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Western & the Soča Valley

Includes  Why Go? Soča Valley ...... 111 Rivers don’t come much more scenic than the Soča (pro- Bovec...... 111 nounced so-cha). This aquamarine-coloured watercourse Kobarid...... 114 threads through the Soča Valley (Dolina Soče) from its ...... 117 source in the Julian Alps and gives rise to a smorgasbord of sights like gorges and waterfalls. Loads of activities get Goriška Brda. . . . . 119 travellers up close to the natural splendour from busy cen- Valley. . . . .120 tres like Bovec and Kobarid, where tour operators help Central adrenaline-seek­ ers ride river rapids or paraglide from hill- Primorska...... 121 sides. But it doesn’t have to be all high action: cycling and Idrija...... 122 walking trails get you out among stunning panoramas. Cerkno...... 124 As ever in this pocket-sized country, there’s more to ex- plore behind the scenes. There’s rich history to delve into – particularly relating to WWI, when millions of troops fought on the mountainous battlefront here. Tucked away east of the Soča is a Unesco-recognised mercury-mining town, Best Places to and small regions like Goriška Brda and the Vipava Val- Stay ley enchant with idyllic landscapes and long -making­ traditions. ¨¨Dobra Vila (p113) ¨¨Adrenaline Check Eco Place (p112) When to Go ¨¨ Bovec Majerija (p120) inches/mm °C/°F Temp Rainfall ¨¨Nebesa (p115) 30/86 12/300 ¨¨Hotel Kendov Dvorec 20/68 (p124) 8/200 10/50

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