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Itinerary

Crafting Slovenia tours are unique, and hands on. To maximise our 12 days together, we have carefully curated an itinerary to balance a truly memorable cultural crafting immersion alongside connecting with the characters of Slovenia. 

DAY 1

Tour begins Ljubljana.

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  • All participants are required to make their own way to Ljubljana, and check in to The Hotel (Old Town, Ljubljana) by midday.  

(Of course, if you want to get a head-start on the jet-lag, arrive a couple of days early!) 

  • At 2pm meet your hosts: Mary and Tea in the foyer, ready for a Welcome Meeting, followed by a walking tour of Ljubljana. 

  •  6.30pm meet for a welcome dinner in a superb local restaurant.  

 

Inclusions: Dinner 

Accommodation tonight: The Hotel  

Ljubljana hotel accomodation Crafting Slovenia

DAY 3

  • Škocjan Caves 

  • Today we enter the extensive karst area of Slovenia and venture underground to marvel at some of the extraordinary formations that are a phenomenon of this landscape.  The world below the surface is magical, and the formations stunning 

  • The afternoon we explore the treasure chest that is Sneznik castle 

  • We continue through the karst area to our accommodation.

 

Inclusions: Cave entry   

Skocjan Caves Crafting Slovenia

DAY 2

  • Local transport to Ribnica

  • Basket weaving workshop

  • Visit the ethnographic display to learn about the fascinating life of the pedlars from this area.  The importance of weaving of wood, and timber products generally, will become very apparent.

  • Visit the local home-workshop of Franc Jaklic for a demonstration of some different woodwork techniques, along with some techniques from the morning's workshop - but with new applications.  This will take place in a typical 'back-yard' workshop. 

  • Enjoy some local traditional fare en-route return to Ljubljana. 

  •  Enjoy returning to your Ljubljana hotel for another night, after an action-packed day!

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DAY 3

  • Škocjan Caves 

  • Today we enter the extensive karst area of Slovenia and venture underground to marvel at some of the extraordinary formations that are a phenomenon of this landscape.  The world below the surface is magical, and the formations stunning 

  • The afternoon we explore the treasure chest that is Sneznik castle 

  • We continue through the karst area to our rather forward-thinking and unique ‘Bio-hotel’ where we will also dine. 

 

Inclusions: Cave entry 

Accommodation tonight: Bio-Hotel St Daniel  

Skocjan Caves Crafting Slovenia

DAY 4

  • After ‘hands off’ the stone formations in the caves, today it’s absolutely ‘hands on’!   

  • After learning about the types of karst stone and methods of processing, today we learn about the carving of it with a traditional stone cutting tool.  With a great sense of detail, local stone-cutters historically carved door and window frames, stairs, hearth frames, tombstones, well rims, and of course the famous stone portals for homesteads the locals call ‘kalune’.  Engage with both the natural and carved environment around you as you test your skills! 

  • We continue to the picturesque village of Otlica for breath-taking views and photography opportunities on the ‘window’ walk. 

 

Inclusions: Stonemasonry workshop 

Accommodation tonight: Karst region 

otlica.jpg

DAY 5

  • Owning a salt pan is a bit like owning a garden alotment.  Through a tour of the Piran salt pans discover this 800-year-old crafting of land and sea to produce high quality salt.  Witness the year-round ongoing maintainable and cultivation necessary to ensure the ‘pan’ is in its ultimate condition. 

  • On the Adriatic Sea on the Gulf of Piran, take some time to explore the seaside town of Piran.  With its medieval architecture, narrow streets, and compact houses it is the perfect place to wander without getting too lost.

Inclusions: Salt works tour. 

Accommodation tonight: Karst region  

St Daniel accomodation Crafting Slovenia

DAY 6

  • Today we drive to the medieval town of Škofja Loka 

  • After checking into our beautiful accommodation, and base for a week, Tea will provide a tour of the town.  

  • This evening we have a special group dinner just a short stroll from our accommodation. 

 

Inclusions: Dinner 

Accommodation tonight: Škofja Loka 

Skofja.jpg

DAY 7

  • Today we understand a little more about Škofja Loka, its environment and its history, through the craft of felting local fleece.  We will learn about the qualities of the local sheep wool, the process of felting, and how this material is used.  Through this hands-on process we’ll experience the magic that happens ourselves, as we form a little keepsake. 

  • After lunch we will visit the local hat maker, who has reclaimed his cottage industry back following the closure of the industrial hat factory.  What he can show us and tell us about this era and its impact on the town is fascinating. 

  •  Following the immersion of felt craft, we invite you to climb the hill to explore the castle where there is an excellent ethnographical heritage display that will broaden your understanding of the area, including the development of the ancient trades that we have been exploring, the formation of their guilds and the subsequent trading routes established.   

 

Inclusions:

Felting workshop 

Hat-making presentation 

Accommodation tonight: Skofja Loka 

skofja castle.jpeg

DAY 2

  • Local transport to Ribnica 

  • Basket weaving workshop 

  • Visit the ethnographic display to learn about the fascinating life of the pedlars from this area.  The importance of weaving of wood, and timber products generally will be become very apparent. 

  • Visit the local home-workshop of France Jaklic – for a demonstration of woodwork in something new, but also some techniques applied from the morning workshop.  This will take place in a typical ‘back-yard’ workshop.   

  • Enjoy some local traditional fare en route back to Ljubliana.

  • Enjoy your Ljubliana hotel after an action-packed day!

 

Inclusions: Vitra Weaving workshop 

Accommodation tonight: Ljubljana  

vitra 2.jpg

DAY 8

  • Today we visit what is probably the most famous place of Slovenia: Bled.  I’m not going to say any more... just have your oxygen masks ready, because it certainly is breath-taking! 

  • There are a few options available to you in Bled: a walk around the lake, joining the ferryman in the Pletna boat of historical significance to be carried to the church island, visit the castle, indulge on kremsnita - the famous Bled cake… the morning will be at your disposal to enjoy in whatever way you choose. 

  • During the afternoon, we continue on to the oldest medieval square in Slovenia - Radovljica. 

  • There are a few fascinating local intrigues in Radovljica, - we will point them out to you.  In fact, Radovljica is such a fascinating place, we will stay to dine here at the Lectar restaurant. 

 

Accommodation tonight: Skofja Loka 

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DAY 9 & 10

On these days the group will split in two as Blacksmithing workshop takes a maximum of 6 people at a time.  You will each do each of the days.  The group will divide itself on walking preferences – eg: longer faster walk, or shorter more leisurely wander.  

Blacksmithing workshop 

  • It is an early start in the smithy, so it will be an early breakfast and a transfer to the next valley.  Here we will engage in a full day workshop with Joze and his assistants to create a unique high-quality chef’s knife.  Be prepared for noise, heat, banging and drama for this workshop. 

  • Lunch is included – Joze has promised to toss a few sausages into the forge for lunch.  This workshop is such a privilege to experience, and your end-product will be worth every effort.  The activities are well supported with safety gear provided, and a staff ratio of 1:2. 

 

  • Walk: The local vicinity offers a multitude of beautiful walks of varying lengths.  From Skofja Loka the snow-covered alps are always visible. Local guide Tea will tailor a spectacular walk to suit the abilities of the group.  

 

Inclusions: Blacksmithing workshop 

Accommodation tonight: Skofja Loka 

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DAY 11

  • The smell of small Loka honey-breads will have your taste-buds working this morning.  With a deeper appreciation of the historical context of honey to the area, our cooking lesson will have a greater significance.  Add to this the historical stories of The St Clare nuns baking sweet honey bread in especially carved moulds for higher-ranking clerics of the 1700s, and we will be stepping back into the shoes of history.  While our bread is cooking, the last resident of Skofja Loka still carrying on the hand carving of the moulds will give us a demonstration of this tradition of honouring. 

  • After lunch we will be privileged to meet a most highly skilled violin-maker of violins for the soloists of the world.  Through Dani’s presentation we will better understand the research, considerations and finely honed skill that goes into the crafting of a every unique instrument. 

  • This evening it is time to party.  

 

Inclusions:

  • Honey bread workshop and mould presentation 

  • Violin-crafting presentation 

  • Dinner  

Accommodation tonight: Skofja Loka 

Violin making Crafting Slovenia

DAY 12

  • Regretfully, it is our last day together – for now! 

  • We’ll pack our bags, have breakfast, and set off for our final exploration together… 

  • We will leave it at that for now… We will conclude with lunch together.  After lunch we will deliver you back to Ljubljana no later than 4pm.  

Final night Skofja Loka Crafting Slovenia

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

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Maxeen Hataier

The country is unspoilt by tourists, and the countryside, buildings, bridges and streams are glorious.

The locals are welcoming and proud of their culture and crafts.

The trip is very well organised and managed by Mary and her local Slovenian guide.

The group is small enough to have a family feel with individual time...

My decision to join the May tour was one of the best decisions of my life.

What a ball I've had!

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Amanda Yeandel

Recently back from this tour and I’m still dreaming of the experience. This country has everything, fresh air, beautiful mountains and wild flowers galore. Heavenly food and wine oh yes and then we got to do hands on ancient crafts. Nobody seems to know about this beautiful hidden gem. It was truly an amazing experience! Let Mary take you there and experience it for yourself

Kerrie Huxham

Fabulous trip. What sets this trip apart from others are the well organised hands on craft experiences eg. Forging a beautiful kitchen knife, making a basket, felted soaps a fridge magnet with a stone mason. These activities bring fun and laughter with the locals. Beautiful forest walks, fab included dinners and superb accommodation are the cream. An eye to detail, a caring attitude to all by organiser Mary & a fabulous local partner makes for an unforgettable experience.

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