Within the coronary heart of the Alps, Slovenia gives a uncommon mix of rugged mountain climbing trails, world-class wine and Michelin-starred eating.
I lately spent 5 nights in Slovenia and was immediately charmed by this often-overlooked nation, which made TPG’s checklist of the perfect locations to journey in 2025. Although Slovenia’s main cities and sights, like Ljubljana and Lake Bled, are gaining reputation, it nonetheless feels much less crowded than neighboring Italy. Plus, costs for all the things from resorts to meals are noticeably decrease.
Even higher? It is all reachable with factors and miles.
What makes Slovenia particular
Earlier than we get to the main points of how I booked my journey, let’s go over why Slovenia is price including to your European itinerary. This nation could also be small (roughly the scale of New Jersey), nevertheless it packs a punch in terms of biodiversity, tradition and pure magnificence.
Numerous landscapes: Mountains, lakes and coast
From the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps to the emerald waters of Lake Bled and the tiny Adriatic shoreline, Slovenia’s landscapes are gorgeous and different. You possibly can hike alpine ridges within the morning, kayak on crystal-clear lakes within the afternoon and luxuriate in recent seafood by the ocean within the night — all with out altering international locations. The accessibility between areas means vacationers can match a number of experiences right into a single journey.
Journey with out the vacationer crowds
Mountain climbing in Slovenia feels totally different from Switzerland or Austria — not as a result of the mountains are much less dramatic, however as a result of the paths are far much less crowded. From the Soca River Valley’s turquoise waters to Triglav Nationwide Park’s rugged summits, yow will discover solitude inside minutes of leaving a trailhead. Cyclists may also discover long-distance routes and Alpine passes with far much less site visitors than neighboring international locations.
Famend wine areas and culinary scene
Slovenia is gaining international recognition for its wine, notably in locations like Brda and Vipava Valley. These areas rival Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia area in high quality however with out the excessive price ticket. The nation’s culinary scene blends Alpine, Mediterranean and Balkan influences, with an emphasis on recent, seasonal produce.
Slovenia additionally has a formidable Michelin eating presence. Listed here are just a few standout eating places to attempt:
- Restavracija Strelec in Ljubljana: Positioned throughout the historic Ljubljana Citadel, Strelec (one Michelin star) pairs panoramic metropolis views with a contemporary menu from chef Igor Jagodic, making it a must-visit within the capital.
- Hisa Franko in Kobarid: Led by chef Ana Roš, this restaurant with two Michelin stars (2024–2025) showcases ingenious dishes that spotlight the perfect of Slovenia’s native substances, like marble trout and wild mushrooms.
- Restaurant Milka in Kranjska Gora: Beneath chef David Žefran, Milka has maintained its two Michelin stars (2024–2025), delivering a refined Alpine eating expertise.
- Hisa Linhart in Radovljica: Housed in a Sixteenth-century Gothic constructing, Linhart (one Michelin star) gives a relaxed ambiance paired with distinctive delicacies rooted in regional custom.
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By overlaying your stick with factors, you possibly can splurge on a tasting menu at one in all these eating places and expertise the total depth of Slovenia’s Michelin-starred eating.
Flying to Slovenia with factors and miles
Whereas Slovenia is changing into extra accessible, reserving flights with factors nonetheless requires some strategic planning.
Overview of frequent gateways
Most vacationers fly into Ljubljana Airport (LJU), which handles regional flights from hubs like Amsterdam, London and Frankfurt. Alternate gateways embrace Venice, Italy, and Zagreb, Croatia, each inside a two- to three-hour drive of Slovenia’s key sights. Flying to a close-by airport can generally be cheaper or supply higher award availability.
Whereas the nation is not as accessible by way of practice as different European locations, airport transfers are straightforward because of shuttle buses, non-public transfers, public transit and well-priced rental automobiles.
Airways that fly to LJU
A number of carriers function routes to LJU, together with KLM Cityhopper, EasyJet, British Airways, Swiss, LOT Polish Airways, Brussels Airways and Lufthansa.
I lately flew to Ljubljana from Zurich Airport (ZRH) utilizing simply 6,000 United Airways miles on Swiss — a scenic hop that took just a bit over an hour. For those who’re planning to journey to Slovenia from one other European nation (and even from the U.S.), Seats.aero is a helpful instrument that permits you to map out routes and shortly examine award availability.
Staying in Slovenia with factors and miles
For vacationers utilizing factors, Slovenia gives each international chains and distinctive native properties, making it straightforward to stretch rewards whereas nonetheless having fun with consolation and comfort.
IHG additionally has a Vacation Inn Categorical within the capital, which may be booked for as few as 13,000 IHG One Rewards factors per night time.
The opposite three main U.S. resort manufacturers even have properties bookable with factors in Slovenia.
Marriott has the 4 Factors by Sheraton Ljubljana Mons (from 16,500 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time) within the capital and dozens of trip leases all through the nation bookable by way of Houses & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.
Hyatt has a number of properties in Slovenia by means of its Mr & Mrs Smith partnership. There’s the AS Boutique Lodge in Ljubljana (from 16,750 World of Hyatt factors per night time), Vila Muhr set on a lake within the Alps (from 46,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time), and the chalet-style Vila Planinka in Jezersko close to the Austrian border (from 16,750 World of Hyatt factors per night time).
Vila Planinka can be bookable beginning at 75,000 Hilton Honors factors by way of Hilton’s partnership with Small Luxurious Inns of the World. For now, that is the one property bookable with Hilton Honors factors in Slovenia, however a DoubleTree by Hilton is opening in Ljubljana in January 2026 (from 16,000 Hilton Honors factors per night time).
Use your money financial savings for curated Slovenian experiences
As soon as you have maximized factors and miles for flights and resorts, you possibly can redirect your money finances towards distinctive experiences that make your journey unforgettable. One standout supplier is Luxurious Slovenia, a neighborhood tour firm recognized for its world-class, tailored journey experiences.
TPG’s Clint Henderson lately used the corporate to rearrange a scenic day tour of Ljubljana and Lake Bled, situated only a 45-minute drive from the capital. “My information, Tine Verbic — in addition to everybody I interacted with in Slovenia — spoke excellent English and did an important job guiding me across the metropolis after which on a enjoyable drive round Lake Bled.”
Whether or not you are desirous about scenic drives, culinary tastings or hidden viewpoints, utilizing money saved from factors bookings permits you to improve your Slovenian journey with out stretching your finances.
Utilizing factors vs. money: Greatest practices
The important thing to maximizing Slovenia on a finances is understanding when to spend factors and when to pay money. Here is what we advocate:
- Ebook flights and resorts with factors to cut back up-front bills.
- Reserve money for distinctive experiences, like non-public excursions, wine tastings or spa visits.
- To stretch your factors even additional, use instruments like Factors Increase for Chase bookings or versatile award nights with IHG and Hyatt.
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