Past M&G travellers to Italy have been waiting patiently to hear about a trip to Slovenia with Boris, our great Slovenian driver. Boris has two great passions: his wife Nina and Slovenia – a small country that borders Italy and broke away from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. Boris knows all of the hidden corners and amazing places of his country. Working with Alessandra, Boris has created a special new itinerary that will take you from Venice and Trieste, to the wonders of Pirano, Koper, Stanjel, Lipica and Ljubljana and finally to the amazing Bled lake and the hidden corners of the Karst mountains. Your trip will end in one of the great cities of Europe, Vienna, Austria. Don’t miss this unique experience to get off the path with an amazing guy.

July 1, 2008
Day 0 – Fly from the US to Venice

Day 1 – Venice
After your arrival in Venice you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city. Join your fellow travellers and Boris, you Slovenian host, for a special wine and cheese apertivo followed by a welcome dinner at a quaint local restaurant.
Sleep in Venice

Day 2 – Venice
Discover amazing Venice on a walking tour through the secret backstreets or “calle” of the city. Visit the famed glass blowing factories of Murano and the beautiful opera theatre La Fenice. Tonight you will be transported back into the 18th Century with an intense Vivaldi classical music concert.
Sleep in Venice (B)

Day 3- Trieste and Pirano
Make your way to the “Castello di Miramare”, a 19th century castle built to the designs of Archduke Maximillian of Habsburg in Trieste. Explore an amazing collection of tropical trees and plants in the Archduke’s lavish 22-hectare garden and the adjacent living chambers of Maximillian and his wife, Carlota of Belgium. In the late afternoon you will transfer to the charming city of Pirano on the Adriatic coastline.
Sleep in Pirano

Day 4- Koper, Capodistria and the Salt Pans
The city of Koper, previously a subject of the Venetian Republic, will surprise you by its decidedly Venetian appearance. Learn here how Slovenia achieved its sovereignty in 1991. In the afternoon visit the amazing salt pans, salt museum and Sicciole, a bio-diverse wetland now protected by UNESCO as one of the most important wetlands in the world.
Sleep in Pirano

Day 5 – Lipica, Stanjel and Hrastovlje
Visit the breathtaking tropical region of Karst, a land of hidden limestone caves and rare vegetation. In the heart of Karst is a picturesque place called Lipica which is famous for its delicious breads and a breed of spectacular white horses called “Lipizzaner.” Next, make your way towards Stanjel, a mountain-top village which has been inhabited since pre-historical times. In Hrastovlje you will see the famed “dance of death” frescoes on the walls of a very unique church.
Sleep in Pirano

Day 6 – Karst, Predjama Castle and Lake Cernika
Travel to Predjama, a 16th century castle with ancient traces that go back much further including the living quarters of the robber knight “Erazem.” Visit Lake Cerknica, an intermittent lake which transforms itself from the country’s largest lake to a field for hay in just a few months.
Sleep in Ljubljana

Day 7- Ljubljana
Discover the special character of Slovenia’s tiny capital city of Ljubljana, population 270,000. Here, Medieval, Baroque and Art Nouveau masterpieces compliment an original character given to the city by the famous architect Jože Plečnik.
Sleep in Ljubljana

Day 8 – Bled
Slovenia’s only island, Bled, is located in the middle of an alpine lake with mountains on all sides. The village of Bled is perhaps the most beloved locations in Slovenia. During your stay here you will visit the castle of Bled, explore the lake by boat and enjoy the area’s ideal climate and thermal waters.
Sleep in Bled

Day 9 – Triglav National Parkds
Created in 1924, Triglav National Park is Slovenia’s only national park and one of the first protected wildlands of Europe. The park includes practically all of the Julian Alps in Slovenia and covers an area of 83,807 hectares. The park’s highest point is Mount Triglav, a symbol of modern Slovenia. Stroll on the shore of the breath-taking Bohinj Lake and enjoy the special atmosphere of the Bohinj Valley.
Sleep in Bled

Day 10 – Maribor and Ptuj
In Maribor you will find the grace of a medieval city coupled with the dynamism of a modern city centre. The Drava River and the rolling vineyard-filled valley are all part of its rich and diverse environment. Visit Ptuj, an ancient city founded by the Romans in 200 BC, and the impressive pilgrimage Church of the Holy Mother.
Sleep in Maribor

Day 11 – Vienna
Make your way to Vienna, one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. Dress up this evening to enjoy Vienna in all its splendour under the stars. The first stop will be a terrace on the Danube Tower where you will enjoy a marvellous view of the city. You will then finish the evening in a traditional tavern with lively music and copious quantities of wine. Sleep in Vienna

Day 12 – Vienna
Stroll through Vienna’s beautiful and elegant streets. Take a peek at the 650-year-old residence of the Habsburgs as well as St. Stephen's Cathedral, the landmark of Vienna. You will learn about the marriage of Princess Sisi to Franz Joseph of Habsburg and end up your exploration in a world famous coffee house where you can sample the amazing Sachertorte, arguably the most famous chocolate cake in the world.
Sleep in Vienna

Day 13 – Time to say goodbye
Your tour ends this morning in Vienna. You can transfer to airport or begin a special M&G post tour.