How to spend five days in the Slovenian Vipava Valley
First day: Get to know Nova Gorica
The gateway to the Vipava Valley is the town of Nova Gorica, right next to the Soča River and at one end of the railway line from Ljubljana. Nova Gorica will be a European capital of culture in 2025 and ambitious plans are afoot to transform this city, far off the radar of most overseas visitors, into a destination in its own right. Thanks to its restaurants, including excellent ones, it has already become a gastronomic hotspot Jeez. The central premise of Nova Gorica’s candidacy for the capital of culture was the vision of a cross-border city where Nova Gorica and Italian Gorica are connected by common history, friendships and culture, despite their separation by political borders. Spend the day strolling through the green parks, admiring the post-war architecture and popping into one of the charming bars and restaurants for dinner or to sample the region’s much-loved wine.
Second day: Hike to Trnovsko forest plateau
From Nova Gorica, head down the Vipava valley and focus on Ajdovščina or the small village of Vipavski Križ, a group of stone houses surrounded by medieval walls. One of the best things about the Vipava Valley is how easy it is to combine the best outdoor activities – be it hiking, biking, climbing or paragliding – with the enjoyment of great food, wine and culture.
Some of the best hikes are on the Trnovský Gozdni Plateau, high above the northern edge of the valley. Try hiking the Otliška window — a natural rock window 40 meters high and shaped like a giant teardrop that frames the view of the valley below. A well-marked path leads from Ajdovščina; leave about a 90 minute walk to the window from where you can continue Pension Sinji Vrh, a fantastic place to stop for lunch. Nanos is also an excellent area for hiking. The classic route to Nanos has two variants – one easier, the other steeper and more demanding, which includes some scrambling with the help of attached steel cables and a good climb in height. Either way, allow two hours to reach the top.