Appropriately dubbed ‘Europe in Miniature’, the tiny central European country of Slovenia offers dramatic snow-capped alps, exquisite Mediterranean coastline, striking emerald-green lakes and rivers, historic churches, and medieval castles that look like they're straight from a fairy-tale.

Travellers seeking some exhilarating outdoor adventure in this natural wonderland will be spoiled for choice with plenty of skiing, cycling, hiking, canyoning, rafting, ballooning, caving and boating on offer.

If all this sounds like a bit too much activity for your liking you can escape to the coast to sunbathe on the beaches overlooking the Adriatic or head to the capital of Ljubljana where you can cafe hop along the riverbank and explore countless museums.