Slovenia takes great care to maintain the highest possible quality of souvenirs. There are two brand labels that help visitors to recognise truly creative souvenirs available in this area where the Alps, the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain meet.

Top-quality handicrafts carry the distinctive mark ‘Rokodelstvo-Art&Craft-Slovenija’. This means that the products are still made by many handcrafters working to keep the various old local and regional traditions alive.

The other group are souvenir-themed products of the national brand I feel Slovenia. These souvenirs are detached from the cultural heritage and represent modern tokens of economic, social and spiritual aspirations of modern-day Slovenia.

1. Painted panels from bee hives
The most original Slovenian tourist souvenir is a wooden panel of bee hive with traditional folklore images. The smooth wooden panels on the front of bee houses posed a challenge for numerous folk artists, and this gave rise to fascinating images that turned simple bee houses into veritable open-air art galleries. It is fascinating and reflects the priorities, beliefs and prejudices of the community in which the panels were painted, as well as some historical events. Slovenia’s museums have preserved a good number of original paintings from which countless replicas have been made.

2. Slovenian honey
Slovenia is home to a number of excellent beekeepers, whose honey, mead and other apiary products are a significant part of Slovenia’s all-natural delicacies. From the middle of September 2009 it is possible to buy Slovenian honey as a product of protected geographical indication, ensuring the highest quality of our honey. Slovenian beekeepers fill honey in the traditional jar that has the original form and volume of 720 ml.

3. Prešeren Figs
The life of the greatest Slovenia poet Dr. France Prešeren (1800 – 1849) inspired the top-quality confectionery product ‘Prešeren Figs’. It is said that the poet would often carry dried figs in his coat pocket and children, knowing this, would call after him ‘Doctor, figs, figs!’ Today you can relive the story with dried figs dipped in dark and white chocolate. They are very tasteful souvenir which is difficult to bring home intact.

4. Sečovlje salt flower
When discussing which souvenirs are most typical of Slovenia, one of mentioned item is salt. More specifically, salt from the centuries old Sečovlje salt pans on the coast south of Portorož. While it's technically the same stuff you find on every dinner table in the world, the location and traditional production methods give it a recognisably unique flavour. It's well-known among gourmands worldwide, and as far away as Japan some high-end sushi restaurants use it exclusively.

5. Idrija lace
Located some 50 km west of Ljubljana, the town of Idrija is largely known for two things: mercury and lace. Although both undoubtedly make fine gifts for friends and family back home, the lace industry has apparently done a much better job promoting itself and is widely recognised as producing some of the highest quality lace in the world. There is a surprising variety of lace goods - from simple cloths and handkerchiefs to gloves, necklaces and even earrings.

6. Rogaška crystal
Designing and making crystal ware has almost 350 years of tradition in Slovenia. In the area of Trebuša, Pohorje and Kozjansko you can still find the so-called forest glass huts. So crystal, of a high quality, made into goblets, plates, beads and household décor can be perfect souvenirs for reasonable prices. And trust me, the Rogaska Crystal glass makes all wine taste better.

7. Wishing bell from Bled
Touristic town Bled in Gorenjska region was among the first to further the development of tourism. The very first graphic depiction of Lake Bled with the church on the island and the castle perched above the lake was made as early as 1851 and those counts as one of the earliest souvenirs. The modern souvenir of Bled is the wishing bell. It is a miniature copy of the bell hanging in the church tower on the island of Lake Bled, which visitors ring so that their wishes come true.

8. Plečnik candleholder
In Kropa, the old centre of nail making and blacksmithing, skilled hands forge lovely handheld candleholders to the design of the world-famous Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik (1872 – 1957).

9. Felt slippers
Felt is the material that comes from the indigenous Jezersko-Solčava sheep breed. Among functional and decorative felt products slippers are among the most Slovenian. Everyone who enters a Slovenian home must change his shoes for slippers not to bring in dirt from outside.

10. I feel Slovenia exclusive items
Last but not least, the line of ‘I feel Slovenia’ products is representing the modern offer of quality souvenirs. Visitors can choose among a variety of collectable items like souvenir spoon, cup, wooden magnet or small glass or decide for all time favourite T-shirt.

Nataša Bušljeta, SINFO