Wine and Culinary delights

Private transfer to Bled from Ljubljana Airport. Transfer from Venice airport is available for a supplement.

In the afternoon private guided tour of Bled: Bled is famous for its blue-green alpine lake, charming church on an island, a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke as backdrops – Bled is definitely a must visit place while in Slovenia.

After the tour, it’s time to try worldwide known cream cake called Kremšnita! It has been a simbol of Bled for a long time and every person that visits Bled should try it. You will taste it at the lovely renovated restaurant, where kremšnita has its origins.

To complete the first day you will enjoy Pletna boat ride: Traditional wooden boat ‘pletna’ will take you to the island in the middle of the lake. After landing, climb 99 stone steps to reach the Assumption of Mary Church, where you can listen to the church bell and ring it yourself. Legend has it that this will make your wish come true!

Overnight: Bled

Start your day with a visit of Beekeeping family Ambrozic where their brand Kralov Med guides their everyday life: One of most successful Slovenian beekeeper with many awards is also special in way that he caught a swarm of bees on snow white honey combs. Get involved in this special story and try their great honey.

After this your guide will take you to Bled Castle: the oldest castle in Slovenia. Perched atop a steep cliff rising 130 meters above the glacial Lake Bled is a symbol of Bled and Slovenia – Bled Castle. The image of the castle forming a dramatic backdrop to the romantic island and the church on it has earned the resort worldwide recognition through the centuries. Castle terraces offer spectacular views of the lake and the island.

Another lovely surprise awaits you on this day: The castle wine cellar attracts with tastings of its top-quality wines and a demonstration of bottling of wine from oak barrels. The visitor who fills a bottle as a souvenir, corks it and waxes it, is presented with a certificate. The blend of colours, smells and tastes will bring you utmost delight and enjoyment.

Rest of the day at leisure to explore Bled on your own.

Overnight: Bled

Private transfer to Ljubljana.

Immediately start with a food tour. Get a taste of traditional Slovenian cuisine with this guided tour through Ljubljana restaurants. Amusing, educational and above all tasty tour of Slovenian capital. Discover the best local food, delicious wines from various regions, learn about Slovenian traditions and explore the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Duration: approx. 3 hours

After the food tour you will enjoy a boat ride with wine tasting on the river Ljubljanica. Not only that, weather allowing the boat will take you from city center to your unique accommodation – ecological farm called Trnulja in Črna vas, a small village on the outskirts of Ljubljana.

Rest of the day at leisure. Feel free to explore the farm and try some of their products.

They also offer tastings of their locally grown products, guided tour of the farm and cold oil pressing demonstration with degustation platter. We highly recommend to add this to the itinerary on this day!

Overnight: Ljubljana

Transfer to Ptuj for a Wine tasting in the oldest Slovenian wine cellar: The valuables of the Millennia Treasury can be found below the town floor and we are not only talking about the undiscovered archaeological remains. One of the most important stories that helped shape the image, character, the past and the present fame of Ptuj and its surroundings is preserved in the Ptuj Cellar. Moreover – you can experience this story in the Ptuj Wine Cellar and enjoy it with all your senses.

The beginnings of viticulture and cellaring in the Ptuj area reach back at least two millennia to the past, at the same time Ptuj is proud of its sevenhundred-year-old tradition of wine production and cultivation. In the past, this rich tradition was shaped by different institutions and individuals, in the middle ages by the brothers of the Minorite Monastery, which houses the oldest wine cellar in Slovenia. Memories and the spirit of the past are preserved in the bottles kept in the Ptuj wine cellar, representing an admirable and the most important collection of archival wines in this part of Europe, among them there is a true wine memorial – the oldest archival wine in Slovenia – Zlata trta (Golden Vine) from 1917.

Continue to one of most remarkable wine regions in Slovenia, called Jeruzalem: These hills have been growing grapes since well before Roman emperor Probus declared the province ‘Vinea nobilis districts.’ At one point, when Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia, these hills produced 7 million bottles of Laški Rizling for the UK market alone. Try wine of renowned wine producer (Hlebec or Kupljen Wine Estate) before returning to Ljubljana.

Overnight: Ljubljana

Great unique experience in traditional Istrian village – Real truffle hunting with truffle tasting: Truffle is a king in the culinary. Slovenian Istria boast with numerous spots where this precious speciality is growing. Now you have a chance to take a look in the world of professional truffle hunter Dejan and his dog. Real truffle hunting and truffle tasting at the end can be really special refreshment of your tour.

Continue to Kras (Karst) region.

Wine tasting at Štoka Vinecellar, one of the best wineries in the whole region. Štoka family has been making wine for five generations. The farm covers an estate of 30 hectares, 7 of which are vineyards, which includes around 30,000 screws. The vines are 70% Refosco, from which wine Teran is produced, the 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 5% Chardonnay. The remainder is Malvazija and the autochthonous grapevine Vitovska Grganja.

End your day with a wonderful culinary experience – Slow food menu with wine pairing in Cejkotova home. Visit fantastic village Goče, known as the village with most wine cellars in the world. Slow food menu at Cejkotova home which is hidden in the narrow streets of the village, which is protected as a monument of the cultural heritage. Here, Davorin and his wife Jelka will prepare you delicious meal and take you to a wine cellar with such mystic atmosphere will be just perfect conclusion of a day.

Transfer to your accommodation and overnight.

Overnight: Štanjel, Kras

In the morning visit near-by charming village of Štanjel. Štanjel is one of the oldest settlements in the Karst Region, known for its old village centre. Due to its strategic location, the hill was already populated in prehistoric times and was fortified in antiquity. The characteristic defensive wall from the 15th century protected the inhabitants during the Turkish invasions. Between the two world wars, the architect and then mayor of Štanjel Max Fabiani left his mark here.

See also Ferrari Garden (Ferrarijev Vrt): below the fortified settlement of Štanjel the path takes us to the top of the garden through the Kobdilj Tower. From Ferrari Garden and the circular path you will have beautiful views of the Branica Valley.

Enjoy Lunch experience at 1st Class Kitchen and proud owners of a Michelin Star: Zemono Manor House and Gostilna pri Lojzetu: The gastronomic offer at Gostilna pri Lojzetu is now being designed by the fourth generation. Chef Tomaž Kavčič is Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and Le Soste, in addition to being a member of the international gastronomic association. He loves his Vipava Valley, so he proudly shows it off – on a plate. Every single dish in the restaurant is enveloped with the rich local tradition. Each dish is first envisioned in his head, then it is boldly tested on the kitchen floor, but the final verdict always belongs to the guests. Table reservation depends on availability at the time of booking. If Gostilna pri Lojzetu at Zemono is not available we will adapt the itinerary and visit DAM Restaurant in Nova Gorica, which is another newly awarded Michelin Star restaurant in Slovenia.

After this wonderful experience continue to Goriska Brda – Slovenian Tuscany for the last part of your trip.

Overnight: Goriška Brda

Guided tour of Goriška Brda: Goriska Brda, also known as Slovene Tuscany and center of top quality Slovenian wines and world-awarded olive oil. Both we will have chance to try by ourselves.
Visit Smartno, center of cultural life in wider area of this part of Slovenia.

Visit Scurek Wine Cellar: Each year the Ščurek Family releases up to 80,000 bottles of top quality wine. They have remained faithful to fresh but fullbodied wines, and delay the first racking until late spring. These wines need a little time to develop in the glass, but once they do it is hard to stop them. While making use of state-of-the-art technology, the Ščureks also explore the realm of possibilities offered by oak barrels, and are notable in their commitment to autochthonous varieties. They are particularly proud of the white and red Stara Brajda blends and the blends sold under the names UP and Kontra.

Continue to Sparkling wine cellar Bjana: In small village of Biljana visit of sparkling wine cellar and tasting of sparkling wine produced with a classical method in the renovated chateau with 800 years old wine cellar dated from 1208. Tasting is held in renovated tasting room with splendid views on the vineyards and Italy.

To complete the day enjoy a culinary experience in Vila Vipolže, most beutiful Renaissance Villa in Slovenia: Vila Vipolže tells a story in the heart of the Slavic, Germanic and Romanic worlds. Wine bar which is part of the Vila »Bread & Wine« offers an extremely rich wine list in combination with fresh and playful dishes. They welcome you for lunch or dinner with great culinary, based on exceptional local ingredients, which give characteristics to each dish, prepared in this fantastic environment.

Return to your hotel and at leisure.

Overnight: Goriška Brda

Private transfer to Kobarid in Soča Valley. The “Emerald” Soča is a remarkably beautiful river valley. See the Napoleon Bridge and if time allows it visit Kozjak Waterfall, located some 45 min relaxed hike from the center of Kobarid. The path is extremely panoramic and worth a while! It is not steep so it is appropriate for everyone.

After visit of the waterfall continue to unique culinary museum “Od planine do Planike” with Cheese Tasting: The Kobarid historical ethnological collection of the Museum of the Dairy Planika has developed its delicious products from the many-centuries-long dairy tradition of the upper Soča valley. A wonderful opportunity to purchase some delicious local souvenirs.

To conclude your trip enjoy a special culinary surprise in 2-Michelin Star Restaurant of Hiša Franko (House Franko): Enjoy in the culinary of Ana Roš, a self-taught cook, who was named world’s best female chef of Year 2017 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy: Hiša Franko dues its existence to traditions and local environment of the lush Soča Valley – harsh, remote, but breathtakingly beautiful. The diet in these parts was always dairy and meat based, so expect a lot of cheese and all its byproducts on their menu. The restaurant is closely knit with the community of foragers, shepherds, cheese makers, hunters and fishermen. Table reservation depends on availability at the time of booking. If House Franko is not available we will adapt the itinerary and visit House Polonka (Hiša Polonka) in the center of Kobarid, which is a Bistro restaurant also established by chef Ana Roš.

After this perfect experience return to Goriska Brda for overnight.

Overnight: Goriška Brda

Private transfer to Ljubljana/Venice Airport. In both cases it is approx. 2 hours drive.

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