Common Misconceptions

“Slovenia is far away.”

Slovenia is about two hours from London. It takes longer to get to Rome or Portugal.

“Slovenia is in Eastern Europe.”

Yes and no. Slovenia formerly had a communist government but it was pretty soft communism. Some of our Slovenian neighbours talk enthusiastically about driving over the border to Italy in their youth to listen to the latest Kinks album. Geographically Slovenia isn't really terribly Eastern at all. It's East of Italy but South of Austria. Sort of a gateway between the two parts of Europe.

“Slovenia is really poor and dirty.”

Pah. The cost of living in Slovenia is lower than in the UK, but then so is everywhere else in the world. It has the most successful economy of all the countries to join the EU since the original thirteen and many aspects of its infrastructure put the UK to shame. Try to see the communist government as a short (and rather moderate) blip in the history of a country with strong ties to Vienna, Paris, Prague and all the grand old European cities.

“Slovenia can't be that great, I've never heard of it.”

Last year the amount of money the Slovenian Tourist Board spent promoting the country as a holiday destination in the UK was £0.00. Ask anyone who's been to talk about it or have a look at the comments left by visitors on any holiday chat forum (tripadvisor.co.uk is probably the biggest) to see what the country is really like. We didn't make up the quotes on our website, they were left by our guests and while we like to take some of the credit, a big part of the reason people have so much fun is obviously the country itself. Get there now because it won't remain 'undiscovered' for long.

“I don't speak the language. It will be hard to get around.”

Just like any other country in Europe, with a less commonly used mother tongue, Slovenia is well aware of the power of English as the global language. Just about everyone you meet under the age of thirty five will speak excellent English as well as many of the older generation. German is also widely and very well spoken with Italian coming in fourth. If you find someone who doesn't speak English, they're so friendly that they'll find someone nearby who does. The best part is that no one is resentful about having to speak English to tourists, they're positively keen to help and sooooo friendly. Genuinely a very welcoming people.

“The food is really bad.”

Sure. Except for the steak, fresh seafood, locally farmed veg, pizza, schnitzel lovely crisp reisling and the excellent local beer, which are all fantastic.

“It'll be a pain to get the right currency and change it back again when I come home.”

No, just take your bank card with you and pull money out of any hole in the wall, the same as you would anywhere in Europe. It costs about the same as changing the money in the UK and it's all in Euros anyway.

“I'd rather go somewhere really hot and sunny.”

Average temperatures in Bled and Bohinj in June, July and August are 35°C. During the middle of the day it's often hotter.

“It's not a very cool place to tell my friend I've been.”

If you say so.

“It got destroyed in the War.”

Slovenia saw ten days of fighting along its border during which about fifty people died. The front line (composed of just about every serviceman, hunter and gamekeeper they could muster) was never breached and the country remained untouched. The Serbs and the Croats, soon decided they'd rather fight each other and Slovenia was left alone to start building a independent, confident and democratic economy.

“I don't like “The Sound of Music”.”

Me neither. But that's Austria. Slovenians are much more interesting.

“They're not very developed so it'll be difficult to get in touch with people back home.”

The Farmhouse has free WiFi and Slovenia has better mobile coverage than the UK: you can call home from the top of the Alps. For any Vodafone customers who don't yet know about it, sign up for their excellent “passport” service. Completely free to get and enables you to use your UK contract minutes abroad for a one off charge of £0.75. If you travel or blether a lot it'll save you a fortune and works in loads of other countries as well as Slovenia.

“I don't like adventure sports.”

Fine, enjoy the scenery, the food, the sights, the architecture, the coffee, a book, the DVDs, the sauna, a massage, golf with an alpine backdrop, a scenic flight for much less than you'd think. The list keeps going.

“I don't know where to go or what to do.”

Look at the website or call and ask. That's what we're here for.