PIRAN
The old seaport of Piran lies at the end of the Piran peninsula, which gradually narrows
between the bays of Strunjan and Piran. The peninsula reaches Cape Madona, ending with the
Šavrini hills.
The meaning of the name Piran: elder scientists support the supposition that the origin could
derive from the Celtic word bior-dun, supposed to mean a settlement on the hill, while
younger generation advocates the explanation of the Greek word pyr – fire, as the original
settlement was primarily used as a lighthouse for vessels sailing to nearby Greek colony
Aegida on the site of today town Koper.
The town has preserved the medieval layout with narrow streets and compact houses, which
rise in steps from the coastal lowland into the hills and give the whole area a typical
Mediterranean look.
PORTOROŽ
Today Portorož is a popular place either for work or vacation and entertainment. Many
comfortable hotels are witness to that, with their modern pools, varied culinary proposal of
restaurants, and the events ettracting visitors from afar. Portorož is also a popular congress
location. A visit to the nearby countryside, can colour your day. The coastal towns of Piran,
Izola and Koper are intertwined with narrow streets, leading to picturesque squares, encircled
with mighty palaces.
LIPICA
The charms of the Lipica Stud Farm are hidden in the unseen, the stories written by the local
history. Only when walking on the historical paths we can truly experience the greatness of
the local equestrian tradition.
History
The history of Lipica is closely intertwined with the Habsburgs and the time when horse was
considered an ideal and was at the time a crucial strategic advantage. The Lipica story begins
in the 16th century when the abandoned summer residence became the court stud farm.
Heritage
Lipica is the oldest European stud farm continuously breeding one of the oldest cultural horse
breeds. As such it has a remarkable significance as a cultural, historical and natural heritage
for Slovenia and Europe.
OTOČEC
Otočec, which is famous for it s romantic castle on a small island in the middle of the Krka
river, also offers many other things to visitors. Numerous sports facilities are available; the
Castle Park and nearby forests offer plenty of possibilities for walks and slightly longer tours,
certainly one should not overlook the Krka river, where you can spend your free time boating,
fishing or relaxing to the sound of water gently pouring through the dams. There is also
adventure park. If you are a lover of golf or want to become one, in the immediate vicinity of
Otočec castle there is a golf driving range.
There is no shortage of beds with Otočec offering accommodation at the Grad Otočec Hotel
which boasts five stars and the four star Šport Hotel, however, there are also bungalows
available which are categorised with three and two stars. In the vicinity, tourists can also
select other accommodation in guest houses or on tourist farms. Close to the castle there is a
managed car camp.
For those who love entertainment, there is Tango restaurant which, besides delicious dishes,
at weekends also offers dancing to live music as well as a discotheque and casino.
Otočec is 6 km from Novo Mesto and with its location situated half-way between Ljubljana
and Zagreb it is an excellent starting point for daily trips to each of these popular tourist
places respectively.
LOGARSKA DOLINA Landscape Park
Logarska dolina is one of Europe’s most beautiful glacial alpine valleys. A tranquil walk in
the valley and the surrounding area reminds us of the centuries-old harmony here between
men and nature. The Logar valley is an excellent starting point for hiking to the peaks of the
Kamnik - Savinja Alps or in the interesting immediate area.
The Logar valley lies nestled deep in the heart of the Kamnik - Savinja Alps, and due to its
location is an ideal starting point for numerous excursions into the mountains. The
foundations of the picturesque Alpine valley one can enjoy today were in fact laid down
during the last Ice Age when a huge glacier abraded a 7-km long, 250-m wide U shaped basin.
Today this trough-like valley lies enshrouded by the lofty peaks of Krofička, Ojstrica, Lučka
Baba, Planjava, Brana, Turska Gora and Rinke, all of which rise above 2,000 metres. The
valley is divided into three parts: the lower tract is called Log, the central one Plest, whilst the
upper part is known as Kot. Log and Plest are covered by meadows, whilst Kot is partially
forested. The attraction of the Logar valley to the nature lover lies in its abundant natural
sights coupled with an almost pristine environment.
MOZIRJE
The ancient square lies at the start of the Upper Savinjska Valley (Zgornja Savinjska dolina),
on the left bank of the river Savinja, where it is still clear and clean, at 330 m above sea level.
The Mozirski gaj botanical gardens is not only interesting because of the flowers, but also
because of ethnographic buildings, native trees and shrubbery. In the spring and autumn there
are wonderful displays of flowers. The appeal to tourists of Mozirje is without doubt
complemented by Golte-Slovenia, in the winter with wonderful ski slopes and in the summer
with untouched natural surroundingse. Fishing in the Savinja , river, rich with brook trout,
grayling and even ¨sulec¨ (a kind of salmon) is an interesting experience. The Savinja is a also
appealing for lovers of kayaking, as well as for bathers. If there is a decision to be made
whether or not to visit the town of flowers and peace, then Mozirje is the answer!
PECA
UNDERGROUND BIKING
People usually see mountain biking enjoyment in the mountains, but we found a passage
through the mountains, along the abandoned and mysterious tunnels under Mt. Peca. What we
offer is a more than 5-kilometre guided underground cycling tour, the route of which follows
an illuminated path from one valley into another, for you to enjoy a safe and unforgettable
adventure.
Already in Roman times, lead ore was dug under Mt. Peca. Approximately 800 km of tunnels
were made from 1665 until the end of the 19th century, when digging lead ore was
discontinued. Most of the tunnels were made in solid rock.
MEŽICA
UNDERGROUND KAYAKING
More than half of Mežica mine tunnels, from 12 to 20th level
are due to closure of water pumps now flooded and here our
adventure begins. Peddling through tunnels where mining
trains were pulling the ore wagons, discovering the
underground lake in once leaded rock and discovering the
labyrinth of tunnels while peddling in
fresh
drinking
mountain
water.
Summer, fall, winter, spring, rain, snow, it doesn’t matter our adventure
begins at the Mining museum in Mežica, as miners once were, we are now
seated in old mining train and driven in to the core of mountain Peca.
After about 15 minutes the train stops and it’s time for new adventure.
From 8th level to 12 level we need to overcome around 500 stairs to reach the water.
Changing to neoprene boots and safety west we are ready to jump in to the water. Peddling
for about an hour in the labyrinth of tunnels, in total silence and darkness gives us the feeling
of being lost in time. Then we return through the maze of tunnels and chambers to the 8th
level where the train awaits to take us back to the surface.
VITANJE Cultural Center of European Space Technologies
The opening exhibition of KSEVT is dedicated to the man, who, as a historical reference, was
the starting point of KSEVT project. Family of the spaceflight pioneer Potočnik originates
from Vitanje, where there is also the Herman Potočnik Noordung Memorial Room, yet the
exhibition about 100 monumental influences embodies his global significance.
Exhibition presents an idea of humanization of technological development. It represents a sum
of influences on Potočnik's biography and influences his work has had on the next generations
who managed to launch the first rocket to space, send the first satellite and the first man to
space and construct the first habitat in Earth's orbit.
Herman Potočnik was born on 22 December 1892 in Pula. He spent his childhood in Maribor,
attended school in Fischau, Hranice and Mödling. Just after the studies he was confronted
with the battlefields of World War I, where he got seriously ill (tuberculosis) and was retired
as an invalid after the war. Despite the illness he took up rocket technologies studies on the
Vienna University and, after becoming an engineer in 1925, devoted himself entirely to
scientific research work. He died on 27 August 1929 in Vienna.
Through the exhibition you will come across the entire development of rocket technologies
and its pioneers. From the first plans and calculations, first flights from the Earth’s
atmosphere, to the installation of the first artificial satellite in Earth’s orbit – Sputnik 1.
There is an original Sokol (Hawk) cosmonaut suit used for space flights to the International
Space Station.
THE TREASURES OF MODERNITY COLLECTION include ground-breaking works from
the history of spaceflight, including The Problem of Space Travel – The Rocket Motor.
ŽALEC
EcSlovenia grows 2–3 % of the world's hop crop, mainly in the Lower Savinjska Region
where the hop-growing tradition dates back to the late 19th century. Originally the Hop
Museum was established in the late 1950s through the combined efforts of the workers of the
Kmetijski Kombinat ("Agricultural Combine") in Žalec, the Institute for Beer Brewing and
Hop Growing, the Municipality of Žalec and the Tourist Association of Žalec. Until 1990 the
collection was housed in Savin House and then moved to the premises of the Hmezad ExportImport Company.
In 2009 the museum was renamed to Eco-Museum of Hop-Growing and Brewing Industry in
Slovenia and opened in the former hop drying facility in Žalec. Its interactive display presents
the history of hop-growing and features old machines for processing hops, drying shafts,
photographs, local hop species and hop packaging. The collection is rooted in the legacy of
the local families whose lives have been connected with hop-growing. o-Museum of HopGrowing and Brewing Industry in Slovenia.
VRANSKO Motorcycle museum
In the settlement of Vransko in Slovenia’s valley of “green gold” you’ll find the Grom
Motorcycle Museum. The Museum which is a private collection surveys the world's and
Slovenia's motorcycling history and development.
Over 140 motorcycles are in the exhibit, from world famous makes to rare and precious
examples. You can find pioneer Puch motorcycles from 1906 and 1912, ABC from 1919 and
from the twenties Indians, Harley-Davidsons, the BD Praga, Victoria, and the ladies
favourites Ner-a-Car and art-deco Majestic 350. The 1930s are represented by several ARIEL,
BSA, AJS, GUZZIs, Gileras and other pearls among motorcycles like the four cylinder
INDIAN 437, a Boehmerland, a Standard and many others.
VELIKA PLANINA (1400 - 1666 m) Alpine Dairy Settlement
Velika planina is a high mountain plateau boasting one of the best-preserved traditional dairy
herdsmen's settlements in Slovenia. It has an undulating landscape full of karst sinkholes and
hollows. The tradition of pasturing and cheesemaking still lives on its mountain pastures
where herdsmen tend their cattle from June to September, and picturesque herdsmen's
cottages (the oldest have an oval floor plan) dot the mountain pastures in clusters.

Snow Mary chapel
The chapel of Snow Mary, which originally stood at the same place before the Second
World War, is located slightly above the herdsmen’s settlement. It was burnt down by
German soldiers during the war, and was rebuilt in 1988 on the herdsmen’s initiative.
It was consecrated to Snow Mary and this is why 5th of August presents a special
holiday for the chapel and the entire herdsmen’s settlement. During the summer, the
masses are held every Sunday and several thousands visitors attend the sacred mass or
the midnight service on Christmas Eve.
Preskar museum
The museum is located in the herdsmen’s settlement and is opened every day during
the pasture season. It is distinguished by its appearance, since the small, grey
herdsmen’s hut is located in the stone part of the settlement.
ŠKOCJAN Caves
Due to their exceptional significance, the Škocjan Caves were entered on UNESCO’s list of
natural and cultural world heritage sites in 1986. International scientific circles have thus
acknowledged the importance of the Caves as one of the natural treasures of planet Earth.
Ranking among the most important
caves in the world, the Škocjan
Caves represent the most significant
underground phenomena in both the
Karst region and Slovenia.
From time immemorial, people
have been attracted to the gorge
where the Reka River disappears
underground as well as the
mysterious cave entrances. The
Reka River sinks under a rocky
wall; on the top of it lies the village
of Škocjan after which the Caves
are named.
Archaeological research has shown
that people lived in the caves and
the surrounding area in prehistoric
Velika dolina and Mala dolina. In the backround
times – from the Mesolithic, the
Neolithic, the Bronze and Iron Ages we see village Škocjan.
through Antiquity and the Middle
Ages to the present; altogether for
more than 5,000 years. The finds
from this area testify that the
Škocjan Caves had not only local
but regional importance in
prehistoric times. Pioneering
research of Karst and karst
phenomena began in this area in the
19th century. The international
karstological terms "karst" and
"doline" originate here.
JEZERSKO
"Jezersko" means "place with the lake". This mountain basin was formed by the glacier
between Karavanke and Kamnik Alps. When glacier melted after the last Ice Age there was a
large lake which remained till the end of 14th century. There are only fields and grassland
nowadays. This place is a fine starting point to mountains. Here is a healthy Alpine climate.
Čedca waterfall used to have the highest, 132 metres, drop of water of all Slovenian
waterfalls. That was before multiple landfalls started in May 2008 and completely changed
the shape of the wall and the flow of the water. Today you can take a walk to see the mighty
landfall, but be careful to take a good distance from the wall. Walking in the immediate
vicinity is still forbidden.
There is a mineral water spring above Ank´s homestead called "Jezerska slatina”. This water
has the highest magnesium content of all mineral waters in Slovenia and it is especially
recommended to people with cardiovascular diseases. This kind of water is for medical
purposes used in Germany and in neighbouring Eisenkappel for baths.
Lake Planšarsko jezero
The little heart-shaped lake was made by local inhabitants in memory of a larger glacial lake
that had drained away, and after which Jezersko got its name. It is a well-visited spot and one
could call it also a symbol of the area. In summer, it allows boating, in winter skating. At the
same time, it gives you a chance to enjoy tasty local food at the restaurant by the lake all year
round.
The Alpine river Kokra springs in three branches under Mt. Virnikov Grintovec in Komatevra
valley at an altitude of 1100–1300 metres.
BRDO Castle near Kranj
Brdo Castle (Grad Brdo) is Slovenia's best known and best equipped venue for official
functions. The present-day Renaissance castle, standing on the site of an older castle, was
built in 1510 by Georg (Jurij) Egkh, the Governor General of the Austrian Province of Gorizia
and the Vice-Governor of the Province of Carniola.
Brdo Castle has passed through the hands of numerous owners, including the Zoises, a noble
family prominent in the history of Slovenians. In 1935, in the period of the Kingdom of
Yugoslavia, the castle was bought by Prince Regent Paul of Yugoslavia. After the Second
World War, when it became one of the official residences of Josip Broz Tito, the President of
the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, it was thoroughly renovated. Most of its
original Renaissance features were lost, but it gained a rich collection of furniture, carpets,
and works of art. Brdo Castle still houses President Tito's living quarters, including a
workshop and a library with a large collection of early printed books.
Apart from a venue for official functions, the Brdo Castle Estate complex includes a hotel and
a conference centre. It offers its guests a wealth of opportunities for outdoor activities. Brdo
Castle is surrounded by a vast park, which has undergone several transformations since its
original 15th century landscaping. Since its latest expansion in 1962, its gardens, orchards, a
forest, several ponds, and numerous walking paths have been extending over an area of 500
hectares. A walk through the castle's park, which provides home to 1,111 animal and 968
plant species and space for a valuable collection of statues, is a unique experience. Horse
riding sessions and horse-drawn carriage and sledge rides are available to guests. The castle
complex includes a practice field for golf lovers.
BEGUNJE on Gorenjska
The Avsenik Museum in the village of Begunje na Gorenjskem will take you to the world of
Slovene popular folk music. Get acquainted with the intriguing story of this world music
phenomenon in the house where its legendary pioneers, Slavko Avsenik and Vilko Ovsenik,
were born.