Postojna Cave, the monarch of all caves, is the best-known cave in the world. It is also the most significant tourist attraction in Slovenia and one of the world’s most massive karst monuments; it is the only place in the world where the underground landscape can be traversed on an electric train and where you get to meet the underground kingdom’s most famous inhabitant, the Proteus (olm). A fantastic web of tunnels, passages, galleries, and halls, the astonishing diversity of karst features, as well as easy access, is indeed the key reason for such popularity of the cave over the last 200 years (more than 36 million visitors).

The Predjama Castle reigns over the surrounding area, not far from the Postojna Cave, in the idyllic village of Predjama. This picturesque, magnificent, defiant, mysterious, and impregnable castle has been perched up in the middle of a vertical 123-meter high cliff for more than 800 years. Its romantic appeal is further emphasized by the idyllic Lokva River, which disappears into the underground world deep down below the castle. As the only preserved cave castle in Europe, the Predjama Castle offers a unique insight into the building techniques and resourcefulness of people in the Middle Ages, who were looking for and found a safe harbor for themselves at the entrance of the cave. During a siege that took place in the 15th century, the castle provided a refuge for its best known and most notorious owner, Erazem of Predjama. The legend about the courageous robber baron Erazem, who remained undefeated until one of his servants betrayed him, is still in people’s minds, inspiring and alluring as ever. It was this safe abode of his which helped the brave knight resist the besiegers without much difficulty for more than a year.

Skocjan Caves is a cave system in Slovenia, which together with the underground stream of the river Reka, represents the most critical natural phenomenon of the Karst region and one of the largest underground canyons in the world. Due to its exceptional significance, UNESCO added the Skocjan Caves to the list of natural and cultural world heritage sites in 1986. Its colorful underground world is adorned with giant stalactites, water rapids, and beautiful lakes; you will view the world’s largest underground canyon and walk across a bridge situated 40 meters above the underground river.

The panoramic view at the exit of the cave will undoubtedly leave you speechless.

Finally, you will visit the Skocjan Caves Regional Park, an open-air museum, which is well known for its ethnological, karstological, geological and archaeological monuments, as well as for its natural and cultural heritage. You will tour the park with your experienced private guide who will introduce you to the unspoiled nature of the park.

The Lipica Stud Farm, established in 1580, is one of the oldest stud farms in the world and the one site that succinctly represents the origins of the Lipizzan horse. For more than 400 years the tradition of breeding these white horses has been preserved in the center of the unique Karst landscape which today represents one of the most beautiful natural and cultural monuments in Slovenia.

The farm lies in a unique natural environment nestled in between bright fairy meadows and the dark shade of oak and chestnut tree forests. Within the meadows and forests, you will spot the white Lipizzan horses offering excellent photographic opportunities highlighting the beauty of the white horse contrasted against the bright fields and darkened woods.

As you explore the grounds, old manor house, stables, and museum dedicated to the various aspects of the Lipizzan breed, you will genuinely be taken back to a time and place when horse drawn carriages were the most prominent means of transportation.

Situated near the center of Istria, Hum is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest city in the world with a population of only 21.

According to the legend, Hum was created by giants using leftover stones from the building of towns dotting the river running through the Mirna Valley. This central Istria valley includes the beautiful towns of Motovun, known for its 14th-century Venetian architecture, the historic 11th-century town of Roc, and the small olive oil producing town of Bale.

Throughout the centuries, Hum has maintained the old ritual “election of the perfect,” for a year when all the men from the parish gather at the Municipal Loggia (town hall) to elect the village superior by carving their votes into a wooden stick. Apart from being famous for being the smallest city in the world, Hum is renowned for their biska, a brandy spiced with mistletoe and made according to an ancient local recipe. Every year at the end of October, Hum hosts the Festival of Istrian Grappa bringing together Istrian producers and scores of fans to taste and enjoy the homemade brandy of the region.

In the north of Istria, high above the Mirna River lies the village of Motovun. The most famous and beautiful of Istria’s medieval towns, the fascinating site of Motovun is a characteristic symbol of the incredible interior region.

The bell tower, a 13th-century Romanesque-Gothic with a crenulated crown, dominates the center of the historic town from its position adjacent to the 17th-century Church of St. Stephen. The central square is home to the Romanesque Municipal Palace, Istria’s most prominent secular building. Motovun’s forest stretches down to the Mirna River valley and is widely suitable for truffles, the alleged aphrodisiac malodorous fungus which grows underground. These white truffles of Istria are in season from September to December and are said to be as good as even the best French and Italian truffles. Vineyards surround the town producing the grapes used in Istria’s most exquisite wines, the red Teran and the white Malvasia; accompanied by grand old-word “konobe” restaurants.

The town of Labin, developed from the site of the Roman settlement of Albonathe and known as the city of artists, is an old medieval town located on a 320 m (1,049 feet) high hill. The Old Labin is the best-preserved acropolis in Istria and home to many cultural and historical monuments. Some 30 artists are living and working in Labin, and several galleries call Labin their home. Sculpture Park, in nearby Dubrova, has been home to the International Sculptors Symposium for the past 40 years. In the summer, the old center is taken over by the Art Republic, a combination of music, performance and fine arts. Accompanying the arts, the 16th -century town gates of St. Flor lead wanderers to the old town where a 17th-century tower offers a magnificent view.