Stay on a beautiful, family-run tourist farm in Goriška Brda (Slovenian Tuscany) for a unique ALL INCLUSIVE holiday. Taste authentic Slovenian food and wine, feel the diverse nature, and see the best in different regions, with a focus on the Mediterranean (Goriška Brda, Karst, Vipava Valley, Coast), and the Julian Alps (Kobarid).
When you are not cooking with the local women, you will be touring the wonderful countryside, visiting the orchards and vineyards, exploring regional delicacies, enjoying daily tours of local sites and medieval villages, visiting the region's best wineries, eating in a world-class restaurant, and enjoying breathtaking fairytale landscapes. It’s all about the experience, a combination that allows you to sample both the region’s most refined cuisine and its most rustic traditions.
Indulge your passion for food, wine, nature on this fantastic holiday in Slovenia, an experience that you will treasure long after your trip is over.
The cooking class is taught by local women.
Our cooking class is very hands-on and taught by the local Goriška Brda women. They will guide you through the preparation of a variety of delicious Slovenian recipes, share local cooking philosophy, special ingredients and reveal some of their culinary secrets and family recipes.
HOLIDAY ITINERARY:
DAY 1 – THE ŠKOCJAN CAVES, LIPICA STUD FARM AND GORIŠKA BRDA
If you come to Ljubljana a few days earlier, we will pick you up at your hotel at 10 AM; otherwise we will pick you up at 11 AM at the Ljubljana airport. After a short transfer, our first stop is the Škocjan Caves Regional Park, one of Slovenia's most beautiful natural sights, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Their picturesque underground world is famous for its giant dripstone formations, underground rapids, and lakes, where you will explore the largest underground river canyon in the world. Next, we will travel to the heart of the Karst region, where you will admire noble and elegant white horses at Lipica Stud Farm, the cradle of the Lipizzaners and one of the oldest stud farms in the world.
After the culinary delicacies of the Karst, we will continue to Goriška Brda Slovenia’s most beautiful winegrowing region. Check into your room and take your time to explore the tourist farm, walk around the vineyards, swim in the pool or just relax in the garden with a glass of wine. In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome dinner with a wine pairing. This is a fun and easy way to get to know everyone. After dinner, we will tour the family's wine cellar. The owners will show you how they follow and nurture a centuries-old tradition of winemaking methods in addition to offering diverse, excellent certified organic wines.
Meals included: Lunch, dinner
DAY 2 – THE VIPAVA VALLEY
After breakfast, we will drive you to the small, culturally protected village of Goče, where you will learn about the history of the Vipava valley. The trail will lead us to a 650 year old farmhouse, hidden in the narrow streets, where we will eat lunch with local specialties and later taste wine in one of 75 preserved stone- arched wine cellars with the owner. You will never forget the experience; it is a real gourmet’s dream!
After lunch, we will visit the scenic hillside town with a unique historical background. It used to be the center of the valley for centuries. Admire the old streets, squares, and other attractions in one of the sunniest regions of Slovenia and taste local wine.
At a height of more than 1000 meters, we will visit a tourist farm where unique batches of cheese are created by special processes. Each is a story in itself. Before dinner and wine sampling, you will be fascinated by the beautiful view of the Vipava Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 3 – WINE TASTING AND COOKING CLASS
We will start the day with a visit to one of the 2017 Top 100 Wineries in the World, selected by Wine & Spirits Magazine. The owner is one of the 12 best winemakers in the world. You will enjoy wine tasting and a light lunch at the same time as a great view overlooking the Medana vineyards.
After everyone has put their aprons on, we will begin our cooking class at 5 PM. The cooking lesson will last around 2 hours and focus on cooking typical Goriška Brda dishes. Local women will share with you their culinary secrets and family recipes. After the cooking class, we will sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor and the meal that you have just prepared.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4 – EXPLORING GORIŠKA BRDA AND SPARKLING WINE
We will start our tour at Dobrovo castle a 2-storey Renaissance structure from the 17th century. We will pass through the poetic village of Medana, before we climb to the lookout tower at Gonjače, that will offer us magnificent views of the entire region and even the Adriatic coast. We will wrap up our tour by visiting Šmartno one of the best preserved medieval villages in Slovenia. You will enjoy a guided olive oil tasting and learn the story of local producers. A traditional lunch will be served in the walled town of Šmartno where you will also sample traditional spirits and liquors from different fruits and herbs and learn the production method.
In the heart of Goriška Brda you will discover one of the oldest cellars in Slovenia, located in a chateau that was built in the 13th century. It is now home to a family run winery, primarily known for their award-winning sparkling wines, which are made according to traditional methods. You will tour the wine cellar and enjoy the selection of sparkling wines.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5 – SOČA RIVER VALLEY AND MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANT
A day trip to the stunning Soča River Valley, one of the most beautiful river valleys in the world. The day will be a blend of nature, history, and delicious food. First, we will have a scenic and pleasant walk to the lovely, hidden Kozjak waterfalls before visiting the historic town of Kobarid, where Ernest Hemingway was inspired to pen his novel, A Farewell to Arms. You will have time to visit the Museum of World War I or just relax in a pub tasting local craft beer.
Time for a gastronomic experience, lunch prepared by one of the most innovative chefs, Ana Roš, in the family run restaurant Hiša Franko with 3 Michelin stars (Star of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, Season 2), and World's Best Female Chef for 2017 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants, and 21 Best Restaurant in the World for 2021. She developed a cooking style rooted in the surrounding Alpine landscape but also influenced by modern trends. You will enjoy a slow-food lunch with a selection of the best Slovenian wines.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6 – PIRAN AND SLOVENIAN ISTRIA WITH TRUFFLE HUNTING
We will spend a day on the Slovenian coast region and discover the scenic, historical, and gourmet delights. You will explore charming and romantic Piran, one of the cutest towns in Slovenia, walk along the beautiful. narrow streets, and admire the rich history that is reflected in the Venetian architecture. You will be charmed by the stunning views from the old Piran Town Wall, from which you can admire the city from a different perspective and see the coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Enjoy a seafood lunch with local wine before you have free time for shopping, swimming, or just sipping a coffee on a Tartini Square.
Then it is time to enter the world of truffles. Learn all the secrets about black and white truffles and why they grow in Slovenian Istria. After the successful truffle hunt, you will cook „fuži“ (local name for pasta) with truffles according to old family recipes with the locals. We will spice up the event with appetizes and raise a toast with local wine to a great day.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7 – THE KARST REGION AND FAREWELL DINNER
We will start a day with a short drive to the Karst wine-growing region. Explore old villages, admire the landscape, and taste the world of culinary excellence. Visit a boutique family-owned prosciutto-drying tourist farm where they are preserving the cultural heritage of prosciutto-drying craft in the Karst region, which has been formed through many generations. And discover the taste of Karst with the famous Teran red wine.
We will take you on a short walking tour to the medieval village of Štanjel the pearl of the Karst stone villages, where you will feel the history and culture of this region.
A farewell dinner will be served in the Brda countryside, where each dish will be enhanced by a selection of our host’s wine. This will be a fine introduction to amber wines, better known as orange wines. Winery continually ranks on the list of 100 best wineries in the world by Wine and Spirits Magazine.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 8 – GOODBYE SLOVENIA
After breakfast, guests have time to check out of their rooms. You will be taking delicious flavors, good memories, local products, and a collection of fantastic Slovenian recipes home with you. We will transfer to the vibrant capital town of Ljubljana to catch afternoon flights or train departures. Or, extend your stay to explore the old part of the city and its colourful matketplace.
Meals included: Breakfast
Notes on the Itinerary
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Trip dates:
2025
13 - 20 September
Price: 4.980 EUR per person (based on double occupancy)
Single supplement: 450 EUR
Group Size: 3-8
Accommodations: Family run tourist farm - 7 nights
Additional Information about the tour:
SINGLE ACCOMMODATIONS
If you request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay full single supplement fee. There are limited number of single rooms available to request. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a rommate if one is available.
Price includes:
Full-time, professional English speaking guide/driver throughout the trip
7 nights / 8 days of accommodation in a beautiful family-run tourist farm with a private bathroom and air condition (prices are based on two people sharing a twin/double room)
All meals, drinks, and tastings as noted in the daily itinerary
1 cooking class of approximately 2 hours
All land transportation according to the itinerary
Entrance fee to the WW I museum
Day 8 - transfer to the Ljubljana train station or downtown hotel
Turist tax
Not included:
International airfare and airport taxes
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Optional gratuities for your guides
Personal expenses