Clink glasses and share meals with your loved ones as your take a 4-day wine and dine trip in Slovenia. Known as The Sunny Side of the Alps, Slovenia is a small, unassuming country located south of Central Europe. Travellers oftentimes skip Slovenia as the country is surrounded by other more famous European countries such as Hungary, Italy, and Austria.
This trend is slowly changing as Slovenia is slowly growing out of its shell and is finally getting known as a one-of-a-kind foodie and wine enthusiast destination. This 4-day itinerary brings you to the heart of Slovenia and lets you experience the real beauty of the country through its local cuisines and wineries.
Commence your travel plans by completing all the necessary documents to acquire a Schengen visa. Slovenia is one of 26 Schengen countries that implement the same visa for tourists and visiting entrepreneurs. Applying for a Schengen visa is a walk in the park; you just need to collate the following requirements:
- Valid passport and copies of the front and back pages
- Current passport-sized photos with white background
- Completed Schengen Visa application form
- Proof of travel such as flight booking, travel itinerary, and hotel booking – You may get a Flight Booking for Visa and Hotel Reservation for Visa just for your visa application without having to pay for the airfare or hotel booking.
- Travel Insurance – It is better to acquire this from Schengen Travel Insurance, an affordable and reliable insurance company.
- Personal Coverage Letter
- Bank Documents
- For employed travellers, a No Objection Letter is highly recommended
4-Day Wine and Dine Trip in Slovenia:
Ready your palates and bring out the inner connoisseur in you as you journey around this simple yet very interesting country. As you sip wine and taste local Slovenia cuisines, marvel at the great views of the Alps or the serene coastline of the Adriatic Sea.
Day 1: Ljubljana – The Capital City
It is highly recommended that you start your 4-day wine and dine trip in Slovenia on a Friday. You may be wondering why? Well, Fridays is Open Market day in the capital city, Ljubljana. Going to the Open Market is a great start to this foodie adventure as this will prove that Slovenia is indeed a great dining destination in Europe.
Held at the Central Market every Friday from March to October, the Open Market features over 30 Slovenian Chefs that serve traditional Slovenian dishes or even modern fusion cuisines. To top it off, some of the best Slovenian wines are sold by the glass in the market. You can easily inquire which wine will go with your chosen dish. Do sample some of the fresh crops too like marble tomatoes, figs, and grapes.
Day 2: Bled Town
Less than an hour away from Ljubljana is the town known as Bled. This town is known for its impressive view of Lake Bled near the foot of the Karawanks mountain range. This up and coming town is also easing its way to the list of great foodie and wine lovers’ destinations in Europe. It is actually the only location in Slovenia where wine and dine can be coupled with great views of the lake and the Alp-like mountains.
When in Bled, it is best to have your food and wine sampling at Gostilna-Murka. This bed and breakfast type of inn is so closely situated to the lake giving excellent views to its patrons as well as is famous for serving the best local dishes paired with local wines. Do try some of the local foods like the smoked pork, veal stew, and the barley soup. Complement these with a bottle of local white wine called Traminec or a bottle of local red wine called Refosk. Finally, finish your meal with a slice of Bled’s famous Kremsnita or Cream Cake. This is definitely a must in your 4-day wine and dine trip in Slovenia.
Day 3: Soca Valley
A few hours away from Bled is another great Slovenian wine and dine destination known as Soca Valley. The land trip in itself is a feast in the eyes. It is where the new meets the old age, where nature meets technology, and where traditional cuisines meet new generation chefs. There are actually 3 foodie and wine destinations in Soca Valley – Bovec, Tolmin, and Kobarid.
Do make a routine stop at Hisa Franko in the town of Kobarid. This restaurant is a known institution in the area – serving the best local dishes, having the broadest selection of wine stored in an underground cellar, and curing a variety of local cheeses. A must-try in Hisa Franko is the local Tolmin butter, local goat’s cheese, rabbit liver, and marble trout. A set meal can cost as much as €100 per person which includes a platter of local cheeses. Although quite dear, the great atmosphere and the warm service makes the price all worth it. Don’t forget to ask for the wine list and get the best wine advice from your server.
Day 4: Velenje
Velenje may just be an hour away from Ljubljana and may be the fifth largest city in Slovenia, but it is still quite untouched and unexplored by both the locals and the tourists. What many know about Velenje are its picturesque view of the Slovenian Alps and the medieval castle sitting atop a mountain. This folktale-type of scenery is what captures a number of visitors but unknown to tourists, Velenje is also a promising wine and dine destination.
Go straight to Lampercek Farm by the boundary of Velenje and Dobrna and experience humble farm life in Slovenia. Here, you’ll be asked to feed the farm animals and, if you are up to the challenge, be able to do other farm works. End your day by being served the best local Velenje dishes in the outdoors. While eating, you can see some of the most elusive animals like wild deer and mouflon. After enjoying your meal, you will be served some local wine and cheese. This is a great end to your 4-day wine and dine trip in Slovenia.
4-Day Wine and Dine Trip in Slovenia – The Best Gastronomic Experience:
Realize your Slovenian wine and dine trip by securing a Schengen visa. If Slovenia is just one of several European destinations in your itinerary, it is best to apply for the correct type of Schengen visa to avoid any hassles. Should you have more queries about the visa application process, you may contact us through our website or Facebook page.
Get ready for the best gastronomic experience you will ever have in your 4-day wine and dine trip in Slovenia!