THE KARST AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
Located in the center of Opicina, the Ristorante Hotel Valeria is located only 3 km from the border with Slovenia (Fernetti) and 10 minutes drive from the center of Trieste. Thanks to its strategic position it is a convenient solution for individuals and families, who are looking for a comfortable hotel, with excellent local cuisine, where they can feel pampered, as if they were at home.
From Opicina it is also possible to reach all the localities of the Karst plateau by public transport or by car. Visits to local producers of wine, oil and honey are available by prior arrangement and arrangement.
The province of Trieste extends along a small strip of land in the southeastern extremity of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, between the Adriatic Sea and the border with Slovenia. The peculiarity of the environment, the treasures of history and art, and the distinctly Central European character make it an extraordinary destination, which in the past has enchanted and inspired important writers such as Rainer Maria Rilke, James Joyce and Italo Svevo.
The Grotta Gigante cave is a Karst cave, explored in 1840 and opened to tourism by the Tourist Club Triestini as early as 1908. The cave is located on the Karst plateau, a few kilometers from the city of Trieste and the border with Slovenia (Monrupino pass). Its main feature is to be the tourist cave containing the largest natural hall in the world: a single hall, about 114 meters high, 280 meters long and 76.3 meters wide. It has been listed in the Guinness Book of Records since 1995.
Lipica has Europe’s oldest horse farm, which continually breeds one of the oldest cultural breeds of horses. For this reason it has a significance of historical, cultural and natural inheritance both for the Slovenian and the European environment.
The Postojna Cave is definitely the most famous cave in the world. It is the largest tourist attraction in Slovenia, a classic example of the Karst, located on the outskirts of the city of Postojna. The Postojna Cave is an interweaving of almost 21 km of caves and tunnels (discovered until today), visited by over 30 million visitors in the last 185 years. They are the largest caves in the Karst, as well as the most visited in Europe. The caverns are rich in stalagmites and stalactites that are formed through imperceptible processes to the eye, whose formation takes thousands of years. The development of these stalagmites and stalactites is due to the influx of water containing calcium carbonate.
The “Carso” (Karst) production area includes a small but still intact territory, affected only a little and very heterogeneous. A tenaciously preserved environment, which gives precious grapes and wines with a strong personality.
Therefore, the Karso region focuses on quality rather than quantity. Currently the D.O.C. brand in the province of Trieste it is reserved for Vitovska, Terrano, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Sauvignon, Merlot and Refosco – all real, genuine wines that you have to try.
For further information you can contact the Consortium for the Protection of the Denomination of Controlled Origin of the Karst (tel. n.: 0039 40 417649).
Grado, called the Golden Island, is positioned between its lagoon and the Adriatic Sea, a strip of land that once represented the coastline. Grado has become one of the most important tourist resorts of the upper Adriatic and has many natural and artistic resources.
The beauty of Grado lies in its turquoise sea and in its sunny beaches; its historical center is also characteristic, still surrounded by the beautiful lagoon. Small buildings immersed in an evocative context of streets and squares make this town unforgettable.
Portorož is a town located in the municipality of Piran (Slovenia).
Since the late nineteenth century the town has become a well-known spa and bathing resort and since the beginning of the twentieth century has become one of the best known beaches in the Upper Adriatic coast, along with Abbazia, Lido and Grado. It is home to the Palace Hotel, one of the most important period resorts (it was built during the Austro-Hungarian monarchy) and is currently one of the best hotels in the area between Venice and Dubrovnik. The city and its surroundings have a great connection with the Portorož International Airport, which is located in the village of Sicciòle.