Tour Map

Day 1

Overnight: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Our tour begins with a with an evening walking tour in Ljubljana, the charming capital of Slovenia. Our guide will give an indepth view of life and history in Slovenia and Ljubljana, not just a list of names and dates for guests to forget aftewards. Learn about the history, architecture and people from early inception during the Roman empire, its development under under the Habsburgs for over many centuries and it’s tumultuous last century with Yugoslavia. We’ll also get to see plenty of works by renowned architect Joze Plecnik.

Dinner at the esteemed Vodnikov Hram restaurant. Their zlinkrofi, a traditional Slovenian dumpling that very few places offer, is heavenly.

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: Eastern Slovenia
Head to eastern Slovenia for a tour or the country’s oldest town of Ptuj, founded in Roman times. We’ll take in the castle and its colorful collection of pagan costumes, still used in festivals.

Afternoon to explore the wine roads of Jeruzalem & Ormoz regions. These are some of Slovenia’s most scenic and best winegrowing area. Tastings of its golden, aromatic Beli Pinot and a dry Sipon wine. Later, we’ll check into our farmhouse - you’ll be treated like family here. Our generous hosts will provide home-cooked dinners and breakfasts including fresh vegetables, delicious cheeses, dried meats, local wines and regional specialties. Though in rustic locales, the rooms here are all very modern with en-suite facilities. Dinner will include one of this region’s signature dishes, bograc, a goulash-like stew with a lot of spice and kick to it.

Day 4

Overnight: Eastern Slovenia
All day exploring the Prekmurje region whose landscape and culture share similarities with neighboring Hungary. The town of Filovci is known for its black pottery and guests will have a hands-on experience with the craftsmen here. There will be the chance to buy locally produced ceramics, wood works and other items. Later, we’ll visit bucolic stork villages and a couple of fine churches designed by Joze Plecnik, Slovenia’s famed architect. After a farmhouse dinner, we’ll learn the secrets to making Gibanica, this region’s signature desert.

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 karst dinner with local Teran wine, prsut and other specialties at the Skerlj family farmhouse. This property 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. Dinner at farmhouse.

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 Logar Valley, one of Slovenia’s most breathtaking natural wonders. A perfect setting for peaceful walks or hikes through spectacular scenery and waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at farmhouse.

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