Slovenia's capital is one of the most romantic destinations on earth

Slovenians like to joke that their tiny country is the only one with the word "love" in its name, while the name of its capital, Ljubljana, means “the beloved”.

It's a happy coincidence, then, that Slovenia is a popular destination for both romantic weekends - and weddings.

For a start, Ljubljana is a storybook-cute city that can be traversed on foot.

On the banks of the Ljubljanica River, the city boasts cafés and quirky art nouveau architecture, and honeymooners can explore the streets of Ljubljana Old Town, walk along the city's charming canals and bridges, or tour Ljubljana Castle.

At the central market you can pick up fresh fruit and vegetables from the local farmers. From the market, hop on the funicular that takes you to Ljubljana Castle for a magnificent view of the Ljubljana basin and the city.

Foodies can also enjoy a range of gastronomic delights in the capital - including the unique local sausages - joined together under the name Taste Ljubljana.

For such an attractive city, it is remarkable that Ljubljana has not previously had a five-star hotel.

The brand-new InterContinental Ljubljana, the tallest in the city,  features a wellness and spa centre with an indoor pool and panoramic view, as well as a rooftop restaurant serving international and local dishes.

The city centre is only a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while Ljubljana train and bus station is 750 metres away. 

For details see Visit Ljubljana's official tourism website: www.visitljubljana.com