UNESCO Škocjan Caves & Piran from Ljubljana (small group, max 8)

This small-group day tour from Ljubljana takes you to two strikingly different highlights of Slovenia: the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves and the Venetian coastal town of Piran. With a licensed local guide and no more than eight guests, you’ll head underground to Škocjan and walk through an impressive canyon carved by the Reka river. Along the way you’ll cross a footbridge set almost 50 metres above the water and pass through cavernous halls big enough to hold a cathedral. The site is quieter than Slovenia’s busier show caves, offering a more peaceful visit. On the way to the coast you’ll stop at Socerb Castle, perched on the edge of the Karst plateau with the Gulf of Trieste spread below. In Piran you’ll explore five centuries of Venetian influence in a compact old town: narrow lanes, Tartini Square and the small harbour. You’ll have time for a seafood lunch by the water, and in the summer months there’s usually enough free time for a swim in the Adriatic. Your guide will point you to a konoba worth your hour and help you make the most of each stop.