Tour Highlights:
- Stroll the picture-postcard old town in Ljubljana
- Descend deep into the stunning Skocjan Caves
- Taste local wines, truffles and pastas in Croatia’s Italian-flavored region of Istria
- Take a relaxing walk around fairytale Lake Bled before catching a gondola across the lake to Bled island
- Hike around Slovenia's stunning Logar Valley
- Get a hands-on experience with many of the region's traditional crafts and trades
- Visit the Lipica Farm, birthplace of the famous Lipizzaner horses
- Explore the cobble stone streets, artist galleries and markets of Rovinj, situated on the Adriatic
- Experience genuine Slovenia with a farmhouse stay and home-cooked meal
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Overnight: Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Our tour begins in the capital of Slovenia, the laid-back and charming Ljubljana. Dinner at a rustic restaurant in the old town that’s a favorite of the locals.
Cap off your first night with an evening walking tour of the historic old town. Learn about the history, architecture and people from early inception during the Roman empire, its development under under the Hapsburgs for over 800 years, and it’s tumultuous last century with Yugoslavia.
Overnight in a charming 4-star boutique hotel, right in the middle of old town.
Day 2: Overnight: Ljubljana, Slovenia.
All day at your leisure to explore. Some of Ljubljana’s highlights include walking up to the castle overlooking the city, visits to one of the many museums & galleries and browsing the outdoor market alongside the river. Outside the center, Tivoli Park offers many pleasant walking paths, a fine graphics art museum and a good opportunity to watch the locals enjoy their city.
Day 3: Overnight: Ptuj, Slovenia.
We head to eastern Slovenia to tour the country’s oldest town of Ptuj, founded in Roman times. Afternoon exploring the wine roads of Jeruzalem & Ormoz regions, the region’s most scenic and best winegrowing area. Tastings of its golden, aromatic Beli Pinot and a dry Sipon wine.
Overnight in a traditional Slovenian farmhouse in the countryside. You’ll be treated like family here. Our generous hosts will provide home-cooked dinners and breakfasts including fresh bread, delicious cheeses, dried meats, local wines and regional specialties. Though in rustic locales, the rooms here are all very modern with ensuite facilities.
Day 4: Overnight: Ptuj, Slovenia.
All day exploring the Prekmurje region, whose history and culture is closely connected with that of neighboring Hungary. Many places are renowned for their black pottery and we’ll attend a demonstration. Visits to bucolic stork villages and a few fine churches designed by Slovenia’s most famous architect, Joze Plecnik.
Day 5: Overnight: Karst region, Slovenia.
Onto the Karst region, boasting rolling hills of vineyards, caves and pretty hill towns. We’ll pay a visit to the dramatically situated Predjama Castle. It literally hangs from a cliff and contains a network of underground lairs and folklore regarding the residence of a Slovenian Robin Hood. Next stop, the fascinating underground world of the Skocjan caves - boasting the world’s largest subterranean canyon.
Overnight and traditional dinner with local wine, prosciutto and other specialties at the Skerlj family farmhouse. This house has been in the family for over 400 years.
Day 6: Overnight: Karst region, Slovenia.
Walking tour of Stanjel, the region’s most captivating hill town with lovely old stone houses and gardens, followed by lunch inside the town’s castle.
Guests will get a hands-on experience of stone carving at a workshop given by an artisan who also is a calligrapher, graphic designer and art historian. After a hard day’s work, we’ll sit back and enjoy some local Teran wine at a nearby cellar.
Day 7: Overnight: Karst region, Slovenia.
A trio of highlights from the karst region. First, a visit to Lipica, the birthplace of the majestic Lipizzaner horses, for a horse carriage ride through the karst countryside. Then a peek inside the church at the tiny village of Hrastovlje, renowned for its vibrant and colorful Dance of the Macabre frescoes.
Rest of the day to explore the Venetian town of Piran. The town is nicely situated along the Adriatic Sea. St. George Cathedral and the remains of old-town walls provide spectacular views to Trieste and Istria.
Day 8: Overnight: Istria, Croatia.
Drive down to Croatia’s Istria region, known for its medieval hilltowns, wine, truffles and other gastronomic delights. Lunch in Hum, a small town that holds scattered remnants of the Glagolica, Croatia’s lost langauge as well as an art gallery and wine shop.
Visit to coastal city of Porec, founded by the Romans over 200 years ago. Porec’s most prized treasures is the complex of Euphrasian Basilica dating from the 6th century. The interior of the basilica is ornamented with beautiful mosaics.
Day 9: Overnight: Istria, Croatia.
All day excursion through the many hilltowns and villages of Istria’s stunning interior to sample & taste local truffles, olive oils, wines and regional cuisine.
Time to browse the charming hilltown of Groznjan. In the 1960’s it was nearly abandoned as most residents emigrated back to Italy so the Yugoslavian government turned it into an artists colony. It’s now bustling with artists galleries, handmade jewelry shops and gourment food shops.
Day 10: Overnight: Istria, Croatia.
Guided walking tour of Rovinj, Istria’s most charming seaside town. Private boat excursion on the Adriatic, up the Istrian peninsula and around islands and a small fjord. Back in Rovinj, lunch and afternoon at your leisure to explore art shops & galleries, boardwalk cafes and labyrinth of cobblestone streets.
Day 11: Overnight: Bled, Slovenia.
Visit to Goriska Brda, a region of quaint villages and tiny hamlets amidst vineyards. A tour and tasting at one of the local wine producers. A truly memorable “slow-food” lunch showcases many of the regional delicious foods, so please bring your appetite.
Visit to award-winning WWI museum in Kobarid (Hemmingway wrote about the fighting here in A Farewell To Arms). Scenic drive through Soca Valley to the enchanting Lake Bled region.
Arrival at Bled in late afternoon. Stop at the cliffside castle, offering great views of this lake’s fairy-tale like setting. Overnight and dinner at farmhouse in a village near Lake Bled.
Day 12: Overnight: Bled, Slovenia.
All day at your leisure. A pleasant stroll around the the lake can be done in 75-90 minutes. Take the gondola across the lake to its tiny island and visit the church. There is also a nice two hour walk through nearby Vintgar Gorge.
Optional sports activities include: kayaking, horse riding, paragliding or hiking in Triglav National Park or Lake Bohinj.
Optional full-day excursion to one of Slovenia’s most breathtaking natural wonders, Logar Valley. A perfect setting for peaceful walks or hikes through spectacular scenery and waterfalls.
Day 13: Overnight: Bled, Slovenia.
Visit to Radovljica and Kropa, a pair of towns with rich traditions and fascinating museums documenting centuries-old trades of bee-keeping and iron forging. These decorative arts and crafts that make for truly unique Slovenian souvenirs, including colorful folk-art beehive panels.
Afternoon visit to one of Slovenia’s oldest medieval towns, Skofja Loka, which includes a short tour and visit to the castle. At your leisure time later in the afternoon back in Bled.
END OF TOUR
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Lodging
- Program director
- Local guides
- Transfers, all transportation (during tour)
- 12 dinners, 2 lunches & all breakfasts
- Drinks and gratuities
- All entrance fees
- 4 wine tastings
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Slovenia
Croatia
Food & Wine
Crafts Tours
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