people of Pomurje, and are consequently also appropriately protected.

Prekmurska gibanica occupies a special place among desserts and is also one of many Slovenian specialities. This festive and ceremonial dish was named after the wrinkles created by layers of filo pastry and sweet stuffing, and it used to be regarded as a real treat that rural families could only afford on special occasions.

The best known wine route leads through Jeruzalem – a picturesque landscape covered by vineyards, wine cellars and wine shops where you are

greeted and invited to take a glass of exquisite wine. Its excellent placement, tradition, experience and the professionalism of its vintners and cellar masters give the locally produced wine a distinctive note. Visitors can enjoy predominately white wines, such as Laški and Renski rizling (Welsch and Rhine Riesling), Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Kerner, and Sivi pinot (Grey Pinot). Each June the vintners of Jeruzalem host the event Salon Jeruzalem, which showcases their wines and cuisine.

At the border with Austria, in Gornja Radgona, they hold an Open Cellars Day every year on the last Sunday in June for the cellars of Radgonske Gorice, a traditional vintner of sparkling wines since 1852, when the very first Slovenian champagne was produced. The lifting of mature sparkling wine from the River Mura, a tour of cellars under a rock, a waterfall, as well as under a Roman wheel, and a treasure trove of laid-down sparkling wines are just a small part of the day, where some also go cycling between the vineyards.

The Negova castle is the scene for the event Salon Traminec. More than a hundred vintage Traminer wines from Slovenia and neighboring countries, along with top chefs, make sure that you remember the event for a long, long time.

There are dry as well as medium dry

07 Pereci 08 Rye Bread ▪ Kozelinovi Tourist Farm; Photo: Samo Tanacek 09 Posolanka 10 Culinary Delights ▪ Photo: Gostilna Rajh Inn 11 Prekmurje Ham ▪ Photo: Passero Estate 12 Prekmurje layered pastry ▪ Kozelinovi Tourist Farm; Photo: Samo Tanacek 13 Paprikash ▪ Photo: Gostilna Rajh Inn

Traminer wines at hand, Traminer sparkling wines, sweet and medium, strawberry and laid-down wines.

The authentic cuisine of Prekmurje and Prlekija can be tasted in numerous inns throughout the region, where salads are always served with pumpkin oil and what is called Pereci - home-made rye bread.

Chefs prepare the dishes from homegrown, local products, and therefore ensure its quality, excellence and unique taste.

Socializing with the locals is an excellent and unique experience, as they are known as a very hospitable people who gladly share their fun with tourists. And so the tables in the shadow of the vine trellis are quickly filled with local culinary delights from home-made wines, elderflower juice to freshly baked rye bread, Tunka meat (meat preserved in lard), Zaseka (minced bacon with lard and onion), and of course spirits that will set your taste buds aflame.

The region is well aware of its culinary importance, which is also a promising asset for tourism, and is therefore united under the trade mark Re(j)dno dobro (Really Good). It is therefore no coincidence that a lot of effort is spent on protecting the traditional and regional dishes on a European level. It is also no coincidence that the region‘s local brands are forming and connecting with each other.

Come and see for yourself!

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1 Pipistrel I Panthera, the first serially produced four-seat aeroplane with a modular choice of power train (piston, electric or hybrid) in the world I www.pipistrel.si; 2 Talking Friends I Talking Tom app. I www.outfit7.com; 3 Lumar I Lumar Black Line Pure S I www.lumar.si; 4 Elan I Amphibio skis I www.elan.si; 5 Akrapovič I Akrapovič Evolution Line (Titanium) for the Ducati 1199 Panigale I www.akrapovic.com; 6 Gorenje I Oven interface I www.gorenje.com; 7 Adria Mobil I Matrix Supreme motorhome I www.adria-mobil.com

Connect to Slovenian Business Excellence Slovenia boasts a surprising number of internationally renowned brands like household appliances producer Gorenje, motor homes producer Adria Mobil, ski manufacturer Elan, and names like skier Tina Maze, philosopher Slavoj Žižek, composer and musician Slavko Avsenik and his Oberkrainer ensemble etc.

Some of the world known products such as the 35 mm slide frame, the perfume atomizer, alpine carving skis, the first hybrid yacht and the best selling Talking Friends smart phone application were created in Slovenia.

Slovenia is a traditionally export-driven economy. The Slovenian education system meets the highest standards and produces a highly qualified and diverse workforce.

Advanced technological solutions, ongoing investments in R&D, highest quality production processes, spirited innovation and widespread ecological awareness in the greenest of Europe’s natural environments are firmly integrated in the development and production strategies of an increasingly wide array of ambitious, forward-looking Slovenian companies.

If you are searching for a supplier or planning to set up or relocate an export business, choosing Slovenia could be the best decision you ever made. Slovenia offers a supportive environment for emerging businesses looking to thrive internationally through its technically-savvy workforce and pro-business infrastructure. Slovenia’s appeal is not a low-cost manufacturing but the reputation of its technology- and innovation-driven industries.

Why not grow your business by taking advantage of Slovenia’s business potential and benefit from our services tailored to meet the needs of your company?

All our services are free of charge and include: • business specific information on industries, legislation, taxes and incentives, • data bases with investment projects and industrial sites, • information on Slovenian suppliers, • organization of fact-finding missions, • links with industry and local authorities, and www.sloveniapartner.eu • counselling and advice in practical matters.

Contact us: SPIRIT Slovenija - Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Development, Investment and Tourism Verovškova ulica 60, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia T: +386 1 5891 870 E: invest@spiritslovenia.si, slopartner@spiritslovenia.si

ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

EXPO Milano:

global business centre of the Slovenian economy I

n Slovenia, we are aware that the World Exhibition in Milan, EXPO Milano 2015, is the largest global event of 2015 – a social, business and cultural event where all regions of the world come together.

In addition to our established "I feel Slovenia" brand, we are also presenting the concept of Green. Active. Healthy., which denotes the basic characteristics of our country and the business development strategy. We advocate sustainable development which does not hinder competitiveness, but serves as its foundation. An ordered and healthy environment, modern logistics, business infrastructure, safety, excellent geostrategic position, good living and working conditions and finally high-quality social services are the competitive advantages our country can offer.

To present all of the above to visitors from around the world in the best possible way, we decided to feature our own pavilion, which is the product of our companies’. Slovenian businesspeople have thus been given the unique opportunity to present themselves to a global audience on a daily basis and meet their existing and potential new business partners. Those not yet conducting business in Slovenia have an excellent opportunity to get to know us better, visit us and learn about our competitive advantages first hand.

The Business Centre is open at the pavilion to enable efficient and harmonised collaboration between all participants in the business field, and it serves as an information point where Slovenian and foreign companies can at any time obtain

business information about the current and planned EXPO activities. The Business Centre is a hub for the collection and preparation on a daily basis of information on business opportunities which are published on the websites www.exposlovenia.si and www.izvoznookno.si and other websites. Individual presentations and bilateral meetings of Slovenian companies with their business partners and meetings of business delegations are also being organised at the Centre. Slovenian companies will be able to participate in seven business delegations organised by the European Commission with the purpose of networking with companies in third markets.

By participating at EXPO Milano 2015, we wish to enhance the recognisability of the "I feel Slovenia" national brand and increase Slovenia’s reputation, promote the presence of Slovenian products and services in the Italian and global markets as well as promote Slovenia as a tourist destination. We want Slovenia to become an attractive region for foreign investments which will encourage the creation of new and environment-friendly jobs with high added value. I am convinced that this can be achieved.

The close proximity of EXPO Milano 2015 enables tourists from around the world to visit and feel Slovenia during their visit to the World Exhibition.

Zdravko Počivalšek Minister of Economic Development and Technology

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INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Črni Kal Viaduct ▪ Photo: DARS

Slovenia’s value F proposition as a location for FDI Since the late 1970s, when the first foreign investors came to Slovenia, the skill base has remained the country’s key attraction as an inward investment location. Skilled labour is available to a range of industries making Slovenia an easy location for investors to fill talent. Other advantages include adaptability of companies and of the workforce, business legislation, investment incentives, a 17% corporate income tax rate and investment tax allowances. Foreign investors’ perception of Slovenia as a host for FDI is improving as gross value added per employee keeps increasing against a backdrop of the decreasing number of employees over the past few years. Manufacturing companies lead the way in generating the highest gross value added, and among them large companies account for more gross value added than all other companies put together.

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oreign direct investment and an effective go-to-market strategy help to increase competitiveness and economic growth. Slovenia’s business environment is conducive to entrepreneurial activity, but its potential as a gateway into the region of 45 million consumers and further on into the EU market, with 500 million people, is still waiting to be fully developed. Its supportive environment with pro-business infrastructure and a technically-savvy workforce should compensate for the fact that further fiscal stimulus is not likely given the current state of public finances and the need to decrease the deficit and reduce those items with lowest multipliers on GDP. What serious foreign investors appreciate in Slovenia are its many qualities: a talented workforce capable of delivering smart and sustainable solutions, a powerful and adaptable technological and industrial base, ability to cope with the volatile global market and keep pace in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex industry. Just add the country’s welldeveloped infrastructure for inland transport of goods, modern port infrastructure, reliable electricity and gas supply and dependable internet connections and Slovenia has all the attributes of an FDI destination of choice.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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01 Ljubljana Tromostovje (the Three Bridges) ▪ Photo: SPIRIT 02 Riko prefabricated wooden houses ▪ Photo: Riko 03 Logarska Valley ▪ Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik/ www.slovenia.info

Quality infrastructure Ideally situated to serve Europe’s west and east, north and south, Slovenia not only has excellent communication and transport infrastructure, high-quality services and a functioning public administration and financial system, but has people with long business and personal links in the Western Balkans. Goods are moved quickly and reliably, clearance procedures are efficient and once goods enter Slovenia via road, rail, air or sea, they are at the doorstep of the EU market. In addition to welldeveloped physical infrastructure, a welldeveloped ICT industry is a key enabler for building a country’s competitiveness, attracting foreign investment and developing the information society.

Quality workforce Slovenia’s focus is on education, training and industry-driven research to support what it can offer to the high technology and other high value added sectors such as information and communication technology, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Its workforce has a high reputation for flair for technology and innovation thanks to a successful combination of a long industrial tradition and quality formal schooling as an important contributor to the skills of the individual and to human capital. According to Eurostat, Slovenia meets two Europe 2020 goals regarding education: 40.1% of people aged between 30 and 34 have completed tertiary education (2002: 20.7%) and less than 4% of those aged between 18 and 24 have left school early. Not only the young but also those who are young at heart have IT skills and digital literacy, and over 70% of the population can have a conversation in at least two foreign languages. English, German and Italian are widely used.

Quality link to regional markets For over 20 years, Slovenia’s economy has been exposed to the advantages and disadvantages of free trade and foreign investment. Its location at the heart of Europe makes it one of the most attractive locations for investment and a springboard for European companies wanting to do business in the Western Balkans as well as for the Balkan countries wanting to penetrate the EU markets. The benefits from technology transfers such as giving impetus to modernisation processes and creating new jobs are easier to acquire when the diffusion of new ideas and technologies is not hindered by geographic or political factors. Slovenia has all the attributes needed to do business across the region: knowledge of language, customs and culture, as well as personal connections.

Quality of life There is the right blend of strategic location, competitive business costs and world class talent for investors looking to explore opportunities in technology, products and innovative trends in one of the safest, cleanest and greenest countries in the world. Business friendliness and life satisfaction go hand-in-hand in Slovenia as best seen in its capital. Ljubljana maintains an economic momentum but still feels small and friendly. According to its inhabitants, it is one of the most liveable cities in the world. Its sights and neighbourhoods are easily accessed on foot, by bike or by public transport. It is this quality of life and the provision of all kinds of amenities that contribute to the quality of life of foreign investors that attract a mobile workforce in search of economic opportunity and a good standard of living.

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INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Investment Opportunities For investors seeking to buy into state-owned enterprises, timing is perfect as the government is divesting its interests. The process of selling assets is transparent and investors have only one entity to talk to: Slovenian Sovereign Holding.

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n line with the commitment to reducing the government footprint in the real and service sectors, international investors are invited to acquire state-owned assets on the basis of the Government decision which authorises Slovenian Sovereign Holding as the manager of assets owned by the Republic of Slovenia to dispose of their investment in 15 companies. The first three companies from the list have been sold; several other companies are waiting for offers for the purchase of the State’s shareholding.

Following the broad-based agreement that reducing corporate debt overhang is a priority, Slovenian authorities provided support to the banks at the end of 2013 by transferring part of their non-performing loans to the state-owned assetmanagement company (BAMC). Slovenia’s

reformed insolvency framework, and bankled multilateral restructuring agreements (MRAs) drawn up with the aim of helping financially distressed but viable companies to recover, should facilitate privatisation of the short-listed state-owned enterprises and put in place a strategy for other stateowned assets with the aim of paving the way for the SSH to deliver in line with its mission.

More transfers of NPLs to the BAMC followed alongside better bank governance measures and steps to fully privatise all state-owned banks. Restructuring of the corporate sector stands to benefit from making full use of existing tools, such as the BAMC and the new debt restructuring legal framework. As the corporate sector ‘s focus on deleveraging sharpened, banks’ balance sheets improved through

recapitalisation and a transfer of NPLs to the BAMC against a backdrop of betterthan-forecast macroeconomic data and Slovenia’s strong GDP growth in 2014.

What matters most to smart investors is the fact that Slovenia’s position regarding privatisation remains unchanged. Opportunities to acquire controlling shareholdings in the country’s blue-chips but also in the restructured enterprises in the BAMC’s portfolio of enterprises obtained by debt-for-equity conversion are highly attractive as the pace of deleveraging and divestment accelerates in 2015.

Photo: Shutterstock

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BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Production at Revoz - member of Renault Group

Automotive Industry Facts and figures in 2013 Number of companies:

228

Number of employees:

14,918

Revenue:

€ 3.0 billion

Exports:

€ 2.6 million

Key export markets: Austria, Croatia, Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Romania, Spain, Turkey, UK, USA

Source: AJPES, 2014

Key products: ▪ Components and materials for interior furnishing ▪ Car body parts ▪ Seats and seat components ▪ Components for braking systems ▪ Mechanical and electric/electronic components for engines ▪ Exterior equipment and body lighting equipment ▪ Exhaust systems ▪ Engine and gearbox components ▪ Steering system components ▪ Drive components ▪ Other systems and components ▪ Manufacturing spot welding equipment ▪ Tooling for the automotive industry

Car manufacturers seek innovative solutions to make their operations profitable and comply with the latest requirements of green engineering including the reduction of CO2 emissions, fuel consumption and waste while increasing safety. Setting up operations in countries such as Slovenia allows OEMs to reduce development-related costs.

Many leading players in the automotive industry have Slovenian firms as partners: Audi, BMW, Daimler, VW as well as MAN and Ford in Germany, account for some 40% of car component exports from Slovenia followed by buyers in France, Italy, Austria, the UK and the USA. The vehicles that roll off the assembly lines of Renault, PSA, Brosse, Lombardini, Landini, Fiat and Magna Steyr incorporate components from Slovenia that comply with all EU green and safety requirements. In figures it means that Slovenia’s automotive industry generates roughly one tenth of the country’s GDP and accounts for 14% of its exports of goods. Revoz, one the most efficient plants of the French car maker Renault-Nissan, remains Slovenia’s only car assembly plant and one of its largest exporters.

Thanks to its long industrial tradition, skills development is seen in Slovenia as key in sustainable growth and ongoing

investments in skills have produced a highly skilled workforce – exactly what the automotive industry needs.

Innovation centres, institutes for materials and technologies, knowledge academies – these are modern building blocks for the Slovenian companies that start with the evaluation of the technical feasibility of new ideas and technologies and follow through to mass development and production. Just take Hidria – a leading supplier of high-technology solutions for powertrains and steering systems in the European and global automotive industries – which has come out with a new product that improves engine combustion control. Today Hidria’s research and development-driven technology co-manages every tenth new car in Europe, and provides ignition for every sixth new car equipped with a modern diesel engine in the world. Slovenia is also proud of its niche companies such as Akrapovič, widely recognised as a highly innovative materials technology company boasting high-end exhaust systems for motorcycles and performance cars.

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Bia Separations - Leaders in monolith chromatography

Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Industry Facts and figures in 2013 Number of companies:

809

Number of employees:

26,603

Revenue:

€ 5.2 billion

Exports:

€ 4.0 billion

Key export markets: Albanian, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, USA Source: AJPES 2014 Key products: ▪ Base chemicals ▪ Pesticides and other agrochemical products ▪ Coatings, paints, varnishes, printing inks, mastics, ▪ Basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations, ▪ Soaps and detergents, cleaning and polishing preparations, perfumes and toilet preparations, fragrances, etc.

▪ Other chemical products, ▪ Man-made fibres, ▪ Engineered rubber and plastic products ▪ Tires and air-tubes for vehicles

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Slovenia’s manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and chemical products are the country’s most successful companies thanks to a long tradition of the chemical industry in this part of Europe. The first industrial chemical plants were established in the middle of the 19th century.

The railway connection with Vienna and the port of Trieste, the coal mines to produce energy, chemical commodities and a pool of skilled workforce gave impetus to the Slovenian chemical industry. It is the human capital that led eventually to the successful evolution of the industry from the manufacturing of basic chemicals to the manufacturing of finished consumer goods: pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, pesticides, and rubber and plastic products.

Thanks to its strategic position and strong economic and personal links with the companies in the region, Slovenia is a springboard for international companies seeking a foothold in the emerging markets in the region. The number of companies setting up their regional hubs in Slovenia is rising, as they are attracted by the expertise of local managers, sales force and field engineers and their in-depth knowledge of the regional markets.

Processing basic chemicals into a variety of products demands complex processing technologies and substantial investment to keep abreast of competitors.

Flexibility and the ability to provide

customers with the right product at short notice are the qualities that make the difference. Renowned domestic and foreign companies in the chemicals sector specialise in the production of paints, varnishes, coatings, synthetic fibres and other chemical products. Household names include Helios (Ring), Color, Jub, Cinkarna, Julon (Gruppo Bonazzi) and Henkel.

Considerable spending on medicines, a high standard of healthcare and general health awareness will continue to drive demand for innovative treatments making Slovenia attractive as a destination for pharmaceuticals. In 2013, the government budget appropriation on R&D mostly went to engineering and technology, with industrial production and technology and health as an important socio-economic objective for Slovenia. Pharmaceutical costcontainment measures will hardly affect Slovenian pharmaceutical spending, which is expected to rise even though there will be less funding available for public sector expenditure on healthcare. Lek (Sandoz Group) and Krka remain the top performers of the pharmaceuticals industry. With the combined over 7,000-strong staff in Slovenia they are the leading producers of generic drugs in the region and ready to cope with further costcontainment measures in the healthcare sector if the economic recovery proves more difficult and protracted than originally anticipated.

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Photo: Shutterstock

Electronics & Electrical Industry Facts and figures in 2013 Number of companies:

584

Number of employees:

27,863

Revenue:

€ 3.8 billion

Exports:

€ 2.9 billion

Key export markets: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Russian Federation, UK Source: AJPES 2014 Key products: ▪ Electric motors and machines ▪ Household appliances ▪ Telecommunications equipment ▪ Electronic measuring systems ▪ Medical and optical equipment ▪ Power distribution facilities ▪ Electrical components ▪ Electronic manufacturing services (EMS)

The electrical and electronics engineering industry is one of the key sectors to maintain a competitive and strong industrial base in Europe, and Slovenia’s companies are at the industry’s cutting edge. A range of education and training opportunities provides highly qualified engineers and skilled workers.

Government-sponsored training and re-training programmes help upgrade job seekers’ employability by providing adult education and other in-demand skills to meet employers’ entry-level job requirements.

Successful relationships among entrepreneurs, innovators, universities and government have never been more important to Slovenia’s economic success.

By working together through public-private partnerships and other means of collaboration, all stakeholders work together to create the conditions necessary to promote the innovation and entrepreneurship needed for sustained economic growth and job creation.

Slovenian electrical and electronics companies have a strong presence in Europe’s eastern and south-eastern markets thanks to substantial outward investments. In addition, there is an ever-increasing number of international companies with regional head offices in Slovenia attracted by easy access to quality staff, supplier chains, research institutes and a range of supports to foreign investors and export-oriented companies.

The strong export performance of the Slovenian electrical and electronics engineering industry generates over 75% of revenues in foreign markets, and its results may be affected by the volatility in economic performance of its trade partners. Home-grown companies such as Gorenje, Kolektor, Iskra, Hidria, Elektronček and many others have shown the resilience of their brands through the economic downturn and the companies in foreign or mixed ownership followed suit as illustrated by value-added per employee.

The best-selling products developed and manufactured in Slovenia include electrical and electronic equipment for the automotive industry, commutators for electric motors, electric motors, electronic components for household appliances, vehicle lighting, thermal management, explosion-protected electrical devices and wireless designs.

The capabilities of Slovenia’s leading manufacturers to design, verify, test and produce sophisticated electrical and electronic components, sub-assemblies and equipment continue to inspire investor confidence in an environment fine-tuned to delivering products, services and information supported by innovation and research. Slovenian innovators often return with medals from international trade fairs for ideas, inventions and new products, and as long as the Slovenian knowledge-based companies prosper, they will drive the country’s economy.

EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

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BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Innbox - Iskratel’s World in a Box

ICT Industry Facts and figures in 2013 Number of companies:

2,826

Number of employees:

19,539

Revenue:

€ 3.2 billion

Exports:

€ 986 million

Key export markets: Australia, Austria, Belarus, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, USA, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro Source: AJPES 2014 Key products and services: ▪ Telecommunication equipment ▪ Telecommunication services ▪ IT services ▪ Hardware ▪ Software ▪ Equipment distribution ▪ Web services

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

Cyberspace is crucial to economic prosperity and development but it calls for capacity building – the development of knowledge and skills as well as infrastructure. The rapid development of ICT manufacturing and services in Slovenia is built on a combination of a long industrial tradition and a forward-looking and stimulating business ecosystem paving the way for ICT companies to penetrate the emerging markets. In addition to Slovenia’s excellent physical infrastructure, the competences of people working in ICT companies are outstanding thanks to human resources development focused on providing necessary skill sets by also retraining the current workers.

The buzzword of Slovenia’s ICT industry is the ecosystem serving as a hotbed for information and communication technologies. The open-innovation philosophy in combination with corporate sales channels facilitates market penetration and makes Slovenia a hightech regional hub with excellent links in the Balkan countries.

Slovenian companies are enhancing their presence in foreign markets through outward direct investment. This trend is widely followed by ICT companies, particularly when investing in the emerging markets of south-eastern Europe.

Capital ties are also used to get a foothold in the markets of CIS countries.

Slovenia’s companies and institutions are committed to improving information infrastructure, developing exportable products with high value added, developing new knowledge and technologies and to raising the quality of the innovation environment through the transfer of knowledge into industry. The progress of the knowledge-based society made so far makes everyday life easier by adding new services such as e-government, e-knowledge and soon e-health, and the inclusion of small and medium enterprises in demanding projects.

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Tu lahko damo kakšno najeto fotografijo iz izposojevalnic na spletu, vendar so vse slike tujih pristanišč, terminalov, železnic, ipd.

Razen slike, ki je bila prej na tem mestu so vse poslane premajhne.

Port of Koper

Logistics & Distribution Facts and figures in 2013 Number of companies:

2,631

Number of employees:

21,957

Revenue:

€ 3.7 billion

Exports:

€ 1.6 billion Source: AJPES 2014

Key services: ▪ freight forwarding and freight shipping, ▪ handling of goods, ▪ goods warehousing and storage, ▪ maritime and inland logistics terminal operations ▪ additional services

Running the process of planning, storing and controlling the flow of goods, services and related information calls for a welleducated and highly skilled workforce and Slovenia has it all. It is easy to build a team of like-minded individuals who can deliver quality work and develop strong relationships with customers – valuable qualities when demand in developed economies remains subdued and industrial groups are slow to re-stock.

Slovenia’s fragment of the northern Adriatic coast wedged between its neighbours links it to the Mediterranean for goods which transit via Suez and Gibraltar. The flow of goods and the expansion of the cruise business is making transport and logistics significant for the economic development of the Mediterranean countries as important trade partners of the European Union.

The Port of Koper is in the Mediterranean Corridor – the railway axis of Lyon-TriesteDivača/Koper-Divača-Ljubljana-Budapest-

Ukrainian border. One of the most important trans-European road and railway axes – the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor – connects the Baltic ports in Poland with the ports of the Adriatic Sea. The corridor has some branches: from Graz via Udine to Trieste and via Ljubljana to Trieste/Koper.

A number of logistics parks constructed close to highways, rail, intermodal facilities and air-cargo airports, facilitates national and regional distribution, but further investment in transport infrastructure is necessary to become a logistics platform serving central and south-eastern Europe.

Many Slovenian transport and logistics companies have expanded operations to the CSEE countries where Slovenia is one of the most important foreign investors.

Slovenia offers readily available industrial space for-lease or build-to-suit sites for distribution, warehouse, manufacture, office and retail needs.

EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

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BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Litostroj Steel

Machining & Metalworking Industry Facts and figures in 2013 Number of companies:

2,809

Number of employees:

50,771

Revenue:

€ 6.5 billion

Exports:

€ 3.9 billion

Key export markets: Australia, Austria, Croatia, Czech Rep., France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, UK, USA Source: AJPES 2014 Key products: ▪ vehicles and auto parts ▪ metal fittings and components ▪ cast and fabricated metal elements ▪ water turbines and pumps ▪ various metal products ▪ metal tools ▪ truck lifts ▪ HVAC systems

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

Slovenia’s machining and metalworking sector is ready to maximise opportunities as it continues to provide technologies, services and equipment to other industrial sectors. The machinery must be designed and constructed taking into account green engineering and the results of the risk assessment. Labour productivity is recognised as a "make-or-break" factor and major manufacturers are upgrading facilities and investing in new projects.

At this point, experience and knowledge of employees give companies an edge through innovative solutions that translate into continuing improvements of manufacturing processes. The CE conformity marking affixed to the "Made in Slovenia" products relates to the design and production phases of the product and underlines a high level of metalworking technology, machine tools and precision engineering found in Slovenia.

An integrated, results-oriented education system providing young people and adults with critical career information resources and the skills they need to make effective educational and career decisions is widely appreciated by employers. Learning foreign languages is not a hobby in Slovenia but a practical business skill playing a

crucial role in securing a job and enhancing one’s career.

Slovenia’s metalworking companies can serve all sub-sectors and meet the needs for innovation or efficiency gains in the standardised automotive sector and in the quickly evolving specialist sectors such as wind power plant manufacturing.

Innovation networks and collaboration between companies working in the metal forming and metal fabrication industry exist in the form of clusters, professional associations, dedicated university departments and research institutes that support fundamental and applied research.

Designers and manufacturers of tools have been at the forefront of the industry providing a platform for toolmaking companies with CAD/CAM/CAE designed and manufactured tooling. Other companies benefit from comprehensive hi-tech solutions to increase productivity and speed delivery. These are large as well as medium and small enterprises, well known in the EU working to the specifications of leading manufacturers in the automotive and aviation industry, and in non-metal industry sectors such as household appliances and IT.

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Woodster ▪ Photo: Matej Kolaković

Wood-processing & Furniture Industry Facts and figures in 2013 Number of companies:

1,012

Number of employees:

11,085

Revenue:

€ 1.1 bn

Exports:

€ 518 mn

Key export markets: Algeria, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Germany, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Serbia, Switzerland Source: AJPES 2014 Key products: ▪ Pre-fabricated wooden houses ▪ Builders’ joinery & carpentry ▪ Plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood ▪ Fibreboard of wood or other ligneous materials ▪ Veneer sheets & sheets for plywood & other wood sawn lengthwise ▪ Particle board and similar board from wood or other ligneous materials ▪ Packaging materials of wood ▪ Tableware and kitchenware of wood ▪ Wooden furniture for kitchens, living quarters and public institutions, ▪ Wood marquetry & inlaid wood ▪ Wooden frames for paintings etc ▪ Casks, barrels, vats, tubs etc. of wood

Slovenia’s reputation as the third country in Europe after Finland and Sweden with over 60 per cent of its territory under forests explains why the woodworking and wood-processing industry were one of the pillars of Slovenian manufacturing.

Cabinet, furniture, millwork and custom woodworking manufacturers tap the local skills heritage. There is a full product range of both mechanical and chemical processing. The mechanical branch comprises milling, manufacturing of plywood and particle board, and fabrication of furniture and timber components for the construction industry. Pulp and paper, cardboard and packaging materials are products of the chemical sector and there are companies producing surface coatings.

The production of biofuel from biomass uses waste and residues from forestry and related industries. The fact that the energy demand of the woodworking industry is low offers future opportunities in the trading scheme designed to foster CO2 emission reduction.

The role played in the process by the local wood and furniture clusters and trade associations is very important, and the pool of the Slovenian workforce ready and available for greenfield and brownfield investment projects ranges in qualification from unskilled to high-calibre experts.

Advances in forest management and wood harvesting technology open up new

opportunities for economic benefits but also call for substantial investment. In Slovenia there are many small and medium-sized enterprises that engage in a wide range of activities in forestry, wood processing and pulp and paper industry.

Another use of wood is in timber architecture and Slovenia boasts several world-class architects who bring to life award-winning timber constructions.

Both primary wood products and woodbased building materials are used for panel, timber frame and solid timber constructions. These constructions are certified to the highest standards, their environmental impact is low and their durability is long. Ribnica-based engineering company Riko has received accolades for its sustainable prefabricated wooden houses that combine state-of-theart technology and environmental values.

EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

75

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Slovenian honey - a protected European trademark ▪ Source: Medex

Agri-food Facts and figures in 2013 Number of companies:

573

Number of employees:

11,100

Revenue:

€ 1.7 billion

Exports:

€ 744 million

Key export markets: Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Serbia, Ukraine Source: AJPES, 2014 Key products: ▪ Production of meat and meat products ▪ Fish processing industry ▪ Processing of fruit and vegetables ▪ Production of oils and fats ▪ Milk processing ▪ Flour milling ▪ Bakery ▪ Production of miscellaneous edible products ▪ Production of animal feed ▪ Production of beverages

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

Slovenia’s varied landscapes much admired by visitors also mean that less favoured areas for agricultural activity cover some 86% of the whole country, of which over 72% are hill and mountain areas.

Most of Slovenia’s agricultural land lies in the cohesion region of Eastern Slovenia, where most large food-processing companies are located. The food processing industry contributes around 2% of Slovenia’s GDP and with the share of persons employed in the industry of 2%, it is the 3rd largest employer in the processing sector.

Micro companies predominate but large food processing companies employ 50% of all persons in food processing and generate 70% of value added in this sector.

Investments in agricultural holdings should enable the required restructuring and increase the competitiveness of Slovenian agriculture by harnessing ICT-supported production processes.

As more highly educated members of agricultural households take up full-time employment on agricultural holdings, it will help transfer RDI results into practice in agriculture and the food processing industry and boost transfer of

knowledge and innovation into practice.

Facilitating cooperation between researchers and end users of knowledge would provide access to specialised advice and improve the qualifications of people employed in agriculture, forestry and food processing. This cooperation was further complicated by a lack of private initiative and coordinated work of all institutions, but the EU selected measures for the 20142020 period serving to establish missing links between research and practice will help producers and stakeholders to increase their market orientation, participation in quality schemes, promotion of animal welfare requirements, development of local markets and short food supply chains, and promotion in local markets. Slovenia's large and small producers and food-processing companies already fulfil demanding EU standards, have high quality certificates, traceability control systems and systems ensuring food safety. Gross added value per employee is above € 25,000, communication with consumers is good and efforts to build brand awareness are starting to pay off.

SLOVENIA – ITALY

Expo 2015:

boost for economic cooperation with the host country, Italy Italy and Slovenia have been cooperating in many fields for years, with trade, investment and tourism at the forefront, but Expo 2015 is expected to give an unprecedented boost to the economies ties between the businesses of the two countries. The timing for forging synergies between the public sector and private enterprises is perfect, and excellent opportunities are offered both for Slovenian companies wishing to tap the Italian market and for Italian investors ready to expand their operations eastward through Slovenia.

T

4,500,000 4,000,000 in EUR 1,000 EUR

he fact that trade between Slovenia and Italy worth some € 6 billion euros is mostly with companies from the north of Italy means there is room for expansion to other parts of Italy, and Italian companies remain the third biggest foreign investor despite the recent crisis.

On top of being Slovenia’s second biggest trade partner, Italy is its main tourist market. Slovenia’s advantages include a high-qualified labour force, good infrastructure and an excellent geostrategic position which provides an excellent link both with regional and EU markets. The most attractive sectors in Slovenia for FDIs are those industries that require a high level of knowledge, skills and professionalism. The commitment made by the Slovenian government to privatise many state-owned companies in order to stabilise public finances and attract strategic partners is in line with the targeted measures undertaken with the aim of giving added impetus to economic growth by harnessing FDI benefits. Positive spill-overs of Italian investments made so far will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

3,500,000 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 0

504 km

Venice ▪

Ljubljana ▪

2009

2010

Exports to Italy

2011

2012

2013

2014

Imports from Italy

Slovenia’s exports to Italy in 2014 (by product groups): Share

Products

13%

Vehicles other than railway, tramway

11%

Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, etc.

9%

Iron and steel

7%

Plastics and articles thereof

7%

Wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal

6%

Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, etc

Slovenia‘s imports from Italy in 2014 (by product groups): Share

Milan ▪

2008

Products

23%

Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, etc.

10%

Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, etc.

8%

Vehicles other than railway, tramway

7%

Iron and steel

6%

Plastics and articles thereof

5%

Electrical, electronic equipment

Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, ITC,March 2015.

Main Italian investors in Slovenia: Cecomp, Aquafin, Intensa Sanpaolo, Intersocks, Safilo, Sogefi and many others are the fourth large investors in Slovenia.

EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

77

PARTNERS

The Slovenian Pavilion at EXPO Milano 2015 – back side ▪ Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Partners

of the Slovenian Pavilion at EXPO Milano 2015

78

SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

MONDAY’S CRISIS MEETING A NEW DAILY ROUTINE AT THE GRAND HOTEL PRIMUS**** s

For more information and special offers at the Grand Hotel Primus****s please call, e-mail us or check our web page.

Sava Hotels & Resorts

•

www.grandhotelprimus.si

02 749 45 06

•

info@terme-ptuj.si

PARTNERS ▪ Ljubljana

01

02

03

Ljubljana. Central Slovenia Region.

A small capital for big experiences.

Ljubljana. The capital of Slovenia and the European Green Capital 2016. A regular feature on lists of Europe’s most interesting destinations. A small capital for big experiences.

A city with a romantic soul, a fairy-tale appearance, a vibrant life, and a green heart.

04

Ljubljana is beloved.* The capital of a country that has the word 'love' in its name.

Tips … Sit down and relax at a street café.

Enjoy the vibrancy of the historical city centre while on board a boat sailing along a calm green river. Stroll across a bridge referred to as 'Love Bridge'. Wave your hand at one of the numerous dragons symbolizing the city, the most famous standing sentinel over the Dragon Bridge.

Immerse yourself in the vibrancy of openair festivals, particularly numerous in the summer. * The name Ljubljana sounds very similar to the Slovenian word 'ljubljena', meaning 'loved' or 'the beloved'. For those who know Ljubljana well the two words mean the same.

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

Ljubljana

▪ PARTNERS

06

05

Ljubljana is Europe in miniature.

Ljubljana is bursting with flavours.

A place where prehistoric stilt house dwellers meet Roman citizens, the Baroque holds hands with Art Nouveau, and the Slavic soul goes side by side with the genius of the 20th century architect Jože Plečnik.

Tips … Explore the legacy of the Roman city of Emona, which stood on the site of Ljubljana 2000 years ago – either on your own or on a guided tour. See an exhibition marking the 150th birth anniversary of the famous Art Nouveau architect Maks Fabiani. Take a walk around the Central Market and Visit Ljubljana Castle, towering over the historical city centre.

Get a Ljubljana Card and explore an attractive range of museums and galleries.

The home of unique local tastes at the crossroads of diverse culinary traditions.

Tips … Visit the Central Market and its Open Kitchen, where delightful food is freshly prepared by the city’s chefs every Friday. Treat yourself to traditional Ljubljana dishes offered by more than 60 restaurants under the brand name Taste Ljubljana, either on your own or on a Taste Ljubljana culinary tour. Stop for a meal at a traditional countryside gostilna while exploring the city’s green surrounding region. Let the Ljubljana Quality marks guide you to the best places to eat.

Ljubljana is a city with a green soul.

An ideal base for exploring the numerous attractions of Central Slovenia.

Tips … Take advantage of Ljubljana’s central location within its region. Visit the nearby Velika Planina high mountain plateau to enjoy a herdsmen’s lunch, and explore the medieval small town of Kamnik at its foot. Take a leisurely walk through the Volčji Potok Arboretum or opt for adrenaline-fuelled fun at the Geoss Adventure Park. Get yourself invited to a tea party at Count Blagay’s mansion in Polhov Gradec. Take a trip south to one of the country’s most unique museums, the Technical Museum of Slovenia, and see all the limousines collected by Yugoslav President Tito. For a more spiritual experience, visit Stična Abbey, a still operational 12th century monastery.

The European Green Capital 2016. A city that loves everything green.

Tips … Enjoy the luxury of being able to explore all the major sights on foot or from the saddle of a public bicycle. Take a walk along the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship, Ljubljana’s longest treelined walk, boasting more than 7,000 trees.

Visit one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe. Drink from the city’s numerous drinking water fountains. Get lost in Tivoli Park and its wooded surrounding parkland stretching right into the city centre.

Go bird-watching in the Ljubljana Marsh, one of the city’s four nature parks.

Ljubljana is wrapped in the embrace of a green region.

07

01 Ljubljana – Prešeren Square with the Three Bridges ▪ Photo: Matej Kastelic 02 Ljubljana – panorama ▪ Photo: Janez Kotar 03 Artish art market ▪ Photo: Dunja Wedam 04 Statue of Dragon on Dragon Bridge ▪ Photo: Luka Esenko 05 Ljubljana – festive days in December ▪ Photo: Dunja Wedam 06 Typical Ljubljana lunch with cottage cheese pancakes for desert ▪ Photo: Janez Pukšič 07 Art Nouveau Miklošič Street in Ljubljana ▪ Photo: Matej Kastelic

Ljubljana is perfect for exploring Slovenia.

A fantastic base to experience, in a single day, the country’s stunning diversity across regions.

Tips … Choose from a vast array of daily guided trips from Ljubljana to places across Slovenia, available at the TIC. Spend a few hours, half a day or a full day exploring the Alps, the Mediterranean, the karst region of Kras or the Pannonian Plain.

Visit the ‘experience store’ at www.visitljubljana.com and choose from a diverse range of city tours and trips to places across the region and country.

Get a Ljubljana Card to explore the city easily and at a good price.

Find attractive Ljubljana hotel deals in the Accommodation/Hotel Deals section of the website.

EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

81

PARTNERS ▪ Adria-Mobil

01

Adria-Mobil

Inspiring their customer’s adventures for 50 years Adria-Mobil Group, the Slovenian manufacturer of recreational vehicles and mobile homes, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, 2015. With a turnover exceeding 250 million euros yearly, it employs over 1,200 employees across three production sites - in Novo Mesto, Črnomelj and Šentjernej - and sells its products in more than 25 countries in Europe in beyond, with strong market position on all those markets.

In recent years Adria‘s growth and development has seen it receive more independent awards. Adria was the first non-German brand to win the German Konig Kunde 'King of Customers' award and has

A

dria is best known for its recreational vehicles, where it is a top three brand, with a market share of 6% and growing in Europe and a strong presence in Russia, Japan, China and Australia. Its success stems from innovative product design, flexibility in responding to changing customer needs and a strong network of over 500 dealers.

At its state-of-the-art factories in Slovenia, Adria manufactures over 9,000 caravans, motorhomes, vans and mobile homes a year. It makes over 100 different models, half of which are caravans – the vehicles which the company was founded on back in the 1960’s when caravanning was all the rage.

In the 1980’s Adria started making motorhomes, which now account for half of Adria’s sales. Adria offers over 35 different models across the compact, crossover, semi-integrated and integrated categories.

Adria also competes in the growing van conversion market, with a range of Fiat Ducato based vans, called "Twins".

Adria regularly wins independent awards for innovative and intelligent "i-design" and for customer satisfaction.

Recent European Innovation Awards for the Matrix Supreme, Astella Glam Edition and new Altea reflect the pace of Adria’s innovation, but pride of place goes to Adria’s recognition in the König Kunde Best Brand Awards five years in succession, as voted for by the readers of leading German magazine Reisemobil International.

occupied a podium place every year since 2010.

Adria range 2015 Autumn 2014 for 2015, saw the launch of a range of new Sonic and Matrix motorhome ranges, a new Adora and new 'design your

82

SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

Adria-Mobil

▪ PARTNERS

02

own caravan' Altea 4four and a redesign

1970‘s

of the Twin camper van range.

Adria‘s line up for 2015 also includes the award-winning new Altea (European Innovation Award winner; the Caravan of the Year The Netherlands) launched in 2014 and the award-winning and luxurious Astella caravan ranges (European Innovation Award winner; Luxury Caravan of the Year, UK).

The 'all-season' Alpina range has updates for the 2015 season, as do the popular family-oriented Aviva range and the light-weight and stylish Action range.

The era of the 'blue line' caravans and

1980’s

to all main market segments with a new

The Silver Collection

Caravan design took on a more

crossover – the Matrix first launched in

aerodynamic shape, first seen in the

2009 – offering all the benefits of alkoven

Adria is also celebrating its 50-year anniversary with the introduction of the new Silver Collection anniversary models.

This new Silver Collection, is a range of limited edition versions of their bestselling models and layouts.

All Silver Collection vehicles feature a new silver coloured exterior, special 'Adria 50 Years’ graphics and a host of extra added-value features at no extra cost.

Mistral (1982 - 1994) and this decade

motorhomes in a more stylish and slim-

also saw Adria‘s first motorhomes – the

line vehicle. Adria‘s first fully integrated

Adriatik 420 and 450 models – launched

motorhome – the Sonic – was also

in 1982. Motorhomes now account for

launched in 2011.

01 Adria–Mobil Caravan range 2015 02 Adria–Mobil Motorhome range 2015

De Luxe models. The main characteristic of the first generation of caravans was the exterior oval look, which has been a feature of Adria´s caravans since the Opatija in 1966.

The 1976 De Luxe models featured an exterior blue ribbon in the line of windows, which was a synonym for the

The new millennium has also

Adriatic sea and the blueness of the sky.

witnessed a regeneration of caravan

Over time, Adria´s caravans became well

design, starting with the introduction of

known due to this 'blue line'.

the compact stylish new Action in 1995.

In motorhomes, Adria expanded its offer

over half of Adria‘s sales.

At the luxury end of the market the new and award-winning Astella caravan

1990‘s The 1990‘s saw an important milestone in caravan design with the introduction in 1996 of the fourth generation of caravans

was introduced in 2012.

The semi-integrated new Coral was launched in its current version in 2014.

The Twin camper van range has seen

– the Unica series. A year later, 1997,

continual model introductions and the

Adria‘s 50 Years – The key milestones.

Adria launched it‘s first van conversion,

current range of Twins has seen

and camper vans today are a strong and

impressive sales growth reflecting the

growing part of the model line up. The

popularity of these more 'everyday' type

Adria has been inspiring adventures for fifty years.

first semi-integrated motorhome – the

recreational vehicles.

Coral range in 1999 – also represented the new generation of motorhome design.

1960‘s

For further information go to www.adria-mobil.com

Adria introduced the Adria 375 caravan in

2000‘s to today.

1965 under the guidance of engineer

In 2005 Adria opened its new state-of-

Distributor for Italy:

Martin Sever in August 1965. The

the-art design and manufacturing

ADRIA ITALIA S.r.l.

prototype was successfully presented at

facilities in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. This

Via S.Maria Goretti, 8

the caravan fair in Stockholm. From the

150,000 m2 site remains the company HQ

30174 - Mestre (VE)

beginning the Adria slogan was "a light

and its 40,000 m2 production hall remains

T: 041 535 07 31

and well equipped caravan at a realistic

at the forefront of leading edge, world-

F: 041 534 92 31

price".

class manufacturing.

info@adriaitalia.it EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

83

PARTNERS ▪ Akrapovič

F

ounded in Slovenia over twenty-four years ago by former motorcycle racer Igor Akrapovič, the brand has grown to international prominence.

Through racing–which has led to them winning major world championship titles– and setting the highest design standards, leading to Akrapovič winning a prestigious Red Dot award, along with numerous other Best Brand honors, Akrapovič is consistently at the forefront of exhaust system technology.

Finest materials make the finest exhausts

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Akrapovič –

a Pioneer in Exhaust System Technology

Akrapovič is the market-leading manufacturer of premium exhaust systems for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It is a pioneer in the innovative use of titanium and super-alloys, and is at the forefront of carbon-fibre components. Akrapovič exhaust systems are renowned for increasing performance, their unmistakable sound, innovative design, lightweight construction, quality workmanship and durability.

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Special titanium alloys Not all titanium alloys are created equal!

Akrapovič exhaust systems are crafted from a proprietary titanium alloy. It is three times stronger than other "commercial" alloys available. The high quality and strength make it more difficult to form than common alloys, but it ensures a product that is substantially more durable, is dimensionally more stable, and has significantly increased heat resistance.

Our titanium is 40% lighter than stainless steel, helping improve performance and handling. Akrapovič uses the best-quality materials available; we accept no compromises. The uniqueness in producing an Akrapovič system is further enhanced through the use of our own inhouse titanium foundry to cast the complex parts of the exhaust systems. This allows complex and special castings to be created, which are not possible with ordinary manufacturing methods, and pushes Akrapovič on to more innovative solutions, resulting in the perfect exhaust with lighter, stronger and impeccably finished parts.

The best carbon fibre Our carbon fibre components are produced in-house with temperature resistant carbon fibre resins. Akrapovič uses the latest technology and machinery to produce carbon fibre components, but final assembly and inspection is by hand, with a meticulous approach to quality and finish.

The benefits of our carbon fibre include weight reduction–which can be as much as eight times lower than stainless steel–and an extremely attractive finish, which makes an Akrapovič tailpipe stand out from the crowd.

Akrapovič

▪ PARTNERS

01 Precision-crafted titanium system for the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4.

02 The Red Dot Award for the Akrapovič Slip-On Line (Carbon) exhaust system for the Kawasaki Ninja H2.

03 Movistar Yamaha MotoGP racer Valentino Rossi with his Akrapovič-outfitted Yamaha YZR-M1 in Qatar.

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Stand out from the crowd with Akrapovič Quality workmanship Akrapovič products are created and designed with passion and knowhow by highly experienced and skilled employees.

Over 95% of our products are produced inhouse using the latest production technologies and meeting the highest quality standards. In developing and producing our exhausts and related products, we pay attention to every individual aspect: from carefully selected designs, premium materials, special reinforcements, in-depth testing, and final coatings to the packaging. Every single detail counts for making an Akrapovič exhaust the best available.

Increased performance Akrapovič exhaust systems are designed to perform. Our developers and engineers have created unique exhaust systems for all types of racing cars and motorcycles, and it is from this knowledge that we produce the same high-quality products for road cars and bikes. By using high-grade materials, reducing weight and adding more horsepower, we strive to get the most out of every car and motorcycle. All systems are designed to significantly improve the throttle response for better overall performance. When you drive a performance car or ride a road bike with an Akrapovič exhaust, you will feel the difference immediately.

The Akrapovič sound Our exhaust systems sound like no other!

No wonder, because we have mastered the art of sound engineering over the years and have found a perfect harmony in the

unique Akrapovič sound. You don’t need to see it to know that it’s an Akrapovič–just the right notes at the right time give you that unmistakable sound. The pure sound of racing!

Durability Using race-proven materials from our involvement in the world of high-class motorsports, all Akrapovič exhausts only use the best. Our highly skilled engineers extensively test the materials–and the final product–to ensure that each system meets the highest standards. The products we manufacture are extremely durable and race-proven, having been pushed to the limits on the track, so that drivers enjoy the benefits on their machines.

Design Akrapovič exhausts are designed with the ideal balance of perfection and performance, because this is how we see our products. We are the leader in exhaust technology and are constantly setting new standards and trends in the exhaust system industry. All of our systems are individually designed to fit every car and bike perfectly while delivering optimal performance.

We are continually striving to find the best solutions with the latest hi-tech components, and it is this dedication that makes us believe that an Akrapovič exhaust is the most stylish accessory and that there is no better-looking exhaust system.

Advanced technology We develop and use the latest production techniques to bring real benefits to the driver and the rider. Whether it is a world championship–winning machine or the latest road-going car, we create a perfectly

designed and balanced exhaust system, with optimum flow and heat resistance.

By carefully selecting and testing the best materials to ensure optimum strength, lighter weight and unique design, we make sure that every system contributes to greater performance. We are recognized as a pioneer in exhaust development and manufacturing. With our in-house titanium foundry–enabling us to cast the most complex shapes–hi-tech machinery, precision welding specialists and a highly trained and dedicated workforce, Akrapovič provides the best possible solutions for every exhaust system.

With our in-house titanium foundry–enabling us to cast the most complex shapes–hi-tech machinery, precision welding specialists and a highly trained and dedicated workforce, Akrapovič provides the best possible solutions for every exhaust system.

Akrapovič d.d.

Malo Hudo 8a 1295 Ivančna Gorica Slovenia www.akrapovic.com EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

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PARTNERS ▪ Slovenian natural spas and health resorts

All Photos: Slovenian spas

Slovenian natural spas and health resorts – Source of Energy for Life

The natural healing effects of thermal water, a soothing maritime and mountain climate with aerosols, salt water and saline mud, healing peloids and peat are the healing resources with which Slovenia has been richly and naturally blessed, and which form the foundation of the 14 Slovenian natural spas and health resorts.

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n addition to the wide range of nursing and medical programmes, therapeutic massages and saunas, the Slovenian spas and health resorts offer a wide range of features. The variety comes due to the various climate characteristics – they are located in fact in almost all the different parts of Slovenia, from the coast, over the hills of Dolenjska and Posavje, the river valleys of Savinja and Sotla to the Pomurje region and the Pannonian Plain.

The development and establishment of the Slovenian natural spas and health resorts has been enhanced by the wealth of the country's un-spoilt natural environment. The most important of these features are the thermal waters, with different properties and temperatures (24-73 degrees C) and mineral waters (the

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world-famous mineral waters Donat Mg and Radenska), followed by sea water and salt water (Aqua madre), salt pan mud, peloids of organic and inorganic origin and the micro-climate of the coastal region, the Pannonian lowlands as well as the foothills and the Central Mountains.

Spa and medical spa activities in the Slovenian natural spas include both preventive health as well as rehabilitation treatments through the additional use of natural remedies. The spa activities are rooted in the recognized healing powers of natural remedies in relation to individual disease states. The technical basis of spa treatment is the balneology (Greek balneo = bathing, logos = science), one of the oldest interdisciplinary medical sciences. In addition to a specialisation in

their own field, spa physicians must have particular expertise in the field of balneology.

The use of natural remedies has enabled the resorts to gain medical specialisation in individual diseases, damage and disability.

In the spas, the treatments are performed with the help of different natural resources, drinking cures, mineral and thermal baths, mud baths, salt water, carbonic acid baths and medicinal herbal therapies.

In the last hundred years, Slovenia’s natural health resorts that have arisen in places with mineral and thermal springs have offered modern rehabilitation of patients after surgery and patients with chronic diseases and conditions.

In addition to the use of natural healing factors, the methods of medical

Slovenian natural spas and health resorts

rehabilitation, work therapy and physiotherapy are also available to the patient. Qualified professionals from various disciplines supervise the rehabilitation. In some centres they also have the option to perform advanced diagnostic tests. Medical rehabilitation in the Slovenian natural spas is based on the holistic approach, and the goal of treatment is the fastest possible integration of the patient after serious illnesses or operations into active life or alleviating the symptoms of patients with chronic diseases / illnesses.

People discovered the secrets of wellbeing in the Slovenian thermal springs long ago. The rich thermal spa culture in Slovenia has evidence in excavations from the time of the Roman Empire, and written records place the use of thermal water far back in

the year 1147. Slovenia lies at the junction of transit routes running north-south and east-west and thus has always been part of the culture of the Old Continent.

The Slovenian natural spas are wellequipped spa and recreational centres where you can swim, run, walk, exercise using various equipment, play golf and tennis, you can enjoy bowling, horse riding, skiing and cycling, and you can learn to live in a healthy way.

Slovenia’s natural health resorts are based on a harmonious relationship between wisdom, experience, the natural environment, characteristics of the land and typical hospitality. As a result of this, each guest can find in this mosaic of health and well-being exactly what they want and need.

▪ PARTNERS

www.slovenia-spa.si © Slovenian Spas Association

Slovenia’s natural health resorts are based on a harmonious relationship between wisdom, experience, the natural environment, characteristics of the land and typical hospitality.

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TOP OF THE ADRIATIC

At the most attractive locations on the Adriatic – Portorož, Izola and Strunjan, the Bernardin Group offers 365 days per year pleasure and benefit of the sea.

Find your favourite one.

Perfect day. Every day.

Hoteli Bernardin d.d., Obala 2, SI-6320 Portorož, Slovenia

Tel . +386 5 690 70 00

booking@bernardingroup.si

www.bernardingroup.si

Portoro탑

Discover the primeval energy of the thermal

Prehistoric Sea.

LifeClass Hotels & Spa, Obala 33, SI-6320 Portoro탑, Slovenia

Feel the change that the others will envy.

Thermal P r e h i sTo r i c sea P o rTo r o탑

PARTNERS ▪ Žito

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Buckwheat and walnut bread –

a traditional Slovenian specialty

A bread that is unique - with a sophisticated taste.

When you bite into it, it will change forever your perception of what bread should be.

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uckwheat and walnut bread is a traditional Slovenian speciality.

Bread that used to be found on the table during holidays and on special occasions enjoys an important place in Slovenian cuisine. At the Žito bakery we have revived this tradition and even built upon it because we have returned traditional Slovenian buckwheat and walnut bread to the Slovenian dinner table.

Moreover, bread which was previously eaten only on holidays has now become an integral part of the daily diet.

As bread makers we respect tradition, and we combine modern technology with traditional hands-on skills and the exceptional knowledge of our bakers.

Thanks to modern technology, we are now able to deliver the tradition of buckwheat and walnut bread to the homes of countless consumers outside Slovenia. To be precise, we deliver pre-baked and frozen bread throughout Europe, where in a very short period of time the baking process can be completed on site and the product appears on the shelves of shops, in restaurants or hotels - awaiting the consumer. Žito buckwheat and walnut bread is rustic in appearance, but inside hides a fresh, soft and succulent texture. Its trademark is a special triangular-heart shape which illustrates the shape of buckwheat grains. The bread itself is made from buckwheat, half-white and potato flour. Generous amounts of walnuts, roasted in butter give the bread its unique flavour. Walnuts excellently complement and enhance the specific taste of buckwheat. Because of its subtle taste the bread is the perfect accompaniment to cheeses, meats and vegetables, and thus represents a true culinary delight. It is excellent too as a snack on its own.

The supreme quality of the buckwheat and walnut bread produced at the Žito bakery has been recognised by the International Taste and Quality Institute – iTQi, which awarded the bread the highest possible recognition – its Superior Taste Award with three stars for exceptional taste.

It is no coincidence that buckwheat and walnut bread is a Slovenian specialty, since the tradition of buckwheat production in Slovenia dates back more than a century and Slovenia is also internationally renowned in terms of its production of buckwheat. Fields planted with buckwheat are an integral part of the Slovenian landscape. The first records of the use of buckwheat in Slovenia date back to as early as 1426.

Žito ▪

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The vast majority of people consider buckwheat to be a type of grain, which is not correct. Buckwheat actually belongs to the Polygonaceae family and is related to rhubarb. The grain of buckwheat is a special triangular shape, ranging in size from 1.5 to 2.5 mm. It can be milled with or without its husk.

Buckwheat contains high-quality proteins, which are excellently complemented by other proteins of plant origin. It is also a rich source of polyphenols, dietary fibre, zinc, copper and manganese.

Buckwheat is a plant that has always been famous for its humbleness. It can be cultivated without the intensive use of fertilizers and yet it nonetheless grows very rapidly. As the plant is entomophilous it requires bees to reproduce. Buckwheat

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crops are considerably smaller than is the case with wheat. Here, however, less is more, since the flavour, colour and ingredients of buckwheat flour differ significantly from other flours. Once the food of the poor, today it has become the favourite ingredient for the most demanding culinary enthusiasts.

At our company, Žito d.d. we incorporate the buckwheat tradition into many other products, such as buckwheat noodles, buckwheat flour, buckwheat spoonbread and buckwheat porridge.

Flour and porridge are also available as bio products from organic agriculture. bread.zito.si

Buckwheat and walnut bread is a traditional Slovenian speciality. Bread that used to be found on the table during holidays and on special occasions enjoys an important place in Slovenian cuisine.

01 Buckwheat and walnut bread 02 Buckwheat porridge 03 Shaping buckwheat bread 04 Raising buckwheat bread with walnuts 05 Buckwheat flower 06 Buckwheat and walnut bread

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PARTNERS ▪ Postojna Cave

Park

a k s n j Posto jama e r u t n e v d a t n e c Magnifi

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Postojna Cave

▪ PARTNERS

Postojna Cave, Slovenia’s Underground Paradise A fantastic web of tunnels, passages, galleries and halls, the astonishing diversity of Karst features as well as easy access are certainly the main reasons for immense popularity of Postojna Cave, which has in 200 years been admired by 36 million visitors from all over the world.

Welcome in a landscape where an unforgettable display of the diverse Karst world was created by nature. Rivers that disapear and resurface, extensive woodland, majestic underground halls, mysterious and interesting fauna, colourful flora and a picturesque cultural heritage are all excellent reasons to come for a visit.

Nowhere else but in Postojna Cave can you enjoy a ride with a special cave train, which will take you around the cave under spectacular underground arches, which are embellished with chandelier-resembling stalactites, through a beautiful subterranean world full of playful limestone sculptures.

Experience the one-of-a-kind splendours and hospitality of the Slovene Karst.

www.postojnska-jama.eu

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PARTNERS ▪ Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana

Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana: National leader and an internationally recognised education and research institution Interview: Professor Metka Tekavčič, Dean, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana increase its quality standards and improve its achievements in education and research.

The FELU’s graduates and professors can be found in the highest positions in Slovenian and international companies. Many have served in supervisory boards of key Slovenian companies and banks, including the Bank of Slovenia. They have worked in the government administration and many have held high positions as ministers, members of the Presidency of the Republic of Slovenia and rectors of the University of Ljubljana.

Professor Metka Tekavčič, Dean, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana ▪ Photo: Mediaspeed

The Faculty of Economics (FELU) ranks highly in the international academic community and it is definitely one of the most recognised members of the University of Ljubljana. What´s your recipe for success?

The FELU has almost 70 years of wellestablished educational tradition.

The quality of our work ensures that the faculty’s mission is fulfilled and its reputation enhanced. The driving force behind our success has always been the belief that the FELU is people. As a result of our concerted efforts to reorganize and modernize our school, the FELU has been awarded several international accreditations, EQUIS, AACSB, TEDQUAL and CEQUINT. All these accreditations have earned us a place among the leading 94

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institutions in the main business disciplines, international business and tourism.

Our competitive advantage is a strong economics department which supports all fields of our activity. I’m extremely proud to say that in March 2015 we were reaccredited by AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) for the next 5-year period. This accreditation has been earned by fewer than five percent of the world’s business programmes.

The FELU is both the national leader and an internationally recognised education and research institution in the area of business and economics. Now and in the future, the FELU will always endeavour to strengthen its position in the international environment, continuously

It´s difficult to be successful in the competitive global academic environment.

How are you connected with foreign institutions and how do you cooperate and exchange knowledge, research, new findings…?

The FELU is a member of several international organisations and associations, such as EFMD (the European Foundation for Management Development), AACSB (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), EIASM (the European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management), NIBES (the Network of International Business and Economic Schools), CEEMAN (the International Management Development Association) and ACE (Alliance of Chinese and European business schools). Through networks we are sharing best practices and knowledge and creating new ideas.

Internationalisation expands the intellectual and cultural horizons of our students, enables them to grow professionally and offers them an

Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana

exceptional lifetime experience. The diverse backgrounds of our incoming and outgoing students add to the international character of the FELU. Our institution is involved in almost 200 exchange agreements with universities in 44 countries around the world and our programmes attract exceptional students from nearly every corner of the world. We are involved in various exchange programmes, for example: Erasmus Student Mobility for Studies, Erasmus Student Internship, Erasmus Mundus, ICI – ECP Korean double degree and mobility project and Bilateral Agreements. The FELU is also a partner in several research projects: Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), TEMPUS, INTERREG, EUREKA, COST, Central Europe Programme, South East Europe and Transnational Cooperation Programme.

How do you promote your international programmes? How interesting is the FELU for foreign students and how many choose Slovenia to study economics? What is the students’ response to this experience?

The FELU has a growing number of international undergraduate and graduate students. They benefit from our challenging curriculums, innovative research efforts, and the opportunity to live abroad and experience different cultures. We offer 15 curriculums in English for all academic programmes: undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programmes. There are a number of dual degree programmes that offer students an opportunity to obtain a second degree from one of our partner institutions. In the current academic year (2014/2015) we have more than 500 international students enrolled in our programmes on all three study levels – bachelor, master and doctoral. Every year we also welcome more and more students who come for a semester or one year exchange – in 2014/2015 we have received almost 400 exchange students. The FELU is also very popular with its Summer School programme, where we host more than 400 international students for three weeks.

The promotion of the FELU is done through different channels – our website, international conferences (e.g. EAIE, NAFSA, APAIE), "word of mouth", Alumni etc.

How do you implement sustainable development and how do you include these topics in your programmes? How do you manage to make students aware that

▪ PARTNERS

Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana

environmental pollution and the destruction of natural habitats is not just logical 'collateral damage'?

Our competitive advantage is a

To integrate environmental integrity and sustainability within the student community, the syllabuses of all courses were upgraded with ethics and environmental and social responsibility topics. Today, social responsibility is an integral part of many courses and in addition, there are also specific courses which predominantly focus on environmental issues (e.g. Business Environment and Sustainable Tourism, Corporate Social Responsibility, Business Ethics, Environment Management, Ethics in Health Care, etc.). All business-related tracks on the undergraduate and graduate levels have a specific social responsibilityrelated learning goal and supportive learning objectives. New certificates were developed at the degree and executive education levels to contribute to the professional and personal development of students. The FELU has committed itself to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and the Six Principles advocated by the United Nations initiative of responsible management education.

activity. I’m extremely proud to

And perhaps the most crucial question: is it possible to fully implement constructive and inspirational ideas in practice? We are all well-aware of the gradual destruction of our planet – so what can be done to make society react in accordance with our strategies and plans?

We can only raise awareness and influence behavioural patterns through proper instruction and by setting a good example.

In every education institution, the management team as well as lecturers and researchers need to address sustainability and environmental concerns in theory and in practice.

The FELU was the first higher education institution in Slovenia to implement

strong economics department which supports all fields of our say that in March 2015 we were re-accredited by AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) for the next 5-year period.

This accreditation has been earned by fewer than five percent of the world’s business programmes.

energy-efficiency expertise for the improvement and optimization of its systems.

The FELU’s green investment plan on how to achieve environmental targets was approved by qualified experts.

The investments included automatic sliding doors at all FELU entrances (finalized in 2011), solar panels on the FELU premises (put in place in late 2011), energy saving bulbs, energy efficient computer hardware, installation of collective printing and copying equipment in major hallways, etc.

The FELU has been tracking its carbon footprint since 2009. The Eco Team and the Facility and Resource Management Office have set up a team of staff and students to periodically gather data and track the school’s consumption of water, electricity, energy for heating, production of waste, etc.

Since 2009, the major driver of increased environmental awareness of FELU students, faculty and staff has been the Re.think project. Designed by the FELU’s corporate partner Si.mobil (a branch of Austrian Mobilkom), it stems from the Rethink concept: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Its aim is to make everybody aware of what they use, where, and how.

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PARTNERS â–Ş Kogast

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Kogast Grosuplje professional kitchen equipment

The company Kovinastroj Gastronom tovarna gostinske opreme d.d. of Grosuplje was established as a manufactoring company of catering equipment. We have grown into the biggest company in this field in Slovenia.

From the very beginning the company has installed its own products on-site.

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Kogast

▪ PARTNERS

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01 Thermal Equipment, KOGAST 700 ▪ Photo: Kogast 02 Self-service line, KOGAST TENDER S ▪ Photo: Kogast 03 Front-cooking system, KOGAST ▪ Photo: Kogast 04 Cooker for Soft Boiled Eggs, GOLDEN EGG KOGAST ▪ Photo: Kogast

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n 2002 we changed our short company name, which is now recognised as Kogast Grosuplje d.d. Our brand Kogast also indicates the established and well known "kovinastroj" kitchen equipment.

The product line of Kogast Grosuplje includes the very broad range of professional Kogast catering equipment.

Besides our standard range we also produce custom-made equipment according to special customer requirements.

The basic design philosophy behind all our products is to produce very reliable and robust user-friendly equipment with a very low level of energy consumption during operation. We offer all our thermal equipment as gas versions (lpg and natural gas) and electric versions, which include energy-savers such as glass-ceramic and induction ranges. All Kogast catering equipment is tested according to our company standards. Our equipment is also tested and certified according to CE and GSV standards and other European standards.

Besides being a manufacturer we also deliver turn-key-kitchens and plan kitchen technology.

The basic design philosophy behind all our products is to produce very reliable and robust user friendly equipment with a very low level of energy consumption during operation.

Kogast Grosuplje d.d.

Adamičeva c. 36 SI-1290 Grosuplje Slovenia T: +386 (0)1 78 66 300 F: +386 (0)1 7866 320 info@kogast.si www.kogast.si EXPO MILANO 2015 ▪ SLOVENIA

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PARTNERS ▪ Marles

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Marles –

Customer satisfaction first!

The company Marles hiše Maribor is the leading and largest Slovenian manufacturer of wooden prefabricated houses and other buildings that have been pushing the boundaries of the possible in this type of construction for years.

Its many references, obtained quality certificates, enviable number of set up facilities and of course constant advances in technology, design and use of natural materials rank the company among the top manufacturers of wooden prefabricated houses in Europe.

Quality and sustainable construction from environmentally acceptable materials enable the company to implement all the ideas of its customers and the designs of their architects. Despite its international business and size, the company still puts customer satisfaction first, believing that this is the only true road to success in business.

Visit us at www.marles.com 98

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01 Bella House, Marles hiše Maribor 02 SI House, Marles hiše Maribor 03 Villa M, Marles hiše Maribor 04 Omega House, Marles hiše Maribor 05 Mistral House, Marles hiše Maribor

Your day powered by us

www.petrol.eu

PARTNERS ▪ Planica Nordic Centre

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Planica Nordic Centre –

Pure beauty in the heart of the Julian Alps Planica is an idyllic valley, rich in snow and protected against the wind by high mountains; an ideal place for training and competitions. The rich heritage dating back to 1934 helped us create the comprehensive design of the training centre, which ensures the quality and quantity that make up any training process.

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Planica Nordic Centre

▪ PARTNERS

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Ski Jumping

Place of well-being

There are four segments of ski jumping hills on the slope under Mt. Ponce:

If you want to learn about the history of ski flying and experience the sensations felt by ski jumpers while in the air, or if you want to feel the adrenaline rush, Planica is the place to visit. Children should be encouraged to remain enthusiastic about sport. This is why we have prepared a playground and educational toys aimed at raising children’s interest in Nordic sports.

• child ski jumping hills HS 15m, HS 30m and HS 45m, • youth ski jumping hills HS 65m and HS 85m, • the Bloudek Giant HS 104m and HS 139m,

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• the ski-flying hill of the Gorišek brothers HS 225m.

All the ski jumping hills are carefully connected by transport devices (chairlift, escalator and two inclined lifts), making all the ski jumping hills easily accessible.

Cross-country skiing 40 km of courses at altitudes between 00 m and 900 m, spreading between Kranjska Gora, Rateče and Tamar, with Planica in the centre, where there are 7 kilometres of approved courses that comply with the requirements for the organisation of competitions at the highest level. A modern start-finish venue, located on the roof of the central cross-country skiing facility, the proximity of the testing grounds, changing rooms with accompanying facilities enable the coach to document all of the set goals. In summer there is a football field with artificial grass at the start-finish venue, and an underground tunnel for cross-country skiing with an 800 metre-long course.

The 3 kilometre-long skateboarding track is located in the heart of Planica. In addition, there is a 25-kilometre bicycle road extending between Mojstrana and Rateče and continuing to Italy.

Staying at the altitude of 6000 m Just a few metres from the ski jumping hills and cross-country skiing courses there is a sports hotel, which meets all the requirements of a top athlete for both wellbeing and fast regeneration. The hotel, with its gym and place for building strength and regeneration programme is an excellent addition to the technical training. The hotel has 10 rooms and a gym with a hypoxic environment. Our scientists established that the best method is: Sleep high – train low. Planica provides such conditions.

Heroes of ski flying Every year, in the third week in March, Planica hosts the best and boldest ski jumpers from all over the world at the Ski Jumping World Cup Final.

From Thursday to Sunday, the competition is accompanied by a social programme.

Our motto is fun. Become part of the event.

We have prepared special packages for you, allowing you to come close to the ski jumpers and admire them in person

08 01 The new ski-flying hill of the Gorišek brothers ▪ Photo: BOBO 02 Enthusiastic Slovenian fans ▪ Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA 03 New nordic centre in construction 04 Slovenian ski jumping star Peter Prevc ▪ Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA 05 Peter Prevc won small chrystal globe for ski flying ▪ Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA 06 View from the top of the new ski-flying hill ▪ Photo: BOBO 07 Slovenian ski-flying team celebrating victory at Planica 2015 ▪ Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA 08 Jurij Tepeš in action ▪ Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

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PARTNERS ▪ Olaf ONE idea, TWO products OLAF Business model, a 3-in-1 hybrid of

a carry-on airline-approved suitcase, a trolley and a kick-scooter. The twin telescopic handlebar allows OLAF Business to be folded into a 1-inch thick platform, keeping its weight and volume to a minimum and maximizing the space for your belongings. With an instant pedal transformation system (patented folding system), you can safely and easily transform your OLAF Business from a carry-on suitcase to a trolley or a threewheeled kick scooter within seconds.

OLAF Urban is a 4-in-1 unique solution

that incorporates a removable ergonomically-designed backpack, sturdy trolley, a steerable kick-scooter and a wooden skateboard. The backpack is fully incorporated into the Urban chassis, yet it can be removed instantly. Hidden wheel cover pockets are added to keep your back clean when worn as backpack.

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OLAF -

the latest development in urban mobility.

OLAF is designed, prototyped, manufactured and assembled in the EU. Both OLAF models represent our vision of urban mobility, blurring the boundaries between a backpack/suitcase and a kickscooter and thereby enhancing your commuting experience. Both models treat function and form equally.

The OLAF kick-scooter has a well thought-out, clean and practical design, with strategically placed pockets and compartments. The steering system is very responsive and easy to navigate even in crowded locations. The scooter’s multifunctional patented platform also allows for the future development of different suitcases or backpacks.

The story of OLAF started three years ago, when Bostjan came across a similar product, which had a few defects and features that he thought could be improved. Always the inventor, he started developing his own highly technically refined product. This was the beginning of OLAF Business, a fully integrated carry-on bag and steerable kick-scooter, and the more youthful OLAF Urban, an all-in-one steerable kick-scooter, skateboard, backpack and trolley. To achieve the desired level of quality, Bostjan developed and patented several unique features and tested dozens of prototypes while traveling the globe.

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Whether exploring or escaping the city, the OLAFs will be your guides.

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01 OLAF 02 OLAF 03 OLAF 04 OLAF 05 OLAF

Urban & OLAF Business Business Business Urban Urban

Our story continues here: www.olaf-scooter.com hello@olaf-scooter.com

PARTNERS ▪ Oskar Kogoj

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OSKAR KOGOJ, who was born

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on 23 November 1942 in Miren rd

near Gorica, is a world-famous industrial designer, academic and, above all, an artist.

Kogoj I and nature’s metaphysics

What is the secret of Oskar Kogoj’s design? How does he manage to create works of art that gain our admiration time and again, despite the fact that consumerism and consumption are taking over Western society, a society becoming obsessed with changing and discarding everything that is not completely new and modern?

01 Slovenian "dvanajstija" – Collection of glasses 02 The Venetic horse sculpture 03 Wall mirror

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

t feels as if Oskar Kogoj’s productions and works of art manage to free us from the bonds of tedious habits and fashion trends. They promise to be our companions for life. They comfort us by making us know that they will outlive us and pass on to our descendants something that we used to own, admire and love.

That is usually the fate of all works of art, and therefore we can safely say that the designer from Miren has an incredible ability to give an artistic touch to everyday objects. Kogoj’s creations demand admiration. They invite us to touch them, caress them and use them to our benefit.

His chairs, for example, are both beautiful and extremely comfortable. His cups are cut in an energetic, rich and rustic fashion to prolong our pleasure as we slowly sip wine and chat. Even tap water, which comes from the water supply systems of our polluted cities, seems to become fresh and pure again in Kogoj’s glass masterpieces.

Kogoj’s design, what is called his nature design, not only brings to life forms borrowed from nature, but also and above all strives to create shapes that would cause us to recognise and appreciate nature’s life energy once again (energy design).

Kogoj does not limit his research to observing and admiring nature, but wishes to understand nature’s secrets.

He therefore explores forgotten knowledge,

rediscovers the teachings of ancient and traditional cultures and applies them to his design (he seeks inspiration in archaeological artefacts and ethnology), for he believes that old cultures had an intense, genuine and certainly unspoiled relationship with nature.

Primordial energy? Hidden forces of nature? Is Oskar Kogoj an esoteric artist?

I wouldn’t say so. Let’s just say the designer from Miren is mysterious in his own way.

Nature, to him, is the materialisation of the supernatural, the secret of creation. Kogoj’s design is based upon biological, voluptuous, sensual shapes, which are always associated with the female as the source of life, the primordial goddess, the Neolithic Venus, the mighty mother and Mother Nature.

God and Nature are one and the same!

Roberto Roda, Ferrara

GALERIJA OSKAR KOGOJ Miren 125, 5291 MIREN SLOVENIA T: 00386 (0)5 395 42 00, oskar.kogoj@siol.net www.oskarkogoj.com

PARTNERS ▪ Palmieri

Palmieri.si Novelty: Dessert wine with white truffle Palmieri is a family company that boasts 500 years of olive oil production tradition, where experience, knowledge and a refined sense of cultivation and pruning of olive trees and pressing of their fruit is handed down from generation to generation.

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almieri’s olive groves are located in the far south of Italy, in the region of Puglia, where the ideal natural, climate and cultivation conditions are complemented by the family’s expertise and devotion to the earth and its fruits.

Using fruit of the "ogliarola" and "cellina" varieties in the traditional cold pressing procedure, Palmieri produces virgin olive oil whose bouquet and taste resemble that of wholesome fresh olives.

Tradition reinvented In 2015 Palmieri used another family tradition to embark on a new adventure: upgrading a family dessert wine recipe in collaboration with experts and renowned chefs, unique flavours were blended together to create three unforgettable sensory experiences - Refosco desserts with honey, vanilla and white truffle.

In the development process only the best ingredients were chosen to become a part of the premium products – Refosco wine from the Primorska region, Slovenian honey, rum and berries as the basis for the honey Refosco dessert, with bourbon vanilla stocks and finest Italian white truffle as the premium addition to the vanilla and truffle desserts.

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

While the basic blend provides a smooth taste which infuses the palate with a soft and intoxicating honey flavor, the vanilla blend brings out playfully sensations. With a softer bouquet, the delicate nature of the vanilla lends its nature to enhance the original fruity Refosco taste.

The most valuable of the three is the white truffle blend, which infuses the Refosco dessert wine with a distinct aromatic flavor. Upon combining the flavours little to none of the potency of the delicate truffles was lost. In fact, the sensational bouquet rises from the glass as it is poured, setting the scent before enjoying the rich, sweet taste.

The wines as well as the olive oils embody Palmieri’s core value of searching for a perfect synergy of respecting tradition and enriching it with culinary inventions.

The wines as well as the olive oils embody Palmieri’s core value of searching for a perfect synergy of respecting tradition and enriching it with culinary inventions.

d e s i g n

P R I M E VA L E X P R E S S I O N S collection of water and spirit glasses designed by Mateja Krašovec Pogorelčnik Simple egg-shaped crystal glasses cut in a sloped shape.

They joyfully rock on the roundness while maintaining their stability through the thoughtful arrangement of materials. Complemented by softly designed coasters from walnut or xylite for single or three glasses, an elegant ellipse-shaped walnut tray for ten glasses and a finger-food tray.

Excellent for serving cognac and other spirits. Very special for serving water.

XYLITE line – exclusive coasters made of two and a half million years old wood – xylite, ancient lumber with a high aesthetic value, from the mines of Velenje Pit. Handmade glasses of top quality crystal by the traditional glass-blowing method in Steklarna Rogaška, Slovenia.

Handmade xylite and walnut coasters and trays by skilled wood artisans, Maks Arih and Darko Gliha Škufca.

STORIES design® presents top quality products of useful modern design and thus promotes local natural conditions and both cultural and historical characteristics. Values: - Respect for nature, humanity, harmony, uniqueness, rarity, fragility and quality. - Recognition of great design, potentials of natural and cultural heritage, materials and human creativity. - Joy to share stories, materials, ideas, solutions, emotions, feelings and thoughts with people all over the world. The company is looking intensively for resellers and outlets around the world, also the investors.

Collection is available in various gift packagings. You are kindly invited to contact us and place your order by telephone: +386 41 374 167 e-mail: info@stories-design.si web: www.stories-design.si During EXPO MILANO 2015 you are specially invited to visit: SORA Creative Catering Solutions – Ambassador of the Brand STORIES design®

PRIMEVAL EXPRESSIONS Collection is Silver A’DESIGN AWARD WINNER 2015 in category of Bakeware, Drinkware and Cookware Design

Luxury of Being

PARTNERS ▪ Atelje Galerija

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Atelje Galerija at EXPO Milano 2015

01 Exhibition "£ CHF €" by artist Primož Pugelj at Atelje Galerija, June 2012.

02 Exhibition Blanche – An Imaginary Jungle by artist Iva Tratnik at Atelje Galerija, February 2015.

"I feel Art. Boundless."

Atelje Galerija has been active since 1998 and is located in the old historical part of Ljubljana. The gallery focuses on presenting artists who are active in the field of contemporary visual arts and contextualising artwork in space, which is consequently given new dimensions and a deeper purpose. The gallery’s owner, Mrs. Slavojka Akrapovič, is an architect and an acclaimed artist with rich experience in the field of spatial design.

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his can be seen in her original arrangements of exhibitions both in and outside the gallery, as well as in the context of other artistic projects.

Through its activities, Atelje Galerija invigorates the market of contemporary visual arts by helping young artists establish themselves and contributing to the cooperation between different galleries, forging new partnerships within Slovenia and abroad.

By presenting two visionary Slovenian artists – painter Iva Tratnik and sculptor Primož Pugelj – at the EXPO Milano 2015 Slovenian Pavilion – we would like to draw attention to two segments of Slovenian art, at the same time reminding visitors about the boundless role of art which binds and brings us together.

SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

Gallusovo nabrežje 29 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia T: +386 (0)1 421 3450 info@ateljegalerija.si www.ateljegalerija.si

Primož Pugelj (1973) graduated

Iva Tratnik (1980) is an Academy-

and obtained his MA from the Academy

trained painter belonging to the younger

of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana

generation of artists. In 2006, she

(specialising in sculpture), continuing his

graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts

studies at the Indiana University of

and Design in Ljubljana. As an

Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh in the USA.

independent artist, she works in the

His works can be found in many private

medium of painting, which often

collections as well as in public spaces.

encompass large oil paintings, canvases

Pugelj’s basic form, which has been a

containing collage fabric structures,

constant and recognisable part of his

portraits, artefacts from rubber, drawings

creative opus in the last couple of years,

and installations. In her work, she

is a stylised human face presented in the

creates personal, imaginary spaces using

form of a mask. He creates the masks in

repeating motifs such as beetles,

different sizes, using various materials

leeches, pearls – eggs and exotic

and techniques. He either presents them

vegetation. Her artistic work is filled with

as individual works or in combinations

colour that is full of life, as well as a

composed of multiple units. Pugelj’s art

phantasmic narrative structure. With her

represents a continuity of responses to

artistic output and with each passing

events taking place in modern society,

exhibition, Iva Tratnik proves that we can

and as a result his projects and exhibitions

expect much from her in the future.

carry a profoundly socially critical note.

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Atelje Galerija, d.o.o.

Large dimensions Glass from floor to ceiling Compelling design Optimal thermal insulation

M SORA PANORAMIC

M SORA d.d. Industrijska 13, ŽIRI 04 50 50 230 E: okna@m-sora.si

www.m-sora.si

PARTNERS ▪ Marmor Sežana d.d., Slovenia

Marmor Sežana, the beauty of stone

In the Karst, stone is everywhere. When man became aware of the practical use of stone, he started thinking of the easiest way to extract it. Over the past centuries, the local people have learnt how to properly select stone, extract it from nature and process it. And development continues today. The Karst locals have carved many tools and other items from stone and used them in their everyday life. Such items have become an important element of the natural and cultural heritage. Particularly abundant in stone products are the houses where stonecutters once lived, featuring many details made of elaborately shaped stone.

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he company Marmor Sežana was established in 1947. It operates its own quarries. In our Lipica I and Lipica II quarries we extract natural stone named Lipica Unito and Lipica Fiorito, while in the Doline Quarry the natural stone Repen is extracted. Production takes place at two locations, Sežana and Lipica.

The stone from our quarries can suit a wide variety of applications, as shown in the fact that our products are highly appreciated at home and abroad. Our stone decorates the façades of houses, streets and squares in the Karst region, in other parts of Slovenia, in Istria, in neighbouring Italy, Austria and Hungary as well as in many European towns. In recent times, we have opened up new markets in the Middle and Far East, the Arabian Peninsula and the USA. Its refined colour and texture, along with its shaping characteristics, make it a perfect stone to blend into any given setting and perfectly complement any types of natural stone and granite, glass, wood, iron and more. It is widely appreciated by stone sculptors for its unique character.

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

Today Marmor Sežana extracts three different types of natural stone in three working quarries. Lipica Unito and Lipica Fiorito in the Lipica I and Lipica II quarries and Repen in the Doline Quarry.

The beginnings of natural stone extraction in the area of the Lipica I Quarry are unknown. Natural stone is believed to have been extracted here by the Romans, as some unconfirmed sources mention a Roman quarry operating more than 2,000 years ago. However, there is no doubt that stonecutting was a well-established activity in the wider area a few centuries ago. This is proven by many typical stone products such as wells, portals, corbels, baptismal fonts and various shrines in the Karst villages.

According to the older Karst stonecutters, the organised extraction of natural stone in the Lipica I Quarry started in 1933, originally named the Lokev Quarry. Under different company names, the Marmor Sežana company has been extracting natural stone in this quarry since 1947. The extraction of the natural stones Lipica Unito and Lipica Fiorito is

carried out using open-cut and underground methods. In terms of size, the Lipica I Quarry ranks among the biggest natural stone quarries in Slovenia.

Our natural stone extracted in the Lipica Quarry is light grey in colour and speckled with more or less preserved fossils. It is composed almost entirely of mineral calcite. The rock’s structure in the upper layers is more homogeneous and the seashell fossils are evenly crushed, giving the stone a granulated texture. This stone is named LIPICA UNITO. Beneath these layers is a limestone called LIPICA FIORITO. Its seashell fossils are better preserved.

REPEN is the stonecutting name for the Repen limestone. It is an Early Creataceous limestone of a light-grey colour with rudist seashell fossils. It covers a narrow area stretching from Divača, past Sežana and Vrhovlje to Repentabor.

Our product range includes the processing of Karst natural stone extracted in our own quarries and an extensive range of marble and granite products.

Using state-of-the-art technology and manual processing, we manufacture: STONE TABLES, BENCHES, VASES, PORTALS, PILLARS, FOUNTAINS, MEMORIAL MONUMENTS, TOMBSTONES, ITEMS FOR RESTORATION AND RENOVATION WORKS Our products for finishing works in the construction industry include: WINDOW SILLS, STAIRS, PAVEMENTS, FAÇADE CLADDING, BALCONY BALUSTERS, WALL AND FLOOR LINING, KITCHEN, BATHROOM AND BAR COUNTERTOPS, CUSTOM-MADE PRODUCTS

www.marmorsezana.com

GreenDome

Innovative Greenhouse System

The Power of Airflow

Innovative WindCatcher Tower provides optimal growing conditions

Innovative WindCatcher Tower Optimal airflow maxiComplete Insect Protection mizes photosynthesis

Ideal Growing Conditions

Cultivate without expensive insecticides

Optimal air flow maximizes photosynthesis

Easy to Cover Large Areas ...

Fit to All Climatic Conditions

... at fraction of cost of traditional systems

GreenDome

Innovative Greenhouse from

Unique technical solutions

DUOL Kapalniska pot 2 1351 Brezovica Slovenia

+386 01 3601 400 www.duol.eu duol@duol.si

CONTACTS

Business Centre

of the Slovenian Pavilion Daily information about business opportunities, partners, business delegations, B2B meetings

Bojan Škoda

Sandra Stermšek

Head of Business Centre in the pavilion

Head of Communication

bojan.skoda@spiritslovenia.si M: +386 (0)51 664 777

SPIRIT Slovenia, Public agency Slovenia Expo Milano 2015 Section Dimičeva 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia T: +386 (0)1 589 85 64 M: +386 (0)51 658 714 F: +386 (0) 1 589 85 60 sandra.stermsek@spiritslovenia.si

General information

for doing business and investing in Slovenia SPIRIT Slovenia Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Development, Investment and Tourism Dimičeva ulica 13 SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia T: +386 (0)1 589 85 50 F: +386 (0)1 589 85 60

Verovškova ulica 60 SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia T: +386 (0)1 589 18 70 F: +386 (0)1 589 18 77 info@spiritslovenia.si www.spiritslovenia.si

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SLOVENIA ▪ EXPO MILANO 2015

Ministry of Economic Development and Technology Kotnikova 5 SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia T: +386 (0)1 400 33 11 F: +386 (0)1 433 10 31 gp.mg@gov.si www.mgrt.gov.si

Slovenian Sovereign Holding Mala ulica 5 SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia T: +386 (0)1 300 91 13 F: +386 (0)1 300 91 00 info@sdh.si www.sdh.si

FACULTY OF ECONOMICS University of Ljubljana

Kardeljeva ploščad 17 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 1 5892 400 info@ef.uni-lj.si WWW.EF.UNI-LJ.SI/EN

KNOWLEDGE FOR PROGRESS OPEN-MINDED

I can think outside of the box

CREATIVE

I can express myself

PROACTIVE

Helps me achive my goals

SUSTAINABLE

Makes me think about our society and environment