Europe 2026 – Day 4: Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle (August 22)

The day started with a familiar routine: breakfast at Caffè degli Specchi. I repeated yesterday’s French breakfast because it was convenient—the tour departure was just around the corner at the Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel for a 9:00 AM pickup.

Our group was small, only eight people, mostly Spanish-speaking. The driver/guide was Slovenian (I think his name was Jan/Yan). He shared bits of Slovenian history during the drive, but without a microphone it was difficult to hear from the back of the van. Overall, the excursion felt more like transportation between sites than a fully guided tour.

The weather changed dramatically as soon as we crossed into Slovenia. The sunny skies of Trieste disappeared and heavy rain moved in. At Predjama Castle the downpour was at its peak—I was completely soaked within two minutes of walking from the parking area to the entrance.

The rain was worth it.

Predjama Castle is unlike any castle I’ve visited before. Built directly into the mouth of a cliff, it feels almost unreal. The audio guide was informative, although a few of the buttons were temperamental. We had about fifty minutes before leaving for the cave, which felt like exactly the right amount of time.

Postojna Cave was a completely different experience. The entrance area was unbelievably crowded—almost like Disneyland. That level of tourism took away some of the magic, and once again the assigned guide was difficult to hear and understand.

But then the cave itself completely changed my opinion.

It felt like stepping into another world—an enormous underground landscape of impossible rock formations, giant chambers, and an almost alien environment. The train ride deep into the cave was unique and became one of the highlights of the day. Despite the crowds and organizational annoyances, I am very glad I saw it. Some places are simply impressive enough that they overcome the inconveniences.

The return trip was unexpectedly frustrating. We spent more than an hour crawling through traffic at the Italy-Slovenia border. Oddly, nobody checked passports or documents; cars simply moved forward at a painfully slow pace for reasons none of us understood. We finally arrived back in Trieste around 4:00 PM.

Hungry after the long day, I returned once again to Caffè degli Specchi. Lunch consisted of prosciutto with burrata, a fried zucchini flower, and their signature Specchi coffee topped with Chantilly cream and whipped cream. It was incredibly rich and absolutely delicious. The only downside was the persistent pigeons competing for attention while sitting outside in Piazza Unità.

Back at Hotel Maria Cristina, I rested before tomorrow’s departure. Reception was especially helpful—they arranged a later checkout, offered to store my luggage, and even froze the ice pack for my tirzepatide medical cooler.

Dinner was at Bianconspino, conveniently located across from the hotel. The restaurant had a beautiful interior and exceptionally warm, friendly service. I enjoyed a glass of Schioppettino La Viarte Riserva, porcini tartare, Black Angus tagliata, and green tea. The meal was good and satisfying, although not particularly memorable for the €70 price. One useful reminder for future travel: the payment terminal initially attempted to charge me in U.S. dollars ($85) instead of euros. I asked them to cancel it and rerun the transaction in euros—a small but worthwhile save.

After dinner, I finished the evening with a peaceful walk through Trieste before returning to the hotel.

Best Moment

Standing inside Postojna Cave. Despite the crowds, it truly felt like entering another planet.

Biggest Surprise

How dramatically the weather changed after crossing into Slovenia—and how incredibly touristy Postojna Cave has become.

Blog Notes for Boris

• Predjama Castle needs about 45–60 minutes.
• The cave itself is absolutely worth visiting despite Disneyland-level crowds.
• The train ride is one of the most unique parts of the experience.
• Tour quality depends more on transportation than guiding.
• Expect possible delays returning through the Slovenia–Italy border.