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!)
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At 2pm meet your hosts: Mary and Tea in the foyer, ready for a Welcome Meeting, followed by a walking tour of Ljubljana.
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6.30pm meet for a welcome dinner in a superb local restaurant.
Inclusions: Dinner
Accommodation tonight: The Hotel
DAY 2
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Depart 8.45am for Ribnica
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Basket weaving workshop
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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.
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Lunch
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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.
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Enter the primeval forest, the root of it all!! Experienced, professional guides will lead us into the wild for an unforgettable experience!
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Enjoy some local traditional fare en route back to Ljubliana at Pri Kuklju restaurant. You can also indulge in some potica (traditional festive cake) here – it is reputed to be the best!!!
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Enjoy your Ljubliana hotel after an action-packed day!
Inclusions: Vitra Weaving workshop
Accommodation tonight: Ljubljana
Optional: Ancient Forest experience.
DAY 3
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Škocjan Caves
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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
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The afternoon we explore the treasure chest that is Sneznik castle
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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
DAY 3
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Škocjan Caves
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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
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The afternoon we explore the treasure chest that is Sneznik castle
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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
DAY 4
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After ‘hands off’ the stone formations in the caves, today it’s absolutely ‘hands on’!
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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!
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We continue to the picturesque village of Otlica for breath-taking views and photography opportunities on the ‘window’ walk.
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A wine – tasting experience will round of this full day perfectly. This region has one of the best wines in Slovenia. Kick back and relax.
Inclusions: Stonemasonry workshop
Accommodation tonight: St Daniel
Optional: wine tasting
DAY 5
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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.
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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: St Daniel.
DAY 6
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Today we drive to the medieval town of Škofja Loka
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After checking into our beautiful accommodation, and base for a week, Tea will provide a tour of the town.
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This evening we have a special group dinner just a short stroll from our accommodation.
Inclusions: Dinner
Accommodation tonight: Škofja Loka
DAY 7
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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.
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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.
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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. There is also a WW2 section in the exhibition for those interested.
Inclusions:
Felting workshop
Hat-making presentation
Accommodation tonight: Skofja Loka
DAY 8
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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!
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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.
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As tummies rumble, we continue on to the oldest medieval square in Slovenia for lunch.
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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
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
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It is an early start in the smithy – 8am, so it will be an early breakfast and a transfer to the next valley. Here we will engage in a full day workshop with Jose and his assistants to create a unique high-quality chef’s knife. Be prepared for noise, heat, banging and drama for this workshop.
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Lunch is included – Jose 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.
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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
DAY 11
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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.
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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.
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This evening it is time to party.
Inclusions:
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Honey bread workshop and mould presentation
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Violin-crafting presentation
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Dinner and cultural evening in Ljubliana.
Accommodation tonight: Skofja Loka
DAY 12
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Regretfully, it is our last day together – for now!
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We’ll pack our bags, have breakfast, and set off for our final exploration together…
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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.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
DEAN MORELLI
"I have been on many cycling tours and I regard Mary's leadership as 1st class... I was lucky to experience a tour lead by you."
LEIGH FOREMAN
"The holiday that blew my expectations right out of the water. My most heartfelt thanks go to Mary for taking us on such an amazing journey. The itinerary was packed with one highlight after another.
Mary keeps a nurturing eye over the group. Her passion for crafting is what pulls it all together. What an amazing experience Mary - a thousand times, thank you."
MICHELLE BOWDEN
"Thank you Mary for a trip of a lifetime. What an extraordinary job you’ve done, and such a wonderful experience."