Culinary Slovenia
Tour details
- Visiting the best Slovenian sights with a strong emphasis on fine dining & wine.
- Enjoy the cooking of six of the greatest Slovene chefs.
- 3 wine regions, medieval towns, picturesque villages, and a variety of Slovenia’s natural sights.
- The Alps, the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain all in one tour.
- Gourmet tasting menus, wine and olive oil tastings, the local specialty of pumpkin seed oil.
- Attend a cooking class and learn about traditional Slovene dishes.
- Get to know Slovenia’s thriving organic food scene.

- Best from May to October
· 2 tasting menu lunches + 4 lunches in traditional restaurant
· 7 dinners with multiple course tasting menu
· 5 wine tastings
· Guided
· Private vehicle with AC
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival to Ljubljana |
Day 2 | Ljubljana - Ptuj - Jeruzalem - Banovci |
Day 3 | Banovci - Maribor - Bled |
Day 4 | Lake Bled - Lake Bohinj - Lake Bled |
Day 5 | Bled - Vrsic pass and Julian Alps - Soca river Valley - Bovec |
Day 6 | Bovec - Brda Wine Country |
Day 7 | Brda Wine Country - Vipava Wine Valley |
Day 8 | Vipava Wine Valley - Idrija - Ljubljana |
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 Arrival to Ljubljana

Start your trip in a bustling and charming Ljubljana, Green capital of Europe in 2016.
Arrival to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, which has become one of the hippest cities in Europe. It is reminiscent of Prague, but without the crowds. It is so small that you can explore most of the town´s sights on foot and yet so cosmopolitan that you can hear a variety of languages while strolling along Ljubljanica River. Lively with bars, cafes and art galleries, the green city of Ljubljana offers a welcome respite from the big city life.
Meet your guide in the afternoon for a trip overview and a tour of Ljubljana’s medieval city center.
Our tasting menu at tonight’s dinner is an elegant introduction to Slovene cuisine.
Accommodation in Ljubljana.
Day 2 Ljubljana – Ptuj – Jeruzalem

Medieval town of Ptuj on the riverbanks of Drava.
Today we set off to the northeastern part of Slovenia, which was once part of the Habsburg Empire and is a region famous for its wine, thermal spas, food and unique village life.
Our first stop is Ptuj, Slovenia’s oldest town, which dates back to the Roman times. We visit the town’s beautifully preserved medieval center, clustered around a hilltop castle overlooking the Drava river. To experience Ptuj at its best you need to go the town’s wine cellar, which is one of the oldest in the country and stores the oldest wine in Slovenia, the “Golden Vine” of a 1917 vintage.
Leaving the wine cellar we head for the vineyards in the heart of Slovenia’s northeastern wine country. Jeruzalem is a small settlement where terraced vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. It was named by crusaders who stopped here on the way from the Holly Land and found their small Shangrila here. They stopped and never left.
We walk through the vineyards and visit some of the local wine producers. Our accommodation for tonight is a lovely boutique hotel with a private spa and sauna, located in the unspoiled countryside.
Accommodation in Banovci.
Day 3 Jeruzalem – Maribor – Bled

Relax your body and soul at the spa.
After leaving the rolling hills of Jeruzalem we enter the Pannonian Plain. This part of Slovenia is called Prekmurje, which can be translated as “the land across the Mura River”. Here you will find picturesque villages and some of the friendliest people in the entire country.
We start the day by visiting the backwaters of the Mura River, which are home to the black stork and the river kingfisher. Our trail brings us to an old floating mill, which is the last one in Slovenia where flour is still produced the traditional way. Here we will have chance to taste some of the local delicacies, which were made especially for us by the local women. Once on the other side of Mura River we learn about pumpkin seed oil, which is a popular specialty in Slovenia. Its unique nutty flavor is the secret ingredient of Michelin-starred chefs and a crucial ingredient in the local cuisine. Have you tried it with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream?
By lunchtime we reach Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city. It’s time to meet David, a renowned local chef who trained in Michelin-starred restaurants and now splits his time between the art of gastronomy and hard-rock music. A full tasting menu reveals to us the secrets of northeastern Slovenian cuisine.
By late afternoon we leave for the Alpine part of Slovenia and reach Bled by early evening.
Accommodation in Bled.
Day 4 Lake Bled – Lake Bohinj – Bled

Picture perfect view of lake Bled
We start the day enjoying the serenity of Lake Bled, surrounded by alpine peaks. It is easy to fall in love with the sight of the lake’s calm waters reflecting the outline of the tiny islet set in its middle, watched over by a medieval castle perched high atop a cliff above town.
An action-packed day first takes us to Lake Bohinj, Bled’s wilder brother hidden deep in the mountainous embrace of Triglav National Park. A short walk takes us to Mostnica Gorge, a natural wonder carved in the course of millenia by a playful stream of water. A soft forest trail leads us to the riverbank where we can spot trout swimming in the crystal-clear currents.
We make our way back to the lake and rest on the lush meadow while our lunch is being prepared: a wild trout freshly caught in the local stream. We follow this with a trip to the upper valley of Bohinj, where we visit a local dairy farm and learn how they make their cheese. You will have the chance to try a variety of local cheeses, ranging from gentle fresh flavors to the pungent Mohant cheese, a specialty treasured by cheese connoisseurs.
Coming back to Bled we enjoy a walk around the lake and visit Vila Bled, the famous former residence of Yugoslav president Tito that enjoys a prime location by the lake. Enjoying a shot of good brandy we listen to the intriguing stories of Yugoslavia’s communist history.
Tonight’s restaurant is situated in the nearby medieval town of Radovljica. This traditional restaurant is housed in a 500-year-old building and offers some of the most authentic alpine Slovenian cuisine. After desert we have the chance to learn how lect hearts are made. These elaborately decorated honey-bread cookies were once a cherished gift among lovers and remain one of the region’s most recognizable traditional products.
Accommodation in Bled.
Day 5 Bled – Vrsic pass and Julian Alps – Soca river valley – Bovec

Cheese tasting
Today we take a ride through the Julian Alps en route to the valley of river Soca, crossing the Vrsic pass (1625m). The pass used to serve as the border between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, Italy, and Austria. From the pass a scenic drive along the winding mountain road brings us into the valley that is home to the emerald waters of the Soca River.
We stop at a local farm for a lunch of hearty traditional fare: veggie mountain stew, organic sheep cheese, home-made bread and čompe (boiled potatoes with herbal ricotta).
We finish our day in Bovec, the adventure capital of Slovenia. Beautifully prepared and presented meal in the shadow of majestic Mt. Mangart, is on todays dinner menu. Short drive take us in the very center of the Alpine village, near the famous Soča river, where we visit our friend – chef Tomaž and his wife Yuki. Before Tomaž gave the old inn a new and fresh concept he worked side by side in a charming countryside villa, that is home of Slovenia’s best chef Ana Roš. His philosophy is to use seasonal and local food, always presented with a big smile on his face. It’s only a matter of time, when he will be noticed by Michelin guide.
Accommodation in Bovec.
Day 6 Bovec – Brda Wine Country

Hotel Gredic in Brda wine region
A picturesque drive along the Italian border takes us to Goriska Brda, Slovenia’s best known wine region, which produces some of the best wines in this part of Europe. We would like you to meet the Slovenian winemakers who are consistently ranked among the 100 best in the world by Wine & Spirits magazine, such as Movia and Kabaj. Drinking their wine with a view of the Dolomites and the Adriatic Sea is a truly special experience. We would also like to introduce you to the process of organic wine-making, which is a growing movement in Slovenia and getting a lot of publicity worldwide.
Dinner will introduce you to the Italian influences of the local cuisine and you will spend the night in a small chateau.
Accommodation at Goriska Brda.
Day 7 Brda Wine Country – Vipava Wine Valley

Rolling hills of Brda wine region
In addition to its world-class wines and picturesque scenery the Brda region is also a historically significant place at the crossroads of many cultures and influences. After centuries under Venetian rule Brda became the borderlands between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During the First World War some of the bloodiest battles were fought on the nearby Isonzo Front, which gave inspiration for Ernest Hemingway’s Farewell to Arms, and later the region became the westernmost corner of communist Yugoslavia.
After a morning swim in the chateau’s pool and some excellent Italian expresso we set off to Vipava Valley, which is only 30 miles away but has a very unique character shaped by strong winds and openhearted locals. This lush green valley witnessed a revival of old traditions where younger generations became strongly involved in organic farming and wine-making. We visit a boutique winery where you have the chance to try some world-class Merlot and Zelen, a wine made from the local grape native to the area.
Our Slovenian gourmet tour culminates in the meal prepared by grand chef Tomaz Kavcic, the last in our holy trinity of great Slovene chefs (Gregor Vracko, Ana Ros and Tomaz Kavcic).
Accommodation in Vipava Valley.
Day 8 Vipava – Idrija – Ljubljana – End of tour

Culinary extravaganza of Slovene Chefs
We make our way back to Ljubljana on scenic side roads. En route we visit the charming town of Idrija which prides itself with a 140-year-old tradition of lace making.
Once famous for having the second-largest mercury mine in the world, today Idrija is bursting with UNESCO sights and is famous for the delicate lace handmade by local artisans and a local food specialty called idrijski zlikrofi (dumplings with potato filling recognizable by their characteristic shape). They go well with tender lamb meat, as we will see for lunch!
Our culinary travels end back in Ljubljana in the afternoon.
About our hotels in Slovenia.
Trip extension: Sailing Dalmatian Islands
Trip impressions
Price
Included:
- 7 overnight B&B accommodations in boutique 4* properties on perfect locations,
- 6 lunches with local specialties – 2 with tasting menus and 4 in traditional style restaurants,
- 7 gourmet dinners with tasting menu of several courses (slow food style) with top Slovene chefs,
- 5 wine tastings with wine makers that made the cut into the “100 best in the world”,
- private transport according to itinerary: 1 van when 8 pax,
- English speaking guide,
- VAT.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Lunch on day 1.
- Single room supplement
Notes:
- guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 guests,
- price per person double occupancy – varies depending on the size of the group – please contact us for more information.
Our instagram
Error: No feed found.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.
Trusted by




