Discover the magic of Goriška
Goriška and its surroundings offer the perfect experience for every kind of traveller.
The Alpine landscapes and the Soča Valley offer countless opportunities for hiking, mountaineering and cycling, as well as rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, zip lines and adventure parks for adrenaline enthusiasts. The vast forests and open landscapes of the Trnovsko-Banjška Plateau invite a slower pace, with peaceful walks and horse riding in unspoilt nature, The vast forests and open landscapes of the Trnovsko-Banjška Plateau invite a slower pace, with peaceful walks and horse riding in unspoilt nature, while Goriška Brda and the Vipava Valley offer memorable wine and culinary experiences.
World-famous places such as Venice, Postojna Cave and the Adriatic coast are within easy reach, as is Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital often reffered to as “the most beautiful city in the world”.
Goriška is also a region of luxury experiences, from Michelin-starred dining and prestigious wine experiences at world-renowned wineries to high-end hotels, wellness and golf, yacht cruises, helicopter flights and private plane tours.
Nova Gorica
Nova Gorica is the modern centre of the Slovenian part of Goriška and one of Slovenia’s youngest cities, built after the Second World War as a modernist “city in a park”. Its location makes it an excellent base for exploring the wider region: the Soča Valley and the Alps lie to the north, Brda and the Vipava Valley nearby, the Karst to the south, while just across the border Gorizia opens towards Friuli and northern Italy, forming part of the same historic, social and geographical space. The city’s border story can be discovered at Europe Square, the Smuggling Tour and the Museum on the Border, while Kostanjevica Monastery with the Bourbon crypt, Sveta Gora and the nearby Solkan Bridge add history and panoramic views.
For guests looking for a more exclusive experience, Nova Gorica offers boutique accommodation, Michelin-recognised dining and premium casino entertainment. Perla is one of the largest gaming and entertainment centres in Europe, home to Europe’s largest poker room, with private gaming areas, restaurants, wellness facilities and entertainment all under one roof.
Soča Valley & Julian Alps
The Soča Valley lies beneath the dramatic peaks of the Julian Alps, where the emerald Soča River cuts through gorges, forests and Alpine valleys on its way south. It is one of Slovenia’s best areas for outdoor activities, with hiking, cycling, rafting, kayaking, canyoning, fishing and paragliding, as well as long-distance routes such as the Juliana Trail and the Walk of Peace. Discover Tolmin Gorges, Kozjak and Boka waterfalls, mountain villages, high pastures and the edge of Triglav National Park. The valley’s history is closely connected to the Isonzo Front, with sites such as Javorca, Kobarid Museum and the Walk of Peace preserving the memory of the First World War.
Local food is an important part of the experience too, from Tolminc and Bovec cheeses to frika, čompe, Soča trout and Kobariški štruklji, alongside a strong contemporary restaurant scene.
The valley also has an exclusive side, with secluded luxury chalets, private wellness and Michelin-starred dining.
Vipava Valley
The Vipava Valley is a landscape of vineyards, orchards, small villages and dramatic plateaus, shaped by Mediterranean influences and the strong burja wind. It is known for indigenous wines such as Zelen and Pinela, excellent local food and family-run wineries, but also for cycling, hiking, climbing and paragliding. The Vipava Valley also offers exceptional food and wine experiences, with Michelin-starred dining at Zemono and private tastings at selected wineries. Boutique countryside stays add privacy and comfort among the vineyards.
Above the valley, the Trnovo and Banjšice Plateau offers a quieter side of Goriška with its landscape of forests, open meadows, karst terrain and scattered villages, with wide views from the Julian Alps to the Adriatic. Its peaceful roads and trails are ideal for hiking, cycling, paragliding and horse riding, while local farms, homemade products and rural traditions add to the sense of authenticity. The plateau is a good choice for travellers who prefer nature, space and a slower pace away from busy tourist centres. It also preserves a strong connection with traditional rural life. It is especially attractive to horse lovers: owners can even spend their holiday here with their own horse, with stabling, pasture and the necessary horse-care facilities available locally.
Goriška Brda
A landscape of rolling vineyards, orchards and olive groves, dotted with hilltop villages and views stretching towards the Alps and the Adriatic. Wine and food are part of everyday life here, with family-run wineries, Rebula, olive oil, seasonal produce and local cuisine shaping the experience. Brda is also made for slow exploration: cycle along quiet country roads, hike one of the circular trails or sections of the Alpe Adria and Juliana trails, discover Šmartno, Dobrovo and Sabotin, or join wine tastings, culinary experiences and local workshops. In spring and summer, cherries, festivals and open-air events add another layer to the region’s relaxed character, while its villages and churches reveal a rich cultural heritage.
For guests looking for more privacy and exclusivity, Goriška Brda offers private vineyard estates, boutique hotels, private tastings and personalised food and wine experiences. Some estates offer complete privacy, private pools and concierge services among the vineyards
Karst & Slovenian Istria
The Karst and Slovenian Istria form a natural transition from limestone plateaus, caves, stone villages and vineyards to olive groves, salt pans and the Adriatic Sea. In the Karst, visitors can explore the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, Lipica and its Lipizzaner horses, cycle or hike across open karst landscapes, and taste Teran, Karst prosciutto and local dishes in traditional osmice. Further south, Piran, Izola and Koper bring Venetian architecture, lively waterfronts and a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere, while the coast and hinterland are ideal for cycling, walking, sailing, kayaking and swimming. Seafood, olive oil, local wines and seasonal produce complete a region where nature, heritage and cuisine are always close together. Portorož brings the luxury side of the coast with five-star hotels, premium wellness, private sailing and yacht experiences.
Cross-Border Region
Crossing into Italy feels like a natural continuation of the journey. Gorizia, Collio, Cividale, Udine, Palmanova and Aquileia bring together wine, art, Roman history, Habsburg heritage and Friulian culture, while Trieste, Grado and Lignano add historic cafés, lagoons, seafood and long Adriatic beaches. Further west, Venice offers an entirely different atmosphere with its canals, palaces, neighbourhood markets, traditional bacari, Murano glass, Burano and the quieter islands of the lagoon.
In the entire cross-border region luxury takes many forms: wine resorts, golf and vinotherapy in Collio, elegant stays and private boat experiences in Trieste, wellness and yachting in Grado and Lignano, and Venice’s grand hotels, Michelin dining and private lagoon experiences.
Ljubljana
Slovenia’s lively capital combines the charm of a historic European city with a relaxed, almost village-like atmosphere. Its riverside old town, castle, colourful markets, bridges, museums and galleries are all easy to explore on foot, while the city’s cafés, restaurants and green spaces make it just as enjoyable to slow down and simply spend time there. Ljubljana is also a great place to experience contemporary Slovenian culture, cuisine and everyday life before or after exploring the rest of the country.
For a more exclusive city stay, Ljubljana offers five-star and boutique hotels, Michelin-starred dining, private experiences and high-end wellness.
