ITINERARY

Slovenia is one of Europe's most geographically diverse regions - it also happens to be home to Cultisan's European HQ. Alpine mountains, an Adriatic Mediterranean style coast, wine regions reminiscent of Tuscany, rolling hills and forests, expansive flatlands - all of it compressed into a country around the size of Wales. It is impossible to capture Slovenia in a single travel adventure, especially in 4 days, so we've focussed on Slovenia's South West regions from the capital city Ljubljana towards the Adriatic coast. We will, in time, be offering multiple experiences in Slovenia because quite frankly it deserves it.

Thursday

Overnight: Vipava Valley

Arrive at Ljubljana International Airport (LJU)). Meet your private English-speaking driver outside customs and arrive into the Vipava Valley, one of 4 micro wine regions in western Slovenia. Check into boutique hotel tucked away in a pine forest overlooking the valley. Get the whole picture of winemaking in this valley alongside Slovenian history and geography with a young winemaker. Sample the indigenous white wines of Vipava (Pinela, Zelen and Malvazija).  Visit organic farm perched high above the valley. Tour their cheese cave, abandoned Italian bunker from post-WWI, and sample aged, herbed and fresh cheeses before dinner of venison and lamb.

Friday

Overnight: Vipava Valley

Less than one hour’s drive lies Slovenia’s Istria region, another of the 4 micro wine regions, set near the Adriatic Sea. Tour an organic olive farm and learn the techniques of tasting and recognizing olive oil properties. Outdoor lunch follows with all local products overlooking old Venetian salt flats. Pop into the charming seaside town of Piran before meeting with Slovenia’s ambassadors for Slow Food at their farm in the Istrian countryside. Tour their Mediterranean herb garden and enjoy a wide variety of tastings of homemade products and food ranging from fruit, honey, cheeses and their specially prepared jellies infused with herbs and wine. Private dinner with the family before returning to our lodgings in Vipava. 

Saturday

Overnight: Vipava Valley

Sample the other two micro wine regions of Karst and Brda along with all the essential dishes and flavours. You can’t get a better pairing in Slovenia than air-dried prosciutto (pršut) together with the bold taste of Teran wine. Tastings of both with a 20-something winemaker in Karst. Make our way to the beautiful hills of Brda region with a stop for some serious comfort food on the Italian border prepared by a Slovenian family. Sample Brda’s Rebula wine, the queen of whites here, and some of the northern-most olive oil produced in Europe at a fortified hill town that was once the border between Venetians and Habsburgs. Tuck into a five-course dinner paired with wines from a family winery that uses the traditional Georgian method of wine storage in amphoras known as qvevri.  

Sunday

Check out of the boutique hotel in Vipava and arrive into Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana. Stroll around town before sampling a Slovenian twist on tapas at one of Cultisan’s favourite eateries in the city. Transfer on to Ljubljana airport. 

NOTES

Price per person sharing a double room based on 6-10 people participating.

Price includes

3 nights lodging

3 dinners with wine

3 lunches

All wine and other tastings in the program

Transport by van or mini-bus

Airport transfers to Ljubljana (LJU)

Tour leader

Cultisan founder Jason Hartley will also join this tour

Price does not include

Gratuities

Flights

Travel Insurance. Cultisan recommends World Nomads

Cancellation Policy

If cancelled up to 30 days prior to the scheduled commencement of the program, 50% will be refunded; If cancellation is the result of COVID restrictions - proof required - a 100% credit will be provided or 80% can be refunded.

If cancelled later or in case of no-show no refund will be provided.