Day 1 - Monday - Ljubljana
Arrival in Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia. You will be met and transferred to the HOTEL UNION GARNI for overnight. Balance of the day is free. Dinner is on your own. This evening, meet your fellow travelers for welcome orientation meeting including welcome drink. (D)

Day 2 - Tuesday - Ljubljana - Postojna Caves - Piran
Leaving Ljubljana we focus on the Karst Region. Arrival in Postojna, the home of the largest caves in Europe where you will tour the fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Here in the towering chambers of limestone, the dripping water has formed mysterious shapes in stalactites and stalagmites. Afterwards continue your drive to the Predjama Castle hidden deep in the Slovenian mountains to see a mediaeval fortress built into a cave. This particular cave was utilized by a robber baron from centuries ago as a stronghold. Its white walls, roofs, turrets and chimneys which jut out from the mountainside make it the most picturesque fortress in Europe. The castle seems to hang in mid air. A hidden tunnel leads from the castle to the other side of the mountain so Erazem Lueger, the most famous “owner” had a constant supply of food. We now head towards the Lipica Stud Farm located in Slovenia’s Karst region. In 1580 Archduke Karl (the son of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor, Ferdinand I) founded the Lipica Stud Farm to breed horses for the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the Royal Court stables. It was the property of the Austrian Court until 1918. Even before the Lipica Stud Farm was established, Karst mares were bred on the Lipica estate and mated which resulted in the Lipizzaner horses. Today there are about 400 horses roaming the estate. Continuing to the Slovenian coast we arrive in the ancient coastal town of Piran. HOTEL PIRAN 1 night. Dinner at local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 3 - Wednesday - Piran - Porotoz - Goriski Brda - Nova Gorica

Morning tour of Piran with its partly preserved town wall and seven mighty towers is a symbol of the past power and pride of the city. In the center of the town is Tartini’s Square with a bronze monument of the famous violinist and composer Giuseppi Tartini. Pass the Church of St. George with its famous bell tower, a copy of St. Mark’s campanile in Venice. Next to the church is the eight cornered Baroque Baptistry which still retains the old stone font and a Roman sarcophagi which once served as the baptismal font. Next is the popular resort of Portoroz meaning “Port of Roses”. We now continue to the Secovlje Salt Pans which still produce salt using the traditional methods. The Slovenian coast was scattered with salt pans as early as the beginning of the 20th century. In addition to this, the botanical significance of the Slovenian coastal salt pans is illustrated by the fact that as many as 45 species from the Slovenian Endangered Plant Species Red List grow in the area. On occasion, more than 200 different bird species live in the salt pans. The salt pans are one of the most threatened wetlands in the Mediterranean. The Secovlje Salt Pans are famous for their exceptional ecological and landscape value. Overnight in Nova Gorica on the Italian border at the HOTEL PARK. (B,D)

Optional visit to the vineyard region of Goriska Brda located on the west side of Slovenia. You will have the possibility of tasting local cuisine and wines. The largest share of vineyards is planted with the Rebula variety followed by Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignonasse.

Day 4 - Thursday - Soca Valley - Bled
This morning our drive takes us upstream via the emerald green Soca River through the small town of Kobarid known for the famous Battle of Caporetto documented by Ernest Hemingway in his novel “A Farewell to Arms”. The battle is well documented in the Museum in the center of the city. We now travel to the peaceful town of Bled which sits in a valley surrounded by the snow capped Julian Alps. Dinner in a local restaurant. PARK HOTEL/GOLF HOTEL 3 nights. (B,D)

Day 5 - Friday - Bled
Your morning sightseeing tour features the charming town with the lakeshore and the imposing Bled Castle situated on a cliff high above the lake offering a magnificent view.  There is the possibility of taking a boat ride to a small island in the middle of the lake to visit the Baroque church. Optional tour to one of the oldest towns in Slovenia Skofja Loka. Dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 6 - Saturday - Bled
Day at leisure. Optional tour to Lake Bohinj located in the Julian Alps not far from Bled. The routing will take you to Stara Fuzina to visit the Sheppard’s Museum where you will have the opportunity to taste the best Slovenian cheese. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 7 - Sunday - Bled  - Ljubljana

After breakfast transfer to the airport in Ljubljana or Venice. (B)

ADDITIONAL NIGHTS IN LJUBLJANA AT THE BEGINNING OR END OF THE TOUR CAN BE ARRANGED ON REQUEST.