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Unique walking holiday in western Slovenia
This walking trip is a wonderful combination that encompasses the best of the west, taking you across a vast limestone landscape and down into its fascinating subterranean caves. Fine food and wine are supplemented with breathtaking scenery (even underground), natural and cultural monuments. Suitable for hikers of average fitness.
Walk highlights:
• walk through Postojna caves (optional)
• delicious dried Karst ham & fruity Teran wine
• Lipizzaner horse-drawn carriage ride
• traditional limestone villages & medieval castles
• fantastic view of Trieste Bay & the Adriatic Sea
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL in Postojna. 4* hotel.This is the hometown of the famous Postojna Caves. The limestone caves can be visited in two ways: either on the day of arrival or on the second day of the trip by joining the regular daily tour, or on day two by a specially arranged visit that follows the non-commercial part of the caves. This underground walk has to be pre-booked together with the tour.
Day 2: POSTOJNA - HUDIČEVEC AGRITOURISMO
(21 km, 5 to 6 hrs walking / descent 480 m, ascent 490 m), 2* country guesthouse.
Today it's on to the impenetrable fortress of Predjama Castle, sitting dominantly halfway up a 123m cliff-face. Follow the guide who will regale you with tales of Erasmus, the daring knight who held a whole army at bay by utilizing the secret of the Predjama Caves, and who met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances; he was literally caught with his pants down. From here it's a gentle stroll towards the strikingly beautiful Nanos Mountain as the sun goes down behind it, ending your day with delightful home-cooking and sumptuous local wine.
Day 3: HUDIČEVEC AGRITOURISM – SLAP PRI VIPAVI
(17 km, 6 to 7 hrs walking / descent 1.050 m, ascent 590 m), 2* farm guesthouse.
You start hiking at the village of Razdrto, sitting in the shadow of Nanos mountain. You can hike to the top and enjoy a splendid view of SW Slovenia and the Friulian plains, or follow the trail along the hillside to the wine valley Vipava. As you continue walking past vineyard-laden hills, there are many interesting medieval castles to visit along the way.
Day 4: SLAP PRI VIPAVI – ŠTANJEL
(12 km, 3 hrs walking / descent 200 m, ascent 430 m), 2* guesthouse in old village.
Today is a walk filled with panoramic views. You visit the home of the first ever wine and fruit growing school in Slovenia, the historic little village of Slap pri Vipavi. The region’s soil is known as Terra Rosa, and from it the ruby red Teran and Refošk wines are produced; rarely exported, so sampling one in the heart of the Karst is a rare treat. You'll stay overnight in Štanjel, a traditional limestone village.
Day 5: ŠTANJEL – TOMAJ – ŠTORJE
(20 km, 5 hrs walking / descent 250 m, ascent 260 m), 2* farm guesthouse.
Todays walk takes you southwards to a quaint little village particularly famous for its perfect climatic conditions. Kopriva is ideal for preparing and air-drying the famous karst ham (Pršut). In the limestone village of Kodrovi you’ll find an interesting row of unique Mediterranean-style houses with entrances into barrel – vaulted cellars. In the town friary there is a precious library containing books in thirty-seven different languages, some dating from the 1600s. Next you walk along local forest roads and trails. The soil around Tomaj is especially suitable for growing the Refošk grape, which is used to produce the excellent Teran and Refošk wines.
Day 6: ŠTORJE – LIPICA – TRIESTE
(13 km, 4 hrs walking / descent 290 m, ascent 260 m), 3* city hotel.
For your final day you'll be taken by car 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. Your walk ends at a "million dollar" viewpoint, just above the former Habsburg, now Italian port of Trieste. From Villa Opicina you can descend to Trieste by ancient tram or city bus.
Day 7. Departure after breakfast.
Price
Price: 610 EUR per person based on two people sharing.(Currency converter)
No departures on Thursdays.
Price includes:
• six nights accommodation in above-mentioned hotels in a double room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• transfer by car on day three
• luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person, max 20 kgs / 45 lb). Every additional piece 10 EUR, payable on the spot
• information pack including detailed route description (in the form of a picture book) with corresponding maps (one per booking)
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes
• welcome meeting upon arrival
• backup service (hotline) during the walk.
Optional extras:
• car parking in covered garage in Postojna 5 EUR per day
• for optional visit of Postojna Caves and a guided walk 75 EUR per person, two-person minimum, guidance in English. Needs to be reserved with the tour booking. Entrance ticket not included, extra costs 27.50 EUR
• transfer from Ljubljana airport to Postojna: please ask us for a favorable quote!
Single room supplement:
• 120 EUR
Discounts:
• children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents -30% on basic price
• third adult in the room -10% on basic price
Price excludes: flights, entrance fees, drinks with meals.
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is the town of Postojna in central Slovenia.Getting there...
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it (check connections here). From the airport you can travel to Postojna by bus (change once in Ljubljana, takes about 3 hrs) or book our transfer (faster) - please ask us for a favorable quote!
By train: nearest railway station is in Postojna itself. First hotel is about 500 m away.
By bus: Flixbus stops at Ljubljana, 42 km away.
By car: take exit Postojna on A2 motorway Ljubljana - Koper. Car parking is available in hotel garage of Postojna hotel, costs 6 EUR per night per car.
... and away
By plane: need to get to the airport - please ask us for a favorable quote!
By train: Trieste Centrale, many trains, mostly to Venice, three per day to Ljubljana.
By car: if your car is in Postojna, we need to transfer you, price is 40 EUR per person, two-person minimum (there are no bus, nor train connections between Trieste and Postojna).
By boat: seasonal boats sail from Trieste to Slovenia - Koper and Piran and onwards to Croatia (Poreč).
Reviews
Well, back to home and work and just wanted to drop you a quick line to tell you how very much I enjoyed the trip! It was very peaceful with some very beautiful scenery and the guidebook could not have been done better. The accommodations along the way were absolutely wonderful with Stanjel being the absolute highlight--and Marija the most gracious of hosts. And, of course, a very big thanks to you and your team for pulling this whole thing off so last minute! Next time we'll plan for a little more lead time! Well I just wanted to say thank you so much for a spectacular trip. I would very much like to come back to Slovenia and do another tour and I will, certainly, be using Helia when I do.Eric M.