The tiny Alpine nation of Slovenia has made great strides since becoming the first country to leave the former Yugoslavia. The charming capital city of Ljubljana is its showcase, a bustling town full of cafes, history and wine.

Slovenia has been one of Eastern Europe's biggest success stories, having declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, long before that country disintegrated in a bloody civil war. Always the most westernized of the Yugoslav states, the country had a sturdy foundation as it turned to the west, joining both the EU and NATO. Adoption of the Euro brought it even closer to Western Europe, and today the country has become a tourist destination for Germans, Austrians, Croats and Italians with year round attractions including skiing, hiking, wine tourism and more.

The city of Ljubljana has a historic Old Town surrounded by more modern (and rather soulless) post World War Two construction. Situated in an active seismic zone, the city has also seen two major earthquakes that have greatly influenced its architecture, first in 1511 and more devastatingly in 1895, when over 10% of the city was destroyed. The rebuilding period coincided with the rise of Art Nouveau and, as a result, many buildings built in the wake of the earthquake were designed in that style.

For the visitor, the main areas of interest are the Old Town and the streets around Preseren Square, as well as the castle that looms on a hill above the city. The café-lined Ljubljanica River runs through the city, separating the compact, easily walkable Old Town from the newer sections.