If Slovenia isn't on your list, then add it to the top!
Join Vagabond Gourmet this October on an edible journey
through the history, the people, the countryside, the Alps,
and of course, the food of magical Slovenia!
October 16 - 23, 2008 - Cost: $3,350.00
per person Double Occupancy,
Exclusive of Airfare
•
7 Night Private Ensuite Lodging
•
All Meals & Including Wine
•
Bread Baking, Dumplings and Goulash Cooking Lessons
•
Guided Walking Tour of Ljubljana
•
Private Castle Dinner
•
Hiska Franko Cooking Lesson & Lunch
•
Wine Tours & Tastings in Goriska Brda
•
Lippanzer Horse Farm Visit and Riding
•
Castles, Art Museums & Cave Tours
•
Airport Transfers & Ground Transportation
TRAVEL ICONS
Edible Slovenia
Rich in resources, naturally good looking and persistently peaceful, (no, we're not talking about our chefs) Slovenia has been flourishing since its break from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. And that's lucky for us! Nestled between Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, tiny Slovenia is a wonderful antidote to much of Europe's over crowded cities and beaches. With its proximity to the sea, to Italy, to the Alps and to Eastern Europe make Slovenia a melting pot of cultures and history, offering Vagabond Gourmet travelers a myriad of touring opportunities as well as platters full of palate pleasers.
If Slovenia isn't on your list, then add it to the top! Join Vagabond
Gourmet this October on an edible journey through the history, the people, the countryside, the Alps, and of course, the food of magical Slovenia!
There are a plethora of reasons why you will want to join us in Slovenia. It is a splendid country at the crossroads of cultures, history, customs and beautiful natural wonders, thus offering something for everyone. Slovenia will surprise you... come and see.
The capital, Ljubljana, with only 276,000 inhabitants, is considered a small, friendly city that suits everyone from its inhabitants to its numerous visitors. Ljubljana maintains the friendliness of a small town, with cobbled squares and cafes that spill onto tiny streets, but has the flair and energy of a metropolis. Here, at the meeting point of the cultures of the east and the west, the old interlaces the new and present around the city are the remainders of all the five millenniums of its history. From the Roman town of Emona and the Old Town with its medieval castle, Renaissance and Baroque facades, ornamented portals and colorful roofs, Ljubljana will surprise you around every turn. The mosaic is complemented with the bridges over the Ljubljanica River and the vast and green Tivoli Park which stretches into the very center of the city.
Delicious Cuisine Awaits
Just like the rest of Slovene culture, the cuisine is influenced by geography and history, while its uniqueness comes from local ingredients. By far the heaviest influence is Austro-Germanic; however, you will also find plenty of Italian-based dishes, and the cuisine of the Balkans and Hungary.
We love food at Vagabond Gourmet and if you do too, then you are in for a unique treat! Slovenia is a hospitable country that will surprise your palate with an abundance of traditional Slovenian food as well as culinary masterpieces which originated outside the country but have received a Slovenian touch.
In the picture perfect villages of the “jewel of the New Europe” we’ll work up quite an appetite before visiting new friends. Meet the lovely Ana and Valter at Hisa Franko for a delightful afternoon at their remarkable country inn. With Valter's vast knowledge of Slovene wines and Ana’s remarkable cuisine we are in for a treat. Ana welcomes us into her kitchen as we prepare a few of her incredible specialties like “ Scallops in Violet Potato Foam ,White Truffle and Volcanic Salt” or her “Roasted Duck Breast , Fragrant with Vanilla, Sweet Spices and Sauce of Orange Jus, White Martini and Concentration of Beets”.
A day trip to gorgeous Lake Bohinj follows pristine mountain roads past hidden waterfalls and lead us to discoveries of more gastronomic indulgences like a Parma-style cured ham that invariably comes from very small local makers; klobase - sausages and salamis; potica (potitsa) - the national cake, made with walnuts and buttercream.
Franci Pivk invites us into “Crna kuhinja” the manor’s typical 19th-century kitchen with an open fire, but without a chimney. Franci expertly brings old local recipes to life - rich in tradition yet light in taste - highlighting the wonderful yumminess of Idrijan cuisine. With his vast culinary expertise and creativity he successfully combines traditional ingredients with contemporary techniques, and the result is a true culinary masterpiece. In 2002 Franci Pivk was awarded a prestigious Cook of the Year title by the Slovene Culinary Academy.
Every Slovenian region has its own variety of bread. There are also many flour-based dishes, among them are those made from buckwheat--a specialty in Slovenia. More than seventy variations of struklji (dumplings) are widely made across Slovenia and are a staple. The most renowned is luxuriously filled prekmurska gibanic, a layered pastry, originating in the region of Prekmurje with walnuts, poppy seeds, raisins, apples cottage cheese, and honey. In Primorska, they will delight you with original fish dishes and delicacies made from local plants, vegetables and fruit (asparagus, artichokes, truffles), and of course, the prosciutto from Karst which is cured in the bora wind. Join us in the kitchen under the watchful eye of Franci as we learn to prepare (and pronounce) it all!
Many appetite whetting journeys await as we gather around the large kitchen hearths and taste each step of the way why this Vagabond
Gourmet adventure is called Edible Slovenia.
The Wine Roads
"I'll take a Slovenian wine please." It doesn't just roll off the tongue to the sommelier, but perhaps it should. Wine is big in Slovenia where the climate is favorable to a host of grape varieties. The country produces whites, reds and roses and there are 53,373 acres of vineyards in three winegrowing regions: Podravje, Posavje, and Primorje.
The total area is about the same as the Bordeaux region of France, but produces only about half the quantity of wine. You might be surprised to know that more than 70 percent of the wines produced in Slovenia are quality and high-quality wines. There are 20 'wine roads' that meander the regions, and at Vagabond Gourmet, you can be sure these roads will be well traveled.
A visit to the Goriska Brda region in the sunny side of the Alps we taste why these important wines stand out and have won numerous world recognized certificates of excellence.
Cozy Comfort
Our country baroque Manor is filled with antiques and traditional country home ambiance. Several cozy nooks are available around the open fireplace to read a book or taste various sorts of homemade liquors. Enjoy a cigar or simply indulge in the sheer pleasure and tranquility.
Relax in the fruit garden with its mighty, century-old apple trees and other species of fruit trees offering shade in his idyllic offering a spectacular view on the old town center and the parish church "Marija na Skalci". The bedrooms are all furnished with large beds, wardrobes, sitting areas and details of Idrijan lace adorning the table cloths, curtains and bed linens. Loaded with charm and the modern comforts of air-conditioning make the Kendov Dvorec a special jewel.
Something for Everyone
Whoever said ‘variety is the spice of life’ must have known about Slovenia. Whether you prefer leisure, recreation or exciting excursions, Slovenia is especially attractive to those who enjoy the outdoors. There are mountains and lakes, skiing, hot air ballooning, horseback riding and biking. There are more than seven thousand kilometers of marked mountain trails for hiking and climbing. You can also try high-adrenaline sports or spend time on the Mediterranean coast, museum hop in the capital, or visit the castles in the small villages. Last but not least, Slovenia has numerous natural spas, where you can take care of your health with a dip in one of Slovenia's 16 thermal water spas.
Whatever you’re craving, Vagabond Gourmet has a delicious and exciting itinerary in store that will introduce you to the flavors, the people, the culture, and the scintillating scenery and warm hospitality of Slovenia!
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Rich in resources, naturally good looking and persistently peaceful, (no, we're not talking about our chefs) Slovenia has been flourishing since its break from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. And that's lucky for us! Nestled between Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, tiny Slovenia is a wonderful antidote to much of Europe's over crowded cities and beaches. With its proximity to the sea, to Italy, to the Alps and to Eastern Europe make Slovenia a melting pot of cultures and history, offering Vagabond Gourmet travelers a myriad of touring opportunities as well as platters full of palate pleasers. 
Just like the rest of Slovene culture, the cuisine is influenced by geography and history, while its uniqueness comes from local ingredients. By far the heaviest influence is Austro-Germanic; however, you will also find plenty of Italian-based dishes, and the cuisine of the Balkans and Hungary.
Every Slovenian region has its own variety of bread. There are also many flour-based dishes, among them are those made from buckwheat--a specialty in Slovenia. More than seventy variations of struklji (dumplings) are widely made across Slovenia and are a staple. The most renowned is luxuriously filled prekmurska gibanic, a layered pastry, originating in the region of Prekmurje with walnuts, poppy seeds, raisins, apples cottage cheese, and honey. In Primorska, they will delight you with original fish dishes and delicacies made from local plants, vegetables and fruit (asparagus, artichokes, truffles), and of course, the prosciutto from Karst which is cured in the bora wind. Join us in the kitchen under the watchful eye of Franci as we learn to prepare (and pronounce) it all!
"I'll take a Slovenian wine please." It doesn't just roll off the tongue to the sommelier, but perhaps it should. Wine is big in Slovenia where the climate is favorable to a host of grape varieties. The country produces whites, reds and roses and there are 53,373 acres of vineyards in three winegrowing regions: Podravje, Posavje, and Primorje. 
Our country baroque Manor is filled with antiques and traditional country home ambiance. Several cozy nooks are available around the open fireplace to read a book or taste various sorts of homemade liquors. Enjoy a cigar or simply indulge in the sheer pleasure and tranquility.
Whoever said ‘variety is the spice of life’ must have known about Slovenia. Whether you prefer leisure, recreation or exciting excursions, Slovenia is especially attractive to those who enjoy the outdoors. There are mountains and lakes, skiing, hot air ballooning, horseback riding and biking. There are more than seven thousand kilometers of marked mountain trails for hiking and climbing. You can also try high-adrenaline sports or spend time on the Mediterranean coast, museum hop in the capital, or visit the castles in the small villages. Last but not least, Slovenia has numerous natural spas, where you can take care of your health with a dip in one of Slovenia's 16 thermal water spas. 
