Our guide to cheap family holidays abroad starts with stunning Slovenia. Its amazing scenery and value for money make it a great destination for bargain family holidays. Sandwiched in between Italy, The Adriatic and Croatia Slovenia can get overlooked – but it shouldn’t.

Why Slovenia?

The Julian Alps provide a fairytale background to the enchanting cobbled-capital of Ljubljana. The surrounding region is a broad, flat expanse of idyllic green grasslands, beautiful villages, mirror-still lakes and crumbling castles. There is even the surprise of a Mediterranean coastline to be enjoyed in the south-east. Alps and all, Slovenia looks a little like Switzerland. Iit’s not quite so mountainous but it’s far less demanding on the purse strings.

Top family attractions in Slovenia

• With pastel-coloured buildings and handsome Ljubljanica River, Ljubljana is a great base from which to explore. And it doesn’t get more fairytale than Lake Bled. A scenic 50km drive from Ljubljana won’t prepare you for what awaits: a large glacial lake surrounded by forest and mountain with a church floating on its own island and an ancient fortress surveying all from a cliff-top. Hire a boat and row out to the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption, ringing its bell is said to make a wish come true.
• Primeval forest still coats Slovenia, the third most forested country in Europe, and can make it seem almost undiscovered. Visit Triglav National Park for walking, hiking or cycling along pristine trails and wild canyons.
• Visit Škocjanske Caves, a stunning UNESCO world heritage site, where the Reka River disappears underground.
• Canoeing or rafting on the Soca River, known as 'The Emerald Beauty', is sightseeing at its most exhilarating, and will provide your family with enough photographs to fill several albums.

• The Grand Hotel Union Executive, centrally located in an Art Nouveau building, offers family packages.
• The Hotel Trst, right on the shores of Lake Bled, offers beautiful, cheap double and twin rooms.

Best time to go to Slovenia

Slovenia’s appeal changes with the seasons: skiing in a winter-wonderland or trekking, cycling and water sports in summer.

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