Explore a wetland nature reserve on reclaimed land that now supports an abundance of indigenous flora and fauna. Salt pans covered much of this area for centuries, and it wasn’t until about 50 years ago that the brackish wetlands became an important habitat for flora and fauna. As you walk through this wonderfully unique ecosystem, a naturalist will describe the transformation of the reserve and how environmentalists prevented it from becoming an industrial zone. Nearly 250 types of birds—more than half the species in the entire country of Slovenia—have been spotted there, including Eurasian reed warblers, black-winged stilts and squacco herons. You can also expect to see a huge variety of colorful butterflies flitting about. Halophytes are among the more intriguing plants found in the wetlands, as they thrive in salty ground. From a distance, these succulents appear to have ice on their leaves, but it is actually dried salt that the plants exude from their glands.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Gain insight into how former salt pans were transformed into a thriving wetland.
• Walk through a now-protected nature reserve with a naturalist guide.
• Observe abundant wildlife that includes more than half the bird species in Slovenia.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Meander through a fragrant herb garden in a 19th-century farm and then savor a delightful lunch of traditional Slovenian dishes. As an introduction to the country’s limestone karst region, you will pause to take in the sweeping views from a castle that overlooks the Gulf of Trieste. The culinary experience unfolds at a charming local family homestead, where a husband and wife grow and prepare herbs and dishes themselves. You'll discover the herbs they cultivate for culinary and medicinal purposes, such as sage, fennel, and balm mint. The karst terrain also nurtures the growth of fragrant lavender, adding to the region's aromatic allure. As you will discover during the lunch that follows, many of the herbs have been used in the dishes. To complement the meal, you will be served Teran wine, a dark-ruby wine sometimes called King of the Karst.

Enjoy a combination of Slovenia’s best known sites the capital city of Ljubljana and Lake Bled. Both are a wonderful gateway to Slovenian heritage. After a guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore on your own. Following your approximate two hour drive to the Alpine town of Lake Bled, you’ll have different options to enjoy from a walk around the picturesque lake to visiting a medieval castle visit, all during your free time and at your own expense. After World War II, this was one of the most appealing state residences and drew many people who were attracted by the beauty of this town. Today new pilgrims have been discovering this tranquil and lovely place.

After a guided walk through Ljubljana, a medium sized European city, you’ll have time to explore your own pace. It offers all the friendliness of a small town and at the same time has everything that a capital should. This city of culture boasts one of the oldest philharmonic halls in the world. Every year it hosts more than 10,000 cultural events ranging from prestigious concerts, theater performances and fine art exhibitions.

Despite its small size, Slovenia is quite varied in terms of landscape. Between the Alps and the sea, you’ll find the broad belt of the Slovenian Karst, which is part of the great Dinaric mountain range. This is a mainly limestone area notable for a special karstic phenomena, both visible in its topography and underground. Take an approximately one hour drive from Koper to discover the unique underworld beneath this beautiful landscape. Board an electric train that will take you to Postojna Cave for a 1 1/2 hour visit. Well-kept paths comprise the greater part of the cave so it does not present any difficulties for most visitors.

Your trail begins at the cave’s railway station and will take you to the first natural passage, known as the “Upturned Ship”. Visit Gothic Hall rich in stalactite decoration, where the remains of Ice Age animals have been found and the Conference Hall, previously known as the Ballroom, has been the venue for dances and concerts for 180 years. While you admire these natural sculptures, the train takes you to Great Mountain where the tour of the caves continues on foot in groups led by guides. This trail takes you you past very unique and charactertisic formations that have been named!

At the Predjama Castle photo stop, a former hideout for the brazen knight named Erazem of Predjama, evidence indicates that this steep and imposing cliff has been fortified since at least the 13th century. Reboard your train by the Conference Hall to return to the surface and to your waiting ship in Koper.

Ljubljana is the largest and busiest Slovenian city wth a combination of romantic stories, medieval charm and a livley student atmosphere. During your walking tour, your guide will try to capture the transformation from Roman times to the present for you. It bears witness to all five millenniums of its rich history. Apart from the remains of the Roman Emona, it boasts a medieval castle, numerous Baroque buildings, picturesque bridges and the vast Tivoli Park.

You will see all of the main attractions - three bridges created by Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik, Preseren Square named after the poet and the open-air market known for its organic food and culinary highlights. In addition, you'll pass the Town Hall kept as it was in medieval times, Robba's Fountain a Baroque masterpiece and more hidden gems. This walking tour makes for an exciting exploration and has something for every interest.

Visit the enchanting coastal town of Piran, known for its Venetian charm and rich heritage. Begin with a scenic drive passing Izola, with a photo stop to capture its stunning views. Upon arrival in Piran, enjoy a guided walking tour through its historic streets, followed by free time to explore at your leisure or savor the local atmosphere. Next, journey to the traditional village of Padna, where you'll experience authentic Slovenian culture. Stroll through the village, sampling local delicacies made from family recipes and tasting wines crafted from nearby vineyards. The village offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, orchards, and vineyards, making it a truly memorable stop. Relish the heritage, flavors, and tranquil countryside of Slovenia before returning to your ship.

This coastal bike tour is approximately 8 miles (14km) follows the tracks of the narrow-gauge Parenzana Railroad, which once ran from Trieste to Porec. The railroad was the main transport route between Istria and Central Europe. Italian, Slovenian, and Croatian mayors of the municipalities through which the line had passed decided to establish this route. The name symbolizes the friendship between the three nations and is now an opportunity for everyone who wants to keep fit.

About a hundred years after the Parenzana, first started puffing along the tracks, health-conscious people, hikers, cyclists, runners and others can now experience a new way of getting to know interesting places. The route takes you through old towns and villages, to the sea, through vineyards and olive tree plantations, through short tunnels, across valleys, and up into hilly land. It ends in the town of Portoroz, where you’ll take a return transfer to the pier.

Reveal the stories and history behind the most striking sights of Slovenia’s largest city during this fascinating walking tour of Koper. Meet your guide at the pier and begin your approximately 90-minute exploration climbing the 100 steps that lead to the city’s upper level. In the Old Town’s stunning Tito Square, you’ll find the compelling Praetorian Palace, a 15th-century Venetian Gothic palace that houses the Koper city government. View the elegant Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which has undergone several renovations from its original Romanesque style and displays wonderful Renaissance touches. Notice the four-story tower, which houses one of Slovenia’s oldest bells, dating back to 1333. Enhance your experience by savoring some of the local delicacies along the way and perhaps electing to remain in town for further exploration or to browse the town’s quaint shops.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the seat of Koper’s city government at the Praetorian Palace in picturesque Tito Square.
• Observe the Italianate four-story bell tower of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
• Pause and indulge in the flavors of four local delicacies.
• Opt to shop or explore the city in more depth during time on your own.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

In the picturesque Karst region of Slovenia and just a stone’s throw from the Slovenian-Italian border lies the Lipica Stud Farm - the cradle of the Lipizzaner horse. You'll visit the stud farm, which was founded in 1580 and today, is a jewel among the cultural and historical monuments of the Republic of Slovenia. For over four centuries, this farm has nurtured the tradition of breeding and selecting thoroughbred horses. In the period after World War II, Lipica established its own classical riding school and has successfully performed with its horses at various equestrian events all over the world.

The riding school was established during the Austrian Empire in 1572 and is the oldest of its kind in the world. Records show that a wooden riding arena was first commissioned in 1565, but it wasn't until 1729 that Emperor Charles VI had the architect Fischer von Erlach build the white riding hall used today. For a time, the riding hall was used for various private ceremonies, but it is now open to the public, who may witness the training and performances by the stallions.

Drive around a lake that is a natural phenomenon of sorts, as its water disappears each autumn, leaving the lake dry until the winter rainy season. For an overview of the lake’s unusual hydrological system, you will first browse a museum with a scale working model of Lake Cerknica, showing how each year it drains into the porous karst that lies beneath the lakebed. A leisurely walk around the shore will add another dimension to your understanding of this well-known “intermittent lake,” as it’s known geologically. When full, the lake is the largest in Slovenia. Much of the flora and fauna changes seasonally with the water level. Regardless of when you visit, you can expect to see flowering orchids, medicinal plants, and countless birds, all of which the naturalist will describe in fascinating detail. More than half of Europe’s bird species have been spotted there at one time or another.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Follow a naturalist around an unusual “intermittent lake” that completely drains each year.
• View a scale model of Lake Cerknica that shows how its hydrological system works.
• Enjoy the flora and fauna that thrives around the lake as the naturalist describes them.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sample traditional Slovenian foods at various venues in and around Koper and enjoy a glass of wine in the surrounding Slovenska Istra wine region. As you drive into the countryside and along the Slovenian Riviera, the views will be extraordinarily panoramic. You will pass lovely seaside villages such as Izola, picturesque beaches and verdant nature parks. Following the wine tasting, you will return to Koper for samplings that will reflect the region’s cuisine and local specialties. You will be offered homemade doughnuts handcrafted from a family recipe, an ice cream perhaps made with gianduja – a blend of chocolate and hazelnut paste – and chocolate sprinkled with Piran salt flower, a mineral-rich ingredient with an aromatic taste that is much less aggressive than that of ordinary salt. The latter may be the most unusual of the tastings as centuries-old processes and tools must be used to extract the salt from the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive into the surrounding wine region and sample a glass of characteristic wine.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the gorgeous Slovenian Riviera.
• Walk through downtown Koper and stop to sample Slovenian delicacies and desserts.
• Gain insight into traditional Slovenian cuisine during the tastings.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Join a hands-on cooking class and learn to prepare several traditional Slovenian dishes, each of which will be thoughtfully paired with a local wine. Before delving into the cuisine that is so representative of the Istria Peninsula, you will visit the Church of the Holy Trinity to see a remarkable 15th-century fresco that was hidden beneath layers of plaster until 1949. This rare fresco is in pristine condition and depicts a macabre scene of skeletons leading medieval villagers to the graveyard. On a much lighter note, the class will be an entertaining immersion into the local cuisine, during which a chef will offer guidance as you prepare your own lunch of Slovenian specialties, which will likely include a pasta dish and bobiči corn stew. To make the class even more fun, you will be divided into competitive teams. The venue will be the esteemed Vinakoper winery, one of the country’s largest wine producers.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Participate in a lighthearted hands-on team cooking class at a premier winery.
• Prepare traditional Slovenian dishes that are heavily influenced by Italian cuisine.
• Enjoy your freshly made dishes paired with Slovenian wine for lunch.
• See an extraordinary medieval fresco that was hidden beneath a plaster wall for centuries.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.