Slovenia: culture & wine
Caution! The following trip is only suitable for true connoisseurs of life!
Elamus+ takes us to a little-known wine tourism destination, Slovenia. But don't be alarmed, because Slovenia is a country where thousands of years of tradition and modern winemaking meet and which has not yet been spoiled by the commercialism accompanying the tourist masses - a real gem, the likes of which are few and far between. This is our second trip with exactly the same plan and we wouldn't have done it again if the previous one hadn't turned out so enjoyable. In addition to the Slovenian drinking and dining culture, we will visit the largest karst caves in Europe, hike in one of the oldest national parks in Europe, where we will enjoy views of Mount Triglav, see real winemaking and plantations, of course, and explore the party life on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. During all this, we will be accompanied by refreshing wine, Mediterranean-Slavic hospitality and rich food - Slovenia is perfect!
Overview - short & sweet
Goal: Fall in love with Slovenia
Dates: 8.-16.10.2022
Activity: Wine and cultural tour
Adventure guide: Hannes Teiss
Technical difficulty: 0,5/5 (non-existent, holding a wine glass could be practiced)
Physical difficulty level: 2/5 (we mostly travel by car, but the days are long and we also take some short hikes)
Group size: 9
Trip cost — 1299€
Please note: For community members discount of -5% applies
Travel cost
Price includes
A seat on the bus, the bus is a luxury minibus VW Crafter (2017)
Travel arrangements
Wine sommelier chat
Fuel, customs and road tolls, parking fees
All overnight stays (hotels, homestays, wineries) with breakfast
Wine estate visits and tastings
Postojna Caves Entrance Ticket
Image material
A wine opener as a practical souvenir and keepsake
Price does not include
Travel insurance
Lunch and dinner
Wines outside of tastings
Tickets to museums and caves (non-scheduled)
Other unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
Registering for the tour
Before registering, please read travel conditions ja with information sheet. To secure your place on the trip, a deposit (3%) must be paid within 20 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email; if there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions.
[If the trip is canceled due to pandemic circumstances, we will refund the advance payment in full!]
Schedule and activities
Day 1 - Let's go!
At 07.00:XNUMX we will depart from Tartu in a superlux by rental bus Towards Europe. The bus is spacious and luxurious. We talk, have fun and feel comfortable. In the evening we arrive in southern Poland and spend a short night at the Wolborz hotel.
Day 2 - Chill, wine, comfy bed
The increasingly beautiful views take us through the Austrian Alps and in the second half of the day we reach the starting point of our Slovenian tour, Lake Bled. Check-in to the hotel and, if we have time and energy, we will do an evening hike to the picturesque island in the middle of the lake. Dinner, wine and a good night's sleep, because the next day will be busy!
Day 3 - Roadtrip through Triglav National Park
We start the morning with an easy hike in the nearby Vintgar Canyon, known for its exceptionally bright and green rapids and fascinating rock formations.
After a refreshing meal (and a glass of wine?), we head towards Triglav National Park. We visit the picturesque village of Pokljuka and enjoy beautiful views of Slovenia's national mountain.
Triglav National Park is truly magical, and the three peaks of the country's highest mountain are so important to Slovenians that they are the subject of countless legends and fairy tales, and are depicted on both the national flag and coat of arms.
We will spend the night at a local ski resort called Krajnska Gora, where Hannes has an awesome surprise in store for you.
Day 4 - Vršič Pass
We wake up early, have breakfast at the ski hotel (it should be noted that the slopes are still green), and pack ourselves for the bus, ready for a fairly nerve-wracking ride.
We can probably enjoy the first few kilometers in fifth gear, but the rest of the day we spend in second or third gear, accompanied by the soothing sound of the engine - we have to pass the highest mountain pass in Slovenia and one of the most beautiful roads in Europe, the Vršič Pass. 47 90-degree bends and several stops with dazzling views later, we have arrived in a completely different geographical zone - an area called the Slovenian Tuscany!
The Goriška Brda region is mainly known for its red wines. We will have our first tasting there and visit wine shops, where you can find a bottle for €1 (Hannes doesn't recommend it, but he won't put his hand up either).
We welcome the sunset from the observation tower, where there are magnificent plateaus of vines at our feet and the breathtaking Italian Dolomites adorn the horizon.
I've enjoyed so many beautiful views all day that I can promise you - the next step is: hotel, room, sleep!
Day 5 - A few wines and the Slovenian Riviera!
We eat our fill and start the day with a visit to the first winery. We are welcomed at one of the best red wine houses in Slovenia. The son of the family, local winemaker and good friend Domen Ferjančič introduces us to his estate, philosophy and products.
The next part of the day will be a complete contrast to the beginning. Instead of a fine and modern wine house, we will visit a complete mega-factory, where 30 years ago most of Yugoslavia's wine production was produced. An exciting visit to a house where new winds are quietly starting to blow and where the focus is no longer solely on mass production. It is an educational experience for everyone.
With a few glasses of wine under our breath, we set off towards the Slovenian Riviera! When we reach Piran, we park the car near the town, as it is a car-free town (don't worry, it is an area the size of Tallinn's old town). We unpack at the hotel and look for a nice restaurant by the sea serving fresh seafood.
The sun is shining because it's still summer in Slovenia!
Day 6 - We take some time off in Piran
We start the day when you want, a completely plan-free day!
Piran is known for its narrow streets and architecture dating back to the Venetian Republic. There is a lot to explore and this is a day where we can do it at our own pace.
We will take a walk around the Old Town with those who want to, and I will take the next ones who want to go running (if it doesn't rain knives).
In the evening we will meet at a good seafood restaurant and discuss plans for the new day.
Day 7 - Caves and wine? Why not.
After loading our bags onto the bus, we set off for eastern Slovenia. On the way, something quite exciting for Estonians awaits us: karst caves. This two-hour tour of the Postojna Caves will leave you speechless, guaranteed! After the caves and the subsequent souvenir shopping (I know what I'm talking about; it's definitely going to happen), we enjoy lunch with a view of the castle and set off again.
Our next and last stop of the day is the sparkling wine house Istenič. This house is one of the best and certainly the most successful sparkling wine producers in Slovenia. In the evening we will have a comprehensive tasting of their product range (which includes white, red, VERY sweet and rosé sparkling wines) and, if we are lucky, a tour of the cellars of the winery with grandfather Janez, who started this house. It is a heartfelt tour.
We will stay overnight in their own guesthouse - an old wine estate.
Day 8 - Last day in Slovenia
We have a very traditional breakfast at the wine house and then drive to the new house of Verus, one of Hannes' favorite houses, for one last tasting. A thorough tasting in the most modern house in Slovenia.
As our last stop in Slovenia, we will have lunch at a wonderful restaurant on the highest peak of the vine-covered mountains of Jeruzalema. Let's get together and thank this wonderful country for its hospitality!
After lunch, we set off towards Poland to have a restful night's sleep at the Gorski Hotel (Wolborz) before the final stretch of the journey.
Day 9 - Drive and arrival back home
We start the day by waking up early and heading home, with the goal of getting home by evening.
Travel documents and footnotes
An ID card/passport is required for the trip, and (potential) drivers should also bring a driver's license. :)
Travel insurance and a European Health Insurance Card are also required.
Euros are used in Slovenia and card payments are common - however, it's worth taking some cash just in case.
The weather is summery, but in the mountains the wind can be cooler. About like Estonian August (10-20 °C).
COVID-19 situation: Slovenia is currently among the green countries and there is no quarantine obligation in the destination country or in Estonia; however, the situation is constantly changing and we are keeping an eye on the situation.
Read more also Elamus+ travel conditions ja frequently asked questions.
NB! There may be minor changes to the plans, because when a particularly good opportunity arises, you have to seize it!
