Walking the Vineyards, Caves, and Coasts of Slovenia

Your first destination is the emerging wine region of the Vipava Valley in southwestern Slovenia. This region is dotted with villages and covered in lush forests and vineyards. From little inns to Michelin-starred eateries, this region is packed with experiences.

You’ll have the day to settle into your hotel in the tiny town of Slap pri Vipavi.

Kick off your tour with a loop walk that begins right from your hotel’s doorstep. You’ll walk through gorgeous vineyards, green forests, and charming villages. The views of the valley are unforgettable!

Stop into the villages you pass, taste the first-class local white wines (especially the native Pinela and Zelen grapes), and chat up the locals before making it back to your guesthouse.

Today you’ll walk through miles and miles of vineyards, crossing through traditional villages along the way. You’ll leave the valley, strolling through the gorgeous vineyards that lead to the limestone karst plateau. Get some shade in a forest just before reaching Stanjel, one of the oldest settlements in the Karst area.

Enjoy your free evening.

After breakfast, you will get a 15-minute ride to a nearby village where you start the hike and walk back to the village of Stanjel. This region is defined by porous limestone, where the seeping water deposits minerals and creates fascinating above-ground and underground formations. Walk along a mostly flat trail, enjoying more forests and vineyards. Stop into small villages for bites of cured meats and sips of local wine.

Upon arrival at your guesthouse, freshen up and then find a tasty spot for dinner. NOTE: You can add an additional day to the tour to explore the karst caves in the region, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After another idyllic morning, you’ll be transferred to Slovene Istria, where the scent of the Adriatic Sea floats through the air. The hills of this region are just beautiful, reminiscent of Tuscany in places. Walk through the isolated hilltop villages, stroll through olive groves, and pass through vineyards (stopping for a tasting, perhaps?). If you like truffles, a local truffle hunter and her dog can come out and show you how they locate these little treats and cook up a delicious truffle pasta for dinner!

Spend the night in a village guesthouse, stuffed with truffles and wine and undeniably happy.

Today is going to be the most challenging, but it’s also going to be immensely rewarding. You’ll walk west, the Adriatic unfolding slowly before you. Reaching Strunjan Nature Park, you’ll begin to walk along the coastline, where high cliffs line the shore. The Adriatic pine trees and the deep blue ocean smell simply amazing, and you’re going to be tempted to head down for a swim- go ahead!

You’ll savour a well-deserved seafood dinner in Piran, and then you’re free to spend your last evening as you please, whether that’s swimming as the sun sets, drinking wine, or just strolling around town. If today is a bit long for you, you can arrange a transfer for a portion of the route.

Sleep in, enjoy breakfast, and spend as much time as possible enjoying the pastel streets of Piran before you need to depart. Or, consider booking some additional nights to soak up this seaside paradise a little longer!