Reasons to visit Slovenia in September

September in Slovenia brings both the colours and fruits of harvest time as well as numerous unusual and traditional autumnal celebrations. They include the Maribor Music Festival, held against the historic backdrop of the Slovenia's second city, the Cow's Ball at picturesque Lake Bohinj, celebrating the return of the cattle to the valley after the summer, and a National Day of Costume in Kamnik, one of the country's oldest towns.

Around 25 per cent of Slovenia’s population grows some of its own food, so September and harvest time provide one of the most colourful times of the year to visit this central European country, as it yields the fruits of a year's hard labour.

But it’s not all work and no play for the Slovenes. While some prepare to get to work in the fields and vineyards picking pumpkins, cabbages and grapes, others are in party mood and head for the numerous autumnal celebrations, which take place at this time of year. Here are just a few examples:

MARIBOR MUSIC FESTIVAL: September 4-14
Festival Maribor offers the opportunity to enjoy a traditional international festival of chamber music against the historic backdrop of Slovenia’s second city, Maribor.

Twenty one concerts ranging from Baroque and classical music to more contemporary works including Roma and Gypsy music from Eastern Europe, will be performed in some of Maribor’s most impressive venues, such as its 12th century Gothic-style cathedral and Maribor Castle, which was first mentioned in the 1100s. (Visit festivalmaribor.si/en/ for details.)

Specialist tour operator, Just Slovenia, can organise tailor-made trips to coincide with the autumn festival. Options include accommodation at Urska Farm, located in the north east of Slovenia, close to the spa resort of Zrece, in the heart of one of the country’s leading wine-growing regions.

The owners grow their own wines, cure ham and salami in their own smoke house and are known for serving delicious Slovene dishes using only the best produce, grown on their farm or in the local vicinity. They also offer a small spa ideal for relaxing in the saunas and jacuzzi.

Prices for a five-night break start from £480 per person for flights from Stansted with easyjet, car hire and bed and breakfast accommodation.

THE COW’S BALL, BOHINJ: 14 September
The Kravji Bal or Cow’s Ball takes place on 14 September at picturesque Lake Bohinj, and celebrates the return of the cattle to the valley after a long summer pasture.

The celebration is based around Lake Bohinj in the heart of the Julian Alps and Triglav National Park, and sees the cows decorated with wreaths and bells and paraded through the now dry Govic waterfall accompanied by herdsmen, dairy maids and cheese-makers.

Stalls sell wicker work, wooden products and herdsmen's cheese made of cow's milk, while traditional entertainment takes the form of folk music, dancing, sling shooting, horse-shoe casting and log sawing.

A four-night trip including easyjet flights from Stansted, car hire, accommodation and breakfast at the Hotel Jezero, starts from £494 per person, with Just Slovenia.

KAMNIK, NATIONAL DAY OF COSTUME: September 11-14
Kamnik in north central Slovenia, is one of the country’s oldest towns, dating back to 1229, which hosts a National Costume Day on September 14th.

During the three preceding days, visitors can enjoy Kamnik’s pretty narrow streets, medieval and Baroque architecture, castles and glorious surroundings of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, as well as an array of events such as folk music, a craft fair, national dances and local people demonstrating age-old traditions, including bobbin-work and embroidery.

A traditional procession on Sunday 14th demonstrates the rich cultural heritage of Slovenia’s clothing, when more than 1500 different ethnic costumes from across the country, as well as some from neighbouring Croatia, Hungary, Austria and Italy, are paraded through the old streets of Kamnik.

A five-night break at Pension Kamrica in Kamnik during one of the largest events of its kind in Slovenia, starts from £455 per person, including easyjet flights from Stansted, car hire and accommodation with breakfast.

For further information about these and other holidays to Slovenia during the autumn, visit Justslovenia.co.uk.