The secret of good health was discovered long ago at Slovenia's
thermal and mineral springs. Archeological excavations from the Roman
period bear witness to the rich history of thermal baths in Slovenia,
written documents about our thermal waters date back to 1147, and the
healing qualities of our mineral water have been appreciated
throughout Europe for more than four centuries. First discovered by
local people, the beneficial effects of the springs gave rise to new
methods of treating illnesses, and in recent decades new health
resorts have developed at Slovene thermal and mineral springs.
At the intersection of roads leading from north to south and west
to east, Slovenia has always been part of the culture of the Old
Continent. In the period when Central European health spas flourished,
health centers developed in Slovenia that today represent the
foundations of our health resort tourism. At the same time, due to the
healing qualities of their natural elements, our health resorts
maintain a special status in Slovenia's health care system as well as
close ties with the medical profession.
Fifteen Slovene health and tourist centers take pride in their
certified status as natural health resorts. The growing reputation of
these health resorts over the last few years has encouraged others to
study Slovenia's natural assets more intensively and thus contribute
to establishing new tourist bathing centers.
Bountiful Nature
The development and recognition of Slovenia's health resorts was
encouraged by the wealth of unspoiled natural assets in our
country. The most important are thermal waters of various qualities
and temperature (from 32°C to 73°C) and mineral waters such as the
world famous "Radenska Three Hearts" and "Donat
Mg" followed by sea water and brine, organic and inorganic
peloids, and finally the Mediterranean, Pannonian, and subalpine
mountain microclimates.
The wealth of Slovenia lies in its diversity. Vineyards reign on
the hills of the subalpine world. Below the surface of the karst
region are fascinating limestone caves. The alpine world is interlaced
with river canyons and adorned by waterfalls and glacier lakes. On one
side, the Alps descend into the green Pannonian plains and on the
other toward the blue Adriatic Sea. In this green oasis of Europe,
there is an abundance of the most varied cultural sites ranging from
Roman remains to medieval castles, and ancient monasteries. The folk
tradition remains extremely vigourous, reflected in the preservation
of ancient crafts, customs, and typical regional cuisine.
At Slovenia's health resorts, knowledge, experience, the natural
surroundings, and the character of the country are interwoven with the
friendliness of the hosts. In this harmonious mosaic of health and
good feeling, everyone finds what they truly desire and need.
Sources of Life and Vitality
Because the modern lifestyle has brought many previously unknown
problems, Slovene health resorts applying natural healing measures
have developed numerous new methods of treatment and new programs for
the prevention of diseases that take fully into consideration modern
scientific research in various fields of medicine.
Some years ago, our Western culture accepted the concept of the
close link between the body and the mind. Therefore, our health
resorts offer not only balneotherapy and physiotherapy services but
also other kinds of holistic modern therapies based on education and
learning.
Far from the city noise and the ever faster pace of modern life, we
can discover the secrets of unspoiled nature and devote time to
ourselves in Slovenia's health resorts. Here, we can spend pleasant
family holidays, do something for ourselves, for our body and spirit,
and improve our physical and mental condition. This is made possible
by well equipped health and recreation centers where we can swim, jog,
stroll, exercise on various equipment and playing fields, play golf
and tennis, bowl, ride horses, ski, enjoy mountain-biking, and at the
same time learn to live in a more healthy way.
And because an exercised and active body also enjoys exercising the
spirit, our health resorts organize social, cultural, and folklore
events and provide plenty of opportunities for excursions.