A stunning European country, where flights from the UK can be snapped up for as little as £43, has been highlighted as one of the continent's most criminally overlooked travel spots by a prominent YouTube influencer.
Why Slovenia is Surging in Popularity
Despite a quiet tourism boom, the compact nation of Slovenia, home to just over two million people, is often bypassed by British holidaymakers in favour of its more famous neighbours. However, the secret is getting out. Visitor numbers climbed by nine per cent in the past year, with projections suggesting a remarkable 7.3 million foreign tourists will book overnight stays in 2025. The summer peak was particularly strong, with nearly one million arrivals recorded in July alone.
Travel creator Paul Taylor, who runs the popular Suitcase Monkey channel, recently spent six days exploring the country and declared it the 'best most overlooked country', describing his trip as 'packed but peaceful'.
From Capital Charm to Natural Wonders
Paul began his journey in the charming capital, Ljubljana. He praised the city's walkable layout, calling it the perfect base. 'Home to just 300,000 people, its river walk is the obvious highlight, but its many offshoots and compact nature make it perfect for finding on foot,' he explained in a video.
He noted that the hilltop Ljubljana Castle is an unmissable centrepiece, accessible by a steep walk or a two-minute funicular ride. A particular highlight was a 4D film delving into the castle's extensive history. Paul also found it fascinating to learn about Slovenia's modern identity, having existed in its current form only since 1991 after the breakup of Yugoslavia.
The trip then moved to the iconic Lake Bled, renowned for its church-topped island and breathtaking mountain backdrop. Paul found simple moments here the most magical, stating, 'Just watching the world go by from various locations was magical... this peace and quiet is what I'll remember.'
Underground Railways and Outdoor Adventures
Another unforgettable experience was at the Postojna Cave, part of the UNESCO-listed Classical Karst site. Visitors embark on a unique 90-minute train journey through the underground tunnels—a world-first railway when it was constructed. 'This is the world's first underground railway,' Paul said. 'With almost 4km of track it acts as the grand entry point for Postojna cave, a massive network of passages, tunnels.'
He added that beyond the novel train ride, the vast 120m deep, 24km cave system filled with intricate stalactites and stalagmites is the true star. For thrill-seekers, Slovenia also offers rafting on the turquoise Soca River and canyoning in its dramatic mountainous terrain.
With flights available from Heathrow, Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh from just £43 (according to SkyScanner), this picturesque destination stands out as one of Europe's premier value-for-money hidden gems, waiting to be discovered.
