For a country smaller than New Jersey, Slovenia boasts a frankly ridiculous diversity in landscapes. Clinging to vertiginous cliffs in this picture is the 11th-century Bled Castle. It's flanked by the snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps.
Slovenia's most beautiful spots —
For a country smaller than New Jersey, Slovenia boasts a frankly ridiculous diversity in landscapes. Clinging to vertiginous cliffs in this picture is the 11th-century Bled Castle. It's flanked by the snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps.
Chris Dwyer/CNN
The Romanesque tower and church on the rock in the middle of the emerald-green Lake Bled is a real showstopper.
Lake Bled —
The Romanesque tower and church on the rock in the middle of the emerald-green Lake Bled is a real showstopper.
Chris Dwyer/CNN
The limestone Skocjan Caves are Europe's largest underground gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site with more than six kilometers of underground lakes, waterfalls and natural bridges.
Skocjan Caves —
The limestone Skocjan Caves are Europe's largest underground gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site with more than six kilometers of underground lakes, waterfalls and natural bridges.
courtesy Park Skocjanske
The caves sit inside Skocjan Caves Regional Park in the Classical Karst region.
Classical Karst —
The caves sit inside Skocjan Caves Regional Park in the Classical Karst region.
courtesy Park Skocjanske
Slovenia's postcard-like capital Ljubljana is the starting point for most visits.
Ljubljana —
Slovenia's postcard-like capital Ljubljana is the starting point for most visits.
Chris Dwyer/CNN
Triglav National Park is known for breathtaking views of aquamarine waters and rapids running through limestone gorges.
Triglav National Park —
Triglav National Park is known for breathtaking views of aquamarine waters and rapids running through limestone gorges.
Chris Dwyer/CNN
Lipizzaner horses are one of Slovenia's most well-known exports.
Lipica horses —
Lipizzaner horses are one of Slovenia's most well-known exports.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Surrounded by rolling hills in southwest Slovenia, Brda is dotted with orchards, vineyards and olive groves.
Brda —
Surrounded by rolling hills in southwest Slovenia, Brda is dotted with orchards, vineyards and olive groves.
Chris Dwyer/CNN
The medieval village of Smartno is a big draw, not least for the views that can stretch from Slovenia's highest snow-capped peaks all the way to the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea.
Smartno —
The medieval village of Smartno is a big draw, not least for the views that can stretch from Slovenia's highest snow-capped peaks all the way to the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea.
Chris Dwyer/CNN
In the summer months, up to 40 of the country's best chefs and food gurus gather in an al fresco venue to dish up delicious foods for the weekly Odprta Kuhna or Open Kitchen event.
Glorious food —
In the summer months, up to 40 of the country's best chefs and food gurus gather in an al fresco venue to dish up delicious foods for the weekly Odprta Kuhna or Open Kitchen event.
Chris Dwyer/CNN
Slovenia's orange wine -- in a range of colors from pinkish to amber -- is currently one of the most sought-after bottles on the global market.
Orange wine —
Slovenia's orange wine -- in a range of colors from pinkish to amber -- is currently one of the most sought-after bottles on the global market.
Chris Dwyer/CNN
Slovenia's capital Ljubljana was named European Green Capital 2016, thanks in part to its wise decision to ban cars from most of the city center.
Green capital —
Slovenia's capital Ljubljana was named European Green Capital 2016, thanks in part to its wise decision to ban cars from most of the city center.
Visit Ljubljana