TOP 9 experience in Mediterranean & Karst Slovenia

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TOP 9 experience in Mediterranean & Karst Slovenia

Despite the incredibly short geographic distance – you can go from lounging on your couch in Ljubljana to dipping your toes in the sea in under an hour even if you drive (near) the speed limit – inclimate, culture, cuisine and appearance Slovenia’s Mediter­ranean region is a world away from the rest of the country. While the country only has some 47 km of Adriatic coastline, Slovenes have truly made the most of it, and meter for meter you won’t find more to see, do, taste and experience anywhere in the world.

Picture perfect Venetian towns and modern beach resorts compete for the attention of visitors, and the sea breeze all but guarantees sunny days throughout the year, even as the rest of the country is covered in clouds and/or log. Away from the water, the land primarily consists of a large Karst plateau, and the fertile wine growing districts Goriška Brda, Vipava Valley, Kras and Slovenska lstra producing some of Europe’s best wine, which has increasingly become recognized internationally.

Izola, photo: www.slovenia.info, Matic Klanšek Velej, Sportida d.o.o.

izola

Underground kayaking

Mežica, www.podzemljepece.com

Visitors can now enjoy the peaceful and pristine water and explore the underground labyrinth, submerged tunnels and excavation sites. The knap (guide) will talk about daily lives and work of miners in the heart of Mount Peca as well as precious ores and minerals, wonderful creations of Mother Nature.

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Tomo Jeseničnik, Podzemlje Pece, d.o.o.

Underground kayaking

Witness the Dance of Death in the Church of the Holy Trinity

Hrastovlje, www.koper.si

The village of Hrastovlje is known for its 13th century Church of the Holy Trinity, whose entire interior is cov­ered in frescoes by the 15th century Slovene artist Janez of Castua, including the eerily enchanting Dance of Death, or Danse Macabre. Most of the equally im­pressive other works take their themes from the Old Testament, and some include inscriptions in Glagolitic, the oldest known Slavic alphabet.

 

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Jaka Ivančič

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Lisjak, Vintage Gourmet Tour

Koper, www.portoroz.si

The Vintage Gourmet Tour is an educational journey following the trail of old indigenous olive tree sorts, which grow at the most beautiful scenic-view locations around the Slovenian coast and the Istrian countryside. The tour guides are all members of the Lisjak family, who are also oil producers and tell the story of olive oil.

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Boris Pretnar

Lisjak Vintage Gourmet Tour

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Channel your inner polar bear on a new year’s day swim in the Adriatic

Portoroz, www.portoroz.si

The poetically named Portoroz, or Port of Roses, is the undisputed king of Slovenia’s  coastal tourism trade. Although it lacks a Venetinaold town, its numerous ho­tels, restaurants, conference centres, spas and casinos make it a popular destination, and an excellent base for day trips further afield. On New Year’s Day, it hosts Slo­venia’s biggest ‘Polar Bear’ swim if you’d like to start 2020 with splash.

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Jaka Ivančič

Channel your inner polar bear on a new year's swim

Spot baby dragons in Postojna Cave

Postojna, www.postojnska-jama.eu

The largest cave in the Karst region and Slovenia’s most famous tourist attraction, words on a page can hardly do justice to the majesty of Postojna Cave. So far, more than 20km of galleries have been found, of which 5km are open to the public. The site’s most famous resident is the Olm, aka Proteus aka Human Fish – a bizarre little salamander-like creature that resembles a baby dragon.

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Arne Hodalič, Postojnska jama d.d. Postojna

Spot baby dragons in Postojna cave

Behold Habsburg horses at the Lipica Stud farm

Lipica, www.lipica.org

Lipica Stud Farm has flourished since its conception over 400 years ago. Set amongst beautiful natural surroundings, it’s not only home to more than 350 Lipizzaner horses, but also rich in history. Founded by the Habsburg Archduke Charles II in 1580, it’s one of the most prominent attractions in Slovenia. Training sessions are open to visitors and part of a busy schedule of equestrian events throughout the year.

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Dean Dubokovič

Behold Habsburg horses at the Lipica Stud farm

Crisscross the cliffs of the awesome subterra­nean canyon under Škocjan

Škocjan, https://www.park-skocjanske-jame.si

Quite simply put, Slovenia’s Škocjan Caves are one of the most astounding natural attractions on the planet, but you don’t have to take our word for it as there’s a significant amount of official documentation support. One of only three locations in Slovenia to be recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site, Škocjan is also one of only three caves in the world to hold this distinction.

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Borut Lozej, Javni zavod Park Škocjanske jame, Slovenija

Crisscross the cliffs of the awesome subterra_nean canyon under Škocjan

Don’t get blown away while wine tasting in the Vipava Valley

Vipava, www.vipavskadolina.si

While the valley stretches only some 20 km from the im­posing Mt Nanos to the city of Nova Gorica, the Vipava Valley’s unique location at the meeting point of several different climate zones gives rise to no less than five distinct micro-regions, and makes it one of Europe’s most interesting wine regions. Its most notable feature is the Bora (or Burja in Slovene) wind, which gusts at speeds exceeding 200 km/h.

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Marjan Močivnik

Don't get blown away while wine tasting in the Vipava Valley

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To find out other unique places in Slovenia and features the very best in Slovenian dining, chefs and restaurants all over Slovenia, check out our THE SLOVENIA RESTAURANTS BOOK 

https://the-slovenia.com/product/the-slovenia-restaurants-top-163/

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