This expedition started and finished at Venice Airport with 3 IBRG members from Austria, Denmark and the United Kingdom. This 4 day trip primary focus were points of interest on the Italy Slovenian border. Starting at the northern point of the border at the ATITSI tripoint between Austria, Italy and Slovenia and moving south visiting border crossings, the divided town of Gorizia/Nova Gorica before ending at the last border marker at the Adriatic coast between Italy and Slovenia. An aspiration was to also find the historical tripoint between The Free State of Trieste (until 1954), Italy and Yugoslavia (ITTSYU), we had identified where we thought it was but were not sure what was there. It was somewhere no one in our community of border enthusiasts had visited so the pressure was on. On the last day before returning to Venice Airport we took the opportunity of visiting 2 border crossings between Slovenia and Croatia.

As with all the IBRG trips there was lots of discussions, food and drink! This page is an introduction to the trip with individual reports being accessible by clicking on either the photos or the links (in red) either within the text or via the menu of the right hand side of the page.

Day One

After leaving Venice Airport we headed north towards the Italy Austria border at the Valico di Coccau – Thörl-Maglern Border Crossing on way to ATITSI. We also crossed the Austria – Slovenia border at the Wurzen Pass, at both crossings we took the opportunity to observe the border markers, additional signage and any associated border facilities. These 2 border crossings, within 30 minutes of one another was our early and only focus on Austria and its borders, although we of course revisited Austria at the tripoint.

After leaving the tripoint we headed south visiting 3 further border crossings between Italy and Slovenia. In all we visited 6 border POI’s. A busy day.

Day Two

The bulk of the second day was focused on exploring the divided town of Gorizia/Nova Gorica. There are many crossing points and areas of interest. We focused on 10, from small cycle paths to the main Europe Square which was a highlight of the day as there were regional festivities occurring with music and dancing. The station, the isolated house and many other points were explored.

Please click on the individual images below to access the reports with maps, additional photos and analysis.

We still had some time after exploring Gorizia to visit to further border crossings as we moved south along the Italy and Slovenia border. The first is Rupa a small Italian village close to the border with Slovenia. We wanted to investigate what the border looks like away from urban areas and border crossings. The second point was a rural border crossing between Devetachi and Lokvica. We explored the crossing point and the varied border markers close by.

Please click on the images below for full reports with maps, images and analysis.

Day Three

The focus of day 3 was locating the historical tripoint between The Free State of Trieste, Italy and Yugoslavia (ITTSYU) located somewhere on the current Italy – Slovenia border. Examination of historical maps and Google Earth identified where it might be, but we had no idea what we would find there.  There was additional time left to explore 6 further border crossings between Italy and Slovenia. One of which had a misplaced historical border marker which was a bit of a puzzle. Perhaps the highlight of these was the final border marker on the Italy – Slovenia border on the beach. Please click on the images below to access, visit reports, maps and photos.

ITTSYU

Italy – Slovenia Border Crossings.

Small rural crossings to the last one on the coast. Historical markers and redundant border facilities. Lots to see and explore.

Day Four

The final day!! The focus of our expedition changed, and after visiting our last border crossing between Italy and Slovenia which was conveniently located a short walk from our overnight hotel, we drove a short distance south to visit 2 border crossings between Slovenia and Croatia. We also located an area of land which currently belongs to Croatia but is claimed by Slovenia. An amazing 4 days with great company, good food and drink and much fun.