Ilirska Bistrica

Ilirska Bistrica grew in the narrow Bistrica valley by the southern Slovenian border. The city was once known for its flour mills, sawmills and fairs. Many trails lead from it to the nearby natural and cultural sights. The landscape is very varied, from Snežnik (the highest Slovenian mountain outside the Alps) karstic grasslands, the Reka river valley and the Brkini foothills (famous for their delicious apples, plums and plum brandy) to Matarsko podolje with many mysterious blind valleys.