8 Day All-Inclusive Food and Wine Holiday in Slovenia

Cooking class taught by local women

The 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 (from Goriška Brda and some other Slovenian regions), share local cooking philosophy, special ingredients and reveal some of their culinary secrets and family recipes.

Touring around the regions

When you are not cooking with the local women, you will be touring the wonderful countryside, 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 in your passion for food, wine, and nature on this fantastic holiday in Slovenia, an experience that you will treasure long after your trip is over.

Wine and Cooking Holiday Slovenia Itinerary

Day 1: The Škocjan Caves, Lipica Stud Farm, and Goriška Brda

If you come to Ljubljana a few days earlier, you will be picked up at your hotel at 10 a.m. otherwise, you will be picked up at 11 a.m. at the Ljubljana Airport. After a short transfer, the first stop is the Škocjan Caves Regional Park, one of Slovenia's most beautiful natural sights, 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, you 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, continue to Goriška Brda, Slovenia’s most beautiful wine-growing 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 traditional and local dishes. This is a fun and easy way to get to know everyone. After dinner, you will tour the family's wine cellar. The owners will teach 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, you will visit the small culturally protected village of Goče, where you will learn about the history of the Vipava Valley. The trail will lead you to a 650-year old farmhouse, hidden in the narrow streets, where you will eat lunch, and later also 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, 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, visit a tourist farm where unique batches of cheeses 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

Start the day with a visit to one of the "2017 Top 100 Wineries in the World" selected by Wine and Spirits Magazine. The owner is one of the 12 wine creators of the world. 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, begin your cooking class at 5 p.m.

The cooking lesson will last around two hours and will focus on cooking typical Goriška Brda dishes. Local women will share with you their culinary secrets and family recipes. After the cooking class, sit down to enjoy the fruits of your work and enjoy the meal that you have just prepared.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Exploring Goriška Brda and sparkling wine

Start the tour at Dobrovo castle, a 2-storey Renaissance structure from the 17th century. Pass through the poetic village of Medana, before you climb to the lookout tower at Gonjače that will offer magnificent views of the entire region and even the Adriatic coast. Wrap up the 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 Chateau that was built in the 13th century. It is now home to a family-run winery, primarily known for its 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

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, you 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 1" or just relax in a pub, tasting local craft beer.

On the early evening, it will be time for a gastronomic experience, dinner prepared by one of the most innovative chefs, Ana Roš, in the family-run restaurant, Hiša Franko, with two Michelin stars (Star of Netflix’s Chef’s Table: Season 2) and the "World's Best Female Chef" for 2017 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants organization and 38 Best Restaurants in the world for 2018.

She developed an eclectic cooking style rooted in the surrounding Alpine landscape but also influenced by modern trends. You will enjoy an 11-course slow food dinner with a selection of the best Slovenian wines.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Piran and Slovenian Istrian with truffle hunting

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 cutes towns in Slovenia, walk along the beautiful narrow streets, and admire rich history which is mirrored in the Venetian architecture.

You will be charmed by the stunning views from the old Piran Town Wall from where you can admire the city from a different perspective and see the Coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Enjoy a seafood lunch with a local wine before you have free time for shopping or swimming, or just have a coffee on a Tartini Square.

Then it's time to enter into the world of truffles. Learn all the secrets about black and white truffles and what is the reason they grow in Slovenian Istria. After the successful hunt, you will cook "fuži" (local name for pasta) with truffles according to old family recipes with locals. Spice up the event with appetizers and raise a toast with local wine to a great day.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: The Karst region and farewell dinner

Start the 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 boutique family-owned prosciutto drying facility where they are preserving the cultural heritage of prosciutto drying craft in the Karst region, which has been formed through many generations. Treat your taste buds with different kinds of prosciuttos and discover the taste of Karst with the famous Teran red wine.

You will be taken 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 the host’s wine.

This will be a fine introduction to amber wines or 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. You will be transferred 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 colorful marketplace.

• Meals included: Breakfast
• Notes on Itinerary: Although CookEatSlovenia does its very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond their control.

The tour will be based in Goriška Brda, (Slovenian Tuscany) and will cover the best in different regions with a focus on the Mediterranean, (Goriška Brda, Karst, Vipava Valley, Coast), and the Julian Alps (Kobarid).

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All meals and tastings as noted in the daily itinerary are included in the price.

• 1 cooking class of approximately 2 hours
• All meals, drinks, and tastings as noted in the daily itinerary
• Apron and gift with Slovenian products
• Full time experienced English speaking guide/driver throughout the trip
• 7 nights/8 days accommodation in a beautiful family run tourist farm with a private bathroom
• All land transportation according to the itinerary
• Entrance fee to WW1 museum
• Day 8 - transfer to Ljubljana train station or downtown hotel
• Tourist tax

• Extra drinks and alcoholic beverages
• International airfare and airport taxes
• Optional gratuities to your guides
• Panoramic tour with electric bikes
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.