DESTINATION

11 days - 9 nights starting at:

$3,495pp*

in DBL occupancy

FROM EAST COAST

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Main program includes:

• Round trip airfare from most East Coast airports. Airline taxes and fuel surcharges are included. (Valid at present time)

• First class hotel accommodations for 9 nights at a centrally located hotels as mentioned in the itinerary (or similar) including hotel tax and service charges.

• Services of an English-speaking tour manager throughout the program.

• Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation for all transfers, tours and guided excursions.

• Guided tours, admissions and entrance fees as per program in itinerary.

• Daily Breakfast, 9 lunch (Drinks are not included)

• Wine, cheese, oil tastings as per program. in itinerary.

• All VAT city and local Tax, baggage handling at hotels. (Based on one bag per person)

NOTES:  All taxes and fuel surcharges are included and valid at the time of printing but are subject to change. The price does not include tips, travel insurance, airline luggage overage fees, passports fees, visas, optional tours that might be offered in addition to our daily included program, as well as items of a personal nature. 

ITINERARY:

Day 1 : Arrival in Ljubljana

We will spend the first hours visiting the streets of Ljubljana. Strolling along the banks of the Ljubljanica River, we will admire the Prešeren square, the Triple Bridge, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and the Market Square, the Shoemaker's Bridge, the City Hall... Free time for lunch.  Later, we will take an advantage of the funicular to visit Ljubljana Castle with a magnificent view of the whole city and its surroundings.  Included: Guided tour of Ljubljana, lunch, visit of the castle with funicular.  Overnight in Ljubljana. (L)

 

Included: Guided tour of Ljubljana, lunch, visit of the castle with funicular.

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*Optional:

• Boat on the river Ljubljana

• Visit of the National Gallery

• Visit of the Slovenian Ethnographic Museum

• Traditional Slovenian evening with music & dinner

 

Day 2: Ljubljana – Lake Bled – Lake Bohinj – Ljubljana

After a delicious breakfast, we will head to Bled for a boat trip (Pletna) and visit the only island in Slovenia, located in the middle of the lake. Visit of the oldest Slovenian castle, with its museum, perched high above the lake of Bled. Lunch in local restaurant. Drive to the Bohinj Lake, located in the middle of the Triglav National Park. We will take the cable car up to Mount Vogel, 1537 meters above sea level, from where we can admire the highest peaks of the Julian Alps and the majestic and unspoiled beauty of Lake Bohinj. Visit of traditional Oplen`s house. Return to Ljubljana.  Overnight in Ljubljana. (B, L)

 

Included: Bus transfer, guide, visit of Bled Castle, Pletna boat on Bled Lake, lunch, funicular to Mount Vogel, old traditional house with black kitchen in Bohinj.

 

*Optional:

• Church on the island

• Vintgar gorge

 

Day 3: Ljubljana – Otočec – Kostnjevica na Krki – Novo mesto – Ljubljana

After breakfast, departure for Stična and the visit of the monastery and its museum. We continue to Otočec, for the visit of an authentic wine-tourist farm and listen to the history of Cviček wine. There we will also have a traditional lunch and wine tasting. In the afternoon we will pass the famous castle Otočec and visit the city of Art: Kostanjevica na Krki. On our way back to Ljubljana we will stop at Novo mesto where you can visit the Cathedral with its famous painting of Tintoreto (16th century).  Return to Ljubljana.  Overnight in Ljubljana. (B, L)

 

Included: Bus transfer, guide, visit of the monastery Stična, wine tasting and lunch.

 

*Optional:

• Božidar Jakac Art Museum

 

Day 4: Ljubljana – Maribor – Ptuj

After breakfast, departure for Maribor. Guided tour of the city centre and visit of the museum of the wine, where the oldest wine in the world is located. Lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia, with its castle, where the ethnographic museum is located. Wine degustation and visit of the oldest vine cellar in Slovenia at Ptuj.  Overnight in Maribor. (B, L)

 

Included: bus transfer, Maribor city tour and wine museum visit, guide, lunch, Ptuj City tour and visit of the Ptuj Castle & museum, visit to the wine cellar at Ptuj.

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Day 5: Ptuj – Lendava – Gornja Radgona – Ptuj

Today we head towards the Mura River. We will visit: the Lendava tower, orchid cultivation farm, a traditional pottery village and the Expano pavilion, which is an exceptional architectural creation and represents the region in an imaginative and innovative way. Vine cellar visit, where sparkling wine is produced, wine degustation and lunch. We will also have a degustation of pumpkins oil, largely cultivated in the region Return to the hotel.  Overnight in Maribor. (B, L)

 

Included: Bus transfer, visits of: orchid cultivation, pottery village, Expano pavilion, pumpkin oil degustation and lunch.

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Day 6: Ptuj – Velika Planina – Kranjska Gora

- After the breakfast 1.5 h drive towards Kamnik and Velika Planina.

- Cable car to Velika Planina, short HIKE and visit of cultural sights: typical pastures, museum of life of herdsmes and their settlement.

- Descent from Velika Planina and a walk around Kamnik, the second oldest city in Slovenia.

- Drive towards Kranjska Gora.

Overnight in Kranjska Gora (B, L)

 

Included: Cable car to Velika Planina, HIKE and visit of cultural sights: typical pastures, museum of life of herdsmes and their settlement, traditional lunch.

 

*Optional:

• Traditional cheese production workshop

 

Day 7: Kranjska Gora – Vršič / Predil pass – Soča valley – Nova Gorica

In the morning we will visit some natural sights in the region of Kranjska Gora: Jasna lake, Zelenci – Spring of Sava River, Planica Nordic center. We will continue our route and pass the mountains to reach Soča River. On the way we will take our time to enjoy the breath-taking landscape. Many people say Soča River is the most beautiful river on this planet. Nicknamed “The Emerald Beauty,” it has appeared in multiple well-known poems and movies and inspired many visitors. The river is one of the rare rivers that maintains an emerald-green or even bluish color all the way down its 138 kilometres to the Adriatic Sea. In Kobarid, there are some sights to visit, Planika Diary Museum. (B, L)

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Included: bus transfer, guide, visits of: Jasna Lake, Zelenci – Spring of Sava River, Planica Nordic center, Planika Diary Museum & lunch.  Overnight in Nova Gorica. (

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*Optional:

• 1st WW museum

• Visit to the Kozjek Falls - 1 hr easy hike

 

Day 8: Karst (Škocjan caves) – Portorož / Piran

After breakfast, drive to Vipava Valley and the karst plateau, passing through small villages, vineyards and olive groves. Stop in Štanjel and visit of this extraordinary village. We will visit a local prosciutto producer. Our lunch, made of local ingredients will be accompanied by local red wine. In the afternoon, we will visit the Škocjan Caves - UNESCO World Heritage Site. The network of caves is exceptionally beautiful. We continue to the coast.   Overnight in Portorož. (B, L)

 

Included: bus transfer, guide, lunch, tour of the Škocjan Caves.

 

*Optional:

• Truffle hunting & truffle culinary workshop

 

DAY 9: Piran – Portorož – Izola

Piran is a picturesque town in Venetian style. We will take a walk in this charming seaside town. Starting near the 19th century port of Piazza Tartini, named after the composer Giuseppe Tartini, we will continue to St. George's Cathedral, perched on the hill overlooking the city. After the visit, we will drive to the inland, to visit the wine fountain, overlooking the magnificent Trieste bay: vine degustation and lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon we can visit the salt marshes and the charming fishing town of Izola. Overnight in Portorož. (B, L)

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Included: bus transfer, guide, lunch, wine degustation.  

 

Optional:

• Boat trip along the coast with picnic and swimming

• Lipica Stud Farm

 

DAY 10: Piran / Portorož – Ljubljana / Ljubljana Airport

After breakfast, free time to relax and enjoy life in the café, the sun or a swim in the clear waters of the Adriatic. (B)

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NOTES: This all inclusive group tours includes moderate physical activity and can be set up as a family reunion custom groups tour.  The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time.  Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.