(note: June 25 is National Day in Slovenia; and it is also statehood day in Croatia - they each declared independence from Yugoslavia 15 years ago -- in 1991. )

They're celebrating 15 years of independence in Slovenia and Croatia, and we're joining in the party on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.

Rick's tour guide friends from Slovenia join us in the studio to take listener calls and fill us in on why their small country has become the place to be for a no-pressure, bargain European escape - at least until they adopt the Euro and prices go up next year.

Join us as we get an insider's guide to Slovenia -- a pastoral land with storybook castles, turbo-folk music, and a collection of 'wild and crazy guys,' on the sunny side of the Alps. And we'll also take a detour along the Adriatic coast of Croatia, on this week's Travel with Rick Steves. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.