Despite being just half the size of Switzerland, with a population smaller than Greater Manchester (around 2 million at the last count), Slovenia's scenic landscapes are surprisingly diverse, and as you drive, it's as if you're passing through several different countries in a very short space of time, rather than just one. The proximity of contrasts and opposites is something of a hallmark, with river gorges and upland meadows, hill forests and green valley plains, mountain peaks and sea shores. From world famous karst caves to beautiful glacial lakes, from climbing or skiing in mighty Alpine peaks to relaxing by the Adriatic, from white-water rafting on the Soca to zip-wiring, Slovenia offers a wealth of possibilities to visitors both old and young.