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A feast for the senses, exploring food, culture and serene landscapes across Slovenia, Italy and Croatia

from US $ 7760 pp

Slovenia Map

Tour Highlights

Horse Stud Farm Visit

Italian Prosecco Tasting

Boat Trip on Lake Bled

Slovenian Food Tour

Gondola Ride

Italian Cooking Class

Truffle Hunt Experience

about this tour

about this tour

This tour through Slovenia, Italy and Croatia is designed for food lovers, combining well known highlights with quieter destinations. Travellers can enjoy a boat trip on Lake Bled and sample local dishes on a guided food walk in Ljubljana, while a visit to a horse stud farm offers insight into the country’s heritage and traditions. These experiences combine natural scenery, culture and gastronomy, providing a balanced view of the region. In Italy, the itinerary includes time in Venice where a gondola ride offers a fresh view of the city and canals. Beyond the waterways, guests can taste prosecco in its region of origin and take part in a cooking class to learn the techniques behind Italian dishes. A truffle hunt in the countryside adds another memorable experience, showing the connection between food and local life. Quieter towns such as Bassano del Grappa also feature, giving travellers a chance to enjoy a slower pace and connect with locals. Combining larger cities with smaller towns ensures variety while keeping food and culture central to the journey. Across all three countries, the emphasis is on authentic experiences that highlight regional dishes and the places where they are enjoyed. The combination of tasting, learning and participation offers a rewarding way to see how food shapes everyday life. Linking iconic sights with more tranquil settings, the tour provides variety, balance and a deeper sense of the region for travellers who value food as part of travel.

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HORSE STUD VISIT Lipica Stud Farm is the birthplace of the Lipizzaner horses, where breeding has continued for more than 400 years. Visitors can learn about the history of the breed, the care and training of the horses, and the farm’s role in preserving this tradition. Set in the Karst region, the farm features open fields and stone stables. Guests may see the horses up close and hear from staff about their work, offering insight into how this practice is maintained. The experience highlights an enduring link between heritage and life.

  • 1

    Arrival Day

    Welcome to Slovenia! Your guide will greet you at the airport ready to take you to your hotel in Ljubljana via private transfer. Once you have checked in, the rest of your day is at your own pace.

    Welcome to Slovenia! Your guide will greet you at the airport ready to take you to your hotel in Ljubljana via private transfer. Once you have checked in, the rest…
  • 2

    Ljubljana Food Tour & Castle Visit

    Your first day begins with a privately guided food tour of Ljubljana, focused on authentic local cuisine. Over the course of a half day, you’ll visit a range of eateries, specialty shops, and lesser-known spots offering regional food and drink. Sample craft beer, coffee, and desserts while learning about everyday food culture from the people behind the counter. Conversations with locals will give you insight into how tradition and quality play a role in daily meals. After the tour, you’ll visit Ljubljana Castle, a key landmark overlooking the city. Funicular transport to the top is included, along with an audio guide to help you explore the site at your own pace. The castle’s restored towers, courtyards, and walkways offer a clear picture of its role throughout Slovenian history. Highlights include the Chapel of St George, the Viewing Tower, and the Slovenian History Exhibition. From the top, take in wide views of the city and surrounding hills, giving context to the castle’s strategic location. Once you've finished exploring, your guide will meet you and take you back to your hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to spend as you like, whether relaxing or continuing to discover Ljubljana on your own.

    Your first day begins with a privately guided food tour of Ljubljana, focused on authentic local cuisine. Over the course of a half day, you’ll visit a range of eateries,…
  • 3

    Lake Bled Day Trip

    After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Lake Bled, a peaceful location surrounded by mountains and known for its clear waters. On arrival, meet a local guide for a traditional pletna boat ride across the lake to its small island. There, you can visit the Church of the Assumption and take part in a local tradition by ringing the wishing bell, which many believe brings good luck. Following the boat ride, continue to Bled Castle, which stands on a high cliff overlooking the lake. The castle is one of the oldest in Slovenia and offers insight into the area's past through its small museum and preserved buildings. Walk through the courtyard, visit the exhibition rooms, and take in views across the lake and nearby countryside. The location of the castle provides a clear sense of how important this area has been through time. In the afternoon, your driver will take you back to Ljubljana. The return drive offers another chance to see more of Slovenia’s natural scenery at a relaxed pace. Once back at your hotel, you’ll have the rest of the evening free to spend as you choose, whether that means going out for dinner or taking time to unwind.

    After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Lake Bled, a peaceful location surrounded by mountains and known for its clear waters. On arrival, meet a local guide for a traditional…
  • 4

    Postojna Caves, Predjama Castle & Horse Stud

    Today, you will check out of your hotel and begin the journey to Trieste, Italy, with several stops along the way. Your first visit will be to the Postojna Cave, home to the only tourist cave railway in Europe. A train ride will take you through impressive galleries and tunnels formed over millions of years, followed by a guided walk to learn about the cave’s geological features. Next, you will continue to the Lipica Stud Farm, the original breeding center for the Lipizzaner horses. This farm has maintained the tradition of raising these distinctive white horses for more than 400 years. Set within the Karst landscape, the site combines cultural heritage and natural beauty, offering insight into a practice that remains important in Slovenia today. The final stop is Predjama Castle, the largest cave castle in the world. Built into a cliff face, the castle has stood for over eight centuries and offers a glimpse into life during the medieval period. Your guide will show you through its chambers and passageways while sharing stories connected to the site. After the visits, your driver will take you to Trieste, where you will check into your hotel.

    Today, you will check out of your hotel and begin the journey to Trieste, Italy, with several stops along the way. Your first visit will be to the Postojna Cave,…
  • 5

    Vipava Valley Wine Tour

    Your guide will take you to the Vipava Valley for a full-day tour focused on local food and wine. You will visit a number of small producers in the area, including cheesemakers, winemakers, farmers, and those who specialise in prosciutto. Each stop offers the chance to learn about their methods, traditions, and the work that goes into what they produce. Tasting sessions are included along the way, allowing you to sample a variety of regional flavours. As you move between villages, you will see a landscape shaped by agriculture, with vineyards and farmland spread across rolling hills. The setting provides a clear link between the land and the food it helps create. Your guide will share background about the region, and the people you meet will offer personal insight into their craft. The pace of the day is relaxed, with time to enjoy the setting as much as the food and drink. Whether you are walking through a vineyard or sitting at a long table for a tasting, the experience is shaped by local traditions and a close connection to the land. After the tour, you will return to your hotel in Trieste for the evening.

    Your guide will take you to the Vipava Valley for a full-day tour focused on local food and wine. You will visit a number of small producers in the area,…
  • 6

    Truffle Hunt & Olive Oil Tasting in Piran

    Today will be spent in the coastal city of Piran and the surrounding countryside. The day begins with a truffle hunt at a local farm, where you will join a truffle hunter and their trained dogs. You will walk through nearby forest areas and learn how the dogs are trained to locate truffles, gaining an understanding of the techniques and conditions that support this type of foraging. Following the truffle hunt, you will visit Lisjak for an olive oil tasting. Here, you will learn about the production process and sample a selection of oils, with a focus on the characteristics that define the region’s approach to olive growing. In the afternoon, your guide will take you back to Piran for a walking tour through the old town. You will visit key landmarks, including Tartini Square and sections of the city walls, while learning about the town’s past and its role along the Adriatic coast. The layout of Piran reflects its long connection to both Venetian and Central European influences, seen in its buildings and public spaces. Your guide will then return you to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

    Today will be spent in the coastal city of Piran and the surrounding countryside. The day begins with a truffle hunt at a local farm, where you will join a…
  • 7

    Cooking Class, Olive Oil Tasting & Tasting Tour

    Your next stop is the town of Bassano del Grappa in Italy, reached by private transfer. Along the way, you will stop in Šmartno, Slovenia for a cooking class focused on local and seasonal dishes. Guided by an experienced cook, you will prepare a selection of traditional foods such as apple cake, stew, and white polenta. The session offers a hands-on approach to understanding regional techniques and ingredients. After the class, you will visit a nearby olive farm surrounded by groves typical of the area. You will learn about the process of producing olive oil, from cultivation to pressing, and take part in a tasting to better understand the different characteristics of the oils made there. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Bassano del Grappa. Your guide will take you to the historic Grapperia Nardini, one of the oldest distilleries in the region. There, you will sample a selection from the Selezione Bortolo Nardini line, including Grappa Extrafina and aged varieties matured for 5, 7, and 15 years. The tasting will be paired with local cheeses, offering a clear connection between regional products and long-standing traditions. After the visit, you will check in to your hotel for the night.

    Your next stop is the town of Bassano del Grappa in Italy, reached by private transfer. Along the way, you will stop in Šmartno, Slovenia for a cooking class focused…
  • 8

    Prosecco Tour & Transfer to Venice

    Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning for a private transfer to the final stop of your tour, Venice. Along the way, you will visit a traditional vineyard in the Italian countryside for a prosecco and food tasting experience. A local expert will guide you through the production process, from the vineyard to the bottle, while you sample a selection of prosecco paired with regional antipasti. This stop offers a relaxed setting to learn more about local methods and enjoy simple, well-prepared food and drink. After the vineyard visit, your journey continues toward Venice. Upon arrival at the edge of the city, you will take a water taxi through the canals to reach your hotel in the central area. This short ride offers a first glimpse of the city from the water and sets the tone for your time in Venice. Once you check in, the remainder of the day is yours. With no scheduled activities, you can spend the evening in whatever way feels most comfortable.

    Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning for a private transfer to the final stop of your tour, Venice. Along the way, you will visit a…
  • 9

    Venice City Tour, Gondola Ride & Dinner with a Local

    Your first day in Venice begins with a half-day walking tour led by a private guide. As you make your way through the narrow streets and canals, your guide will share insight into the city’s development, architecture, and cultural traditions. Key stops include St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace, both central to Venice’s role in past centuries. The pace of the tour allows time to take in the setting while learning about the structures and stories that have shaped the city. Following the walking tour, you will continue with a gondola ride along the canals. Your guide will remain with you to point out notable buildings and provide background on how the waterways have influenced life in Venice over time. Later in the day, you will visit the home of a local resident for a home-cooked meal. This offers the chance to enjoy regional dishes in a relaxed setting and talk with someone who lives in the city. It is a quiet way to connect with everyday life in Venice and understand more about the food and customs of the area.

    Your first day in Venice begins with a half-day walking tour led by a private guide. As you make your way through the narrow streets and canals, your guide will…
  • 10

    Rialto Market Tour & Local Cooking Class

    Your final day in Venice includes a market visit and cooking class with a local host. The day begins with a walk through the Rialto markets, where your host will guide you through his usual shopping routine. This part of the day offers a look at how locals select fresh, seasonal ingredients and plan their meals. Set along the canal, the market is known for its variety of produce, seafood, and other regional goods. After the market visit, you will continue to a nearby kitchen for your cooking class. Your host will lead you through each step of preparing a traditional Italian meal, sharing techniques and tips passed down through generations. The focus will be on using the ingredients gathered from the market to create a simple, well-balanced menu that reflects the local style of cooking. The session ends with a shared meal, giving you time to enjoy what you have prepared and talk more with your host about food, daily life, and the culture of the region. This final experience offers a relaxed and personal way to round off your time in Venice. The rest of the day is open for you to spend however you choose.

    Your final day in Venice includes a market visit and cooking class with a local host. The day begins with a walk through the Rialto markets, where your host will…
  • 11

    Departure Day

    Your water taxi will be ready for you when you check out of your hotel, and will take you back to the mainland for a private car transfer to the airport. Safe travels!

    Your water taxi will be ready for you when you check out of your hotel, and will take you back to the mainland for a private car transfer to the…

Why Book With Us?

Selected luxury hotels that deliver exceptional service in authentic local style.

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Our in-country expert

Gillian is a cornerstone of our Central European expertise. She possesses an unparalleled understanding of the region, cultivated through a distinguished career in the travel industry. Following her formative experience as a holiday representative in Greece, Gillian transitioned to a successful travel agent role in Croatia. Here, she honed her skills by meticulously crafting itineraries...
Gillian
Gillian

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