Crowded by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, Slovenia is often overshadowed by its better-known neighbours. Yet this small nation (around four times smaller than the UAE) packs extraordinary variety into its relatively modest footprint. Within a few hours’ drive, landscapes shift from northern alpine peaks and viridian rivers, to the vast echoey chambers of the southwestern Postojna caves, vineyard-clad hills and medieval towns such as Škofja Loka, Ptuj, and Venetian-inspired Piran. Mountain silhouettes in the Julian Alps k5huJulian AlpsIn Slovenia's northwest, the snowcapped Julian Alps rise majestically above gently rippling rivers and dense forests. Triglav National Park is a network of criss-crossing, sun-dappled hiking and cycling trails, winding through soaring limestone peaks, bubbling waterfalls and flower-filled meadows.