Day 1 Brda

A fairy tale landscape, nested halfway between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, with abundance of beauties, attractions and experiences. This idyllic landscape of slovenian region of Brda is where we spend two nights. Cultural heritage in Brda has intertwined over the centuries: from cultivated landscapes, typical architectures of villages and castles to numerous ethnological attractions, customs, habits and a distinctive dialect. The stamp of the past has undoubtedly left its traces.The hilly Brda landscape is speckled with villages, some clustered like birds’ nests, some elongated and dispersed, with houses spread along the ridges, but all of them surrounded by the greenery of vineyards and orchards with roads, track and paths winding among them. Our lodging is modern Hotel San Martin (two nights) situated in charming village of Šmartno. Included transfers from Trieste airport and Trieste city center followed by late afternoon orientational walk, welcome drink and welcome dinner.

 

Day 2 Brda-Slovenian coast-Piran-Lipica

Our morning tour of Šmartno takes us through the historic center followed by free time to explore on your own and an included wine tasting.The picturesque walled village with five preserved towers, perched on a panoramic hill like an eagle’s nest, can be seen from every corner of Brda. The settlement that was probably built on Roman foundations used to be a fortification on the strategic Venetian-Austrian border. Today it is an architectural jewel, a cultural monument, unique as a whole and in numerous details. This afternoon we drive to Slovenian coast to see picturesque Piran, sitting at the tip of a narrow peninsula, is everyone’s favourite town on the Slovenian coast. Its Old Town – one of the best preserved historical towns anywhere on the Adriatic – is a gem of Venetian Gothic architecture, it’s hard not to fall in love with the winding Venetian Gothic alleyways and tempting seafood restaurants. On the way to Slovenian coast we”ll have a coffee stop in Lipica Stud Farm, home to the famous Lipizzaner horses since the 16th century.

 

Day 3 Brda-Soča Valley-Vršič Pass-Radovljica

We’ll start our day with a picturesque drive up the famous valley of the Soča river and have a stop at Kobarid to see first world war museum. Kobarid Museum displays exhibits on the events that occurred during World War I on the Soška fronta – Isonzo Front. It covers two and a half years of static fighting and portrays in detail the 12th Isonzo battle, also known as the Caporetto breakthrough. The latter is one of the major battles in the history of mankind having taken place in hilly terrain. The described events are related to the adventures and memories of celebrities, among whom are Ernest Hemingway and Erwin Rommel. Kobarid Museum has received the highest national award, was proclaimed Best European Museum, and won the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 1993. Today one of the highlights will be croosing the Julian Alps and reaching slovenian highest mountain pass Vršič. Once on the top you will be rewarded by one of the best and most breathtaking scenery in the Alps. After the pass the road descents to fertile Sava valley, where we arrive late afternoon to Radovljica. We’ll be staying two nights at the Pension Lectar or similar. The Pension Lectar offers medieval-style comfort in a domestic atmosphere and it is located in the old centre of Radovljica. Tonight Gostilna Lectar, a 180 year old family-run restaurant will introduce us to the local cuisine and will show us how the traditional gingerbread shaped hearts are made.

 

Day 4 Radovljica-Lake Bled-Vintgar Gorge-Bohinj Lake-Kropa

Today we spent the morning at Lake Bled. Surrounded by high mountains, a dramatically placed 11th century cliffside castle and its tiny island with 99 steps leading up to the exquisite Church of the Assumption, the lake presents a fairy tale setting like no other. You’ll have time on your own to explore the 1000 year old town of Bled, take pletna boat ride to Bled Island where you’ll discover to what purpose men attempt to carry their brides up the steps, explore Villa Bled (Tito’s Villa) to ponder Socialist realism murals and mosaics and to taste the excellent kremšnita cake. Included experience today will be the most intact nature of Bled in the first touristically arranged gorge in Slovenia. The mile long Vintgar gorge carves its way through the vertical rocks of the Hom and Bort hills and is graced by the Radovna with its waterfalls, pools and rapids. The educational trail leads you over wooden bridges and Žumr’s galleries, and ends with a bridge overlooking the mighty 13 m high Šum waterfall. The Vintgar gorge also includes two man-made sights. The single-arch stone bridge of the Bohinj railway, constructed in 1906, which crosses the gorge 33.5 m above the trail, and the dam from which the water is routed to the small Vintgar hydroelectric power plant under the Šum waterfall. In the afternoon we drive to the village of Kropa to visit Iron Forging Museum. A centuries-old tradition comes together in the mighty Klinar House which is situated in the middle of the square and was the first technical museum in Slovenia. The history of iron forging comes alive with the help of several models which will be set in motion just for you. The Iron Forging Museum in Kropa demonstrates the entire iron working process: from iron ore to a spike. In addition to the technical and historical presentation of manual iron forging, the museum also portrays how life used to be in Kropa and its surrounds. This evening you’ll be free to explore Radovljica or Bled more.

 

Day 5 Radovljica-Škofja Loka-Ljubljana-Maribor

Morning drive will take us first to an attractive town of Škofja Loka, which is considered the most beautifully preserved medieval city in Slovenia. Its rich cultural heritage intertwines with unspoiled nature, earning the city the name “Gallery in Nature”, while the picturesque and colourful house facades fostered yet another: “Motley Loka.” We take a trip back in time in Škofja Loka on a guided visit to a typical 15th century Slovene home. Our next stop and one of the highlights of the tour is the sparkling capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana.

Ljubljana has the most beautiful historic center, contained within a sprawling pedestrian zone that flanks both sides of the willow-lined Ljubljanica River, with animated cafés and restaurants, magnificent Baroque buildings and bridges. Our local guide will walk us through the old town, highlighted by the works of Slovenia’s greatest architect, Joze Plecnik, the outdoor markets and historic palaces. Plenty of free time also to enjoy and explore Ljubljana on your own. Late afternoon departure to Maribor and overnight in riverfront and centrally located City hotel or similar. Tonight enjoy dinner in one of the local restaurants.

 

Day 6 Maribor-Prekmurje Region

We start our day with orientational walk through the old town core, along the riverfront and through the bustling streets and squares streets of Maribor. Maribor is pleasantly small, surrounded by wonderful forests on one side and wine growing hills on the other with the Drava River winding its way through. Late morning departure to one of the best and less discovered regions of Slovenia – Prekmurje. The dreamy countryside along the Mura River in eastern Slovenia is a land of wide fields and rounded hills, storks and wind-rattles, floating mills, healing waters and energy points, picturesque winegrowing hills, original traditions and dialects, and most of all, a land of hospitable people, who live in Slovenia’s largest agricultural region. To get most out of Prekmurje region, we’ll start first with a visit of Pumpkin Oil Mill, then we’ll be brought across the river Mura on a ford and see the operating floating mill that is still grinding wheat. We continue our visit of the region in Knitting-straw museum and Open-air Etno-village and pottery museum. To experience hospitable people of Prekmurje our overnight stop is Farmhouse Firbas or similar where we also try culinary delights of the region.

 

Day 7 Prekmurje region-Ptuj-Bizeljsko-Postojna

This morning coffee stop will be in a picturesque town of Ptuj on the River Drava. Ptuj is one of the oldest towns and known already in Roman times, the only mainland town in Slovenia it received town privileges as early on as 1376. The core of the mediaeval town is completely heritage protected. Ptuj was historically an important intersection point between east and west. Already in pre-historic times, the famous Amber trading route ran by Ptuj. Afterwards we drive to wine-growing region of Bizeljsko for a wine-tasting at one of the best slovenian wine cellars-Graben. List of their clients includes also White house and UN building in NY. They age their wines in special cellars called »Repnice« dug in silicat sand which is a left-over reminder of the Panonic sea. Many years ago they were used instead of refrigerators for storing crops. Today they use them for storing bottled wine, because constant temperature and very high moisture provide ideal envirement for wine storing. Late afternoon arrival in Postojna. Our hotel Kras or similar is located in the center of the town and ten minutes walking from world famous Postojna caves.

 

Day 8 Postojna-Snežnik castle-Križna cave-Postojna

One of the highlights of visiting Slovenia are caves and castles and today we see one of each. The Snežnik castle is situated in the gorgeous natural environment, surrounded by meadows and avenues on the edge of Snežnik forests. Its exterior is original and it contains authentic interior furniture in spacious halls that conjures up the atmosphere from 150 years ago. Snežnik castle is the only one (out of 500) in Slovenia with fully preserved original interior equipment. A guided tour of castle takes about 45 minutes. Lunch in a local restaurant to try more of traditional slovenian dishes. Nearby Križna jama cave is a karst cave.

Its features are underground lakes with sinter’s barriers and an extremely interesting site with bones of bears, along with the naturally preserved environment for animals. The entrance part of the cave is known by its huge halls. The other passages are cut off by calcareous sinter or covered with rocks, and smaller stalagmites and stalactites. The natural light disappears after a few hundred meters and visitors continue to explore the cave with hand lamps. The Main passage continues through the Great hall displaying the bones of cave bears, which are extremely interesting. The bones astonish the visitors with their size and number. The path continues through the passage which drains off water from the first lake. The visit is followed by a short boat ride on the first lake.

 

Day 9 Postojna-Predjama castle-Karst-Štanjel-Postojna

Today morning is free to explore nearby attractions Postojnska jama and Predjamski grad on your own. In the afternoon we board for a Karst trip. Karst region is a limestone plateau rich with potential for exploration.The region is known for its wine production, caves, proximity to the sea and opportunities for discovering the country’s attractions and culture.

Along with caves, the Karst is rich in olives, ruby-red Teran wine, pršut, old stone churches and red-tiled roofs.The highlight of the trip is a stop at a unique Karst hill-top village of Štanjel; the jewel of the Karst region. The Romans turned the top of the hill into an ancient fort, in the Middle Ages the village expanded over the hill, and later on the settlement was enclosed by defence walls to protect it against Turks invasions.

However, the most dominant features of the village are the Castle and the Church of Saint Daniel, which make Štanjel so remarkable. While walking through the narrow streets, the houses built in stone are telling you the story of stonemasons, who portrayed their experience of the Karst through stone. The streets end up in small squares, which were once popular meeting places for the youth and elderly. A very interesting passage from the stone village to the green surroundings is represented by Ferrari’s Garden, a unique masterpiece of the architect Max Fabiani. Evening farewell gastronomic dinner in Postojna.

 

Day 10

Departure for Trieste or Ljubljana airport.

 

Tour price

• 2 pax: 10 days from 2800 euro per person.
• 4 pax: 10 days from 2400 euro per person.
• 6 pax: 10 days from 2150 euro per person.
• 8 pax: 10 days from 1950euro per person.

Single room supplement 400 euro

 

What is included?

• Land transportation through the whole tour in modern luxury mini-van
• Transfers from Trieste or Ljubljana airport in&out
• 9 nights’ 3&4 star hotel accomodation.
• Full time professional licensed English speaking driver/guide
• Local guides in Ljubljana, Maribor, Kropa museum, Nace’s house in Škofja Loka, Snežnik castle and Križna jama cave
• All breakfasts, 5 dinners(one drink included), 1 lunch(one drink included), 2 wine-tastings,…
• Entrance fees to Kobarid WW1 museum, Vingar gorge, Kropa iron-forging museum, Babič mill, Snežnik castle and Križna jama cave.