Vipava Valley: Slovenia’s beautiful hidden treasure

(CNN) – It’s less than an hour’s drive from the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, but the Vipava Valley hasn’t really been on the tourist radar.

This delightfully fertile region that stretches west to the Italian border has a magical combination of exceptionally fine food and wine, spectacular karst landscapes, and medieval castles towering over pretty villages.

It even has its own microclimate: a little taste of the Mediterranean between limestone mountains. It is a place made for outdoor adventures: on foot, on two wheels or by paragliding floating over the valley.

These are some of the must see views of the Vipava Valley, for when it is safe to visit.

Follow the Vipava Valley wine route

With the Trnovo Forest Plateau to the north and the Karst Plateau to the south, it is no wonder that the Vipava Valley is one of the most fertile regions in Europe.

Here, the fierce wind from the burja, known to Italians as bora and Croats as bura, cuts through the valley, cleaning the air and providing optimal growing conditions for top-class Slovenian wines.

Dozens of wineries, in addition to countless smaller family vineyards, produce highly underrated wines, with many using indigenous Slovenian grapes, including the white zelen and pinela varieties.

For an introduction to the region’s wines, start at the wine cooperative Vipava 1894 in the city of Vipava. In operation since 1894, the cooperative brings together wines from 350 winemakers, and you can enjoy some of the best during a winery tour and tasting.

For an additional tour, the winery is not far Burja Estate, just south of Vipava, or the boutique wineries Batič Y Lepa Life further west on Šempas.

From farm to table

That same burjah wind blowing through the vineyards is one of the main reasons why the air-dried prosciutto from the Vipava Valley is such a great rival to its Italian counterpart.

And this mild Mediterranean microclimate makes the valley full of orchards teeming with apricots, peaches and persimmons.

For foodies, there is everything from rustic to refined, from home-cooked and farm-made food to Michelin-starred restaurants.

In fact, two of the six Michelin-starred Slovenian restaurants are located in the Vipava Valley: Dam in Nova Gorica and Gostilna Pri Lojzetu, housed in a beautiful 17th century Palladian style building, Dvorec Zemono, near Vipava.

Once or twice a year many of the local farms and wineries open their doors to the Slovenian tradition of osmica. During a period of 10 days, you can taste their wine and homemade products in a makeshift tavern for a pleasant evening.

Visit Vipava

Vipava squeezes many wonders into its compact space, making it a delightful base from which to explore the region, especially if you’re into wine tourism.

Here, the Vipava River’s delta-shaped fountain and springs add even more beauty to this city of pastel baroque buildings, pretty bridges, and the medieval Baumkirchner tower looming over the river.

To enjoy elevated views of the city, there is a walk along the path to the ruins of the 11th century Vipava Castle. A lighter option is a visit to the Wine Museum and the Vipava Store to taste the wines of the region.

Discover almost 2,000 years of history

In Ajdovščina, one of the largest cities in the region, are the remains of the Roman fortress of Castra near the river Hubelj. Built around the 3rd century, it is the largest surviving Roman wall in Slovenia, and visitors can learn more about Roman heritage at the nearby Ajdovščina Museum Collection.

There is a leap several centuries ahead a few kilometers to the west, in the charming medieval hilltop village of Vipavski Križ.

Its narrow lanes are great for strolling, and highlights include its Baroque church and a tour of the Capuchin Monastery, with its impressive library of rare manuscripts and collection of Baroque art.

For pure romance, and breathtaking views of Vipava’s mountainous landscapes, there is Rihemberk Castle, which looks out over the village of Branik. Dating back to the 13th century and expanding over the centuries, this sprawling castle has the tallest tower in Slovenia.

It’s an atmospheric setting for concerts and weddings, and if you look up at dusk you’ll see a host of resident bats hovering around.

Take a look through the natural Otlica window

In this limestone landscape full of beauties, there is one that stands out. At the edge of the Trnovo Forest Plateau is the Otlica Nature Window (Otliško okno), a huge hole within the limestone that reveals a glorious view of the Vipava Valley.

It takes about three hours to do the loop if you follow the well-marked trail that begins at Pale Sport Park in Ajdovščina for eight kilometers, some of it over steep and rocky terrain, so you will need a decent level of fitness. But the views will be worth it.

Be active

The walk to Otlica whets the appetite for more active adventures. There are several hundred kilometers of hiking trails throughout the region, and although many are of medium difficulty, you can find easy routes such as the three-kilometer educational trail along the Hubelj River.

The 14 km trail along the edge of the Gora plateau offers panoramic views, while the 8 km Vitovlje circuit passes through Lake Vitovlje, the only natural lake in the Vipava Valley. On a clear day you can see down to the Adriatic Sea.

Cyclists also have a variety of routes to choose from, some include relaxing bucolic rides through vineyards, while others put their endurance to the test on peaks reaching 1,828 meters.

The two-hour loop through the lower Vipava Valley from Nova Gorica to Dornberk and vice versa offers a light start, passing through Miren Castle and Kostanjevica Monastery.

Those looking for a challenge can tackle the three-hour climb to the Gora Plateau and Kovk Hill, where paragliders take off. It’s tempting to join them, as soaring through the sky on a paraglider is one of the most exciting ways to explore the Vipava Valley.

Along the Vipava River, kayakers and paddle surfers can be seen traversing this lush landscape.

Taste two cultures in Nova Gorica

Slovenia literally meets Italy in the cities of Nova Gorica and Gorizia, where the now perfect border between the two countries runs through the Plaza de Europa.

When the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty placed Gorizia in Italy, the new city of Nova Gorica developed and has since grown into a lively university town. They have combined forces to become the joint European Capital of Culture by 2025, the first cross-border cities to do so.