Type: Self-catering. Sleeps 4 + 2
Price Guide: 85 - 130 euros/night
Minimum nights: Single booking: 7, Itinerary booking: 7
Children welcome
Fabulous garden, art gallery, near two wine regions and the sea

OUR VIEW
Increasingly often, we are approached by all kinds of people, offering us their properties in Slovenia - from multi-national hotel chains to self-catering apartments. The latter we have wound-down in recent months, as much of what is available shouldn't be... but then we heard from Erik.
He and his wife have been living in their renovated farmhouse and running an art gallery near Štanjel (pron. Shtanyell) for the last three years.
Recently they built a new semi-detached house, one half of which they rent to nice people like you. The house sits just above Trieste (Trst in Slovene) and has a beautiful view of Štanjel - a lovely little village a short walk away. It is called 'Little Paradise Under the Chestnut Trees' with good reason.

ACCOMMODATION
The house itself comprises two duplex apartments, one of which is occupied by Erik's parents some of the time.
The apartment comfortably sleeps four in one double bedroom and one twin. In the living room is a sofa bed, which will accommodate another two people. When you're not asleep you can occupy yourself in the kitchen, shower room, lounge or the terrace (plus sharing the huge garden and solar-heated pool with Erik's family, of course).

LOCATION AND LOCAL FACILITIES

The Karst region is renowned for its caves, so you really should have a look. Indeed, Slovenia's most impressive caves - Škocjan - are just a shortish drive away, and you really, really must see that. Just inland you will find the Vipava valley, where some of Slovenia's great wines are made - while about an hour away is Goriška Brda, where most of the rest of the best is made. Another speciality of the region is pršut, or cured ham, and a whole load of salamis and cheeses. The medieval village of Štanjel is a delight: one of the first places I ever went to outside Ljubljana, and I love to go back and just wander around. Just over the border is Trieste (try to call it Trst: the locals will like you more), so you can go and play with the Italians if you like: there are the beach and cliffs at Sistiana just thirty minutes away. Oh, and the Miramar castle, of course.

LANGUAGES
Slovene, English, German

CHILDREN
More than welcome (nine year old Klara is eager to meet new friends).

WEATHER
Štanjel sits just above the Adriatic. You can expect very warm summers: July and August are the hottest months, with daytime temperatures around 26C, while during spring and autumn you can expect around 12-18C. Evening temperatures will be slightly lower, so bring something a little warmer. Winters are normally very sunny and there is seldom snow - but that would just make pod Kostanji a cosier place to stay!

WHEN & HOW LONG
Entirely up to you (and availability, natch). Obviously, April to September if you want to soak up the sunny stuff, but pod Kostanji would make a lovely winter retreat.

TO TAKE WITH YOU
In the summer, shorts, T-shirts, sturdy shoes or boots, something warm for the evenings, for daytime adventures.
In the winter - you should know.

CAR HIRE
AVIS - click on this link and you will open a new window for the Avis Slovenia website, from where you can book your car.

HOW TO GET THERE
Closest destination airports are in this colour.
Click on the airline name to open their web page in a new window.

From Gatwick:
Ljubljana with Adria (the national airline).
Venice with BA
From Stansted:
Ljubljana or Rijeka with EasyJet.
Trieste, Klagenfurt, Graz with Ryanair.
From Luton:
Zagreb with Wizz.
From Manchester:
Ljubljana with Adria (summer months only).
From Bristol:
Venice with EasyJet.
From Birmingham:
Trieste with Ryanair, Wednesday and Sunday only.

DRIVING TO POD KOSTANJI (Google Map here)

Click here for directions from Ljubljana airport and Trieste.