'''Diva?a''' [http://www.divaca.si/] is a town and municipality in the Coast and Karst region of Slovenia. It is known for the many limestone caves in the area, included the UNESCO listed '''?kocjan Caves''' [http://www.park-skocjanske-jame.si/eng/].
Understand
Get in
By train
Diva?a is on the main train line from Ljubljana to Trieste (Italy) and onto Venice.
By car
Diva?a is on the main A1 highway between Ljubljana and Koper.
Get around
The ?kocjan caves are about 4km from the town center and railway station. There is no regular public transport, but there is a spottily signposted footpath (35 min) connecting the two, or you can try to hitch a bus ride to the highway A1 exit near the caves.
See
There are several '''caves''' in the area. These include:
Diva?ka
?kocjan (see below)
Vilenica
?kocjan Caves Regional Park
A few kilometers south of Diva?a is the ?kocjan Caves Regional Park (Slovenian: ''Regljski park ?kocjanske jame''), +386 5 763-2840 (fax: +386 5 763-2844, email: psj.info@psj.gov.si), [http://www.park-skocjanske-jame.si]. To get there by car, take the Diva?a exit from the highway and follow the signs.
The park's main attraction is its cave system that includes the highest cave hall in Europe, a massive gorge, waterfalls and a bridge over the gorge that looks like something out of The Lord of the Rings. The caves have beautiful stalactite and stalagmite structures. All told, there are eleven chambers that stretch for about six kilometers and the landscape was considered so unique that the caves are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Admission to the caves is by tour only, an easy guided walk that lasts about 90 minutes and takes you through two chambers: the Silent Cave and the Murmuring Cave. It's a good idea to bring decent shoes, wear a light coat (it's chilly and drippy inside) and be prepared to walk up and down hills. Tour costs ?14/10/6 (adult/seniors and students/children).
Also of interest is the river Reka, which flows straight into ?kocjan Caves and disappears into the cave tunnels, only to resurface some 20 km west near the Adriatic Sea. They are a further 20 minutes west from Postojna Caves.
Do
There is some '''hiking''' in the area:
Within the regional park, there are a few trails including some that bring you to a view point. The longest is the '''?kocjan Education Trail''', a 2 km trail that passes through forest and around various features of a Karst landscape.
The Slovene Mountain Trail passes to the east of town and through the regional park.
Buy
Cave related souvenirs (books, postcards, trinkets, etc.) are available in the gift shop at the ?kocjan Caves.
Eat
There are some basic restaurants around the train station, and a cafe/restaurant in the regional park. There are also some restaurants in the village of Lokev, a few kilometers west of Diva?a.
Gostilna s preno?i??i Malovec. ra?ka cesta 30a. 386 5 763 12 25. Local restaurant that serves Slovenian dishes.
Drink
Sleep
Accommodation within Diva?a is limited to a couple of small guesthouses. Surrounding villages also have rooms for rent (look for the ''Sobe'' or ''Zimmer'' sign).
Inn Malovec. ra?ka cesta 30a. 386 5 763 12 25. 4.6.2008. 5.6.2008. 20-25 per person. Guesthouse with 16 rooms attached to a restaurant.
Penzion Risnik. ra?ka cesta 34. 386 5 763 12 25. 386 5 763 00 08. 16-20 per person. Small guesthouse in Diva?a.
Motel Kozina Campground. azovi?ka 23, Kozina. 386 5 680 26 11. otel.kozina@siol.net. 386 5 680 13 95. 22-27 per person for motel, ?6.70 per person for campground (tourist tax not included). ttp://www.hotelitabor-kozina.com. Motel and campground located one exit west of Diva?a on the A1 highway.
Get out
The following places are all a short ways away from Diva?a:
Lipica, home of the Lipizzaner horses is about seven kilometers to the west
Postojna and its cave system is a short drive east on the A1
The Slovenian coastal towns of Koper, Izola, Piran and Portoro? are 40-60 minutes away by car heading west on the A1.