What do the Dallas Mavericks and Slovenia tourism have in common? That would be Luka Dončić, the team’s number 77 star player.

“We’re so proud of Luka!” A sentiment echoed at the third annual “I Feel Slovenia” night in honor of tourism to Luka’s home country. Videos of cascading mountains, waterfalls, wide open green land, and crystal-clear lakes dominated the screen during pre-game festivities. Bright green “I Feel Slovenia” welcome gifts wrapped around adoring fans’ necks added to the festivities within the American Airlines Center, with representatives from the Slovenia Embassy in Washington, D.C. also on hand to promote their beloved country.

A point guard with an average 28.3 record in 370 regular-season games, Luka joined the Dallas Mavericks in 2018, later winning “Rookie of the Year” in 2019. He is also a four-time All-NBA first team participant from 2020-2023. His birthplace is the capital of Slovenia – a small city called Ljubljana, high on the tourism destination radar of the country made up of 7,827 square miles, an easy drive for a spread out, yet comprehensive vacation with a rich cultural experience in southern Central Europe.

Flights to Ljubljana typically include one-stop from Texas, with a typical 14-hours travel time making this an accessible trip to a lesser-known treasure of a destination. Also described as one of the” best hidden treasures”, local tourism reps say that when an American visits Slovenia, they are often reluctant to tell others – in an effort to preserve an authentic experience and keep top attractions less crowded.

Top Attractions

Natural beauties like Lake Bled are a must see when touring Slovenia. A tectonic hole made by the Bohinj glacier melted to form the 30 meters deep lake which also boasts a thermal springs that backs up to nearby hotels like small luxury hotel, Grand Hotel Toplice or Hotel Park.

Exploring subterranean worlds is another unique opportunity in Slovenia. Postojna Cave Park is known as one of the largest show caves in Europe with the convenience of a leisurely underground train. Postojna Cave is also one of the only places in the world where you can see graffiti from 1213 and also see blind salamanders (known by locals as “baby dragons” – which is also the mascot of Ljubljana.)

Castles, as many as 500 – also adorn the landscape of Slovenia. Dating as early as the 14th century all the way through 1918, endless amounts of castle tours are available with a popular option being the Ljubljana Castle, which has been part of the city for more than 900 years.

Food

Rich in meat and locally grown vegetables, Slovenia cuisine includes a variety of slow cooked stews and soups, often with an Italian influence. Seafood is also caught fresh from the Adriatic Sea and local fish farms.

Unlimited Hospitality

A culture based on respect, Slovenians typically don’t raise their voices and are careful to not talk over others. Happy to see visitors and explain their culture, Slovenians also host around 100 festivals each year. That’s on top of an additional 50 museums and around 30 venues for music and theatre. Tastes vary with options for everything from symphonies to upbeat techno beats.

NBA Partnership

This year’s “I Feel Slovenia” night wrapped up during the Jan. 22, 2024, game against the Boston Celtics. With no plans for a stop, it appears the tourism group will likely return next year for a fourth slam dunk in their game day promotion.

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Cover Photo Courtesy Slovenian Tourism Board

Britni Rachal lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She is a fifth generation Texan who enjoys all things fashion, shoes, tennis, and traveling. In addition to writing, she is a full-time marketer.