Huffington Post just came out with a great article highlighting Slovenia, why it should be on your travel bucket list, and how it's tourism is gaining traction (and not just because Melania Trump has come into the spotlight)
Slovenia is truly a hidden little gem. Nestled in between Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary it has stayed under the radar for years.
For people we bring on tours, it has always been the sneaky crowd pleaser. People aren't expecting this stop along the line of great cities such as Venice, Rome, Vienna, Prague, Milan, to be something special. But it steals their hearts, continuously. Just like it did with mine.
I adore Slovenia. Maybe the fact that it is the only country in the world with the word love in it, has something to do with it. It's small, only a total of 2 million people. And Maribor has about 100,000. But the country itself, and the city of Maribor, embody a sense of tranquility and beauty.
Maribor has the mountain, Pohorje, on one side, the rolling green hills of what seems to be endless vineyards on the other. It holds a special place in my heart, as it was the first European city I lived/played in as a volleyball player after moving from the USA and has become my "home away from home".
As the second biggest city in Slovenia, Maribor is just small enough, when you visit as a tourist, you feel as if you are blending in seamlessly as one of the locals. Which is part of its charm for travelers; it doesn't have the hustle and bustle feel of big touristic cities.
If you're lucky enough to stumble upon this city on your journey through Europe, make sure you take note of these 5 Go-To's which have now become regular parts of my daily life:
5. Poštna Ulica
Poštna street is one of the main streets in the center of Maribor for dining. It is especially popular in the summer, all of the restaurants and cafes have outdoor tables and live music. Mixed with the warm weather, a lively ambiance is brought out of people hanging out on the street and enjoying good food, drink, and company. But even in the winter, each place has found their niche and are cozy places to hang out indoors.
-If you want local, Balkan food, Baščaršija will be your jam. They have a typical Balkan atmosphere, food, and music to give you a real Babici (Grandma's) kitchen feel. Order the čevapčiči (say it correctly and you'll really score) and you can't go wrong.
-One of my favorite spots, Fudo, has breakfast down, as well as fresh lunch ideas and great beer, wine, and drinks. I love this place for its atmosphere and quality all around. They have a different menu every week, another great aspect I love as a local; the food is something special.
-Another location I frequent at least once a week, Isabella. If you are looking for a delicious salad, couscous, or panini; this is your place! The service is always friendly and it has that vibe of a Euro cafe that I just dig.
4. Lent
Lent is the oldest part of the city, lining River Drava. It holds different historic landmarks but mainly it is best enjoyed for soaking up sunny days.
-My favorite cafe on Lent and in the city is Mačka. It is a great location for basking in the sunshine and having a great coffee or špricer (the local drink; white wine with mineral water)
-The oldest vine in the world, on The Old Vine House, which is still growing is almost 400 years old is located next door to Mačka. It has its place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the oldest vine in the world still bearing grapes. You can also go inside the house and browse the history of Slovenian wine and have a tasting of the local wines. Highly recommend.
3. Doppler
Wine growing is popular in Slovenia; over 1,300 winegrowers bottle wine and around 60,000 liters of vintage wine are bottled every year. Maribor is most known for being the white wine region.
With many different wineries to choose from in the area, I have found a favorite.
"House of Wine Doppler is located 380 meters above sea level and your heart will sing when you visit us." Need I say more? When I travel or go anywhere, favorite spots of mine have one commonality; they manifest soul. As Doppler is a family owned winery, passed down from generations of the women in the family, you can feel the love and care put into the production of their wine.
Taking in the 360 view from the terrace while enjoying different varieties of wine, certainly, makes it a Go-To if you visit Maribor. The sunsets have proven to be top of the line as well.
2. City Center
I will never forget my first Maribor trip back in 2007. I came on a tour with my volleyball team from Texas A&M and we had traveled through all of the big European surrounding cities; Prague, Venice, Rome. Then we came to Maribor. I sat in the city center, pictured below, and had a coffee (which was probably water at that point, since my young American self had yet to dive into the appreciation of the coffee/tea world) and to this day, I vividly remember thinking, I could see myself here. It's not touristy, it's Euro, it's simple.
Grabbing a coffee in the city at one of the many bars to choose from and then browsing the cobblestone streets of small boutiques and shops is a frequent activity of mine. Just drinking in the feel of the city center.
Pohorje is the largest ski resort in Slovenia, but this mountain all year round is what completes the magic of Maribor. Having a mountain basically in the city, adds an additional perk to the city that makes it unique to many places in the world.
The locals use the mountain on a regular basis, whether it is hiking in the summer or skiing and poksking (pležuh: invented on Pohorje 200 years ago it used to be the only transportation to drive down the mountain, a seat mounted on one ski) in the winter.
Pohorje is also the host of a big World Cup race, Golden Fox (Zlatni Lisica). Every year the best female skiers in the world come to Maribor to race for one weekend which brings about 12,000 spectators. A fun event we look forward to every year.
Other places to check out for eat and drink
I have a slight obsession with Euro cafes. It is almost impossible to find anything similar in America. I love everything about Euro coffee shops; their feel, cozy corners, vintage vibes and adorable furniture. I can lose myself for hours in these places reading, writing or hanging out with friends. Čajek is one of those cafes that checks all of these off the list on having what I love in a quality cafe. It is a tea house so they specialize in a variety of teas but overall just a great coffee shop. After you've read your morning news and had your coffee you don't have to go far for lunch. Next door is, Mal'ca Mimogrede.
-Mal'ca Mimogrede is a great little restraunt that serves fresh food with a changing menu each week. They serve a mixture of Slovenian home cooked meals and other delicious dishes with natural local ingredients.
Insider Tip: do not leave until you've ordered the homemade apple pie. To die for.
Night-life
-Rozmarin is considered to be the 'hot spot' in the city. You start with eating a good meal and if you sit long enough and lose track of time, before you know it, they've brought in the DJ and you're ordering cocktails. They offer a little bit of everything; burgers, a lunch menu, brunch on the weekends and parties at night. I definitely have spent some quality time with a lot of different people in this place.
-Since I have been in Maribor, there is one place that has remained a staple in the night-life scene, Niagara. Down by the River Drava it is the club of the city that attracts the locals until the wee hours of the morning on Friday and Saturday nights, predominately.
-A few streets away, conveniently walking distance, (the nice thing about living in a small town) is Takos; the place that makes fajitas by day and serves tequila shots by night. Dance the night away.
Maribor is a city that has shaped the better part of my adulthood; I really grew up in this city. I adore it's quaintness, location, and simplicity of life. It has served me well over the years and is always a fun city to share with our tours, friends and family.
