- Group size: Min 4 / Max 16
- Best months: Throughout the seasons
- Vehicle: Car, People Carrier or Minibus
This is a full day trip which includes a visit to the world famous Skocjan Caves Park in the karst region together with a visit to the beautiful coastal town of Piran on the Adriatic coast. At the end of this tour you will come away with contrasting insights into the geological phenomenon of the Karst and the medieval influences on the town of Piran.
SKOCJAN CAVES PARK
Our trip starts with a visit to Skocjan Caves Park in the extreme north east part of the classic Karst area, near Divaca. Due to its extraordinary underground canyon, basic research on karst phenomenon, rich archaeological heritage and great biodiversity, Skocjan Caves were included in the UNESCO natural and cultural world heritage sites list in 1986. In 1999 it was also added to the Ransar List of Wetlands of International Importance as an underground wetland site. A further accolade followed in 2004 when the entire park area was included in UNESCO’s MAB (Man and Biosphere) programme as the Karst Biosphere Reserve.
The Skocjan Caves system comprises numerous caves and passages, collapsed dolines, natural bridges and sinkholes created by the Reka River. This amazing river flows flows on the surface for around 50 km and then sinks into the karst underground, passing through this unique cave system before resurfacing again at Timavo Springs near the Gulf of Trieste. Its rich cultural heritage also includes certain rare or indigenous subterranean animals as well as the diverse dry karst meadows on the surface. At the end of your tour there will be time to walk the Skocjan Education Trail around the rim of the cave system, have a light lunch and purchase souvenirs before departing for the coast.
PIRAN
The old seaport of Piran lies at the end of the Piran peninsula, which gradually narrows between the bays of Strunjan and Piran. The peninsula reaches Cape Madona, ending with the Šavrini hills. The town has preserved the medieval layout with narrow streets and compact houses, which rise in steps from the coastal lowland into the hills and give the whole area a typical Mediterranean look. Piran is a very special, precious coastal town and is the best preserved cultural monument of Slovenian Istria and the closest neighbour of Portoroz, the luxurious city of flowers. Piran’s architecture was influenced by the Venetian Republic which left its mark on most Istrian towns and throughout its history it has maintained the clustered medieval narrow winding streets, houses huddled close together, numerous squares and churches and its contact with the sea.
Tartini Square is the gem found in the very centre of Piran. It was named after the famous violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, who made the town world-famous. His statue is located in the centre of the square. The city is surrounded by a circular wall. Piran is a member of the European Walled Cities Association. The city of Piran is a national historical monument and numerous events take place all year round in the open and in magnificent buildings named after famous people from Piran. The Church of. St. George, the patron saint of Piran, rises above the town. From its lookout tower you have a wonderful view of Piran and its surroundings and all the way across the sea to the Croatian and Italian Coast.
Our trip to Piran has no set itinerary and will give you a chance to relax and explore this beautiful town and perhaps sample some local seafood before departing back to Bovec
