Americans are traveling more than ever. In 2025, AAA Northeast reported that more than 904 million travelers went through a TSA checkpoint, up 2.57 million passengers from 2024, for domestic trips alone. And while everyone should get the chance to see the world, it can be more challenging to discover places that feel uncrowded and unspoiled by overtourism. However, a few of our travel expert friends have a suggestion: plan a trip to Slovenia and do it ASAP.
“Slovenia mixes alpine lakes, charming towns, and beautiful wine regions, without the over-tourism of neighboring countries,” Micaela Martinelli, a luxury travel advisor at Nuba Travel, told Travel + Leisure. “It feels like discovering Europe before the crowds arrive.”
According to Martinelli, the ideal trip includes spending a few nights in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, though, for Bryan Lewis, the founder and CEO of Tenon Tours, you could really spend your entire vacation right in the city.
“Ljubljana is a quietly enchanting destination that feels refined, intimate, and refreshingly uncrowded, making it ideal to experience before it gains broader attention,” Lewis told T+L. “Visiting Ljubljana is like stepping into a fairytale; the city’s pastel architecture, winding river, and car-free old town create a peaceful, storybook atmosphere.” And thanks to its easy access to nature, travelers are never far from a good hike and country scenery, “all while maintaining a vibrant cultural scene filled with bustling cafés, markets, and shops.”
Staying right in the city is a suggestion wholeheartedly backed by Ivan Shirokov, the deputy director at Firebird Tours. “The city provides visitors with Central European capital charm,” he said, adding it has a “tranquil atmosphere at all times because it reaches its busiest tourist period during peak season. The travel experience provides everything needed to succeed because it offers cultural experiences, natural beauty, and exceptional dining options that do not require visitors to spend time waiting in lines.”
However, those willing to explore further can take Allison Collier’s advice and “discover the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves on a guided tour that takes you across bridges and pathways through soaring chambers and along a striking subterranean gorge,” the luxury travel advisor and the owner of Collier Travel Collective said. After this, Collier suggests planning “a full day in the Soča Valley, following the road that runs alongside the river for scenic stops and short strolls along the way. Near Kobarid, do the Kozjak Waterfall walk, an easy, shaded trail through a mossy gorge that ends at a waterfall tucked inside a stone chamber, with a simple viewing platform for photos and a peaceful moment.”
Martinelli noted travelers should stop in at Lake Bled, where there is “an actual island in the middle of the lake, and discover its castle.” For a prime place to stay in the area, she recommends Chalet Sofija, a “true hidden gem, managed by their design-forward, wine-collecting, restaurateur owners.”
Collier is also particularly fond of Grand Hotel Toplice on Lake Bled, which she explained offers “some of the best views on the lake, and is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
As for how long you should plan a visit for, Collier noted that the ideal trip length here is seven to nine nights. “I would not pair Slovenia with another destination unless you have more than enough time, but if you do, I suggest Northern Italy, Croatia, or Austria,” she added. “To visit, fly into Ljubljana, or for more international flight options, fly into Venice and plan an easy transfer from there.”
Again, just make sure to book soon, as odds are, you aren’t the only person reading this. So get there while it’s still just our little secret.
