Hidden Slovenia (Small Group)

Touch down in Slovenia and meet your Travel Director and fellow small group travellers. Your trip kicks off in Ljubljana — a laid-back capital that's easy to explore on foot. Settle in, get your bearings and soak up the city's relaxed atmosphere, and maybe join your group for dinner if you're keen to start your journey together while getting to know your fellow travellers.

Ljubljana is ready to show off a little. Start with your Travel Director at Prešeren Square, cross the Triple Bridge and wander the Old Town before taking the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for a look over the city.

After that, the afternoon is yours. Head inside the castle and poke around its exhibitions, pick a museum that takes your fancy or jump on a boat and cruise the Ljubljanica River while the city drifts by. Culture, castle time or feet up on the water — you've got plenty of good ways to spend it.

It's wheels rolling through Slovenia's Karst countryside this morning, with rugged cliffs, forested slopes and caves hidden below. First up, a photostop at Predjama Castle, wedged dramatically into the rock face. Then head to Postojna Cave Park, where the choice is yours. Follow the Pivka River through the park, sit down to a lunch of local specialities or head underground on a cave tour in search of otherworldly rock formations and the curious olms that call them home.

Later, roll into coastal Koper for an orientation around the harbourfront and historic centre, where cafes, fishing boats and Adriatic views set a very different pace.

Explore Piran with your Travel Director on an orientation walk through its pretty harbour, narrow backstreets and Venetian-style squares. From there, the day's yours. Climb up to St. George's Church for coastline views, wander the old town, or head to the beach with a snack in hand.

Back in Koper, take a relaxed walk along the local beach. Your Travel Director knows the best spots to catch the sunset — no crowds, just great views across the sparkling Adriatic coastline. When hunger hits, Koper's restaurants deliver. Go fresh and local with grilled seafood or take your pick from casual spots with Adriatic flair.

Roll through the Vipava Valley, where green hills, rivers and vineyard views set the scene. Stop in the winemaking village of Goče for an orientation walk through quiet stone lanes and crumbling courtyards. It's the kind of place most travellers miss — but not you. Time to taste what this valley does best, with a visit to a local family-run winery. Expect homegrown hospitality, regional wines and a bite of something delicious. The good stuff, without the fuss.

Then it's back on the road, with the Alpine foothills unfolding as you approach the Bled region. Big skies, fresh air and a serious change of scenery. Slovenia's about to show off again.

Get your bearings around Lake Bled with your Travel Director. Walk the lakeside promenade, pass grand 19th-century villas and take in views of Vila Bled — once the summer residence of Yugoslav leader Tito. You'll also get a look at Bled Castle, perched high above the water, keeping watch over the town below.

How you spend your day is up to you. Pull up a chair at a lakeside cafe, wander the forest trails or tuck into a slice of Bled cream cake with zero regrets. Feeling adventurous? There's a Choice Experience to hop aboard a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island with big views guaranteed.

Take the scenic route across northern Slovenia, where mountain views give way to vineyard-covered hills. Stop in Kamnik — one of Slovenia's oldest towns — for an orientation walk with your Travel Director. Wander along Šutna Street past colourful facades and old churches, then grab a coffee or gelato in the main square and watch the locals go about their day.

In Maribor, explore Slovenia's second-largest city with another orientation walk. You'll pass through the old town, the riverside Lent district and see the bridges over the Drava River. Stop by the Old Vine House — home to the oldest grape vine in the world. Want to taste what it still produces? Join a Choice Experience wine tasting right on site.

Ptuj may be Slovenia's oldest recorded town, but it's got plenty of life in it. Follow the Drava south, then hit the medieval streets with your Travel Director while Ptuj Castle keeps watch from the hill. Free time means one thing: your call. Poke around the old quarter or climb up to the castle for the views. Back in Ljubljana, squeeze in a final wander, souvenir hunt or a slice of prekmurska gibanica. Still not done? Finish strong with a Choice Experience through the city, mixing craft beer, local wine and foodie stops into one very tasty farewell.

Your Slovenia adventure wraps up this morning in Ljubljana. After breakfast, it's time to say your goodbyes to your small group and make your way onwards. Whether you're heading home or off on your next adventure, you've seen the best of Slovenia — from lakes and castles to coastlines and vineyards.