Sips & Senses: A Slovenian Journey

Day 1 – Arrival in Ljubljana

Private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Spend the day settling in and exploring Ljubljana’s charming riverside cafés, lined with outdoor seating and street performers, or take a leisurely stroll through Tivoli Park, the city’s largest green space filled with tree-lined avenues and fountains.

Overnight in Ljubljana

Day 2 – Ljubljana

Enjoy a guided walking tour of Ljubljana, taking in Congress Square, the ornate Dragon Bridge, the elegant Triple Bridge, the Baroque Cathedral of St Nicholas, and Ljubljana Castle, perched on a hilltop with sweeping city views. In the evening, take the funicular up to the castle for a fine dining experience at Strelec Restaurant, renowned for its creative cuisine and spectacular views.

Overnight in Ljubljana

Day 3 – Postojna, Predjama & Portorož

Collect your rental car and drive to Postojna Cave, Europe’s largest publicly accessible cave, where an underground train takes you through stalactite-filled caverns. Continue to Predjama Castle, a dramatic Renaissance fortress built into a sheer cliff. In the evening, arrive in Portorož and dine at COB Experience, a Michelin-starred restaurant famed for its contemporary Slovenian cuisine.

Overnight in Portorož

Day 4 – Slovenian Coast (Piran & Koper)

Explore the picturesque coastal towns of Piran, with its narrow streets, Venetian architecture, and charming town square, and Koper, a medieval port town with historic piazzas and elegant buildings. Return to Portorož for a relaxing afternoon at the beach or a spa, enjoying the Adriatic Sea views.

Overnight in Portorož

Day 5 – Štanjel & Goriška Brda

Drive to Štanjel, a medieval hilltop village with traditional Karst-style stone houses, winding streets, and panoramic views. Continue to Goriška Brda, Slovenia’s premier wine region, for a gourmet lunch at Gostilna pri Lojzetu (Zemono Mansion), followed by wine tastings at local vineyards. In the evening, dine at DAM Restaurant in Nova Gorica, celebrated for inventive cuisine and local flavours.

Overnight in Goriška Brda

Day 6 – Goriška Brda & Soča Valley

Spend the morning touring the vineyards of Goriška Brda, taking in the rolling hills and picturesque villages. Continue to the Soča Valley, renowned for its emerald-green river, alpine meadows, and dramatic mountain landscapes.

For lunch, visit Hiša Franko in Kobarid, led by internationally acclaimed chef Ana Roš, named World’s Best Female Chef in 2017. Her Michelin-starred restaurant offers a modern, inventive take on traditional Slovenian cuisine and has earned global recognition for its creativity and refinement.

Overnight in Bovec

Day 7 – Soča Valley

Spend a full day immersed in the stunning Soča Valley, known for its emerald-green river, alpine meadows, and dramatic mountains. Choose from activities such as white-water rafting or kayaking on the Soča River, hiking to the Tolmin or Boka Gorges, or exploring scenic trails up to Mount Krn or Mount Mangart. History enthusiasts can visit the Kobarid Museum, while those seeking relaxation can unwind in a local spa or enjoy a peaceful riverside stroll through charming villages.

Overnight in Bovec

Day 8 – Soča Valley to Kranjska Gora

In the morning, hike to the Velika Soča Gorge, where the Soča River rushes through a narrow canyon framed by rugged cliffs. Then drive over the scenic Vršič Pass, the highest mountain pass in Slovenia at 1,611 m, renowned for its hairpin bends, panoramic alpine views, and the Russian Chapel, a poignant World War I memorial.

Stop at Peričnik Waterfall, one of Slovenia’s tallest and most spectacular waterfalls, cascading in two tiers over a sheer cliff, where visitors can walk behind the falls for a unique perspective. Alternatively, explore the tranquil Tamar Valley, a high alpine basin surrounded by soaring peaks, before arriving in Kranjska Gora.

Overnight in Kranjska Gora

Day 9 – Kranjska Gora

Relax at Jasna Lake, with options for cycling or hiking nearby trails. Alternatively, tour the Planica Nordic Centre, a world-famous ski jumping venue. End the day with dinner at Milka Restaurant, known for local alpine specialties.

Overnight in Kranjska Gora

Day 10 – Bled

Tour Bled Castle, perched above Lake Bled with sweeping views of the island and surrounding Julian Alps. Take a traditional pletna boat to the island and ring the wishing bell at the Church of the Assumption.

Enjoy a taste of the famous Bled cream cake in town before heading to Vintgar Gorge, a 1.6 km gorge carved by the Radovna River, with wooden walkways over waterfalls and pools framed by steep cliffs.

Overnight in Bled

Day 11 – Velika Planina & Podčetrtek

Drive to the alpine plateau of Velika Planina, known for its traditional shepherd huts, rolling pastures, and fresh dairy produce. Continue to the spa town of Podčetrtek for a relaxing afternoon in the wellness facilities, soaking in thermal pools and treatments.

Overnight in Podčetrtek

Day 12 – Maribor & Podčetrtek

In the morning, explore wineries near Maribor, close to the Austrian border, in a region renowned for its rolling vineyards and exceptional white wines. Enjoy lunch at Michelin-starred Hiša Denk, known for its inventive cuisine using seasonal, regional ingredients. In the afternoon, return to Podčetrtek for thermal spa treatments at Terme Olimia, with mineral-rich pools, saunas, and wellness facilities.

Overnight in Podčetrtek

Day 13 – Celje & Ljubljana

In the morning, visit Celje Castle, perched above the historic town and once the seat of the influential Counts of Celje. Explore its medieval fortifications and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Return to Ljubljana in the afternoon, with free time to browse local shops, stroll along the Ljubljanica River, or relax in one of the city’s cafés. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, celebrating the flavours of Slovenia one last time.

Overnight in Ljubljana

Day 14 – Departure

After breakfast, if time allows, enjoy a final stroll through Ljubljana’s old town or visit a local market before heading to Ljubljana Airport to return your rental car and prepare for your flight home.