The Pristava Chalets
The 4* Pristava is a small cluster of rustic huts perched on a high plateau in Slovenia, wedged in between the Austrian and Italian borders. Situated in the heart of the forest, it overlooks the famous Soca river in the heart of the Triglav national park - possibly one of the most beautiful and unspoilt places in Europe. This is a great family destination for outdoor sport enthusiasts who want to pursue other sports in addition to riding.
The riding is wild; trail riding across rivers, climbing up into the mountains, galloping across meadows, all on a beautiful white Lipizzaner. This is the indigenous breed of Slovenia, from the days when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Pristava is a place for nature lovers; you will rarely encounter anyone else on your rides or hikes. But don't think you have to rough it; the huts are designed for contemporary living. There is a sauna and fitness area, a tennis court and a beautiful swimming pool, all nestled between the trees and the rocks. There is a delicious restaurant, specialising in local organic dishes, a cosy western style bar where everyone meets up in the evenings (during holidays), and a club room with stunning views up the valley. In addition to the trail riding, lessons are available in the friendly riding school and there are ponies for young children. There is a playground hidden amongst the boulders in the forest. Riding out is for experienced riders only (children from age 12), who should be able to control a horse at all three paces.
Sample Itinerary
- Day 1: Saturday Arrival Day. Transfer from airport.
- Day 2: Morning ride (approx 1 hour) out into the national park. After lunch, relax by the pool, have a sauna or borrow a mountain bike and explore.
- Day 3: Morning hike to the lake at the head of the valley, with picnic. Afternoon ride (approx 2 hours).
- Day 4: Full day trip to the village of Lipica, the original stud farm for the Spanish Riding School, founded in 1580. Tour of the original Imperial stables, see a performance of the Classical Riding School, ride in a carriage and pair through the beautiful park. Includes a ride out on a Lipizzaner from the stud farm. Car hire recommended.
- Day 5: Morning ride (approx 1 hour), afternoon game of tennis (the court is perched on the plateau in a clearing in the forest), or have a go at archery (all free of charge).
- Day 6: Water sports day: try your hand at rafting, kayaking, hydrospeeding, canoeing (two seater), or canyoning, or just swim and laze by the banks of the beautiful Soca river. A fly fishing licence can also be arranged. Supplement required for all watersports.
- Day 7: Friday - 2 hour ride with picnic lunch.
Lipizzaner stud farm outing
A day trip to the Lipizzaner stud farm is also highly recommended: 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. Car hire recommended or we can organise a driver (price depends on numbers).
Activities for rest days and non-riders
Stunning walking and mountain bike trails lead direct from the centre to beautiful lakes, waterfalls and hidden valleys in this 83,000 hectare reserve. Unforgettable views across the Julian Alps on every excursion. Maps and guides available. The Soca river is renowned for its crystal clear water and beautiful blue colour. Fly fishermen come from all over the world to fish its unique marble trout and adrenalin seekers ride its fast flowing melt water in kayaks and rafts. The nearby village of Bovec is fast becoming the adventure sports capital of Europe. In summer you will not only see eagles circling overhead, but also colourful paragliders since the valley has become a world class flying site, often hosting major competitions. Both tandem flights and beginner courses are available. If you need to get higher, take the cable car up to the summit of Kanin 2200m, for some of the most spectacular views you will ever see. Skiing in winter. Day trips to the famous limestone sculpture caves at Postojna also possible.
Hotel accommodation & facilites
Beautiful chalets lovingly constructed from local wood and stone in a cosy traditional style. Eight chalets sleep 3-8 people each. Five smaller apartments with 1 bedroom (sleep 2) with additional beds in the sitting areas. Chalets are equipped with small kitchens, bathrooms with showers and a wood burning fire. Internet, TV (only if required), hair dryer and telephone.
- Chalet Type A1 (75m2): Sleeps 6+2 Ground and First floor. 2 double rooms, 1 twin room, 2 single pull out beds in sitting area, 2 bathrooms, garden area. (Minimum 6 adults, discount of 10% for 7th and 8th adult).
- Chalet Type A2 (57m2): Sleeps 4+2 Ground and First floor. 1 double room, 1 twin room, 2 single pull out beds in sitting area, 1 bathroom, 1 WC with basin, garden area. (Discount of 10% for 5th and 6th adults). Minimum booking price of 4 adults.
- Apartment Type B (37m2): Sleeps 2+2 Ground and First floor. 1 double attic room upstairs, 2 single pull out beds in sitting area on ground floor, bathroom, garden area. If only 2 adults sharing, price is 20% higher. Discount of 10% for 3rd and 4th adult.
- Apartment Type C (27m2): Sleeps 2+2 First floor. Small balcony, cosy open plan room with wooden attic roof, 1 double bed, sitting area with 2 single pull out beds, bathroom with shower. Discount of 10% for 3rd adult. Supplement of 30% if booked with just 1 adult.
- Apartment Type D (21m2): Sleeps 2 on Ground floor. 1 double room, bathroom, garden area. Supplement of 30% if booked with just 1 adult.
The Pristava is open from Easter to the end of October and over Christmas/New Year.
Guest comment: 'The trip was absolutely fantastic! Pristava is absolutely lovely. All of the details were perfectly in order. It was such a relief not to have to worry about anything. Milan and Sylvia were fantastic, it was so calm, beautiful and relaxing there. Their horses looked like unicorns on the lawn in the evening.'
Press Articles
Good Housekeeping.
England's Equestrian Magazine.
Equestrian Plus Magazine.
Half-board accommodation (breakfast, dinner) per person, based on at least two sharing. Price excludes flights, transfers and insurance. Minimum occupancies apply - please contact us for a quote. Price also includes daily cleaning, use of swimming pool, tennis, fitness equipment, archery, table tennis, one hour of riding per week and one sauna and whirlpool session per week. The Pristava is open from Easter to mid October and over Christmas/New Year. Supplement for high season from 2nd July to 27th August. Discounts for low season. Saturday arrivals.
7 nights: from £548 per person on half-board or high season: £598
Add your riding :
Trail riding with guide: £20 per hour or £160 for 10 hours, spread as you like over the week
Group riding lessons: £20 (50 mins)
Private riding lessons: £23
10 private riding course: £200
There are about 4 different riding trails available in the National Park, so riding holidays here would be best combined with riding lessons or other activities such as hiking or adventure watersports.
Day trip to Lipizzaner Stud Farm: Car hire is recommended.
Supplements and discounts
High season: £55 per person per week supplement from 2nd July to 27th August on half-board. Single occupancy 30%, children up to 2 years old free, 3-6 years old 50% discount, 7-12 years old 20% discount.
Picnic lunches can be supplied at a cost of £10 - just ask the night before at reception.
Other Activities
A fly fishing permit costs around £50 a day. Lessons available. White water rafting, hydrospeeding, canyoning, canoeing two-seater and kayaking all cost around £60 each. A tandem paragliding flight costs £85. Guided mountain biking £15 per hour. Prices include equipment hire and professional guide. See reception for bookings.
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
A choice of three airports: Klagenfurt, Trieste or Ljubljana (Trieste is the most convenient airport to use). Trieste-Ronchi in Italy (approx 1 hr 30 mins) is served by Ryanair from Stansted. Klagenfurt in Austria (approx 1 hr 45 mins) is also served by Ryanair (Tues, Thurs and Sat) from Stansted. Thomsonfly fly on Saturdays from Manchester to Klagenfurt.
The Slovenian capital Ljubljana (approx 2 hr 30 mins transfer) is served by the national airline Adria Airways from London Gatwick, Birmingham, Dublin and Manchester. Easyjet flies there from Stansted.
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.
Transfer is not included in the costs above. We recommend car hire for this holiday or we can organise a private transfer for £150 one way per car from the airports listed above.
We can also organise a driver for the day trip to the Lipizzaner stud farm.
Self-drive: Car rental can be booked easily and inexpensively online with Holiday Autos or when you book your budget flights online.
We can advise on flying from other airports, train, car hire and self-drive options - please contact us.
Train travel: For everything you need to know about any train journey visit Seat Sixty-One. Austrian train timetable.
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.
Weather
Current weather forecasts and general weather information for the region can be found here and here.
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.
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.
