Easy Walking in Italy and Slovenia

8 Day Tour
Aug 30-Sep 6, 2012

Estimated Prices
12 - 18 Travelers: $2595
8 - 11 Travelers:  $2895
Single Supplement $495

The Friuli region of northeastern Italy is one if its most beautiful regions, and one of Italy's best kept secrets. Just across the border, neighboring Slovenia is an unknown gem with stunning mountains, picturesque valleys, incredible food and wine...and very few tourists! Both regions have their own heritage of food, wine, and history that are unique in all of Europe. Like all Lost in Italy adventures, we'll be walking the trails, (all of them EASY) visiting the villages, sampling the wine, meeting the locals, enjoying the food, marveling at the incredible views, sampling the wine again, enjoying some more cuisine, and slowly easing into the pace of life in these two wonderful areas!

 

Day 1
BellunoOur Italian adventure starts today in Belluno, our home base for the first part of our adventure.  Located in the Italian Regione of the Veneto, Belluno is a picturesque town on the southern edge of the Italian Alps.

You should plan to arrive in Belluno by midday at the latest. Tonight we'll have our orientation meeting, (of course with local wines), and afterwards we'll walk to one of our favorite spots for our welcome dinner. 

There is an amazing variety of food in this region, probably owing to the amazing variety of landscapes to be found! From alpine mountains and valleys to fertile plains, from lush vineyards producing legendary wines to the Adriatic coast with its infinite variety of seafood, the Veneto region is rich in culinary abundance! So while we're exploring the countryside, villages and towns, we'll be sure to explore the wonderful cuisine as well. And as there's no point in waiting, we'll start tonight at our orientation dinner with an excellent meal of local dishes!

An after-dinner passegiata in the town piazza will cap off your first day in the far north of Italia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2
Valley di San Pellegrino

This morning we'll meet our local guide and have a fascinating walk in the mountains to the Rifugio Fuciade. Here we'll enjoy a light meal before continuing on the trail to marvel at the spectacular mountain vistas.

This afternoon will find us at the 200 year old kitchen of La Stanga farm, where we'll learn how to prepare polenta as it was in the past. And of course we'll taste their excellent wines, cheeses and salami as well!

Day 3
Le Zercole

Today you'll get to meet a local herbologist and have a tour of her incredible gardens. Afterwards you'll enjoy a unique lunch prepared with her own produce. Later we'll have an easy walk to La Latteria, a dairy farm that's been in operation for generations. Here we'll see how cheese is made, still using techniques handed down through the centuries. Of course we have a chance to enjoy the cheeses, washed down with an abundance of their local vintages!

Day 4
Grado and Gorizia

Today you'll visit the enchanting island of Grado, just off the Italian coast in the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Grado has a wonderful old city, perfect for wandering, shopping, getting lost! Later today we'll continue on to the border city of Gorizia, which straddles the border between Italy and Slovenia. As you can imagine, Gorizia has a fascinating history, and its friendly inhabitants, ample shops and restaurants, and lovely squares make it the perfect place to call our home for the next few days. Tonight your guide will host you for dinner to introduce you to the excellent local cuisine and vintages.

Day 5
Velika Planina and Zgornje Palovce

Today we cross into Slovenia to begin our exploration of this little-known but intriguing area. Using ski lifts, our Slovenian guide will take us to the Velika Planina, a picturesque high plateau with views that will astound you. Here we'll find a shepherds village, where you can observe daily life as it has been for hundreds of years. Later we'll have an easy downhill walk through forest and meadows to the small village of Zgornje Palovce. Here we'll visit Budnar House, where we'll experience the simple heritage of the village, and enjoy a meal prepared in the traditional 350 year old "black kitchen". Tonight you have the evening free to wander Gorizia and find a perfect place for dinner.

 

Day 6
Prvacina

Our private coach will take us on a short, scenic drive today to reach the village of Prvacina. Here at a remote winery we will taste the incredible Slovenian wines of sommelier Ingrid, matched with the local cuisine of chef Marco. This afternoon you have the option to tour a local World War I museum, which highlights the battles fought in this area.

Day 7
Ljubljana

We're off to the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, for a guided tour of the city. Ljubljana has a rich history, orginally settled around 2000 BC, the town was occupied by tribesman, then Romans, then Huns, then Lombards, then Franks, and finally the Slovenes. This afternoon we'll make our way to a farm in the nearby village of Vipava, where the owner Davorin will host us with a wine tasting in his private cellar. Then Davorin and your guide will host a festive farewell dinner on Davorin's patio....this is a great opportunity to relive all of the wonderful memories from your trip, exchange addresses and photos with all of your new friends, and make plans for future adventures!

Day 8
Arrivederci Italia!

After breakfast, your Lost in Italy tour comes to a close. If you plan to depart today, your tour leader can help with any arrangements you need for a transfer to the airport or with any other travel plans you may have.

 

 

What's Included On This Tour?

• 7 Nights Double Occupancy Hotel Accommodations (All Hotels with Private Bathrooms)
• Meals as Specified: 7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners, 5 Wine Tastings
• Lunch at Fuciade and La Stanga Featuring Local Specialties
• Lunch at Le Zercole
• Lunch at Saskida Winery
• Welcome Dinner in Belluno
• Dinner in Gorizia
• Dinner at Budnar House
• Farewell Dinner in Ljubljana
• Belluno Walk with Local Guide
• Le Zercole-La Latteria Walk
• Velika Planina Walk
• Guides Welcome Night Wine Tasting
• La Stanga Wine Tasting
• La Latteria Wine Tasting
• Vineyard Tour at Saskida with Wine Tasting
• Cellar Tour at Cejtkotova with Wine Tasting
• Transportation once the tour has begun. The motorcoaches and vans we use are modern, air conditioned and roomy. Our tour groups are usually between 8-18 people so we always have lots of room on our coaches to get comfortable.
• All train, ferry, hydrofoil, coach, and taxi transfers as specified in itinerary.
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as specified in itinerary
• Completely escorted by a Lost in Italy Tour Leader with local guides at specified sites throughout the itinerary
• Lost in Italy trail-friendly wine glass
• A lifetime of unforgettable memories!

What's Not Included On This Tour?

• Airfare package
  
• Departure taxes
  
• Arrival and departure transfers, tour begins at the hotel in Belluno on the afternoon of Day 1, and the tour ends at the hotel in Gorizia on the morning of day 8.
  
• Gratuities for meals, porterage, local guides, coach drivers, etc.
• Visa fees, if applicable
  
• Meals not specified in itinerary
  
• Beverages at meals unless specified in itinerary
  
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Medical Insurance (strongly recommended), call for details
  
• Single supplement charge
  
• Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, etc.