December is here! Smell of mulled wine and cinnamon cookies, warmth of gloves and hats and sparkling lights on trees and houses. Picking your next holiday destination? Slovenia might be just the right choice for you. Every town has at least one christmas market where you can buy authentic gifts, souvenirs and sweets or just have a look and have a chat with locals.

This afternoon I had a walk in Portorose, a tiny holiday resort on Slovene coast, famous by tradition of thalasso therapy, when I suddenly heard christmas music. Following the melody and smell of roasted chestnuts I found a small christmas market located just in front of historicPalace hotelonce the most important hotel in this part of Europe.

Curious as I am I approached the stands to see what they were selling. Little bottles of extra vergine olive oil, candles made of natural bee wax, hand-made souvenirs, lace jewerly and lovely christmas tree decorations. But the best comes always at the end- too conclude the little market experience, I was able to try and buy ˝Piranski brancin˝, amazingly tasteful seabass grown byfamily Fondain the gulf of Piran. Already ringing your bell? Come and see for yourself. The christmas market awaits you untill 18th December.

If Portorož is not in your travel plans, you should absolutely visit some other christmas market in Slovenia. Here is the list of some:

1. Ljubljana - Christmas market, Pogačar square (˝Pogačarjev Trg˝)
Every day 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Untill 31st December.

2. Maribor - Christmas market, Leon Štukelj square (˝Trg Leona Štuklja˝)
Every day.
From 15th untill 29th December.

3. Koper - Christmas market, Tito square (˝Titov trg˝)
Every day 5 p.m -9 p.m.

4.Celje - Christmas market, Old town (˝Mestno jedro˝)
Every day 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
From 16th untill 31st December.

5. Novo mesto - Christmas market, Planet Tuš
Every day 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Untill 31st December.

6.Bled - Christmas market, Terrace of Kavarna park
Every weekend 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Untill 30th December.

As once a friend of mine well put it:˝Christmas is not only about giving and getting the gifts. It´s about finding the right surprise for a right person. It´s about the time we spend on thinking about the right people. About the time we spend on decorating the tree and baking cookies. Christmas is about expectation.˝

Happy expectation to all of you...

Foto: Lana Švab (2011)