Piran, Portorož and the coast

Piran's old town first — Venetian, built when it still answered to Venice, streets too narrow for cars so the gate is as far as any vehicle goes. The bell tower above the main square gives the best view of the terracotta rooftops running down to the water; the walk down afterwards takes you past net-draped fishing boats still in daily use, not just for photographs. Next door, Portorož trades the old stone for a wide promenade, beach clubs and the kind of seafront built for an afternoon rather than an afternoon's walking. On the way, we can swing by Lipica — the stud farm where the white Lipizzaner breed began in 1580, stables open to visit, foals born dark and lightening to white only after several years. It adds about an hour each way; worth asking for when you book.

up to 10 h and 300 km