Severna Primorska

This unique region is where fresh Alpine air mixes with the smells of the Mediterranean and the scents of the Karst. The Soča River (Isonzo), the most beautiful in Europe, carves out narrow gorges through the ancient rocks as its crystal clear water slides over the white pebble riverbed. The Trenta Valley at Vršič is the gateway to the wonderful world of the Triglav National Park with its Trenta Museum, and Bovec is fast developing into an Alpine tourist centre, a stones throw from the highest mountain ski resort of Kanin. Bovec Rafting offers plenty of opportunities for active holidays and there is also the pretty mountain town of Kobarid and environs.

Along the stunning emerald green Soča River there are pathways that merge history with nature and local people. Kobarid is the scene of the First World War Soča Front, which was the largest mountain battle of all time. Kobarid Museum is both a fascinating and sensitive venue to explore this period of history. The Toncovcov Castle tells the tale of hundreds of years of folk tradition, preserved in the Carnival customs of Drežnice. The ancient Breginjski kot is an architectural and cultural monument, proof of the magnificent co-existence between man and nature.

The centre of Zgornje Posočje is Tolmin with its old town centre and modern sports park. The Tolmin museum is located at the Coronini Mansion. Dont miss a ride on the museum steam train along the "Bohinj railway", it's a special experience. From Most na Soči the Lucija boat will take you on a river trip. The picturesque town of Kanal ob Soči can be found between the Kanal Kolovrat and the Banjšice plateau. In the far east of Slovenia there is the hill covered, wine-growing region of Goriška Brda. The merriest seasons in the Brici are early Summer, when delicious cherries are picked, and of course during grape-harvesting in Autumn. Briška Rebula is the top wine cellar here. If you proceed over the famous Solkan Bridge the road leads you from Goriška Brda to Nova Gorica. This modern and youthful border town has many parks and flower beds and is known as the town of roses. Its surroundings are full of outstanding nature and heritage: the Soča River, Castle Kromberk with the Gorica Museum, Kostanjevica which holds the sarcophagus of the very last French king of the Bourbon family, the pilgrim hill, Sveta gora (681 m), and the tranquillity of the Trnovski gozd forest, where you can find the forest reserve of Paradana.

In the Idrijca River valley lies the oldest Slovenian mining town of Idrija, once the second biggest mercury mine in the world. The oldest part of the mine, the Antonij shaft, has been kept open for tourists. Nearby is the regional nature park of Zgornja Idrijca, which starts with the »Wild Lake« (Divje jezero). Cerkno in Cerkljanska is a fast developing tourist centre with a modern ski resort. At the bottom of the steep slopes of the Trnovski gozd forest is the Vipava Valley, a land of peaches, cherries and wine. You can experience a most beautiful view of the entire valley from the edge of the high plateau, or look down through the amazing Otliško Okno natural window. In the valley below you can hear the source of the Hubelj river. The main town of the region is Ajdovščina, and near the source of the Vipava River, is the pretty town of the same name, Vipava.