In the picturesque Karst region of Slovenia, in the heart of a green oasis under the azure Mediterranean sky, in the shade of century-old lime trees and oaks, and just a stones throw from the Slovenian-Italian border lies the Lipica Stud Farm - the cradle of the Lipizzaner horse. The stud farm was founded in 1580 and, today, it is a jewel among the cultural and historical monuments of the Republic of Slovenia. For over four centuries, the Lipica Stud Farm has nurtured the tradition of breeding and selecting thoroughbred horses. In the period after World War II Lipica established its own classical riding school and has successfully performed with its horses at various equestrian events all over the world.

Today, Lipica is a world famous recreational centre with a hint of tradition, offering its visitors unforgettable moments of relaxation. Here at Lipica we have two hotels: Hotel Maestoso and Hotel Klub, a golf course, tennis courts, mini golf, saunas, swimming pool, gym, casino and, on top of all that, our herd of noble and proud white beauties from the Karst, residing in their historic stables and nurtured throughout the centuries.

Enjoy the unspoilt nature, riding lessons on the back of amazing Lipizzaners, ride through the Lipica park in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, visit one of the oldest stud farms in the world and the permanent gallery of August Černigoj which features a collection of his most remarkable works of art, or watch the beautiful Lipizzaner horses dancing to music in the classical dressage riding performances.

Postojna Cave, now in its second century of attracting throngs of admirers from all over the world, was also a challenge for the bold explorers of the underworld who, with patience and perseverance, penetrated ever deeper underground. It is thanks to the far-sighted managers of the cave that the newly discovered sections were quickly made suitable for mass visits.

The visitor's curiosity is satisfied by facts about the formation of caves, a guided visit through passages and chambers and, above all, by observing the stalactites hanging from the ceiling, the stalagmites growing up from the floor, the pillars formed when stalactites and stalagmites meet, the folds of calcite curtains and the other sequences of fantastic shapes and forms.

The desire for knowledge has also prompted experts in karst phenomena and life in the karst to research the special geological features of the cave, the formation and development of speleothems (the generic term for calcite formations in caves), and the living creatures that are found in caves - both those that have strayed underground by chance and those that have adapted to life in eternal darkness.

Deeply carved into the white limestone of the magnificent Julian Alps is the Soca Valley. It is a valley of wonderful colours, full of waterfalls, pools, ravines and canyons, with its own distinct flora and fauna. The impossibly blue-green Soca River flows over white gravel and through this fairy-tale valley. As you follow the valley northwards from Nova Gorica (near the Italian border), you will pass through Kobarid, where you will find an excellent museum reflecting the region's importance as one of the main 'fronts' during WW1 (graphically described by Ernest Hemingway in A Farewell to Arms ). Between April and October this area becomes a fly-fishing haven, the indigenous marble trout being the sought after trophy! (We can arrange licences for you.) There is also great hiking and kayaking in the area. In the upper reaches of the Soca Valley the town of Bovec offers world class adventure sports, great for the adrenaline junkie.


The Soča trout is famous for its relatively large head and a characteristic marbled colour pattern on a grey-white skin. The pattern can range in colour from dark-gray, olive-green, copper-red to yellow-brown. In several varieties of the marble trout, this pattern can be interrupted by a varying number of red spots. The largest marble trout specimen in Slovenia weighed 25 kilos and was 121 cm long although the fish of 50 – 70 cm are more the norm.

Pollution, habitat destruction and hybridization of the native species with the brook trout, which was brought to this natural habitat at the beginning of the 20th century, have made the Soča trout one of the most endangered freshwater fish species of the Adriatic Basin. The Soča trout rehabilitation programme which is being implemented in the upper reaches of the Soča basin has already seen marked results: it has improved knowledge of the biology and ecology of the marble trout and led to increase in the number of genetically pure Soča trout in Slovenian rivers.

For a long time, Bohinj was considered a remote valley in the Julian Alps since it was very difficult to reach through a dangerous gorge. In 1906, foreigners started coming to Bohinj, since the Bohinj railway was finally constructed. It was their interest for Bohinj which initiated the formation of groups for expanding foreign transport.

Lake Bohinj is the largest natural permanent lake in Slovenia, measuring 318 ha. It is 4100 m long, 1200 m wide and 45 m deep. Located in a glacial hollow, the lake comprises over 100 million cubic metres of water and according to a traditional jest - no more than a bucket if it is large enough. 65 algae species, 8 mollusc species and 5 fish species live in the lake. The main tributary is the Savica that springs at the waterfall under the rock wall of Komarča. Lake water that flows in from numerous other sources is restored three times per year. Water level rises 2 - 3 m at heavy rainfall. In summer, the temperature of the water rises to 22 °C; in winter, Bohinj Lake often freezes.

One of the most famous Bohinj lovers is Heather Mills (McCartney), known as activist for several causesparticularly against the use of landmines, vegetarianism, and animal rights. She recently bought villa Pršivec, an idyllic residence near Savica.

Cerknica lake is the largest intermittent lake in Europe. It lies in southwestern Slovenia, in the southern part of Cerknica field. Its surface can reach even 38 km² what makes Cerknica lake the largest lake in Slovenia, of course only when completely flooded. Trough centuries people tried to dry off the lake or at least flood it permanently. They made several different projects, as long as we didn't realize, that it's the best to let the lake stay such it was ages ago.

The Cerknica lake area belongs to Natura 2000 network that includes a pilot project of revival of the former watercourses aligned and flatened in the previous century.