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Styria is the largest Slovenian region. It is probably going to be divided into three parts ? new administrative regions. In that area, Styria is going to be divided into two parts, one at the Drava River ? Podravje or Gornja Štajerska (Upper Styria), and the other at the Savinja River ? Savinjska or Spodnja Štajerska (Lower Styria). Let?s take a look at Spodnja Štajerska for the beginning, also because we can reach Savinjska and then Gornja Štajerska over already mentioned passes Črnivec, Motnik, Trojane and Kanderše.

Gornja Štajerska (Upper Styria)
The main artery of Gornja Štajerska is the Drava River, which cut its path between Kozjak in the north, and Pohorje in the south. From Maribor onwards it flows through flat land, it has flown that way since long time before the first settlements were founded there. On the east, there is another big river of Styria, Mura, and on the south, it flows much smaller (except when it?s flooded) river Dravinja. An extensive area around Pohorje hills is named Pohorsko Podravje. Geologically, Pohorje is a part of the Central Alps, as it is almost entirely built of metamorphic and igneous rocks. Pohorje has the widest and the most rounded ridges of all alpine hills, and they migrate into narrow ravines at the end. Large group of mountains, more than 50 kilometers long, 25 kilometers wide and 1500 meters high, contains Črni vrh (1534 m), Velika kopa (1542 m) and Rogla (1517 m). Read more…

Zasavje
Administrative region of Zasavje is not considered as Spodnja Štajerska anymore (even less than Posavska), but it would be the right thing to mention it here. Especially because geographic area from west of Ljubljana Basin to the hills around the Sotla River is called Posavsko hribovje, recently also Vzhodno Predalpsko hribovje. The area contains almost 10% of the area of Slovenia, it is more than 25 kilometers wide and 70 kilometers long. Read more…

Spodnja Štajerska (Lower Styria)
Also Spodnja Štajerska is divided into several parts. Zgornja Savinjska dolina with Logarska dolina valley is one of the most beautiful alpine valleys, and it starts in upper part of the Savinja River, at the source of the river, waterfall Rinka. Also Zadrečka dolina ob Dreti is a part of Zgornja Savinjska dolina. The highest mountains in this area are part of Kamnik-Savinja Alps (Planjava, Ojstrica), very famous are also Olševa mountain with Potočka zijalka and Velika Raduha (2062 m) with Snežna jama. Two of the biggest settlements there are Solčava with gothic parish church of Saint Mary of the Snow and Gornji Grad by the Dreta River. This place was owned by patriarchs of Aquileia, which have also built Benedictine monastery in Gornji Grad in 12th century (in year 1140). It was later taken over by the Habsburgs and given to the newly founded archdiocese of Ljubljana in year 1461. Wide valleys by the rivers Savinja and Dreta are on the south side closed by plateaus Menina and Dobrovlje. Read more…

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Slovenian ski resorts have a great deal of additional offers. There are many restaurants on ski trails, offering traditional Slovenian food and drink. Beginners can start their winter adventure in ski school with many professional instructors. For those who like to relax after skiing, Slovenia has several thermal springs near ski resorts ? spa offer is usually included in ski tickets. Adrenalin lovers, who don?t want to rest in the evening, can go night skiing (possible in all major ski resorts).

Slovenian ski resorts also take care for people, who don?t just want to ski ? sledding and skating are possible in or nearby all major ski centers.

Cheap ski holidays are offered by many Slovenian ski resorts. The most famous one in northwest Slovenia is Kranjska Gora ? only few kilometers (miles) from both the Italian and Austrian borders, there is a typical alpine resort, from one perspective most suitable for families, beginners and unprofessional skiers. From another perspective, Kranjska Gora also offers many challenging ski trails. Therefore Kranjska Gora is also famous for traditional every year hosting of the FIS World Cup races.

Another very important ski center in Slovenia is Cerkno ? 70 hectares of well prepared ski trails, modern facilities and beautiful nature.

Ski center Krvavec is situated in central Slovenia, only 25 kilometers away from Ljubljana, Slovenian capital city and is therefore very attractive for weekend tourists from Slovenia and Croatia.

Rogla is another Slovenian ski centre, located in eastern Slovenia and consequently attractive for Croatian and Hungarian skiers. Another important ski center, offering winter holidays, is Mariborsko Pohorje in northeastern part of Slovenia. Slovenia also has many smaller ski centers with one or two ski trails, with no crowd whatsoever, appropriate for little children?s first ?ski steps?.

Slovenia holidays in winter can be a thrilling experience for a very reasonable price. If you decide to go, I hope you will enjoy it. And if you are planning to visit Slovenia at the end of March, don?t forget to visit Ski jumping finals in Planica (near Kranjska Gora).

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