Service Category: Za posameznike

Mighty city walls

The city, which had a different name in that time due to its strategic position, was first surrounded by one set of walls and later on with another that included the castle as well. Why and when were they built and why were the city right even gifted to this small settlement? Hint: it has something to do with their private army, called Kriška garda.

Cobbled city streets with typical architecture

Typical architecture derived directly from local climate and weather conditions – admire these old houses and marvel at the people’s ingenuity! There were two roads through the city in the past, the royal road and the dirt road – learn who was walking on which and how they differed… Stand on the steps that saw Primož Trubar’s infamous speech which caused the city to be struck from all chronicles for a time! See the ruins of a WWI prison and a remnant Napoleon left behind after he conquered the city…

Castle with newer city square

The castle was the stronghold and home to local lords and ladies, who developed the city further – through encouraging of trade, bringing in monks and building a monastery… and later on the most prominent families left the cramped inner city and build beautiful state houses in the square close to the castle. We will conclude our tour with the visit to the local gift shop, where you can also taste local wines or beer.

Mighty city walls

The city, which had a different name in that time due to its strategic position, was first surrounded by one set of walls and later on with another that included the castle as well. Why and when were they built and why were the city right even gifted to this small settlement? Hint: it has something to do with their private army, called Kriška garda.

Cobbled city streets with typical architecture

Typical architecture derived directly from local climate and weather conditions – admire these old houses and marvel at the people’s ingenuity! There were two roads through the city in the past, the royal road and the dirt road – learn who was walking on which and how they differed… Stand on the steps that saw Primož Trubar’s infamous speech which caused the city to be struck from all chronicles for a time! See the ruins of a WWI prison and a remnant Napoleon left behind after he conquered the city…

Castle with newer city square

The castle was the stronghold and home to local lords and ladies, who developed the city further – through encouraging of trade, bringing in monks and building a monastery… and later on the most prominent families left the cramped inner city and build beautiful state houses in the square close to the castle. We will conclude our tour with the visit to the local gift shop, where you can also taste local wines or beer.

Remains of Roman fortress Castra

We’ll take a walk outside and inside of the walls of this formidable fortress and learn about why it was built here, how it functioned and looked like and how daily life of a Roman soldier in it was like. Did you know its walls gave the name to the city many centuries after the fortress was abandoned?

Industrial powerhouse in the past and now

The driving forces of the early industry were a strong water flow, proximity to natural resources and a central location along important roads – Ajdovščina ticks all these boxes. It all started 400 years ago with ironworks by Hubelj spring, but it really picked up in the second half of 18th century when a paper mill was founded on the banks of Hubely river and then more and more industrial plants started to pop up. Learn about those and their legacy we can still see in the city’s economy today.

Traces left by the the Habsburg’s empire

From how German almost exterminated the use of Slovene language in the 18th century to being the hinterland of Soča front – being part of the Habsburg empire has left a permanent mark on this city.

Cradle of Slovenia’s independence

After the repressive Italian fascism regime in between the world wars the first Slovenian government was formed right here in Ajdovščina – the hall where this historic event took place is still in use today

Remains of Roman fortress Castra

We’ll take a walk outside and inside of the walls of this formidable fortress and learn about why it was built here, how it functioned and looked like and how daily life of a Roman soldier in it was like. Did you know its walls gave the name to the city many centuries after the fortress was abandoned?

Industrial powerhouse in the past and now

The driving forces of the early industry were a strong water flow, proximity to natural resources and a central location along important roads – Ajdovščina ticks all these boxes. It all started 400 years ago with ironworks by Hubelj spring, but it really picked up in the second half of 18th century when a paper mill was founded on the banks of Hubely river and then more and more industrial plants started to pop up. Learn about those and their legacy we can still see in the city’s economy today.

Traces left by the the Habsburg’s empire

From how German almost exterminated the use of Slovene language in the 18th century to being the hinterland of Soča front – being part of the Habsburg empire has left a permanent mark on this city.

Cradle of Slovenia’s independence

After the repressive Italian fascism regime in between the world wars the first Slovenian government was formed right here in Ajdovščina – the hall where this historic event took place is still in use today

Museum

We will explore various items that were found in and around villa during reconstruction – some have fascinating stories! The oldest ones are several millions years old…

Several models will tell us the story of its development through time – how it looked when it was built as a fortress in 12th century, how counts Thurn enlarged it and later on transformed it in the Renaissance beauty. When counts moved out, it was left in disrepair until it was fully renovated in the last years.

Knight’s hall

This hall serves as a gallery and a place for many events now but in the past it hosted many distinguished nobles, some say even an emperor on one occassion… Let me paint a picture of balls and feasts hosted here by illustrious Thurn counts.

Frescoes from 17th century

Learn about the legendary origins of these frescoes and discern what’s on them. Why are some parts deliberately chipped off and what’s with the engraved initials and years on the panoramic windows?

Not just the main sights but also hidden spots only locals know about

You wouldn’t want to miss the main sights in the picturesque Vipava valley – especially its cities with long history (medieval Vipavski Križ, Roman and modern industrial Ajdovščina, the young metropolis Nova Gorica) and sweeping views of quaint little villages and vineyards. But … I can also add in some special places with fascinating stories that only rarely get visited by tourists – but they will definitely not leave you indifferent.

Meet the locals and try their goods

I like to arrange for you to meet down-to-earth locals who pour their heart and soul in what they are doing and allow you to get to know them better and try their delicious goods. You can try a wide variety of home-made products – wine, spirits and juices, cheese, jams, olive oil, dried meats…

Complete flexibility and adapted to your wishes and preferances

Tell me what you wish to see and experience and I will do my very best to bring that to you. Do you wish to focus more on the food or are you a history buff? Do you wish to see the best places to take a stunning selfie or see all the essentials without having to worry about driving in a foreign country? The best trip is a mix of all of these and we can definitely achieve that!

Not just the main sights but also hidden spots only locals know about

You wouldn’t want to miss the main sights in a picturesque Soča valley – especially driving by the emerald Soča river and exploring the millenia of rich history of it. But … I can also add in some special places with fascinating stories that only rarely get visited by tourists – but they will definitely not leave you indifferent.

Meet the locals and try their goods

I like to arrange for you to meet down-to-earth locals who pour their heart and soul in what they are doing and allow you to get to know them better and try their delicious goods.

Complete flexibility and adapted to your wishes and preferances

Tell me what you wish to see and experience and I will do my very best to bring that to you. Do you wish to focus more on the food or are you a history buff? Do you wish to see the best places to take a stunning selfie or see all the essentials without having to worry about driving in a foreign country? The best trip is a mix of all of these and we can definitely achieve that!

Hunt for the best views

Let’s discover the best views in Goriška Brda – from typical spots (the viewing tower, driving through the villages…) to more unconventional spots with breath-taking vistas that only locals know about.

Fascinating facts from perspective of a local

Let’s chat amicably while I tell you interesting tidbits about our region’s rich history, geography and economy next to the Italian border. If you ever wondered how locals live, now’s the perfect chance to learn about it.

Complete flexibility and adapted to your wishes and preferances

Tell me what you wish to see and experience and I will do my very best to bring that to you. Do you wish to focus more on the food and wine or are you a history buff? Do you wish to see the best places to take a stunning selfie or see all the essentials without having to worry about driving in a foreign country? The best trip is a mix of all of these and we can definitely achieve that!