Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OTHER POPULAR PURSUITS
Birdwatching
Slovenia has some of the best birdwatching in Central Europe. Some 376 species have been
sighted here, 219 of which are breeders and 11 of which are under threat.
The Ljubljana Marsh (Ljubljansko Barje), south of Ljubljana, Lake Cerknica in No-
tranjska, and the Sečovlje salt pans in Primorska are especially good for sighting waterbirds
and waders, as is the Drava River and its reservoirs in northeast Slovenia.
An especially wonderful (though messy) sight is the arrival of the white storks in Prek-
murje in March/April. Other important habitats are the Julian and Savinja Alps, the Karst
area and the Krakovski Forest north of Kostanjevica na Krki in Dolenjska.
For more information, contact the Ljubljana-based
Bird Watching & Study Associ-
ation of Slovenia
(Društvo za Opazovanje in Proučevanje Ptic Slovenije;
www.ptice.si
)
, a
member of Bird Life International.
Caving
It is hardly surprising that the country that gave the world the word 'karst' is riddled with
caves - around 7500 have been recorded and described. For information on club contacts
and expeditions, contact the
Speleological Association of Slovenia
(Jamarska Zveza
Slovenije; 01-429 34 44;
www.jamarska-zveza.si
;
Lepi pot 6)
in Ljubljana.
There are about 20 'show caves' open to visitors, but the top two are Škocjan and Posto-
jna in Primorska and Notranjska.
The main potholing regions in Slovenia are the Notranjska karst, centred around Posto-
jna, and the Julian Alps of Gorenjska and Primorska.
Diving
You can dive in all Slovenian rivers, lakes and of course the sea, with the exceptions of the
fish hatchery in Lake Bohinj and the shipping lanes and harbour areas.
The sport is popular in Lake Bled, in the Kolpa River in Bela Krajina, and at Ankaran,
Portorož and Piran on the coast, where you can take lessons. For more information, contact
the
Slovenian Diving Federation
(Slovenska Potapljaška Zveza; 01-433 93 08;
www.spz.si
; 25 Celovška cesta)
in Ljubljana.
