Get creative
Did you know Slovenia holds its own Carnival festival? Carnival in Slovenia is called Kurentovanje and is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday when locals eat donuts instead of pancakes. Carnival usually involves a public procession of masked characters: in Ptuj, the main figure is a Kurent, a scary masked figure clad in sheepskin, with large horns, cowbells, and a long whip. The Kurent jumps and makes loud noises to scare away winter and bring spring and abundance to the land. Have a look at a Kurent here, then learn all about the Kurent costume and try to make your own!
Pick a film
Watch a movie that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Slovenia include:
- Where to Invade Next (2015)*
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
- Captain America (1990)
*Rated R (may not be suitable for all students)
Study some history
Did you know Slovenia is home to a two million-year-old cave system called Postojna? The underworld system is home to the mysterious, unique, and rare amphibian Proteus Anguinus, or human fish seen here. If caves aren’t your thing, how about a visit to Ljubljana’s castle? Perched on Castle Hill above downtown Ljubljana, this castle was originally a medieval fortress and dates back as far as the 10th century. Have a virtual look at the Ljubljana Castle here.
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in your destination or describes the local culture. Pick from titles like:
- A Day in Spring by Ciril Kosmac
- Forbidden Bread by Erica John Debelkak
- The Land Between: A History of Slovenia by Oto Luthar
Fill up your plate
Arrange a potluck and encourage your friends to bring a traditional dish from your destination. Try pumpkin seed oil, a Slovenian specialty, or look for a Slovenian cheese called kozovč (a 50/50 goat and sheep’s milk mix). Know a chef? Hold a cooking class with your travel group, or consider a group outing to a restaurant that offers your Slovenian cuisine. Try struklji, a dumpling that is available savory or sweet, or look for matevž, a traditional bean dish often served as a side dish on sausage plates. Try adding some Slovenian sauerkraut to your sausage or dine on Slovenian ravioli, called zlikrofi.
Learn the language
Call up a friend or set up a group video chat and practice your language skills. Learn some helpful words and phrases to use on the phone or throughout your travels (think about ordering at restaurants, buying souvenirs, and chatting with locals).
Did you know?
The Solkan Bridge in western Slovenia is the world’s longest stone arch bridge, measuring in at nearly 85 meters long!