For many of us, Slovenia is a country we drive through on our way to tennis camp in Croatia. But we discovered on our TennisTravellerSlovenia tour . Of course, we didn't spend the whole time playing tennis; instead, we explored this incredibly varied country on a 14-day road trip . We're still raving about the stunning scenery, the amazing tennis facilities, the fantastic tennis hotels like the Rikli Balance Hotel in Bled and the Hotel Mirta in Izola , and above all, the incredibly friendly people we met everywhere we went. Come along to Slovenia: a country that uniquely combines breathtaking landscapes, picturesque towns, and fascinating natural experiences. This small country nestled between the Alps, the Adriatic Sea, and the Karst region offers the perfect setting to combine varied days of tennis with special excursions. But be warned: my travelogue has gotten a bit long – but it was simply wonderful!
From southern Germany, we flew nonstop to Bled, one of Slovenia's tourist hotspots. No wonder, because with the turquoise waters of Lake Bled , the famous island church, the castle, and the surrounding Julian Alps, it's a picture-perfect scene. We enjoyed this picturesque view particularly well from our room at the Rikli Balance Hotel . This four-star superior hotel, part of the Slovenian hotel group SAVA, is situated on a slight rise in Bled and offers incredibly beautiful views from the lake-facing rooms, especially from the spacious balconies. After a very warm welcome, we were immediately impressed by the modern and stylish hotel furnishings, both in all public areas and in our rooms.
We had booked half-board at the hotel. In the mornings, there was a varied breakfast buffet, including delicious, homemade Rikli whole-grain bread. The "egg station" was fantastic – they quickly and efficiently prepared delicious egg dishes and waffles. In the evenings, there were various appetizers, a salad buffet, and a selection of meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes. And of course, a dessert buffet!
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Of course, we also played tennis here, at the idyllic Sobec tennis club,. Seven clay courts and four pickleball courts await you there. There's also a lovely clubhouse where you can enjoy a cold drink and a delicious fresh pizza after your match. A definite highlight was the doubles match with Ziga, my contact at the SAVA Hotel Group. It's always great when you share the same passion for tennis with hotel partners! We certainly earned that cold Slovenian beer!
From the hotel, it's a five-minute walk to the lakeshore, where you can get started: either take a traditional Pletna boat, hike up to the imposing Bled Castle, or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lake. For those who prefer a more active experience and want to reach wonderful viewpoints, there are numerous side trails leading up to the various viewpoints. The Vintgar Gorge is a half-day hike that we also thoroughly enjoyed.
From Bled, we continued our journey into the Julian Alps. First stop was Tolmin with its impressive Tolmin Gorge. Here, the Tolminka and Zadlascica rivers have carved deep into the rock. Narrow paths lead through the gorge, past bizarre rock formations, turquoise water, and mysterious caves. The special atmosphere made this excursion, especially in the evening, one of the highlights of our Slovenia trip. We also found this gorge much more beautiful than the Vintgar Gorge, but that's certainly a matter of taste. From Tolmin, we drove to the world-famous Soča Valley and then on to Bovec, the center of the adventure region known for the emerald-green Soča River, which winds spectacularly through the Julian Alps. Besides hiking and cycling, there are numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. We opted for a rafting trip . It was simply fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the area! But even the (car) drive through the Soča Valley is an experience, because behind almost every bend new impressive views of mountains, gorges and the river open up.
Ljubljana, the charming capital of Slovenia, should definitely be on your itinerary for your trip to Slovenia. Even if you're passing through on your way to Croatia, you should make a stop here. The historic old town, with its pretty squares, bridges, and cafes, invites you to stroll and linger. A walk along the Ljubljanica River and up to the castle, offering a magnificent view over the city. Surprisingly, the castle not only houses typical castle exhibitions but also various art exhibitions in a modern setting. In the evenings, there's a wonderful atmosphere along the river: many street performers entertain, you can wander across the numerous bridges, and simply enjoy the dolce vita with a delicious ice cream and a glass of chilled Slovenian wine in one of the many street cafes and bars. We took a SUP tour on the Ljubljanica in the morning and visited, among other places, the rooftop bar of the "Skyscraper" and the World of Illusions . Otherwise, you can simply let yourself drift through this compact city and constantly discover little gems. My recommendation would be to definitely plan two nights here.
On our way to Izola by the sea, we made an absolute must-see stop at Postojna Cave. Initially a bit overwhelmed by the crowds, we were then captivated by the vast cave system, which boasted enormous stalactites, underground passages, and impressive rock formations. Important tip: wear warm clothes, as it's around 10 degrees Celsius inside the cave!
Nearby is the fairytale Predjama Castle, spectacularly built into a high cliff face. The combination of cave and castle makes for an exceptional day trip, and you can book a combination ticket. Both destinations are among Slovenia's most famous sights, and deservedly so.
Arriving in Izola by the sea, we received a warm welcome at the Hotel Mirta , part of the San Simon Resort . This hotel also belongs to the SAVA Group and is ideal for tennis players and a tennis holiday. The three clay courts are located right next to the hotel, and as befits TennisTraveller , we had an unobstructed view of the courts from our balcony! Our enormous and superbly equipped room left absolutely nothing to be desired. A definite highlight was the huge wraparound balcony, which also had plenty of room for super comfortable loungers. We had booked half-board here as well. The restaurant opposite is for all guests of the San Simon Resort, so it was always quite lively, both in the mornings and evenings.
The tennis courts at the Izola Tennis Club aren't part of the hotel, but they can easily be reserved and are in good condition. Their location right next to the hotel and directly on the sea is fantastic. Serving from the tennis court is even more enjoyable! From the tennis court straight into the sea for a refreshing dip – no problem! Sun loungers and parasols are available for rent on the pebble beach, and you can also find shady spots under the pine trees. The beach bar is open during the day and after dinner, inviting you to enjoy a drink. Or, in the evening, you can stroll over to Izola, a small and truly beautiful coastal town.
Advantages Negative pointsThe romantic town of Piran, located just south of Izola, is an absolute gem . This historic coastal town, with its Venetian-style houses, the beautiful Tartini Square , and the narrow streets of the old town lined with many excellent restaurants, invites you to stroll and explore. A hike along the coast to Moonlight Bay and through the famous Piran salt pans is a must. Likewise, don't miss the climb to the church and up to the castle walls. From there, you'll have an incredibly beautiful view of the town, the sea, and beyond.
Incidentally, Portorož , a town very well-known for tennis and home to several large tennis facilities, is located right next to Piran – another hotspot for us TennisTraveller. But we'll explore that in detail on our next visit to Slovenia.
Whether you're planning a road trip like we did or simply want to spend a tennis holiday at one of the beautiful tennis hotels - Slovenia is definitely worth a tennis trip!
The combination of tennis, impressive mountains, turquoise rivers, mysterious gorges, historic cities and Mediterranean coast makes Slovenia an exceptionally diverse travel destination.
Playing tennis during the day, then exploring nature and enjoying the evening in a cozy city or by the sea – this is exactly the mix that makes a tennis holiday in Slovenia so special.
Absolutely thrilled with Slovenia
TennisTravellerfounder Susanne
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