The Pearls of Slovenian Istria
During this study trip, we learned that the Slovenian coast has three “lengths,” depending on whether you ask an Italian, a Croat, or a Slovene. Jokes aside, if Slovenia is a seashell, then Koper, Izola, Piran, and Portorož are its Istrian pearls—where we brought agencies from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to explore the region’s potential.
Our first stop was the Vinokoper winery. We toured their cellar, which is over 50 years old, and enjoyed seafood specialties at the Hiša Refoška restaurant. Afterward, we arrived in Koper for a guided tour of its old town. It is a stunning city, vibrant with restaurants and cafes. Interestingly, the oldest cafe in Slovenia is located right here in Koper, on Tito Square. Symbolic, isn’t it?
Our next destination was the Lisjak oil mill, where our gracious hosts organized a tasting of olive oils infused with orange, lemon, and garlic—just a small glimpse into their extensive range. Currently, Lisjak is the most modern olive oil processing plant in the world, making it an ideal spot for an optional excursion during an Istrian holiday.
At the end of the day, we checked into Hotel Adria in Ankaran, located right by the sea and the Italian border. With its saltwater pool, excellent cuisine, and renovated rooms, this hotel is a perfect retreat. The following morning, we headed south to visit the Žusterna hotel and aquapark, which belongs to the well-known Terme Čatež group.
We continued to Izola, a beautiful town built in classic Mediterranean style. A fascinating historical note: a railway line once passed through Izola, connecting Trieste with Poreč at the beginning of the last century. Our walk through Izola concluded with lunch at the Hotel Marina restaurant. The seafood specialties and desserts were exquisite, especially when paired with local wines. Notably, the director of Hotel Marina also serves as the head chef, clearly driven by a passion for his craft.
Although the Slovenian coast is small, even four days weren't enough to visit all its landmarks. To ensure we saw as much as possible, our hosts from the Portorož–Piran Tourist Board organized a mini-workshop at the hotel. Local wineries, boutique hotels, and even a shell farm presented their offerings.
Our journey then took us to the San Simon hotel complex, featuring several beautifully maintained buildings. We stayed at Hotel Barbara, situated right on the shore in the small town of Fiesa. With all rooms overlooking the sea, excellent cuisine, and charming details throughout, it is an ideal getaway for couples. The next day, we visited the Belvedere complex, which offers three-star apartments and villas alongside the four-star Hotel Cliff. The accommodations are excellent and very affordably priced. Located on a hill, the complex offers breathtaking views of Izola and Italy.
Upon arriving in Portorož, we first toured the Lifeclass hotels, a group of six luxury properties. We then crossed the street to the Kempinski Palace Hotel, where everything—from the location and rooms to the service and cuisine—is flawless. Our hosts prepared a magnificent lunch accompanied by top-tier wines.
For anyone staying on the Slovenian coast, the Bernardin hotels in Portorož, Piran, Strunjan, and Izola are a must-visit. We toured their flagship property, the Grand Hotel Bernardin. Following this, we visited Hotel Metropol, part of the Remisens group (which also operates in Dubrovnik). All their facilities are recently renovated and perfectly positioned. We also toured Hotel Marita, located directly on the promenade.
The Grand Casino is one of the key players responsible for Portorož's prominent place on the European tourist map. Many celebrities come to seek their fortune on the hill overlooking the town. Like any casino, it has no windows, but the restaurant where we dined with our hosts offers an extraordinary view of the city.
We began the final day of our study trip by visiting the most beautiful town on the Slovenian coast: Piran. A guide, who spoke the language used across the former Yugoslavia fluently, led us through this charming Mediterranean town and its rich history. Piran’s most famous resident was the Baroque composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini, after whom the town square is named. Above the square sits the stunning 14th-century Cathedral of St. George. We also visited Hotel Piran, located right on the coast, where the terrace offers views of both Croatia and Italy. Accommodation here is very affordable during spring, autumn, and winter—the seasons when Slovenian Istria is most appealing to our regional tourists. We concluded our visit with lunch in the garden of the wonderful La Bottega Dei Sapori restaurant on Tartini Square.
Afterward, we headed south to the Soline National Park, home to the world-famous salt pans. This vast expanse consists of countless salt evaporation ponds. In addition to being a fascinating site for excursions, the park offers the only open-air spa in the area. We visited Thalasso Spa Lepa Vida, where guests can relax in saltwater pools and enjoy various salt-based treatments.
Our visit to Slovenia ended with a tour of Portorož Airport. The management expressed a sincere desire to re-establish a flight route to Belgrade, given the airport's excellent location. Finally, to truly grasp the strategic position of Slovenian Istria, we took a quick trip to Trieste to enjoy an authentic espresso and an Aperol Spritz at Piazza Unità d’Italia.
