Between Italy, Croatia, and Austria, you’ll find Europe’s ‘secret jewel’, the country of Slovenia.

In recent years, Slovenia has experienced something of a tourist boom, and this is only set to continue, but if you visit now you’ll get in just before it becomes the must-visit location for any Brit who is fond of travelling.

With the turquoise waters of the River Soča, one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers, and the snow-capped mountains of the Julian Alps, the Karavanke mountains, and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Slovenia is a stunning country that’s one of the few in Europe that still has a number of brown bears.

The country’s capital city, Ljubljana, is a beautiful city surrounded by the Julian Alps, with plenty of attractions and sights for tourists to enjoy.

One of these is the medieval fortress of Ljubljana Castle, located at the top of Castle Hill, which can be accessed via a funicular railway or a short ten-minute hike.

Other highlights include the tranquil Tivoli Park and the historic Ljubljana Old Town, and you should be sure to make a stop at Zmajski Most, or the Dragon Bridge, which is an impressive Art Nouveau bridge adorned with dragon sculptures.

34 miles from Ljubljana is Lake Bled, which is a popular tourist destination and takes one and a half hours to walk around.

In the middle of the lake is, Bled Island, home to The Church of Mary the Queen, also known as also known as the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary, or Our Lady of the Lake.

The church can be accessed via boat, and visitors are encouraged to climb the tower and ring the church bells. Also located at Lake Bled is Bled Castle, located on a clifftop towering above the lake.

Slovenia is also home to the world’s largest cave castle Predjama Castle, which is located in the village of Predjama, which is around just six miles from the world-famous cave systems of Postojna Caves, where you can find the world’s only double-track cave railway.

Another cave system that can be found in Slovenia is the UNESCO World Heritage Škocjan Caves, located in the village of Divaca.

These stunning caves are home to the largest underground river canyons in the world, and with guided tours available throughout the year, these are a must-visit when holidays in Slovenia.

And for those looking for a beach getaway, then be sure to visit Piran on the country’s Adriatic Coast, whose old town is the among best-preserved historical towns along the Mediterranean.

Alongside stunning beaches, Piran is also home to a number of historical churches, and if you’re holidaying with children, then visiting the Magical World of Shells Museum should be a must.

Those planning a city break should also consider visiting Maribor, which is the country’s second-largest city, and is home to the Mariborsko Pohorje Ski Resort.