If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all, then look no further than the Vipava Valley in Slovenia.
Slovenia is a small country tucked between Italy and Croatia, with only 2 million people living there. But if you’re looking for a quiet vacation spot with a lot of natural beauty and history, Slovenia is definitely worth exploring.
Where is Vipava Valley
The valley is located in the northwest corner of Slovenia, and it’s home to two small villages: Vipava and Ajdovscina. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, making it one of the oldest known inhabited regions in Europe.
The valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. There are dozens of stunning waterfalls, including one called the Mostnica waterfall that is over 200 feet high!
Over the years, the valley has seen its share of turmoil: In World War II, both sides used this region as a battleground; in 1991, a landslide caused by heavy rains killed 20 people; more recently, there have been wildfires that have threatened homes and property.
But while these events may have left their mark on Vipava Valley’s landscape, they’ve done nothing to diminish its beauty—or its charm.
The best way to explore this area is on foot or by bike—you can rent both at any local hotel or hostel. Make sure you stop by the Museum of Wine Culture in Vipava, where you’ll learn about how wine came to be an important part of life here (and why). And don’t miss out on Ajdovscina’s Castle.
The history
The history of Vipava Valley goes back to prehistoric times when Paleolithic people lived there. In ancient times it was inhabited by Illyrians and Celts. You can still see the remains of their settlements today.
In medieval times, it became part of the Holy Roman Empire and was ruled by Italian merchants until 1805 when Napoleon took over and made it part of his empire. After that, it was ruled by Austria until 1918 when it became part of Yugoslavia. When Yugoslavia fell apart in 1991, Slovenia became an independent country again—and so did Vipava Valley! Since then it has thrived as one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist destinations because it offers so much natural beauty along with its rich history and culture.
Vipava Valley Today
Today, the valley is home to about 3,000 people and is known for its wine production—there are more than 200 vineyards throughout the region! There are plenty of places for hiking, biking and other activities in Vipava Valley so that you can enjoy all it has to offer without having to worry about getting bored.
This area is known for being a peaceful retreat where people can relax and enjoy nature. In fact, it was once home to a large population of people who lived off the land; they were called Savinjski Travnikci (Savinjski = Savinja River, Travnikci = inhabitants of Travnik). The valley has been inhabited since ancient times and is one of the oldest settlements in Slovenia.
Today, you can still find remnants of this ancient culture in places like the town of Cerkno or the monastery at Hrastnik. However, many visitors come here to experience Slovenian culture first-hand; there are hundreds of restaurants where you can try Slovenian food made by local chefs, or visit museums that showcase Slovenian history from prehistoric times until today.
