Things to Do in Slovenia

Mt Kozjak ("˜Mali Kozjak' in Croatian) is a mountainous ridge sitting above the town of KaÅ¡tela near Split and forms part of the Dinaric Alps; it is 9.5 miles (16 km) in length and its tallest peak is Veli vrj at 2,556 ft (779 m). From the top of Mt Kozjak there are spectacular glimpses across the Bay of KaÅ¡tela to Split and Trogir and on towards islands including Brac and Hvar scattered in the sparkling Adriatic Sea. The region is an enormously popular leisure destination with climbers in winter and there are several mountain lodges for overnight stays, including one at Malaāka. In summer walkers and cyclists flock onto the mountain to follow the trails; one of the best-known in the area is around South Rock, a scenic hike with amazing views across rural Dalmatia.

Jeep tours leave Split daily for an exploration of the wilds of Central Dalmatia to discover its rural villages and unspoiled countryside on unmade lanes. One of the highlights is the carefully restored rustic hamlet of Å kopljanci, which offers a couple of restaurants and a delightful garden planted with plants mentioned in the Bible. There's also a small ethnographic museum where traditional costumes embroidered in red thread are displayed along with ancient farming implements.

The Church of St George is a Roman Catholic church sitting high on a hill above the Slovenian port town of Piran on the Adriatic Coast. Considered one of the most impressive churches in Slovenia, it is also one of the most important landmarks in Piran, visible from Tartini Square in the center of town. Dating to the 14th century, it was reconstructed in the early 17th century in a Venetian Renaissance style. Around the same time, a bell tower was added that was modeled after St. Mark's Campanile in Venice, followed a few years later by a Baroque style baptistery.

Visitors should look for two sculptures of St George within the church, a larger one by an unknown artist and a smaller, silver plated sculpture made by a goldsmith workshop in Piran. Also of note are two large paintings from the early 17th century, several marble altars that were added in 1737 and interior frescoes that were restored in 2002-2005. The ground floor of the sacristy displays a variety of religious objects, as well as a wooden model representing an earlier version of the church. In front of the church is a large lawn that was once a graveyard. Today, it offers superb views over the Bay of Trieste and the town of Piran.