FEEL Slovenia Podcast

What happens when an American content creator discovers a hidden winter workation village in Bovec after clicking on a random Instagram ad? Why would a Spanish digital nomad leave Madrid and Budapest behind for life in Ljubljana? And why did a Slovenian entrepreneur living in Barcelona decide to return home just as Slovenia launched its new digital nomad visa? In the first-ever video episode of Feel Slovenia The Podcast, host Dr. Noah Charney sits down with three digital nomads whose persona...

In this episode, Dr. Noah Charney sits down with one of the most extraordinary athletes of our time – Tadej Pogačar. From a small town near Ljubljana to the summit of global cycling, Pogačar’s journey is a story of talent, discipline and an enduring love for the ride. Widely regarded as one of the greatest cyclists in history, Pogačar reflects on the moments that shaped his career. He shares what it really takes to win: the gruelling six-hour training days, the precision of race-day nutritio...

In this episode of Feel Slovenia, the Podcast, Dr. Noah Charney takes listeners beyond Slovenia’s iconic destinations into a network of 24 historic towns – where culture is not preserved as memory, but lived as experience. At its emotional and cultural core is the Škofja Loka Passion Play, one of Europe’s oldest dramatic traditions and a UNESCO-recognised masterpiece of intangible heritage. Performed across the streets, squares, and courtyards of Škofja Loka, the Passion Play transforms the ...

This Valentine’s Day, we invite you to step into one of the most extraordinary love stories in contemporary art — a story where passion became performance and devotion became artistic legacy. In this intimate and thought-provoking episode of Feel Slovenia the podcast, we explore the powerful intersection of love, risk and radical creativity. At its heart is Art Vital, the landmark exhibition at Cukrarna in Ljubljana, which traces the groundbreaking collaborative work of Marina Abramović and ...

Snow here isn’t background scenery; it’s a way of life. In this episode, we step into Slovenia’s winter pulse, where ski jumping is a family ritual, weekends revolve around the forecast, and visitors are welcomed not just as guests, but as participants. From the lively slopes of Kranjska Gora and Krvavec to the serene cross-country trails of Pokljuka and the valley beauty of Jezersko, we explore the most accessible, rewarding ways to ski, glide, sled, and enjoy winter – without the crowds. T...

This episode explores the architectural legacy of Jože Plečnik beyond Ljubljana and presents him as Slovenia’s defining architect and a creator of a distinct national architectural language. Listeners are guided on day trips and longer journeys across Slovenia to discover Plečnik’s lesser-known works. The main focus is Kamnik, including the Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher in the Franciscan Church, described as a complete, immersive work of sacred art rich in symbolism, materials, light and craf...

Feel Slovenia the podcast takes you beneath the surface of one of Europe’s most surprising countries – its culture, creativity and the people who make it sing. And this time, that’s quite literal. This episode is about the Slovenian language and features an extensive, exclusive, indepth interview with its surprising ambassadors – the hugely successful rock band, Joker Out. The band, who gained international fame representing Slovenia at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest with their song Carpe D...

There’s dominance, and then there’s Janja Garnbret. By 20, she’d done what no climber, man or woman, had ever achieved: won every competition in a World Cup season. She’s a two-time Olympic champion, a six-time World Champion, and the only athlete in climbing history to rule Lead, Bouldering, and Combined at the highest level. This very special episode of Feel Slovenia features an in-depth interview with Janja herself. We’ll uncover a side of her that doesn’t wear chalk on her hands or ...

For this episode, Dr. Noah Charney heads to Nova Gorica. Just across the Italian border is Gorizia. They’re two cities that were separated by a chalk line drawn in the middle of the night in 1947. But now, they’re united for something remarkable: the first transnational European Capital of Culture. The project, called GO!2025, is well underway and already a huge success. But you’ve got another half a year to check it out, if you haven’t yet. This episode is all about the event and wha...

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind journey through Slovenia – led not by guidebooks, but by those who’ve chosen to call this country home. In this special episode of Feel Slovenia the podcast, Dr. Noah Charney teamed up with a band of fellow expats from around the world – Colombia, Mexico, Germany, England, the US and Australia – to bring you an authentic, insider’s guide to Slovenia. The episode is divided by region, so whether you're dreaming of the Alps, coastal Karst, wine country, or the gre...

Forest to Table Foraging on International Women's Day This episode stars two amazing women who have the same surname and are both star foragers, specialized in making wild plants into delicious and healthy concoctions. Katja Rebolj is a renowned forager who has appeared on Netflix, while Tanja Rebolj is the so-called “blonde witch of Jezersko” who forages alpine plants within a range of one kilometer from her home and makes the most mind-blowing liquors out of them. Katja and Tanja are...

To start 2025 on an inspiring note, we’re thrilled to kick off the year with a new episode of Feel Slovenia the Podcast. In this episode, we explore Slovenia's unique and emerging role in the global film industry, highlighting how the country's stunning landscapes and rich historic sites have been transformed into iconic backdrops for some of the most memorable movies and TV shows. From the enchanting forests and mystical settings of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian to the dramatic be...

Listen to the exclusive podcast interview with the legendary Goran Dragić! After a stellar 15-year NBA career, Goran recently announced his retirement, leaving behind an inspiring legacy as one of Europe’s most accomplished basketball players. Dr. Noah Charney caught up with him in his hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he was taking some well-deserved time to reconnect with his roots. In this episode, Goran reflects on his journey from a young kid dreaming big in Ljubljana to playi...

In this captivating Feel Slovenia podcast episode titled "Kamnik, the National Costume Parade and Noah's Hometown", Dr. Noah Charney takes you on a journey through the heart of Kamnik, Slovenia—a town bursting with history, tradition, and vibrant culture – and also his adopted hometown. Join Ksenija Mravlja, who runs the popular Beer Way Tasting Tour, as she shares her love for local flavours and the unique experiences Kamnik has to offer. You'll also hear from Luka Svetec, the head of the Ka...

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 ...

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 ric...

In this episode, Dr. Noah Charney talks about festivals in Slovenia. In fact, he claims that Slovenia is a land of festivals and that he had heard this from everyone he had interviewed for this episode . Listeners are treated to an exploration of this festival landscape through engaging conversations with key figures behind some of Slovenia's most iconic cultural events. One of the festivals highlighted is the Lent Festival in Maribor, expertly described by Vladimir Rukavina, its longtime di...

Slovenia has numerous fascinating art museums, but none that are household names abroad, so they remain very pleasant surprises for visitors who discover them. In this episode, Dr. Noah Charney explores some of his favourite art museums in Slovenia, with a focus on those outside of Ljubljana. To cover some of those in Ljubljana, Dr. Noah Charney asked a few art world friends – Marko Jenko, a curator at the forthcoming Lah Museum, Matthew McQuarrie, a gallery owner and an American architect li...

This time, Feel Slovenia the Podcast explores Triglav National Park, Slovenia's only national park. The episode celebrates the park's 100th anniversary, highlighting its significance as a protected landscape under UNESCO. The focus is on responsible and sustainable tourism, with emphasis on Mount Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak. Various guests share their experiences and insights, including climbers, comedians, authors, and tourism directors, discussing the symbolism of Triglav and the park'...

You can’t spell Slovenia without the word “love”. It’s tucked right in there between Sl and Nia. It’s a cute tourism slogan, but it’s also much more than that. Slovenia is a wonderfully romantic place to visit as, for so many guests, it feels like a secret that only a select few know about. It’s obvious to spend a romantic weekend in Venice or Paris. But Slovenia? That’s extra cool. In this episode, Dr. Noah Charney spoke with Svetlana Slapšak, an expert on ancient traditions and a reti...

Slovenia is a nation full of amazing women. Dr. Noah Charney should know—he married one. It’s also a country that celebrates Women’s Day on March 8, which makes for a great opportunity to look at some of the most remarkable Slovenian women in history. In his captivating podcast, Charney embarks on a mission to unveil some of the most influential Slovenian women. Beginning his exploration, Charney engages in a conversation with Svetlana Slapšak, a trailblazing anthropologist and writer renowne...

Nova Gorica was chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2025, a role it will share with its sister town, on the other side of the seamless border between Italy and Slovenia, Gorizia. In this episode, we’ll take a look at what the town has to offer for tourists all year round, and what to expect when it proudly carries the title of European Capital of Culture 2025. Search in TripAdvisor for what to do in Nova Gorica, and the site will recommend that you visit Bled—ninety minutes away. P...

At the Slovenian pavilion as part of the famous World Travel Market in London, the star attraction in 2023 was an enormous, old-fashioned mechanical printing press. Alongside it was shelving full of all the analogue tools of the trade a printer would need: shelf upon shelf of letters cast in lead in various fonts and sizes, inks—altogether around three tons of material that had been transported by truck from Ljubljana. Guests could come to the pavilion and take home a beautiful souvenir colo...

This episode is all about Jože Plečnik, Slovenia’s greatest architect and, according to the host of Feel Slovenia the podcast, Dr. Noah Charney, Slovenia's greatest artist in any medium. Plečnik is the darling of architectural historians but he is not a household name the way his contemporaries, Antoni Gaudi, Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright, are. That is largely because he chose to do most of his work in his hometown of Ljubljana, away from the grand artistic centers of Modernism. To ...

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...

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 th...

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 F...

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 forth...

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 journali...

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: Effectiv...

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 appear...

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 ...

This episode is about how to fly. Ski fly, that is. The sports of ski jumping and ski flying are hugely popular in Slovenia and throughout mountainous Europe, but not as well-known elsewhere. To learn more about this dramatic sport, Dr. Noah Charney spoke to Olympian Jernej Damjan. Jernej was a bronze medalist at the 2005 World Ski Championships and represented Slovenia over a career that spanned more than a decade, including four Olympic appearances. He is now a color commentator for Eurospo...

This episode is dedicated to a unique tradition in Slovenia—Kurentovanje. This ancient pagan festival features friendly demons who chase away winter and invite in the spring. Kurents’ door-to-door rounds are one of the best-known carnival traditions in Slovenia, and Kurent is one of the most common and popular carnival characters, which was first documented in 1880. In 2017, UNESCO added door-to-door rounds of Kurents/Korants to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of H...

Anyone who follows NBA basketball news knows Tim MacMahon. He’s among the world’s best-known basketball reporters. Dr Noah Charney caught up with him on the last day of his visit to Slovenia in September. He came to Slovenia as he was doing research for a book he’s writing on the Slovenian basketball phenom, Luka Doncic. That a reporter of his renown was in Slovenia was big news. Luka Doncic has become one of the most visible ambassadors for Slovenia, thanks to his status as one of th...

When Americans Mike and Anne Howard set off on their honeymoon back on January 22 2012, they thought they'd spend a year travelling the globe. 11 years later and counting, they're still on the same honeymoon. They just kept on traveling and doing it the right way. They're focused on sustainable travel, destinations and modes of transport. Slow travel overland with as few flights, as possible to the environmentally conscious consumption. There are vegans who avoid plastic and drink only UV lig...

“Bohinj is too beautiful for murder,” said Agatha Christie, when interviewed by a national TV journalist during a holiday there in 1967. From room 204 of the Hotel Bellevue, Christie and her husband, a famous archaeologist, could see the expanse of the Julian Alps and the crystalline, wild splendor of the lake mirroring pines and peaks. Though Christie found Slovenia too beautiful for a whodunit mystery, many other famous authors set novels here, including Ernest Hemingway, Peter Handke, Paol...

Writing about Slovenia is particularly rewarding, as it so often feels like your articles open up a hidden doorway for readers with limited or no preconceptions about a country they will inevitably love. Readers have an idea about what travel to, say, Italy or Spain, Thailand or Costa Rica might be like. But while most will have heard of Slovenia—and heard good things about it—it does not have the immediate recognition of other potential travel destinations. That means that each article can h...

There are trips we take that, without our expecting them to, transform us. They help us grow, broaden our horizons, feel closer to other cultures and people. Perhaps we even find love or a spiritual moment while abroad? Those moments are precious and turn a holiday into a life-altering experience for the better. In this episode, Dr Noah Charney the annual gathering of the Transformational Travel Council, an organization that promotes this sort of travel experience and helps design trips that ...

Sara Isaković is a world-class swimmer from Slovenia. She won a silver medal in the 200 meter freestyle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Not only did she take home a silver, but her time of 1 minute and 54.97 seconds made her just the second woman in history to swim that race in less than 1 minute and 55 second. She was also the first Slovenian swimmer to win an Olympic medal. But that’s just part of her story. She’s a great athlete but also a top scholar, coach and entrepreneur. After her swi...

In this episode, over brunch at Ljubljana Castle, Dr Noah Charney interviews American journalist Kate Wagner. Kate has a diversity of interests, but is best known as a cycling journalist. She's covered La Vuelta, the Tour de France and all the biggest races, and has profiled and extensively interviewed Slovenian cyclists, including Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar, who are also the ambassadors of Slovenian tourism. They spoke about her love for Slovenia – where she hopes to move, at least fo...

In this episode, Dr Noah Charney talks about the world's oldest vine, which is over 450 years old. The Old Vine is considered the jewel in the crown of Maribor, Slovenia’s wine-loving second city located in the north-east of the country. To unveil all the fun facts connected with the Old Vine, he talked with Aleš Jenuš, Maribor City Guide, two renowned Slovenian sommeliers, Nina Bratovž and Jernej Lubej, who organises the Big Guy's Wine Tour, and Michael Manske, an expat to Slov...

Slovenia's best ambassadors are its elite athletes. This small country has an astonishing number of world class athletes, and many–including top cyclists Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar, who are official ambassadors of Slovenian tourism. Slovenians love sports and engaging with the outdoors – the country is perfect for it. Whether you're interested in mountains or plains, coast or hills, Slovenia has it all. Tourists looking for a sporty holiday need look no further. And this diversity of t...

Welcome to this special episode of Feel Slovenia the Podcast celebrating World Bee Day. May 20 is a day dedicated to celebrating the wonders of the bee, an absolutely critical animal to the planet’s ecosystem. Without bees, our flora could not exist—three-quarters of all food crops depend on pollination—and so the bees need to get the credit they deserve. For this reason, the United Nations declared World Bee Day in December 2017 — and this was originally a Slovenian initiative. Slove...

Regardless of your faith, there’s one thing we can all agree on: holidays that bring together family and involve good food. So for this special Easter episode of Feel Slovenia the Podcast we’ve focused on the culinary traditions around this, the most important of Christian holidays. It’s a very special episode, too, as our host, Noah Charney, chatted with five different people to bring you a broad array of thoughts about Easter. This included a pair of curators at the Slovene Ethnographic Mus...

Ever wanted to eat cream cake in a treehouse? Who hasn't, right? In the latest episode of Feel Slovenia the Podcast, expat writer Dr Noah Charney set off into the trees to visit Garden Village Bled, an eco-friendly resort that recalled his childhood fantasies. Then it was time for a bite to eat. Noah already knew about Bled's famous cream cake, so he was curious about what other local specialties there were to try. Turns out there are many... A visit to Garden Village Bled is a journey back ...

On Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, near Koper, there stands an olive oil farm run by the Lisjak family. They produce not only some of the best olive oil in the country, used in Slovenia’s top restaurants, but it is among the best in the world. Dr Noah Charney visited them for an olive oil tasting and was particularly intrigued by their single source indigenous varietals the sort of product that is not only best here, but which can only grow here. He spoke with Matej Lisjak, who runs the fa...

This time, Feel Slovenia the Podcast takes a trip to the seashore. Dr Noah Charney speaks to Irena Fonda of Fonda Fish Farm, one of the world's best, specializing in sea bass. Fonda Fish Farm is also one of the providers that hold the Slovenia Unique Experience label, which guarantees that you will experience Slovenia’s originality in an unforgettable way and with all of your senses. What's the secret of their success that makes their farmed sea bass nearly indistinguishable from line-caught...

Though Slovenia has a small population, it has enjoyed a great deal of success in world sport at the highest level. Ilka Štuhec is one of the many successful athletes who inspire both the Slovenian and international public. Many people wonder what it is about Slovenia that makes it one of the most successful countries in the world in terms of sporting achievements per capita. One of the reasons is definitely the wide range of outdoor activities available throughout the seasons. Since it is ne...

In our first episode, Noah describes how he came to live in Slovenia, after having “auditioned” numerous other countries, and why he thinks so highly of it, as a place to visit or move to full-time. In the process, he spoke to many fellow expats from a diverse array of countries to learn why they love life on the sunny side of the Alps. Feel Slovenia the Podcast is brought to you by the Slovenian Tourist Board and hosted by Dr Noah Charney. For more inspirational content, check out www.sloven...