FEEL Slovenia Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this light-hearted summer special of "Feel Slovenia the Podcast," Dr. Noah Charney takes you on an entertaining journey through Slovenian humour. He delves into what makes Slovenians laugh by engaging with three of the country’s top comedians – Boštjan Gorenc, Gašper Bergant and Perica Jerković.

Charney reflects on his own experiences, including the amusing challenge of keeping pace with Slovenian audiences and understanding their unique sense of humour. He contrasts Slovenian comedy with American and British styles and also touches on how humour reflects broader cultural identities and societal norms.

This episode is a delightful exploration of Slovenian culture and the universal language of laughter. Perfect for those looking for something light-hearted during the summer season, it offers a fresh perspective on how humour functions in Slovenia compared to other regions. 

Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney.

Sound Production: Urska Charney

For more inspirational content, check out www.slovenia.info and our social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tripadvisor.

In this special episode to celebrate July 4, America’s Independence Day, Dr. Noah Charney spoke with Jamie Lindler Harpootlian, the US Ambassador to Slovenia. 

What does the ambassador love about Slovenia?

Harpootlian admires for Slovenia’s breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality and unparalleled safety. She also shines a spotlight on Slovenia’s impressive strengths in science and technology, showcasing the country’s potential in cutting-edge fields. She is impressed by Slovenia’s rich arts and culture, from the charming traditions of beekeeping and mushroom foraging to the cherished custom of family time, with stores closing on Sundays to honour it. She enthusiastically recommends must-see destinations like the enchanting Lake Bled with the stunning Vintgar Gorge, the serene Jezersko, and the majestic Soča River Valley, all celebrated for their beauty and accessibility.

This episode highlights the strong connection between the US and Slovenia, built on mutual democratic values and vibrant cultural exchanges. It portrays Slovenia as a captivating destination for both adventurous travelers and cultural aficionados.

Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney.

Sound Production: Urska Charney

For more inspirational content, check out www.slovenia.info and our social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tripadvisor.

In this festive episode, Dr. Noah Charney takes us on an exciting journey through the enchanting Christmas traditions of Slovenia, unveiling the rich tapestry of customs that define this magical season. As he explores the stories of three gift-bringing bearded men who delight children every December, we embark on a journey into the heart of Slovenian holiday spirit. Two of these figures may be familiar, while the third remains a hidden gem, particularly for those unacquainted with the country's socialist history. Regardless of one's faith or holiday habits, Slovenia will surely impress you as a beautiful, warm, festive, and cosy destination for December holidays.

As we delve deeper into Slovenia's Christmas-ish traditions, Dr. Charney unpacks the unique aspects and special events awaiting visitors in Slovenian towns in December. These charming places undergo a magical transformation into fairy-tale wonderlands, adorned with festive market stalls, lit-up streets and bustling squares. The episode features engaging interviews with some individuals who help shaping the holiday spirit, including Sanja Pellis from Historic Towns, Dr. Mateja Habinc from the University of Ljubljana, and artistUrban Modic, who played a pivotal role in this year's Ljubljana city decoration. Additionally, insights from Marija Lah from Slovenj Gradec and Dragan Kikovič, the event manager at Postojna Cave, provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the special features of this year's unique celebrations.

Join us on this festive exploration as we uncover the traditions and festivities that make Slovenia a perfect December holiday destination.

Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney.

Sound Production: Urska Charney

For more inspirational content, check out www.slovenia.info and our social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tripadvisor.

Na zdravje! That’s "cheers" in Slovenian, and it’s an apt opening for this episode, which is all about Slovenian wine.  Join us as we uncork the rich tapestry of Slovenia's wine traditions, exploring the vast landscapes of vineyards and hearing from some top experts who guide us through the nuanced art of wine appreciation. Let's see what they recommend drinking when you’re in the terroir. White, red, orange or gold—Slovenia’s wines are award-winning, world class, and each glass tells the story of its homeland.

In this episode, Dr. Noah Charney talks with Caroline Gilby, a British wine expert who writes for the famous Decanter magazine, Aleks Simčič, a renowned wine producer from Goriška Brda, Tomaž Kavčič, a Slovenian Michelin-starred chef, and Maja Pečarič, the 2023 Queen of Wine.

If you want to learn more about Slovenian wines, visit the Taste Slovenia portal and discover all you wanted to know about the grape varieties present in Slovenia, three distinct wine-growing regions (Primorska, Posavje and Podravje) and about the natural wines, which are gaining on popularity.

We also invite you to read more about St. Martin's Day, the most important celebration of wine in Slovenia, observed on 11 November and extending its joyous spirit for a week or two thereafter. This vibrant celebration extends beyond Slovenia's wine-growing regions, stretching from the sun-kissed Mediterranean Sea to the expansive Pannonian plains. The air is filled with the clinking of glasses, laughter, and the intoxicating aroma of freshly pressed grapes. Join the celebrations and witness the transformation of must into wine, as locals come together to honour this timeless tradition and savour the fruits of the harvest season. St Martin's Day is not just a celebration; it's a sensory journey through the soul of Slovenian winemaking, where every vine tells a story and every sip is a toast to tradition.

Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney.

Sound Production: Urska Charney

For more inspirational content, check out www.slovenia.info and our social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tripadvisor.

In this special episode, our host Dr. Noah Charney reports from the front lines of the Frankfurt Book Fair. In 2023, Slovenia is the guest of honour at this world’s largest book fair. What is it like to be there and how is Slovenia presenting its literary output to the world?

Along with exclusive interviews with Katja Stergar, director of the national Slovenian Book Agency, and Miha Kovac, Slovenia’s program director for the book fair, Noah will be your insider guide.

The Frankfurt Book Fair stands as one of the most significant events in the German market, where the STB reinforces Slovenia's visibility through promotional and communication activities. For this reason, a series of intensive promotional activities, with a specific focus on addressing guests seeking cultural experiences, were held. Additionally, the STB also unveiled its main tourism promotional theme for 2024-2025: Art and Culture.

Leading up to, during, and after the Frankfurt Book Fair, the STB has promoteed Slovenia as a green boutique destination with a rich cultural heritage, using quotes from eminent Slovenian authors, poets, and writers like Slavoj Žižek, Srečko Kosovel, and Kajetan Kovič, complemented by captivating images of Slovenia. This advertising campaign ran from October 13 to 23, primarily targeting the German state of Hessen, with a particular focus on Frankfurt.

In addition, a special landing page dedicated to Frankfurt Book Fair was launched in three languages: Slovenian, English, and German. The site provides information about the fair itself and underscores the significance of tourism, emphasizing its role in promoting tourist products, Slovenian culture, and diversity.

At the beginning of the year, the STB created a landing page highlighting Slovenian art and culture, using it to launch a new cultural video that also served as an announcement for the book fair. The video features the host of this podcast, Dr. Noah Charney.

Read more:
Art and Culture
A video: Slovenian Culture: A bonfire of creativity, art, and craft

Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney.

Sound Production: Urska Charney

For more inspirational content, check out www.slovenia.info and our social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tripadvisor.

Traveling responsibly has never been more importan than it is today. We all want to venture to beautiful new places and enjoy unique experiences, but we also want to do so in a way that is sustainable for those places we visit and for our planet. 

In this episode, Dr. Noah Charney delves into the meaning of responsible travel together with a special guest, Virginia diGaetano, a veteran travel writer, who he had the privilege of catching up, while she was exploring Slovenia for the forthcoming edition of the Lonely Planet Slovenia guidebook. 

Together, they unravel the essence of responsible travel, sharing invaluable tips, anecdotes, and wisdom garnered from their experiences in the field. This captivating discussion not only provides practical guidance but also unveils their passion for sustainable travel practices. So, whether you're planning your next adventure in Slovenia or dreaming of voyages to far-flung destinations, this episode is a compass to help you navigate the realms of responsible and mindful exploration.

Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney.

Sound Production: Urska Charney

For more inspirational content, check out www.slovenia.info and our social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tripadvisor.

NFT could stand for New Format Tourism, but it actually means Non-Fungible Token, and it’s linked to blockchain technology. Slovenia was the first country to use NFTs to promote tourism. In this episode, Dr. Noah Charney visited the Ultimate Julian Alps Sensory Adventure, a groundbreaking three-day event, for which 15 esteemed foreign media representatives exchanged their exclusive NFTs given to them at WTM London last November. During the event, which took place in Bohinj,  the journalists stayed at the exquisite Bohinj Hotel, providing them with a comfortable and convenient base for their immersive exploration of the region.

Dr. Noah Charney spoke with Klemen Langus, Director of Bohinj Tourism, Aljoša Ota, the Director of the Representative Office of the Slovenian Tourist Board in Italy, Tadej Slapnik, the CEO of Hashnet, and Tanja Bivic Plankar, the Chair of Blockchain Alliance Europe, and discussed both how cutting-edge technology is being used to promote tourism, and how Bohinj can become the “living room” for its guests.

The Ultimate Julian Alps Sensory Adventure represents an innovative approach to promoting Slovenian tourism, bridging the gap between digital assets and tangible value. By integrating advanced technology, the project emphasizes the importance of responsible attitudes towards nature and raises awareness about disappearing plant and animal species in the Julian Alps, such as the Alpine mynah and the wild rooster. The STB and the Julian Alps highlight the crucial link between nature and humans, underscoring that the future of the planet relies on this awareness.

During the event, journalists attended the International Wild Flower Festival, learned about preserving nature's balance and biodiversity, and experienced the fragility of ecosystems and the importance of sustainable solutions and responsible travel. The sensory experience served as a reminder to immerse oneself in the environment with all senses. The event also featured a special dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chef Uroš Štefelin.

Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney.

Sound Production: Urska Charney

For more inspirational content, check out www.slovenia.info and our social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tripadvisor.

Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer or a casual hiker, Slovenia’s mountains certainly are inviting. Three spectacular ranges of the Alps rise up along the country’s northern border: the Julian Alps in the west, the Karawanks and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps in the north. In this episode, Dr. Noah Charney meets some of Slovenia’s mountain rescue professionals, who offer valuable tips on how to safely enjoy the upper reaches of the sunny side of the Alps.

Let us reiterate vital tips:

• Effective Planning: Thoroughly research your chosen route, considering its length and difficulty. Stay updated on weather forecasts and route conditions. Make use of a printed mountain map and the maPZS app for comprehensive planning.
• Essential Gear: Equip yourself with hiking boots, warm clothing, non-alcoholic liquids, a map and compass, first aid supplies, a head torch, and sun protection.
• Physical and Mental Preparation: Hiking and mountaineering demand physical fitness. Ensure you are in good condition by starting with easier, lower-altitude hikes and gradually progressing to more challenging ones.
• Respect for Nature: Mountains are home to diverse wildlife and resilient plant life. Show respect for the environment by bringing your trash back to the valley. Avoid creating noise disturbances such as loud music or shouting in mountainous areas.
• Exercise Caution: Remain vigilant for falling rocks, especially on steep slopes. Be mindful of potential hazards like thunderstorms and avoid overexertion.
• Inform Others: Share your itinerary and expected return time with a trusted individual. This ensures that someone is aware of your plans and can assist if unforeseen circumstances arise.
• Stick to Marked Trails: Follow designated and well-marked trails to minimize unnecessary risks. Slovenia boasts an impressive network of 10,000 kilometers of maintained mountain trails, eliminating the need for off-road exploration. Certain destinations, such as specific bivouacs, are reserved for experienced mountaineers. Remember that bivouacs serve as emergency shelters for experienced climbers and are not intended for casual tourists.

Explore also the dedicated website Safe in the mountains on www.slovenia.info, offering comprehensive information in multiple languages. 

Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney.

Sound Production: Urska Charney

For more inspirational content, check out www.slovenia.info and our social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tripadvisor.

Ana Roš is a Slovenian chef and restaurateur who gained international recognition for her work at the Hiša Franko restaurant in Kobarid, Slovenia. She was named World's Best Female Chef in 2017 by the World's 50 Best Restaurants, and Hiša Franko was ranked as one of the world's 50 best restaurants. Roš's cuisine is influenced by her Slovenian heritage and the local ingredients of the Soča Valley region where the restaurant is located. She became a household name the world over when she appeared on "Chef's Table" on Netflix. Over the past few years, she has held over 600 interviews, including the latest in the New York Times, in a series “Transforming Spaces” about women driving change in sometimes unexpected places. In this episode, Dr Noah Charney speaks to Ana about her work, as well as chatting with some of her colleagues to learn what makes her so special.

For more inspiration, you are also invited to read a story about Ana Roš and Slovenian sports climber Janja Garnbret.

Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney.

Sound Production: Urska Charney

For more inspirational content, check out www.slovenia.info and our social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tripadvisor.

We’re all aware of the importance of healthy, sustainable eating. For our bodies and for the planet. But it’s not always easy to convince ourselves to make a meaningful change in the behaviors we’re used to, let alone implementing change across societies worldwide. We might understand that a cow has to eat 100 grams of grain in order to grow by 5 grams, making beef an unsustainable commodity. But we still want a steak or a burger. Luckily, there are brilliant minds at work on this issue. The key is to introduce new options that are good for the environment and the individual that lead to long-term habits for consumers of all walks of life. We eat hedonistically, meaning for personal pleasure, not just to sustain our bodies. But we also think morally—we are concerned about animal welfare and the environment. We also want to do what is healthy for us and easy on our wallets.

In order to come up with winning solutions, the EU Food Summit was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia November 5th through 7th 2022. Dealing with themes like reduction of food waste, feeding the undernourished, and producing food that is better for the planet long-term, the EU Food Summit brought together international experts to tackle a problem that affects us all and will affect our descendants long into the future. In this episode, Dr Noah Charney spoke to several of the international guests at the Food Summit to learn what it's all about. Among them were Martin Jezeršek, the CEO of Jezeršek Catering and the co-founder of the EU Food Summit, Dan Saladino, a BBC journalist and writer, Tilen Travnik, the CEO of Juicy Marbles, and Marleen Onwezen, an expert and researcher at Wageningen University.

You will also learn about The 'Common-Sensitarian' Diet Manifesto, which was launched at the event  and has already been endorsed by a wide range of ambassadors and other supporters.  The Manifesto does not refer to a diet that restricts you in what you can and cannot eat. It is both a personal moral commitment and an appeal for social, economic and political change. It respects planetary boundaries and is necessary for restoring sustainable food systems with a lower negative impact on the climate and the environment.

Learn more

The European Food Summit, which has successfully built the future of responsible attitude towards food for the last few years, and thus left a positive mark not only in Europe but also globally, is returning to Slovenia

Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney.

Sound Production: Urska Charney

For more inspirational content, check out www.slovenia.info and our social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Tripadvisor.