For outdoor enthusiasts, the largely pristine natural environment is criss-crossed with various well-marked hiking trails and cycling paths, some of the Slovenia's best fishing spots, and terrain that is perfect for cross-country skiing during the winter season. The region also boasts a rich culinary heritage, that is most known for being the birthplace of the Idrijski Žlikrofi, a small savoury dumpling filled with tasty mixture of meat, vegetables and spices.
Of course no trip to Idrija is complete without visiting the town's famous mercury mine. After continuously operating for nearly 500 years from its discovery in 1497, the oldest section of the mine (called Anthony's Shaft) is now open to the public for guided tours, while the nearby Idrija Municipal Museum (located in Gewerkenegg Castle) was awarded the title of best European museum of technical and industrial heritage in 1997. The town's other must-see attraction is its world-renowned school of lace, which produces an unbelievably wide range of exquisite lace products.
For more information and help in planning your trip, check out the Idrija's official tourist website (www.idrija-turizem.si), and keep an eye out for our upcoming Idrija In Your Pocket guide, which is slated for publication in the middle of 2012.
