• In the capital Ljubljana (website: www.ljubljana-tourism.si), cross the lifeblood Ljubljanica river towards to the Town Hall (1718) with its baroque fountain and two open courtyards and then explore the surrounding cobbled old town.

• Head for the twin towers of Ljubljana Cathedral (1708), which house some impressive frescoes in what is widely regarded as the finest ecclesiastical building in the country.

• Tour Ljubljana's fine treasure trove of cultural institutions - choose from the City Museum, National Museum, the National Gallery, Plecnik's House and the Modern Art Gallery.

• Take a train into the spectacular 20km (12-mile) cave of Postojna (website: www.postojnska-jama.si), only one hour's drive from the coast, which has been deemed one of the greatest sights of natural beauty, and features gigantic stalagmites and a cavernous hall which can hold over 10,000 people.
 
• In the port of Koper, explore the old town and see the Town Tower (1480), the 15th-century Cathedral, the loggia and the Praetor's Palace; also of interest is the Romanesque Carmin Rotunda (1317). The excellent Provincial Museum houses old maps of the area. 
 
• Piran is Slovenia's coastal jewel, southeast of Koper. Enjoy the flurry of Venetian architecture and the waterfront seafood restaurants or just enjoy a swim in the Adriatic shadowed by the town's voluminous hilltop church.
 
• To the south of Maribor, see the Roman remains and medieval centre of Ptuj (website: www.ptuj-tourism.si), which is also the scene of traditional carnivals. Ptuj's old town overflows with cobbles, churches and impressive baroque buildings.
 
• In the mountain resort of Bled (website: www.bled.si), see the neo-gothic Parish Church (1904) with its interesting frescoes and Bled Castle, the former seat of the bishops of Brixen. Perching above a 100m (328ft) drop, the castle offers magnificent views over the city and lake.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.