Food & Wine Tour of Slovenia

(7 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Ljubljana with Lake Bled & the Julian Alps, Portoroz with Goriska Brda & Piran

This private tour focuses on the superb food and wine of Slovenia. Experience the best of the many local specialties through wine tastings, market visits and culinary touring and activities.

Begin in Ljubljana, the charming capital of Slovenia. During private touring, explore the Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture in the historic center; enjoy a boat ride on the Ljubljanica River, which flows through the city; visit Ljubljana Castle for panoramic views over the capital from a forested hilltop; tour the National Gallery of Slovenia; browse local markets and shops; and enjoy leisure time to relax at local cafes and restaurants.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to the beautiful Julian Alps. At iconic Lake Bled, ride in a private pletna (flat-bottomed wooden boat) to a tiny island with a picturesque church and bell tower. Also see Bled Castle, which perches atop rocky cliffs overlooking the water. Nearby, visit a beekeeper to learn about this popular Slovenian pastime and taste local honey. Continue to Lake Bohinj, a picture-perfect mountain lake surrounded by the rocky peaks of Triglav National Park. Visit a cheesemaking farm or the Museum of Alpine Dairy Farming to learn about and taste local cheeses. Perhaps opt for a scenic walk on a lakeside trail, or ride a cable car for incredible bird's-eye views over the lake and mountains.

Next, transfer to Portoroz. En route, see the incredible stalactites and stalagmites inside Postojna Cave or the dramatic karst chambers inside Skocjan Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps also visit Lipica Stud Farm, where Lipizzaner horses have been bred for centuries, or Predjama Castle, a medieval fortress built into high stone cliffs. Continue to Portoroz, a resort town on the Adriatic Sea, and enjoy private excursions in the region. One day, explore picturesque Piran, a walled Venetian port town on a small peninsula. Also visit Secovlje Salina Nature Park to see salt pans that have produced salt for centuries and a fish farm that raises sea bass and mussels in Piran Bay. Another day, visit the beautiful Goriska Brda wine region to see charming medieval hill towns and sample Slovenian wines at top wineries tucked into the rolling landscape. Also enjoy regional culinary highlights such as olive oil and seasonal fruit.

This tour can be further customized to include neighboring countries such as Croatia, Italy and Austria.