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Tour Director - Becky Edwards
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Minimum: 6
Maximum: 12

You should fly into and out of Ljubljana (Lub-lee-anna) International Airport, arriving no later than 2 pm on September 2nd. You can depart at any time on September 12th. ​

Day 1 - Overnight in Ljubljana - D
Welcome to Slovenia! After arriving at Ljubljana airport, you’ll be met by your driver and transferred to our centrally-located hotel. Depending on when you arrive, remember that hotel rooms are typically available for check in at 2 pm but, they are always happy to hold your bags while you explore.  In the early evening we’ll meet as a group for the official start of the tour. We will enjoy a traditional Slovenian evening of dinner and dancing.  We’ll taste local dishes, accompanied by folk music, dancing and Slovenian games. It will be a fun evening as we immerse ourselves in the culture and savour the flavours and stories of Slovenia’s rich heritage. 

Day 2 - Overnight in Ljubljana - B
Today we’ll begin with a walking tour in the city center’s pedestrian zone and see the must-see sights of the city. We’ll take in the atmosphere of the historic riverbanks of Ljubljana (including the hustle and bustle of the Central Market) and get a great sense of the local life from our guide. Next we’ll relax on a boat ride along the river, lined with amazing architecture and lively bars, cafes, and restaurants, the banks of the Ljubljanica river are the place to be. Our day will end when we take the cable car up the hill to the castle. The silent guardian from above, the Ljubljana castle dates back to the 11th century, when it was constructed as a medieval fortress. The castle acquired its present outline with an almost complete overhaul in the 15th century. Here we’ll say goodbye to our guide, and you’ll have the afternoon and evening to explore the castle further and enjoy the beautiful city. 

Day 3 - Overnight in Ljubljana - B, L (Food Tour)
Today we’ll dig into the culinary traditions of Slovenia as we enjoy a local food tour. We’ll experience the delicious flavors of Slovenia with a guided tour through the restaurants of Ljubljana. This tour offers a unique and exciting way to discover the best local cuisine and wines from various regions of Slovenia. Along the way you’ll also learn about Slovenian traditions, and explore the town’s rich cultural heritage.  

Day 4 - Overnight in Ljubljana - B, L​
Today we travel out of the city to the unique high plain of Velika Planina. Nestled in the heart of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Velika Planina is a captivating and historic high-altitude alpine settlement. This enchanting locale is among the largest and most picturesque alpine pastures in all of Europe, sprawling across an impressive 577 hectares of verdant pastureland. What sets Velika Planina apart is its collection of around 60 distinctive and historically correct semicircular wooden huts. These shingle-roofed structures, steeped in history since the Middle Ages, have served as a haven for humans and livestock alike, echoing the pastoral traditions of the region. Between the months of June and September, the settlement springs to life. Local herdsmen make their annual migration to this scenic highland retreat, grazing their cattle on the lush alpine meadows. These herdsmen are also dairy artisans, crafting products such as sour milk, yoghurt, butter, and local cheese only available in this village. We’ll take the gondola and then cable car up to the plain and spend some time exploring this historic area. We’ll end our visit with a stop in a traditional cafe to enjoy a shepherd’s lunch, experiencing life on this high plain.

Day 5 - Overnight in Piran, memento B&B - B
After checking out and loading luggage, we’ll make our way to Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle. Located in the Karst region of Slovenia, Postojna cave is famous for its beautiful (millions of years old) dripstones and other incredible cave formations.  People have been visiting Postojna Cave for hundreds of years, making it one of the oldest show caves in the world. The world’s first underground railway was constructed here and it’s still the main means of transport. Interestingly, Postojna Cave is home to a species of amphibian called proteus or olm, an endemic amphibious creature known as the “human fish” (the Slovenian translation lovingly dubbed this the “baby dragon”). Next we’ll visit Predjama Castle, a fascinating architectural wonder that holds the title of the world’s largest cave castleazxx . Built dramatically into the mouth of a towering 123-meter cliff,  it blends seamlessly with the natural rock formations of the Karst region. The castle’s unique construction and strategic location have made it an enduring symbol of medieval ingenuity and independence. After a stop for lunch, we’ll head to the famous Lipica Horse Stud Farm. The name “Lipica” is derived from the Slovenian word lipa or “linden tree,” a national symbol of Slovenia. Home to the world-famous white Lipizzaner horses, the stud farm in Lipica has been in operation since the late 14th century, placing it among the oldest stud farms in Europe. They originally bred horses for the Viennese royal court. We’ll learn about the breeding and training of these beautiful horses and enjoy a show as we watch them perform. After our full day of exploring, we’ll check into our accommodations in the seaside town of Piran and you’ll have the rest of the evening to explore on your own. 

Day 6 - Overnight in Piran, Memento B&B - B, D
Today we’ll dig into We’ll start our day with a panoramic boat trip along the coast, making a stop in Izola, another beautifiul seaside town, Here you’ll have a couple of hours to explore and grab lunch. After our time on the boat, we’ll visit the Fonda Fish Farm where a family of marine biologists have created a brand out of their unique and sustainable fish farming system. Here we will tour their farm by boat and understand their passion for fresh and sustainable farming.  The fish farm is truly a refuge for numerous fish and other marine organisms. The farm, therefore, performs a similar function in the sea to artificial reefs or shipwrecks, quickly becoming the center of new life in the area. After the tour we’ll enjoy some tastings of the fresh branzino along with other local products. This will be an interesting and educational afternoon. We’ll end our day with a short walking tour of Piran before sitting down to dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 7 - Overnight in Piran, Memento B&B - B
Today is a day to get ouside as we enjoy a bike ride through the Vipava Valley. We’ll cycle on small country roads and dirt track amd marvel at the beauty of Slovenia’s small farms and rolling vineyards. Renowned for its world-class wines, Vipava Valley boasts a warm Mediterranean climate, unique soil composition, and centuries-old winemaking traditions which combine to create some of the most exceptional wines in Europe. The winemakers in this valley are passionate about their craft and always eager to share their knowledge and expertise with visitors. We will exerience this first hand as we visit a local winery, meeting the owners, touring their facilities and enjoying their wines along with local foods. 

Day 8 - Overnight in Bled, Pension Berc - B, L 
Today we make our way to the beautiful area of Lake Bled. En route, we’ll explore the Soča River Valley (known for its striking turquoise waters and dramatic mountain landscapes), making several stops along the way for short hikes and photo opportunities. We’ll enjoy a walk through the Tolmin Gorge, located at the southernmost tip of Triglav National Park. This gorge is one of Slovenia’s most captivating natural attractions. Carved by the Tolminka and Zadlaščica rivers, it encompasses a dramatic landscape of narrow gorges, crystal-clear waters, and lush greenery.  Another stop along the way will be at the Soča Gorge, a stunning natural wonder with emerald-green waters flowing through narrow rock formations. The colors will truly amaze you and will lead to some of the best photographs of the trip. We’ll stop for lunch as a group before starting our drive over the famous Vršič Pass with its panoramic views. We’ll make stops along the way for photos as our guides entertain us with stories of Slovenian folklore. Our drive over the pass will bring us to the beautiful alpine town of Kranjska Gora where we’ll take a break before arriving in the famous town of Bled.  It will be a day filled with the beauty of the Julian Alps. 

Day 9 - Overnight in Bled, Pension Berc - B, L 
We’ll start the day with a visit to Bled Castle. Perched above Lake Bled, you’ll enjoy some of the best views of the famous lake and surrounding alps, where you can explore the museum and visit the shops. Next we’ll enjoy one of the must-do activities in Bled - taking a Pletna boat ride to Bled Island (Bled Jezero).  The Pletna is a traditional wooden, flat-bottomed boat (similar to a Venetian gondola) and a part of Bled’s history since 1590. The Pletna boats are operated by “pletnars,” rowing standing up with two oars, a unique and traditional rowing style. Once you reach Bled Island, we will visit the Church of the Assumption, ring the wishing bell, and enjoy the stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The island also offers walking paths with many opportunities for exceptional photos of the surrounding area. After Bled, we’ll make our way to the area of Bohinj with it’s beautiful glacial lake. We’ll stop for lunch as a group before exploring the Mostnica Gorge by foot. Formed by the erosion of the local limestone, the gorge is filled with beautiful potholes, rock formations and round basins. One opening in the rock between two water-carved potholes is especially interesting, forming a natural window with a rocky arch resembling an elephant’s trunk. After our time in Bohinj, we’ll return to Bled, ending the day with a visit to a sommelier, enjoying a regional wine tasting, exploring the different wine regions of Slovenia and its unique grape varietals. 

Day 10 - Overnight in Bled, Pension Berc - B, D 
Our last full day in Slovenia will spent with bees and food (?). Did you know that beekeeping is a way of life for many Slovenians? There are four times more beekeepers per capita in Slovenia than in the rest of Europe!  As a point of fact, Anton Janša, a beekeeper in the 18th century, laid the groundwork for modern beekeepers. Our day starts with a visit to a local beekeeper where we’ll learn the importance of this tradition. It will be an informative morning and we’ll leave with a better understanding of the life of bees and how important they are to the survival of our planet. After the visit, we will have free time to explore Bled a bit more before we meet back up for our cooking class. Sure to be the perfect way to spend our last evening in Slovenia, we’ll meet a local family at their home, learning to cook traditional Slovenian dishes. This will be a fun, relaxing evening making new friends and eating great food. 

Day 11 - B
Unfortunately, it’s time to leave this beautiful county. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight home.