Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Salt-harvesting was dry-weather, seasonal work, lasting from 24 April (St George's Day) to 24 August (St
Bartholomew's Day). During that time most of the workers lived in houses lining the canals, often paying their rent
in salt. In September the workers returned to their villages to tend their crops and vines. Because they lived both on
the land and 'at sea', Slovenian salt-workers were said to 'sit on two chairs'.
The main entrance to the park is at Lera just south of Seča and off the main road from Portorož. The other en-
trance, which is at Fontanigge and leads to the museum, is not connected by land with the Lera section. It is right on
the border with Croatia; to reach it you must pass through Slovenian immigration and customs first, so don't forget
your passport. Just before you cross the Croatian checkpoint, take a sharp turn to the east and continue along a
sealed road for just under 3km. The two museum buildings stand out along one of the canals.
Sleeping
Portorož counts upwards of two dozen hotels, and very few of them fit into the budget cat-
egory. Rates at hotels in Portorož can be very high during the summer months; many close
for the winter in October or November and do not reopen until April or even May.
The Maona Tourist Agency has
private rooms
(s €18-21, d €26-40, tr €36-52)
and
apartments
(apt for 2 €40-50, apt for 4 €65-75)
, with prices varying widely and depend-
ing on both the category and the season. Some of the cheapest rooms are up on the hill-
side, quite a walk from the beach. Getting a room for fewer than three nights (for which
you must pay a supplement of 30% to 50%) or a single any time can be difficult, and in
winter many owners don't rent at all.
CAMPGROUND
Kaki Plac €
( 040 476 123;
www.adrenaline-check/sea
;
Lucija; own tent €13, pitched tent €15,
lean-to €20; Apr-Nov; )
A small new eco-friendly campsite tucked into the woods
just outside Lucija on the outskirts of Portorož. Tents come with mattresses and linen,
some sit snugly under thatched Istrian lean-tos, so you can sleep like a traditional shep-
herd (sort of). There's a wood-hewn communal eating area, free bike hire, and staff can
arrange activities from horse riding and sea kayaking to sailing.
Kempinski Palace Portorož €€€
( 692 70 00;
www.kempinski.com/portoroz
;
Obala 45; s/d from €135/185;
)
This 19th-century grande dame is a 181-room, five-star masterpiece in the Kempin-
ski stable, with a new and an old wing. The Palace has been renovated to within an inch of
its life - you'll look high and low for any original features (stone staircase, chandeliers in
the Crystal Hall). Keep your eyes instead on things like the rose-themed rooms, the faux-
HOTEL
