Dolce Vita

Dobrovo Castle is a Renaissance mansion that was built around 1600. The medieval castle was demolished, and on its ruins rises a rebuilt castle as we see it today. The last, well-known owner was Count Silverio de Baguer, a Spanish diplomat who bankrupte in 1885. He completely restored the castle in 1885 and arranged a rich museum collection, which unfortunately was completely looted after World War II. The building then passed under the general popular property. Today, Dobrovo Castle hosts a permanent collection of a Slovenian and world-famous artist, painter Zoran Mušič.

Just a few 100 m away from our Villa Azul there is a lookout tower, the highest point in Brda, where you can observe the beautiful surroundings. You will be amazed by the view, as in addition to the surrounding hills, it offers magnificent views of the Julian and Carnic Alps, the Dolomites, Friuli, the Gulf of Trieste, and the Vipava Valley and the Trnovo Forest. Only 144 steps separate you from the top of the 23 m high tower and the well-deserved view.

Villa Vipolže is the most beautiful Renaissance villa in Slovenia. It is a cultural centre with conference halls. Here you can see art exhibitions, listen to concerts or even participate in educational workshops.

The lovely village of Šmartno lies only 2 km from our Villa Azul. It is a very characteristic village, representing the geographical centre of Brda. Šmartno is surrounded by walls and fortified with defensive towers, and it was first mentioned in 1317. The houses in the centre are clustered around the church of St. Martin after whom the village was named. Here you can also see the small museum-Brda House, which is presented in the typical architecture and equipment of Brda.

Embark on a journey of exploring nature. Live and breathe the Slovenian natural environment, which is rich in greenery, rivers, streams, vineyards, fields, hills and valleys, mountains and waterfalls. The path is endless. You can opt for the Walk of Peacefrom the Alps to the Adriatic, which takes you through the history of the First World War, along the paths of the former Soča Front. Or take the Juliana Trail, which takes you all the way from the Alps, past the Triglav National Park, along the Soča River Valley to Brda, where you can explore the Brda hills in all their beauty.

The hills and valleys, hillocks and elevations, all this is offered in Brda, which went down in the history of cycling with the Giro d’Italia in 2021. The cycling event took place through the colourful surroundings of Brda. Steep slopes and flat slopes are perfect for fans of this increasingly popular sport. In Brda, cyclists are taken care of, as we already have bike trail maps with all the proposed stages. It is also possible to rent electric bicycles.