by John Bryant

Created on: July 09, 2008   Last Updated: July 10, 2008

Experienced travelers searching for a wonderful time have returned to Croatia, more than a decade after the violent breakup of Yugoslavia from 1991 to 1995. Slovenia on Croatia's northern border and slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey avoided most of the bloodshed and damage of that series of wars but this beautiful nation is only now gaining the attention it deserves. A recent trip to Slovenia with my wife and another couple convinced us travelers looking for their next great trip should place this former Yugoslavia republic right at the top of their options!

Potoroz is a resort town on Slovenia's short coastline of the beautiful waters of the Adriatic. Portoroz's healing waters were first noted in the 13th Century and today it is famous for its water sports, Metropole Casino, and spa facilities. Among many options, five Metropole hotels ranging from 3 to 5 stars in quality offer lodging comparable to the best anywhere in Europe plus use of the spa facilities in its 5 star Hotel Metropole. My wife and I found the Metropole's thermal waters, Finnish sauna, steambath and one of many types of massage are great ways to finish a busy day of exploring Portoroz's promenade along its beaches and marina, souvenir shopping, and taking a few chances in the casino.

One morning my wife and I walked for 20 minutes from Portoroz to the ancient port of Piran. Conquered by the Romans in the 2d Century B.C., it was heavily fortified by its Byzantine rulers in the 7th Century A.D. and the existing city wall was built from 1470-1534. Piran's Tartini Square is named for the city's native son, composer Guiseppe Tartini. The city's Sergej Masera' Maritime Museum contains exhibits about the city's merchant and naval history from the Middle Ages to the end of World War II.

Leaving the coast via rental car for the 35 miles drive northeast to the hills of the Postojna area, I kept the nature of Predjama Castle secret from my wife and friends until they could see it ... and they were truly impressed when we rounded a curve and saw the castle! A remarkable sight - two whitewashed walls of a multistory castle from the 13th Century cut into a sheer rock wall, the rock wall's forming the castle's other two walls! We bought our tickets and walked through the castle's various rooms in four levels, peering into its dungeon, always looking out upon the green valley below. What an engineering accomplishment from more than 700 years ago, one which survived the catapults of a 15th Century

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