Grape to Wine Tour

Cviček is a special wine, considered unique not only for its taste, but due to supposed healing effects.  Zigzagging through the beautiful landscape, we stop at Najger Repnica cave, an underground chamber dug in flint, which in the past was used for storing crops, while nowadays, these caves are gaining in popularity for storage of quality wines.

We will spend the rest of the day in Olimje town, hosting a Monastery and its Old Pharmacy, not to mention the famous chocolate factory, where the smell and taste are simply irresistible! You can end the day relaxing at the Terme Olimia thermal spa. 

Following the undulating landscape, we continue our ride/drive to another wine growing region, Haloze, before arriving in Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia. One of Ptuj’s countless treasures is the Ptuj Wine Cellar, storing the oldest existing wine to be produced in Slovenia, dating from 1917.

We will also see the Island of Love floating mill on the Mura River before heading toward another prime wine-growing territory of Lendavske gorice.

The “capital” Lendava is a melting-pot of culture and cuisine (Slovenian, Hungarian and Croatian). The town’s star attraction and a landmark for the region is undoubtedly the Vinarium Tower, offering superlative panoramic views over the colorful landscapes of Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and Austria.

We continue through the picturesque countryside, following the wine road to the most “Instagrammable” road bend in Slovenia. This road in the shape of a heart is a unique site, and the views are simply stunning.

Taking side roads through interesting villages takes us to Maribor, the proud home of the world’s oldest vine, which still produces between 35kg and 55kg of grapes (about 25l of wine) per year, despite being planted more than four centuries ago. We will conclude the day with some local wine tasting at the nearby Old Vine House.

We will visit the nearby Eco-Museum where we’ll learn about hops, hop-growing, and the brewing industry in Slovenia. The flowing bends will lead us past Sevnica, a small town with a magnificent castle at the top of the hill. On the slope below the castle is the castle's vineyard with 500 Blue Franconian vines and the offspring of the oldest vine in Slovenia. Blue Franconian lovers, welcome!

The region is also known for its extremely good wines – the best known are the red Metliška Črnina and the white Belokranjsko Belo. We’ll stop at Metlika, visiting the mighty cellar and then continue the dynamic ride through woods and fields to reach Postojna with it’s beautiful Predjama Castle.

Situated in the gaping mouth of a cavern halfway up a 130-meter cliff, this medieval castle has a dramatic setting and was once home of Erazem Lueger, the Slovenian equivalent of Robin Hood. We continue to explore Guštarna, where we treat our taste buds to gourmet delights of the Primorska region. A scenic and curvy ride via Rakitna will bring us back to Ljubljana for one final goodbye.

The quaint, narrow streets along the right bank of the Ljubljanica River, with its medieval bridges, are reminiscent of Prague without the crowds.

Depending on the time of your flight back home, you may have time to climb the staircase to the 16th century fortification of Ljubljana Castle that dominates the town before heading out to the airport.