Croatia to Slovenia Culinary Tour

An 8-day journey through Croatia & Slovenia

A culinary-focused journey linking Croatia’s wine regions and Istria with Slovenia’s alpine scenery. Guided walks, scenic drives, tastings, cooking experiences, and a standout fine-dining evening create a relaxed cross-border experience.

This private journey takes you from Zagreb to Ljubljana, passing through Croatia’s wine regions, Istria, and Slovenia’s Alpine landscapes. The itinerary combines scenic drives, guided visits, and a strong focus on regional food and wine, with comfortable travel by private car throughout.

Highlights include market visits, meetings with local producers, a truffle hunt, olive-oil and wine tastings, a hands-on cooking session, and a fine-dining experience. Along the way, you’ll explore historic towns and natural landmarks across both countries, concluding with a privately guided tour of Ljubljana.

Highlights

Itinerary

Day 1: Zagreb arrival

Arrive in Zagreb and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. In the evening, settle in with a tailored wine-pairing dinner that sets a welcoming tone for the days ahead.

Day 2: The city of Zagreb & the nearby Wine Region

After breakfast, begin your journey with a private walking tour of Zagreb’s historic center. Visit the lively open-air market to experience local produce and everyday life. In the afternoon, head into the Plešivica wine region for visits to two notable wineries. Taste a range of styles, including several sparkling wines, and round off the day with a thoughtful wine-and-food pairing experience. Return to Zagreb.

Day 3: Zagreb to Istria

After breakfast, travel by private car into the Istrian countryside, home to forests rich in truffles. Start your day with an authentic truffle-hunting experience alongside trained dogs, followed by a tasting of premium truffle products. Continue with an aromatic olive-oil tasting and a visit to an excellent winery. In the evening, enjoy a relaxed walking tour of Rovinj, taking in its charming coastal old town and narrow cobblestone streets.

Day 4: Istrian peninsula

Begin with breakfast, then set out for a short boat ride and oyster tasting in Lim Bay. Afterward, continue to Pula for a visit to the vibrant open market and a walk through the city’s lively center. From there, meet your hosts, experts in Istrian food and wine for a private culinary experience. Stroll the green market or visit local farmers to gather ingredients, then move to a cozy venue where you’ll prepare dishes from scratch, sip local wines, and enjoy a relaxed brunch beneath the shade of olive trees. Return to Rovinj.

Day 5: Rovinj to Goriška Brda

After breakfast, cross into Slovenia and make your way into the scenic hills of Goriška Brda, famous Slovenian wine region. Visit a distinctive local winery to get a focused taste of the region’s winemaking character. In the evening, continue to Hiša Franko for an extraordinary fine dining experience crafted by one of the world’s most awarded chefs. Each season, the restaurant designs a tasting menu that tells the story of the valley, its people, and its traditions. This exceptional restaurant offers a single tasting menu, with each service lasting about three hours, an immersive, ever-changing expression of the region. Accommodation in a boutique hotel.

Day 6: From Goriška Brda to Ljubljana

Enjoy breakfast before setting out on a day filled with some of Slovenia’s most striking natural scenery. Begin in the Trenta Valley, surrounded by pristine nature and the emerald Soča River, known for its clear rapids and vibrant color. Continue along scenic mountain roads toward the high Alpine passes, taking in panoramic views from the Vršić Pass, the highest road pass in Slovenia. Make a relaxing stop at Jasna Lake, framed by alpine peaks, before reaching the mountain town of Kranjska Gora. After soaking in the landscapes, continue your drive to Ljubljana for the evening.

Day 7: Ljubljana

Have breakfast at the hotel, then set out on a private tour of Ljubljana. Your guide will lead you through the charming old town, across its iconic bridges, and into lively squares lined with cafés and local shops. Explore landmarks such as Prešern Square, the riverside promenade, and the bustling Central Market, while hearing stories that bring the city’s history and culture to life. After the tour, enjoy lunch in a traditional Slovenian restaurant and take in the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere of Slovenia’s capital.

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast at the hotel and private transfer to the airport.

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Get in touch

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