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Day 1
Arrival and explore the Škocjan Caves, Lipica Stud Farm, and Goriska Brda
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If you arrived in Ljubljana the previous day, a tour representative will pick you up at your hotel at 10:00 am, otherwise, they will pick you up at 11:00 am at the Ljubljana airport. After a short transfer, your first stop is the Škocjan Caves Regional Park, one of Slovenia's most beautiful natural sights and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This picturesque underground world is the largest underground river canyon in the world and famous for its giant dripstone formations as well as the underground rapids and lakes. You'll make your way to the heart of the Karst region where you will admire noble and elegant white horses at Lipica Stud Farm, the cradle of the Lipizzaners and one of the oldest stud farms in the world.
Afterward, you'll sample the culinary delicacies of the Karst region and continue to Goriška Brda, Slovenia’s most beautiful wine-growing region. Check into your room and take your time to explore the farm stay, walk around the vineyards, swim in the pool, or just relax in the garden with a glass of wine.
In the evening, you'll enjoy a welcome dinner with traditional and local dishes. This is a fun and easy way to get to know everyone. After dinner, you'll tour the family's wine cellar. Learn how the owners follow and nurture a centuries-old tradition of winemaking methods in addition to offering diverse and excellent certified organic wines.
Meals included: Lunch and dinner
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Day 2
The Vipava Valley
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After breakfast you'll drive to the small culturally protected village of Goce, where you'll learn about the history of the Vipava Valley. You'll follow a trail that leads to a 650-year-old farmhouse hidden in the narrow streets. Here you'll eat lunch and taste wine in one of 75 preserved stone- arched wine cellars with the owner. This is sure to be an experience you'll never forget - a real food-lover's dream!
After lunch, you'll visit the scenic hillside town with a unique historical background. It used to be the center of the valley for centuries. Admire the old streets, squares, and other attractions in one of the sunniest regions of Slovenia and taste local wine. You'll delight your palate with a visit to a tourist farm where unique batches of cheeses are created by a special process. Before dinner and wine sampling, you will be fascinated by the beautiful view of the Vipava Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 3
Wine tasting and cooking class
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Start the day with a visit to one of the 2017 Top 100 Wineries in the World (selected by Wine and Spirits Magazine) and considered to be one of the top 12 wine creators in the world. Enjoy wine tasting and a light lunch with a great view overlooking the Medana vineyards.
This evening, around 5:00 pm, everyone will grab an apron and begin tonight's cooking class! The cooking lesson will last around two hours and will focus on cooking authentic Goriška Brda dishes. Local women will share their culinary secrets and family recipes. After the cooking class, you'll gather outside on the terrace to enjoy the fruits of your work and devour the meal you have just prepared.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 4
Explore Goriska Brda and sample sparkling wine
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Today's tour starts at Dobrovo castle, a two-story Renaissance-era structure from the 17th century. You'll pass through the poetic village of Medana before climbing to the lookout tower at Gonjace, which offers magnificent views of the entire region and even the Adriatic coast. You'll then visit the walled town of Šmartno, one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Slovenia. Enjoy a traditional lunch here and sample traditional spirits and liquors from different fruits and herbs as you learn about the production methods.
In the heart of Goriška Brda you'll discover one of the oldest cellars in Slovenia, located in a chateau that was built in the 13th century. It is now home to a family-run winery, known for their award-winning sparkling wines, which are made according to traditional methods. You'll tour the wine cellar and enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner with a selection of sparkling wines.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 5
Soca River Valley and dinner at Hiša Franko
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Today will be a blend of nature, history, and delicious food as you take a day trip to the stunning Soca River Valley, one of the most beautiful river valleys in the world. Enjoy a scenic and pleasant walk to the lovely, hidden Kozjak waterfalls before visiting the historic town of Kobarid where Ernest Hemingway was inspired to write his novel, A Farewell to Arms. You'll have time to visit the Museum of World War 1 or just relax in a pub tasting local craft beer.
Tonight you are treated to a truly unique gastronomic experience with an 11-course dinner prepared by one of the most innovative chefs, Ana Roš, in her family-run restaurant, Hiša Franko. She is the star of Netflix’s Chef’s Table– Season 2 and winner of World's Best Female Chef of 2017 by the World's 50 Best Restaurants Organization and her restaurant was voted among 50 World’s Best Restaurants for 2018 with two Michelin stars. Ana's eclectic cooking style is rooted in the surrounding Alpine landscape and influenced by modern and international trends.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 6
Piran, the Slovenian coast, and Truffle hunting
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Spend a day on the Slovenian coast and discover its scenic, historical, and gourmet delights. You'll explore charming and romantic Piran, one of the loveliest towns in Slovenia, and walk along the beautiful narrow streets. The town's rich history is mirrored in its Venetian architecture and you'll enjoy stunning views from the old Piran town wall where you can admire the city from a different perspective and see the coastline of the Adriatic Sea.
Enjoy a seafood lunch in a restaurant along the sea, with a selection of great local wine. Afterward, you'll have free time for shopping, swimming, or just relaxing with a coffee in Tartini Square. After returning to Goriška Brda, you'll be introduced to the world of truffles. Learn all the secrets behind white and black truffles and their reason for growing in the Slovenian Istria. After a successful truffle hunting, you will cook fuzi, a local name for pasta, with truffles according to local family recipes. The evening will be spiced up with delectable appetizers and you can raise a glass to another great day in Slovenia.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 7
Karst region and farewell dinner
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The day will start a day with a short drive to the Karst wine-growing region to explore old villages, admire the landscape, and taste the world of culinary excellence.
You'll visit a boutique family-owned prosciutto drying facility where they are preserving the cultural heritage of prosciutto drying craft in the Karst region. Treat your taste buds with different kinds of prosciuttos and discover the taste of Karst with the famous Teran red wine.
Afterward, you'll take a short walking tour to the medieval village of Štanjel, pearl of the Karst stone villages, where you will feel the history and culture of this region.
Tonight you'll enjoy a farewell dinner in the Brda countryside where each dish will be enhanced by a selection of your host’s wine. The winery continually ranks on the list of 100 best wineries in the world by Wine and Spirits Magazine and tonight will be a fine introduction to amber wines (better known as orange wines).
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 8
Departure
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After breakfast, you'll check out of your room. Your guides will transfer you to the vibrant capital town of Ljubljana to catch afternoon flights or train departures. As you leave, you'll take the delicious flavors, good memories, local products, and a collection of fantastic Slovenian recipes home with you.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Note on the itinerary
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Although every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary schedule listed above, this itinerary may be subject to change in the event of unforeseen circumstances in order to adapt to local conditions and provide you with the best possible travel experience.