Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival to Postojna.
Day 2: Postojna - Hudicevec agrotourism (20 km). The initial walk follows Slovene geological trail. Main attractions: starting early, you will be transferred by car to the world famous Postojna Caves, a vast and superb example of the hundreds of intricate caves systems that have been carved into the limestone hills over millions of years by Mother Nature in this unique world of Karst. Covering a total of 21 km this is the most extensive cave system in Slovenia. A guide will take you on a 1˝ hour tour through a fairytale maze of gargantuan stalactites and stalagmites and a myriad of colors. Also, check out the oddly unique "human fish", a mysterious creature that lives in dark pools inside the caves. Then it’s nearby the village of Predjama where, sitting dominantly in a crevasse halfway up a 123m cliff-face, is the impenetrable fortress of Predjama castle.
In this spectacular relic of medieval architecture you will learn about a vivacious and daring knight. Erasmus kept a whole army at bay by utilizing the secret of the Predjama Caves to sneak out for supplies, which included freshly picked cherries which he used to throw at his adversaries to taunt them. Take the tour and learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down. From here you will continue by foot on a nice gentle stroll through gorgeous summer meadows towards the imposing backdrop of Nanos Mountain, where you will spend the night in a tourist farm situated in its shadow and sample delightful home cooking and sumptuous local wine. Staying overnight in a typical local tourism. Note: the underground part of the walk is optional and with a supplement.
Day 3: Hudicevec Agritourism – Slap pri Vipavi (20 km). A trekking walk along the typical Carst landscape of pine tree forests, caverns and stone fenced fields. Main attractions: after a hearty breakfast you will be transferred by car to the village of Podnanos, which literally means "under Nanos". The village lies in the upper Vipava Valley, noted for its exquisite wines and vineyard laden hills. Podnanos is a classic example of a typical Primorska village built around the Church of Saint Helene. Clearly visible above the village is a well preserved defense tower from the days when the Venetians ruled the area. Your walk will start from here. As you continue on towards the small village of Slap there are many interesting castles to visit along the way. We liked three ancient bridges in Podnanos.
Day 4: Slap pri Vipavi – Hrusevica (18 km). A walk of panoramic views of the vineyards that sprawl across the surrounding valley. The rest of the trail partially follows a marked path and small country tracks running above the Vipava valley to the village of Stanjel country inn. Main attractions: Slap pri Vipavi, a small hillside village is also noted for establishing the first ever wine and fruit growing school in Slovenia. The town is a veritable museum of well-kept traditional houses built entirely from the surrounding limestone.
The nearby region was once host to the WWI Battle of Isonzo and is now host to many touching monuments to the soldiers who died there. You can visit a local artist and painter, try the food in the local hotel: delicious karst ham (prsut) and tasty wine from one of the many nearby domestic cellars. On a hilltop overlooking the town is the magnificent Stanjel Castle, built to defend the area against invading Turks. A tour of the castle is available and you can also dine in the luxurious castle restaurant and sample the local Teran wine. The region’s soil is known as Terra Rosa, and from it the ruby red Teran and Refosk wines are produced. Slovenian wines are rarely exported, so sampling one in the heart of Karst is a rare treat.
Day 5: Hrusevica – Tomaj (20 km). Following a marked trail you head southwards to Kopriva, a small village lost among the sprawling array of vineyards. Main attractions: this area is particularly famous due to its perfect climatic conditions making it an ideal place to prepare and air-dry the famous karst ham (Prsut). There is also a nearby abandoned quarry where much of the marble was mined and used to construct many of the buildings in Venice. The next stop is Brje, a fascinating area surrounded by many smaller interesting settlements. Visible from the town is the church of Sv. Martin from which is a superb view across the Vipava Valley and the foothills of the Trnovski gozd (forest) plateau.
At 331m this is the highest point and also the point of division between the Vipava and Branica Valleys. In the nearby village of Kodrovi you’ll find an interesting row of unique Mediterranean-style houses with entrances into barrel –vaulted cellars. Your day will end in the pretty hillside village of Tomaj on the southern slope of Tabor hill. In the town friary there is a precious library containing books in 37 different languages, including some manuscripts dating from the 1600s.
Day 6: Tomaj – Storje (18 km). Today you will walk around this hill and then along local forest roads and trails, passing through the village of Sepulje where the Prsutarna Kras Sezana is located. Main attractions: the soil around Tomaj is especially suitable for growing the Refosk grape which is used to produce the excellent Teran and Refosk wines. Here you can take a guided tour and learn all about the process of making this special karst ham. You will spend the night in the little town of Storje, in the middle of which is a small shaft which signifies the beginning of a karst cave known as Meznarjeva Jama. Food in your village hotel. Go for home made pasta.
Day 7: Storje – Lipica – Trieste (20 km; and 10 km by horse drawn carriage). Main attractions: For your final day you will be transported by horse and carriage to the start of the walking path in Lipica. First is the famous stud farm of Lipica, where you can visit beautiful thoroughbred horses whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have earned them a worldwide reputation. The history of the Lipica horses is closely linked to the Vienna riding school. Take a tour in a traditional carriage, watch them perform and visit them close up in their stables. From Villa Opicina you can descend to Trieste by the famous cable car. Part of the trip with the carriage which was used during filming of "Anna Karenina".
Day 8. End of Tour. You can also extend your holiday with our Karst and Coast walk.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation in 3-star hotels and country inns (agrotourism) in two bedded room with WC and shower,
- Bed and breakfast,
- Luggage transport between the hotels (one piece per person),
- Information packet including detailed route description with corresponding maps.
Not included:
- Half-board supplement 120 EUR
- Single room supplement 130 EUR
Supplements:
- Half-board EUR
- Single room EUR
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Hiking & Trekking
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