Pristava Lepena is a destination of extraordinary natural beauty and charm. It sits at the scenic edge of Triglav National Park in north-west Slovenia, like a tiny Alpine chalet village: there are just eight cottages and five rooms, each with wood-burning stoves and a terrace that presents glorious mountain views. Every log cabin is made from natural materials; at the restaurant, local wines, dishes and ingredients are firmly at the fore.
It is perhaps riders – or those who have always wanted to learn – who will find this meadow spot most enthralling. Experienced hands can ride purebred Lipizzaner horses (the same noble, light grey breed found at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School), through peaceful valleys and along the commanding, boulder-strewn Soča River. Beginners, meanwhile, can take lessons at Pristava Lepena’s riding school, and younger children can befriend ponies. Here, equine ambitions are but a deep sleep away.
