Enjoy a combination of Slovenia’s best known sites the capital city of Ljubljana and Lake Bled. Both are a wonderful gateway to Slovenian heritage. After a guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore on your own. Following your approximate two hour drive to the Alpine town of Lake Bled, you’ll have different options to enjoy from a walk around the picturesque lake to visiting a medieval castle visit, all during your free time and at your own expense. After World War II, this was one of the most appealing state residences and drew many people who were attracted by the beauty of this town. Today new pilgrims have been discovering this tranquil and lovely place.

After a guided walk through Ljubljana, a medium sized European city, you’ll have time to explore your own pace. It offers all the friendliness of a small town and at the same time has everything that a capital should. This city of culture boasts one of the oldest philharmonic halls in the world. Every year it hosts more than 10,000 cultural events ranging from prestigious concerts, theater performances and fine art exhibitions.

Meander through a fragrant herb garden in a 19th-century farm and then savor a delightful lunch of traditional Slovenian dishes. As an introduction to the country’s limestone karst region, you will pause to take in the sweeping views from a castle that overlooks the Gulf of Trieste. The culinary experience unfolds at a charming local family homestead, where a husband and wife grow and prepare herbs and dishes themselves. You'll discover the herbs they cultivate for culinary and medicinal purposes, such as sage, fennel, and balm mint. The karst terrain also nurtures the growth of fragrant lavender, adding to the region's aromatic allure. As you will discover during the lunch that follows, many of the herbs have been used in the dishes. To complement the meal, you will be served Teran wine, a dark-ruby wine sometimes called King of the Karst.

Despite its small size, Slovenia is quite varied in terms of landscape. Between the Alps and the sea, you’ll find the broad belt of the Slovenian Karst, which is part of the great Dinaric mountain range. This is a mainly limestone area notable for a special karstic phenomena, both visible in its topography and underground. Take an approximately one hour drive from Koper to discover the unique underworld beneath this beautiful landscape. Board an electric train that will take you to Postojna Cave for a 1 1/2 hour visit. Well-kept paths comprise the greater part of the cave so it does not present any difficulties for most visitors.

Your trail begins at the cave’s railway station and will take you to the first natural passage, known as the “Upturned Ship”. Visit Gothic Hall rich in stalactite decoration, where the remains of Ice Age animals have been found and the Conference Hall, previously known as the Ballroom, has been the venue for dances and concerts for 180 years. While you admire these natural sculptures, the train takes you to Great Mountain where the tour of the caves continues on foot in groups led by guides. This trail takes you you past very unique and charactertisic formations that have been named!

At the Predjama Castle photo stop, a former hideout for the brazen knight named Erazem of Predjama, evidence indicates that this steep and imposing cliff has been fortified since at least the 13th century. Reboard your train by the Conference Hall to return to the surface and to your waiting ship in Koper.

Ljubljana is the largest and busiest Slovenian city wth a combination of romantic stories, medieval charm and a livley student atmosphere. During your walking tour, your guide will try to capture the transformation from Roman times to the present for you. It bears witness to all five millenniums of its rich history. Apart from the remains of the Roman Emona, it boasts a medieval castle, numerous Baroque buildings, picturesque bridges and the vast Tivoli Park.

You will see all of the main attractions - three bridges created by Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik, Preseren Square named after the poet and the open-air market known for its organic food and culinary highlights. In addition, you'll pass the Town Hall kept as it was in medieval times, Robba's Fountain a Baroque masterpiece and more hidden gems. This walking tour makes for an exciting exploration and has something for every interest.

Visit the enchanting coastal town of Piran, known for its Venetian charm and rich heritage. Begin with a scenic drive passing Izola, with a photo stop to capture its stunning views. Upon arrival in Piran, enjoy a guided walking tour through its historic streets, followed by free time to explore at your leisure or savor the local atmosphere. Next, journey to the traditional village of Padna, where you'll experience authentic Slovenian culture. Stroll through the village, sampling local delicacies made from family recipes and tasting wines crafted from nearby vineyards. The village offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, orchards, and vineyards, making it a truly memorable stop. Relish the heritage, flavors, and tranquil countryside of Slovenia before returning to your ship.

In the picturesque Karst region of Slovenia and just a stone’s throw from the Slovenian-Italian border lies the Lipica Stud Farm - the cradle of the Lipizzaner horse. You'll visit the stud farm, which was founded in 1580 and today, is a jewel among the cultural and historical monuments of the Republic of Slovenia. For over four centuries, this farm has nurtured the tradition of breeding and selecting thoroughbred horses. In the period after World War II, Lipica established its own classical riding school and has successfully performed with its horses at various equestrian events all over the world.

The riding school was established during the Austrian Empire in 1572 and is the oldest of its kind in the world. Records show that a wooden riding arena was first commissioned in 1565, but it wasn't until 1729 that Emperor Charles VI had the architect Fischer von Erlach build the white riding hall used today. For a time, the riding hall was used for various private ceremonies, but it is now open to the public, who may witness the training and performances by the stallions.

OVERVIEW

Sample traditional Slovenian foods at various venues in and around Koper and enjoy a glass of wine in the surrounding Slovenska Istra wine region. As you drive into the countryside and along the Slovenian Riviera, the views will be extraordinarily panoramic. You will pass lovely seaside villages such as Izola, picturesque beaches and verdant nature parks. Following the wine tasting, you will return to Koper for samplings that will reflect the region’s cuisine and local specialties. You will be offered homemade doughnuts handcrafted from a family recipe, an ice cream perhaps made with gianduja – a blend of chocolate and hazelnut paste – and chocolate sprinkled with Piran salt flower, a mineral-rich ingredient with an aromatic taste that is much less aggressive than that of ordinary salt. The latter may be the most unusual of the tastings as centuries-old processes and tools must be used to extract the salt from the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive into the surrounding wine region and sample a glass of characteristic wine.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the gorgeous Slovenian Riviera.
• Walk through downtown Koper and stop to sample Slovenian delicacies and desserts.
• Gain insight into traditional Slovenian cuisine during the tastings.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a panoramic drive along the beautiful Slovenian Riviera and explore two of its most picturesque villages, each with its own distinct personality. The Riviera stretches along a section of the Adriatic Sea known for its karst cliffs, pebbly beaches and historical villages. The coast is blissfully uncrowded and spectacularly beautiful as you will discover on the way to Izola. While meandering about the fishing village, you will notice that its architecture is decidedly Venetian, especially along the narrow streets of Old Town. Another gorgeous setting awaits you inland, where you will find the hilltop village of Marezige. Besides offering sweeping views of the sea, Marezige is known for its outdoor wine fountain, the first in Slovenia. The wine doesn’t spew into the air like fountain water but rather flows from wine taps built into a stone wall. You will be offered a sample that may include refosco, a favorite local red wine.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Admire the natural beauty of the Slovenian Riviera while driving along its scenic coast.
• Enjoy an enlightening tour of Izola, a wonderfully atmospheric fishing village.
• Drive inland to the hilltop village of Marezige and sample wine from its outdoor fountain.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an enlightening walk-through Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana as a prelude to lunch and ride an electric train through the eerie subterranean world in Postojna Cave. The train will take you through voluminous underground chambers and past all sorts of bizarrely shaped and colored stalagmites and stalactites. You may even see graffiti dating to the 13th century. You will then literally follow in the footsteps of royalty and Mozart, just a few of the illustrious visitors that have beheld the geological wonders while walking through Postojna Cave. A leisurely guided stroll through the pedestrian-only streets of Old Town will present Ljubljana’s many charms, which include Baroque, Roman and medieval architecture. After a traditional Slovenian lunch, you will be free to further explore the petite capital. Highlights include Robba Fountain and the twin-towered Church of St. Nicholas. Be sure to notice Ljubljana Castle, which has loomed over the city for centuries.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View the geological wonders of Postojna Cave from the comfort of a train and by walking.
• Hear compelling commentary about the cave’s history and the luminaries that have visited.
• Gain an understanding of the unusual creatures that live in this subterranean world.
• Follow the guide through Ljubljana’s atmospheric Old Town before dining.
• Enjoy free time in Ljubljana to shop and explore on your own.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Explore the medieval streets of Piran on your own while taking advantage of reduced pricing at select destinations. During the spectacularly scenic drive there, you will pause for photos in Izola, a seaside town known for its traditional red-tiled roofs and a strong fishing heritage. At the tip of a narrow peninsula nearby, you will find Piran, a walled city with a wonderfully preserved Old Town. You will be free to wander about as you please, but you may wish to drop by the attractions that are offering incentives, such as half-off admission to the Museum of Underwater Activities. That same generous discount applies to ice cream at Karamela and espresso at Karvana Piran, a coffee shop on historical Tartini Square. The landmark Gothic-style Venetian House has dominated that public plaza since the mid-15th century. The First of May Square, which dates to the Middle Ages, is also well worth a look.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Get a taste of seaside Piran while walking along its Venetian-style streets on your own.
• Enjoy reduced pricing at a museum, a coffee shop and an ice cream shop in Old Town.
• Stop at historical public plazas such as Tartini and the First of May squares.
• Notice the 17th-century bell tower of the Cathedral of St. George dominating the skyline.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Prepare your own Slovenian-style lunch in a hands-on cooking class at a premier winery and learn the fundamentals of wine blending from a master oenologist. The venue for this entertaining immersion into the local cuisine and wine will be Vinakoper Winery. Within the dedicated kitchen, a chef will demonstrate step-by-step how to prepare some of the most beloved dishes on the Istrian Peninsula. The exact menu will depend on the season and the availability of the freshest, most flavorful ingredients. Using easy-to-follow basic techniques, you will create and dine on a traditional multi-course lunch. The focus will then turn to winemaking. Vinakoper is known for wines made from indigenous Refosco red and Malvasia white grapes, although many other varieties thrive in the terroir. After blending your favorite wines to create your own cuvée, it will be bottled and custom-labeled for you to take home as a memento of the experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a hands-on cooking class at Vinakoper, an award-winning winery.
• Dine on the traditional Slovenian dishes that you have prepared.
• Learn the basics of wine blending from a master oenologist.
• Create your own cuvée, which will be bottled and labeled as a souvenir.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.