In Slovenia, everything is “around” the sea

The welcoming and captivating country overlooking the Upper Adriatic Sea is not only a true nautical destination but also an open “door” to a hinterland rich in historical beauty and knockout flavors

An ancient and proud country but one with traditions more of land than of sea, Slovenia in recent years, thanks to valuable work in arranging its infrastructure and perfecting its nautical tourism offerings, has also stepped into the dimension of a marine vacation destination. Everything, of course, starts from the sea, and from the coast: and Slovenia’s coastline, although only fifty kilometers long, is a beautiful nautical destination, especially since it is full of coves not to be missed. From Koper to Portoroz, there are then several but all fascinating Slovenian seaside resorts that one can choose as a base for a beautiful cruise in Slovenia. All of them can be either reached by land from Italy-Trieste to Koper are little more than 20 kilometers away-and then charter a boat from the competent local operators, or discovered from the deck of one’s own “trusty” boat after an easy and enjoyable sail.But that’s not all: by landing on the shores of Slovenia, one has taken only the “first step” of a journey that will easily remain in one’s heart: in fact, in Slovenia, the splendid Adriatic Sea is also a “gateway” that introduces the yachtsman to a diverse and colorful world of history and traditions thousands of years old, of wild nature – Slovenia is nicknamed the “Green Country” – and last but not least, of sumptuous and undiscovered food and wine.

A plunge into culture

Slovenia’s youngest city, and for that very reason culturally and not just sparkling, Nova Gorica is the first of Slovenia’s land destinations worth discovering once docked along the country’s coastline. And doing so in 2025 is even more beautiful and exciting: this very year but Slovenian destination and the neighboring Italian city of Gorizia shine together on the European and world stage as the only European Capital of Culture. A unique and very special way to be there to experience Slovenia with its sumptuous culture, world-class art, sparkling creativity and unique heritage.

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The centerpiece of this “double” and special European Capital of Culture is the so-called CEC district, which has been given new life in the kilometer-long stretch of border between the two former customs posts in Nova Gorica and Gorica. The newly renovated, and refurbished area will be throughout 2025 (real time info on www.slovenia.info) a center for events and meetings throughout the year thanks to a mix based on ecological solutions, sustainable renovations and new content for residents and visitors also in the future.

It should be noted that The common goal of the numerous projects is to present a cultural landscape stretching from the Adriatic Sea and the Soča River to the Alps, starting with the works of, among others, unique and “cross-border” artists such as the painter Mušič, the architect Ravnikar, the psychoanalyst Basaglia and the virtuoso Gadjiev; and still forward, across borders, without borders.

The fun and rich taste of Slovenia is not far away either: just behind Nova Gorica opens in fact the Vipava Valley, a historic wine region of the small country that captivates all guests with its rich and surprising gastronomy. How then to fully enjoy this paradise of food and nature? For example, by putting down tops and half sailors and renting a bicycle-the perfect means for frolicking in the Vipava Valley.

Admiring these landscapes from the saddle slowly every tourist in fact is impressed by the beautiful and varied landscape and the warmth of the long tourist season that lasts for so many the year. In fact, the Vipava Valley is famous throughout Europe for providing year-round fruit and vegetables. From the garden straight to the plate is the motto of the local cuisine, which always puts the spotlight on the many and varied seasonal dishes. The flavors of which are unique and authentic: more than two-thirds of the nature in the area of the Vipava Valley and Nova Gorica are protected by well-maintained reserves. In addition to this, there is no shortage of good drinking either: the famous international magazine Decanter ranked three wines from the Vipava Valley, made in the traditional way, among the best natural wines in the world.

Under the land and water

From the Vipava Valley, with just another 15-kilometer “journey” one can arrive on the Karst, a world-famous region in which one finds underground wonders and exceptional rock phenomena on the surface. But first and foremost, the Karst surprises visitors with the Postojna Caves, the most visited caves in Europe, and the Caves of San Canziano, with its exceptional underground canyon and other world peculiarities. It starts from water to find water again.

A unique natural phenomenon created by the Reka River, which first flows for about fifty-five kilometers on the surface and then, after reaching the Karst, carries its river bed underground through erosion, but also by corrosion, dissolving the limestone of the karst rocks. The part of the St. Kanzian Caves where the Reka River flows, i.e., the Mormor Cave, is about 3.5 kilometers long, between 10 and 60 meters wide, and over 100 meters high underground, while then the length of all cave passages is about another 6 kilometers.

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Great explorations for sailors even underground. Who can then also have another unique and fun experience at Slovenia’s other world-famous caves, those of Postojna. How? By booking (also from www.slovenia.info) the tour that follows the paths of the first cave explorers following in the footsteps of the brave discoverer Luka Čeč. The “In the Footsteps of Luka Čeč” tour travels through the non-tourist areas of Pivka Cave and Black Cave, which are the last underground stages of the Pivka River.

In the company of experienced guides and biologists, you walk the paths of early explorers discovering the most beautiful areas of Postojna Cave. Wearing hiking boots and equipped with a rope, headlamp and helmet, you enter the hidden tunnels of the world’s most famous caves and the largest tourist caves in Europe. An adventure for all those who want to try the most challenging passages and test their strength in the descent from a rope, cross the lakes and the bed of the Pivka River.

Slovenia. Borderless experiences

After the adventure ashore, and below, does the call of the sea (and hunger) kick in? Here you can kill two birds with one stone thanks to another fun experience Slovenia offers to those who land on the shores by sailboat. In the magical setting of the Fonda Fish Garden, located right by the sea and just a stone’s throw from the Sečovlje Salinas, you can immerse yourself in the preparation of fish and seafood the Slovenian way. In the cool under a lush pine forest, you can then, right by the sea, prepare various traditional fish and seafood dishes through a four-hour workshop.

Reaching then instead the wonderful coastline and bays that are part of the Strunjan Nature Reserve not to be missed, again once ashore, is the sightseeing tour aboard the legendary vintage cars of the flower power generation, which for years characterized the movements of farmers and non-farmers along the country roads of the Slovenian coast. Here, too, it is the table that also takes center stage thanks to the area’s delicious olive oil. The tour starts in Koper and ends with tasting and revealing the secrets of Istria’s green gold (info at www.slovenia.info).

When you have finished your raids and excursions in the Slovenian hinterland, you can return to the deck of your sailboat to enjoy another fun time cruising the Slovenian waves and coves. Not to be missed before pointing the bow home, a dip in the turquoise waters of the so-called Bay of the Moon, also known as the Bay of Santa Croce: this is a truly wild inlet surrounded by high cliffs and closed by a narrow pebble beach always not far from Strunjan. Finally, almost reaching the Italian border, a stop is a must among the beautiful, must-see bays of Debeli Rtic (or Punta Grossa) and Simonov Zaliv.