Karst and Meditteranean

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Description

An easy-going ride to the Slovenian coastline with the stop in a majestic underground nature creation, which attracts visitors from all over the world.
A panoramic ride along the saltpans and Šavrini hills is an important component of the tour.
It enables you to have a view to the out of beaten tracks places of Mediterranean Slovenia, boasting a rich heritage also as a cultural crossroad of Slavic and Romance cultures, enriched with the Mediterranean climate and salt trade.

Loopy tip:
A tour with Mediterranean and Karst essence.

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Program (2 days)

Day One

Skocjan cave is a world-famous natural, Karst phenomena. Skocjan caves are often compared with the wonders of the world like Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, Great Coral Reef, Galapagos, etc.
Since 1986 Skocjan caves have been inscribed to the UNESCO list of world heritage.
There are different trails available to explore this wonder, check them here.

In the middle of the characteristic countryside, there is Dutovlje village.
Pepa's Garden, the winning garden in the category of small gardens at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in London is located in the middle of it.
We can have a look if they are opened and stop by for half-hour.

A relaxing walk around stone made village of Štanjel nicely concludes this colorful day.
We are not much distant from the coast.

Suggested overnight in Piran or surroundings.


Day Two

Piran is one of the pearls of the Adriatic, the gem of Venetian architecture. It is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Slovenia. In the past, it was one of the most important salt trade hubs of the Venetian republic, important for the whole of Europe.
After a pleasant visit to Piran, we go up the Šavrini hills and explore the villages, which in the past supplied either Trieste or Piran.

One of them is Hrastovlje, right below the Karst edge, the majestic cliff line between the limestone and sandstone regions.
In this pocket-size village, we will enter the walled church, which boasts a national cultural monument, the frescoes of Danza Maccabra from the end of the fifteenth century.


Overnight is not arranged by Loopy Slovenia.
You can extend your stay in any of the destinations to have a day or more at leisure without additional costs.
For information and suggestions please send an email.

  • 1

    Skocjan Caves

    The wider, karst geographical area is known also as an educational site, hosting hydrologists and speleologists from all over the world.
  • 2

    Piran

    Piran is a gem of Venetian architecture. Enjoy the salty breeze while strolling the labyrinth of alleways.
  • 3

    Dutovlje

    Dutovlje is a Teran wine capital in the Karst region of Slovenia.
    It's known also for an excellent prosciutto, which we will try. Sure, with the wine.
  • 4

    Štanjel

    Štanjel is an arcitectural surprise in the middle of the vineyards of Teran grapevine. Its stone architecture, traditional farm houses, Fabiani's garden and late Gothic church make it a movie scene alike.

What is included in this tour?

  • Pick up and drop off at your hotel
  • Parking fees, local taxes, insurance
  • Professional tour guiding
  • Travelling in comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
  • Bottled water on the way

Location

Reviews

Brian / Tripadvisor, September 2018
This was our second trip with Bart, he was exactly on time for our pickup in Rijeka.
He helped us decide on the trip destinations and we had another wonderful day seeing the must see tourist spots and then the real Croatia in the small hilltop villages! He took us to a great cafe for our morning coffee and a fantastic local restaurant for truffles and pasta etc. for lunch!
Bart gave lots of insight into Croatia its history and the way they live! We loved the day!
RMG2306 / Tripadvisor, July 2019

By email exchange from Australia with Jernej, who was to be our guide and driver, we put together a private multi day custom tour of eastern Slovenia.
Collecting us (2 people) from our hotel in Zagreb we were driven to Ljubljana , then to Lake Bled via Vintgar Gorge. Our tour took in the Vrsic mountain pass, Soca River, Brda wine region ( staying in Smarto), Kobarid War Museum, Predjama Castle, Skocjan Caves Lipica Stud Farm ( staying in Piran) and finally transferring to Rovinj via Istrian hill towns.
In all our travels, Jernej selected routes that showcased the wonderful landscapes and small villages in Slovenia. Most of the roads were through the rural farming areas with little road traffic. This enhanced our experience and appreciation of Slovenia.
Jernej, with his many connections gave us some wonderful insights into everday life in Slovenia that a tourist is rarely afforded.His extensive knowledge and experience stimulated many interesting discussions. In addition we were treated to an improptu lunch and wine tasting in the wonderful Jelenic Winery, another lunch and farm tour with one of his cousins (Viljem) and his family, and even a brief visit to his mother's 80th birthday party. And we can't help but mention our off road forest experience. This was a real bonus!
The multi day tour arrangements went seamlessly .Both the transport and accommodation were excellent.The tour was very well organized and efficient.
Jernej's personal approach was very engaging and stimulating throughout our tour exhibiting his extensive knowledge and experience of Slovenia and his great sense of humor.
For us this delivered a wonderful and memorable experience of Slovenia.
We would highly recommend this company led by the remarkable manager Jernej Zakelj.

Susan / Tripadvisor, October 2019

Many, many thanks to Jernej for the fantastic tour yesterday.
We arranged for a private tour, and we hoped to see my grandparents’ hometowns.
No only did Jernej find the hometowns, he found their baptismal records, my grandpa’s twin brother’s grave, and even some long lost cousins that I’ve heard about but never met! We not only met them, but had dinner with them, and their families!
Again, thank you, Jernej! Your went over and above our expectations.