The Pule Estate has an almost spiritual peacefulness about it. This 4* hotel is a collection of beautifully restored farm buildings which stand isolated on a hilltop plateau surrounded by beech and oak woodlands. Accommodation is in one of seven extremely luxurious chalets, built with local stone and wood using traditional methods. The gourmet restaurant prides itself on its exquisite use of fresh, mostly organic, local produce. The Hayloft restaurant shares a converted barn with the 5 Lipizzaners which can be seen through a glass panel from the dining room. Riding highlights include a hack to a nearby medieval castle and another to a local historical town. The Pule is perfect for adults wanting to get away from it all and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of peace and pampering at the highest level. Guided nature walks. Full spa facilities will be available from the autumn.

There is an excellent wine cellar beneath the restaurant which is stocked with the best wine from the region and beyond. A tour of some of Slovenia's top vineyards makes a very enjoyable day trip and is highly recommended. Al fresco dining is offered during the warm summer months beneath the magnificent 100 year old walnut tree. Beautiful wicker picnic baskets are available for romantic strolls into the countryside. Bikes available to borrow at the hotel.

A day trip to the Lipizzaner stud farm is also highly recommended; the small village of Lipicer, in the heart of the unique Karst landscape, is home to the oldest stud farm of lipizzaners in the world. It was founded in 1580, initially to supply military horses for the Hapsburg Emperors and then for the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.

Lipizzaner stud farm outing

The day trip includes a tour of the stud farm and stables, a ride in a carriage and pair through the elegant park and a presentation with music in the arena of the Classical Riding School (the latter is available from April to October). It is also possible to ride out on a short hack on a Lipizzaner bred at the stud.

Wine tasting outing

The wine tasting experience starts with your first dinner at the Pule. The charismatic Sommelier will take you on a sedentary tour of the wine regions by offering you a different glass of wine with each course from a different part of the country. The 'tour' ends in the hotel's elegant wine cellar where you can prepare for your day visiting the vineyards in the beautiful wine regions of Slovenia.

Accommodation

The five light chalets are divided into seven suites which have been built with natural local materials and with the finest craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each has an open fireplace stocked with fragrant beech wood, flat screen SAT T.V, beautiful slate bathrooms with L'Occitane products and a lovely terrace with patio furniture.

Suites: Marija and Kristina are both 68 sq m chalets with 2 separate double bedrooms (sleeps 2 + 2) on 2 floors with a large sitting room with kitchen area and huge glass patio doors. Both Maria and Kristina have sunny terraces with patio furniture but Kristina commands beautiful views across the Estate. Junior suites Ana, Jera, Neza, Franciska and Barbara are all 45 sq m with one bedroom (2 people), separate drawing room with sunny terraces on one floor except Franciska and Barbara which are both duplex.

The hotel is open throughout the year for riding holidays.

Accommodation with breakfast and dinner per person (min. two) with return airport transfer to Ljubljana. Price excludes riding, flights, lunches, drinks and insurance. Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day. Low Season: 3rd Jan - 25th Apr and 1st Oct - 28th Dec. Mid Season: 26th Apr - 30th Jun and 1st Sep - 30th Sep.

7 nights: £898 low season, per person in a junior suite, £1000 mid season.
5 nights: £553 low season, £710 mid season per person.
4 nights: £466, £538 mid season per person.

Riding: 10 riding lessons (in small group) add £210, with 6 guided rides out add £225. With 4 riding lessons: add £100, with 4 rides out add £150. Riding lessons £25 per hour, hacks £38 per hour.

Supplements

High season (New Year, July and August): £18 per person per day.
Upgrade to suite: £12 per person per day.
Child's bed: £38 per person per day.
Adult bed: £55 per person per day.

Day trips

Lipizzaner Stud Farm: £94 each for 4 or more people, £125 each for 2 people. Add £25 if you would also like a 1 hour hack. Wine tasting, Postoina Caves, Ljubljana city, price on request.

Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).

Make a reservation / enquiry.

These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.

Getting there

The Slovenian capital Ljubljana is served by the national airline Adria Airways from London Gatwick, Birmingham, Dublin and Manchester. Easyjet flies there and to Rjeka from London Stansted. In the summer, Easyjet also flies to Ljubljana from Manchester. You will be met at the airport and brought to the Estate (about 1 hr). The transfer is included in the price of the holiday.

Lowcostseats - internet travel agent for charter flights offering good deals.
Jetnav - an independent website searching schedule services, budget airlines and some charters.
Dohop - searches charter and schedule services.
Travelocity - internet travel agents for schedule services.

We can advise on flying from other airports, train, car hire and self-drive options - please contact us.
Austrian train timetable.

Self-drive: Car rental can be booked easily and inexpensively online with Holiday Autos. Please tell us so that we can reduce the quote of your holiday.

Train travel: For everything you need to know about any train journey visit Seat Sixty-One.

Riding ability

Beginners to advanced riders welcome.

What to bring

Riding trousers or jeans, chaps or mini chaps, sun cream, rain wear, riding hat and sturdy boots. Although rarely insisted upon outside the UK, you should always wear your hat whilst mounted. Although hard hats are available in all our riding establishments, you are advised to bring your own.

Environmental issues

You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to Slovenia at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.

In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.

We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.

Consumer protection

As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), an Association approved by the Department of Trade and Industry, this company has provided a Bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. These regulations apply to packages sold in the UK and this Bond provides security for the money paid over by its UK customers and for their repatriation to the UK in the event of this company's insolvency.

How to book

To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.

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Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.

Please read our Terms and Conditions.

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