With a thriving culinary scene, range of outdoor pursuits and highly regarded 
green credentials, Slovenia has been named 5th in the top 10 countries to visit 
next year, according to world-leading travel publisher Lonely Planet 

Global travel authority Lonely Planet has named Slovenia 
[https://www.slovenia.info/en]  5th in its top 10 countries to visit next year 
with the release of Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2022 
[https://www.slovenia.info/en/stories/slovenia-among-the-top-5-destinations-in-2
022-selected-by-lonely-planet]. Now in its 17th year, this edition places a 
particular emphasis on the best sustainable travel experiences – ensuring 
travellers will have a positive impact wherever they choose to go.

Slovenia has long been praised for having an emphasis on responsible travel and 
in 2016 was named 'the world's most sustainable country' after becoming the 
first entire nation to earn green certification by Dutch organisation Green 
Destinations. The Slovenia Tourist Board (STB) has continually built upon this, 
developing a tourism strategy – the Green Scheme of Slovenia Tourism 
[https://www.slovenia.info/en/business/green-scheme-of-slovenian-tourism] – 
that places quality over quantity and communities over consumerism, putting 
locals at the heart of Slovenia and providing visitors with authentic and 
boutique travel experiences. Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2022 praises 
Slovenia for being green both literally and figuratively, highlighting its 
focus on sustainability as well as its vast, naturally beautiful landscape.

The accolade follows a successful 2021 for Slovenia, tipped as one of Europe's 
most exciting new culinary destinations. Unveiled just last month, the 2021 
edition of The Michelin Guide welcomed a new member bringing the country's 
total up to 8 stars in 7 restaurants, and 6 Michelin Green Stars or 53 
restaurants in total. In 2021 31 restaurants and farms gained Slovenia Green 
Cuisine label. In this same year, Slovenia has a title European Region of 
Gastronomy for its exceptional culinary scene that puts sustainability at the 
forefront. 

Slovenia also welcomed several new hiking and cycling routes this year 
including the Green Gourmet Route 
[https://www.slovenia.info/en/stories/slovenia-green-gourmet-route-a-cycling-rou
te-with-culinary-stops] in June, which encourages visitors to explore the 
country's varied landscape and local communities through local dishes on two 
wheels, and the Juliana Loop Biking Trail, a 290km journey through the 
beautiful Julian Alps mountain range. The new trails support STB's key theme 
for 2022 and 2023 of outdoors and sports tourism; for visitors to experience 
Slovenia's fantastic outdoor activities and diverse sporting events.

For more information about Slovenia, visit www.slovenia.info. 

Source: Slovenian Tourist Board