SLOVENIA

The tour starts at 4.00pm on Monday 1 September, at the InterContinental Hotel, Vienna (Austria).

The tour ends after breakfast on Wednesday 17 September at the Park Plaza Histria, Pula (Croatia), followed by a group transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport (Italy).

The tour begins in the late afternoon, where we meet in the hotel for an orientation walk, followed by a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Vienna (D)

The lands ruled by the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperors shifted continuously throughout the centuries, but Vienna remained at the heart of the Empire as its capital from the 15th century onwards, and the Habsburg monarchs who called this charming city home have left an indelible mark which can still be seen today. We begin the day with a brief talk in our hotel, followed by a guided tour of St Stephen’s Cathedral – a testament to the Habsburg reign. After a break for lunch, we continue with a visit of the Imperial crypt under the Capuchin Church, which serves as a monument to Habsburg sovereignty and where 12 Habsburg emperors are interred in the vault. We then have a guided tour through parts of the Kunsthistorische Museum, housing some of the world’s most treasured artworks and artefacts collected by the Habsburgs over the centuries, including Renaissance masters such as Titian, Caravaggio and Hans Holbein. The evening is at leisure to enjoy the city. Overnight Vienna (B)

After a brief morning talk, we devote the day to the jewel of the Imperial crown: the grand Hofburg Palace in the centre of the city and one of the largest palace complexes in the world. Built in the 13th century, the Hofburg Palace has been at the centre of Habsburg history and identity, and today we will tour some of its opulent and interconnected buildings. We begin with a guided tour of the Imperial treasury, which houses the most important collection of medieval royal objects: the insignia and jewels of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Imperial Crown and the Holy Lance. In the afternoon, we take a guided tour of the magnificent Imperial apartments of the palace, which served as the residence and workplace of the imperial family, offering deep insights into the private and official life of Emperor Franz Joseph and one of the most enigmatic Habsburg princesses, Empress Elisabeth “Sisi”. Returning to the hotel in the late afternoon, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Vienna (B)

Departing Vienna today, our destination is Maribor, Slovenia. Our first stop is Graz – a charming Austrian town that blends Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and was once home to many members of the Habsburg dynasty’s “collateral line”. After the death of the Habsburg Emperor Ferdinand I in 1564, a new line of the dynasty emerged: Archduke Charles, Ferdinand’s youngest son, was given Inner Austria, a group of territories comprising Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, Gorizia and the regions on the northern Adriatic, right through to Trieste. After a short walking tour of Graz and free time for lunch, we visit the Landeszeughaus armoury. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, the Styrian region was part of the front line against the encroaching Ottoman Empire, and the armoury houses one of the largest and most impressive collections of arms and armaments in the world, many of which were used in these battles. In the late afternoon we cross into Slovenia and arrive in Maribor. After checking in to our hotel, we enjoy a short stroll through the old town followed by dinner together in a local restaurant. Overnight Maribor (B, D)

Maribor is Slovenia’s second largest city and the capital of the Štajerska (Styrian) region. Nestled between the Pohorje mountain range and the Drava River in the heart of one of Slovenia’s famous wine growing regions, Maribor played a crucial role in the Habsburg Empire’s defence against the Ottoman Empire throughout the centuries, with the city surviving Suleiman the Magnificent’s attacks in 1532. We begin our walking tour in the area of Lent, the oldest part of the city and once the Jewish quarter, which still boasts medieval walls and watchtowers. With a visit to the Regional Museum, we will also explore the city’s medieval history under Hapsburg rule, when it was highly prosperous due to its production of wine, a tradition which continues today. In fact wine and Maribor go hand in hand – it is home to the oldest living grape vine in the world, dating back over four centuries – and we will have the opportunity of visiting it at the old vine house. No visit to Maribor is complete without a tour of the famous Vinag wine cellar, one of the largest and oldest wine cellars in Europe, spanning 2.5 kilometres of tunnels under the city streets, and housing more than five million litres of wine. The cellar has survived centuries of turbulent history, a labyrinth of stories we will enjoy alongside a private wine tasting. Following our visit, the evening is at leisure to futher explore Maribor. Overnight Maribor (B, WT)

Today we make our way to the oldest Slovenian city of Ptuj, or Petovia, as it was known in Roman times. During the Middle Ages, Ptuj belonged to the Archbishops of Salzburg, and was an important stronghold of the Hapsburg Empire during its struggle with the Ottomans along the Hungarian border. We begin with a tour of Ptuj Castle, perched above the town, with spectacular views of the Drava River. The Castle’s magnificent rooms display collections and exhibitions showcasing the history of the region, and feature a collection of Turqueries-paintings with Turkish motifs, all which date back to the 17th century, depicting renowned Turkish and European military commanders, dignitaries and ladies from the Ottoman Empire. After our visit to the castle, we take a guided tour down into the city, ending with lunch in one of the region’s popular local restaurants. Return to Maribor in the late afternoon, this evening we enjoy a private performance of traditional Slovenian folk music and dancing. Overnight Maribor (B, L)

This morning we depart for Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. Enroute, we stop in the picturesque city of Celje, known as Kelea by the ancient Greeks, Celeia by the Romans, and Cilli during the Middle Ages. The Counts of Cilli were the most influential late medieval noble dynasties, even elevated to the title of Princes of the Holy Roman Empire in 1436. However, as the Counts of Cilli grew in importance they began to compete with Habsburgs for influence over the region, with occasionally deadly consequences. We begin with a private guided tour of the 12th-century Celje Castle, perched on three hills with stunning views over the town below. One of the oldest castles in Slovenia, and once the seat of the Counts of Cilli, we hear about its dramatic history at the heart of the region. We then descend to the town of Celje, known as the “town of princes”, which sits alongside the Savinja river and boasts a history dating back to the 6th century BCE. Following a walking tour of the town and free time for lunch, we take a guided tour of the regional museum, housed in the Prince’s Mansion. Here we will have time to explore the most significant exhibits; The City Beneath the City, which is the largest in situ preserved ancient archaeological exhibition of the ancient Roman Celeia; and The Counts Exhibition, set across two floors and the grand halls of the mansion, delving into this once mighty noble family. In the afternoon we finish our journey to Ljubljana, and after checking in, enjoy dinner in our hotel. Overnight Ljubljana (B, D)

Ljubljana has a long and fascinating history, first as an Illyrian, Celtic and ancient Roman city, before it was razed to the ground by Attila the Hun in the 5th century CE. Ljubljana rose again however, and during the middle ages it became the historical capital of the Carniola region, an important and strategic city along the trade routes between the Adriatic coast and the Danube, which became the battlefield of the wars between the Habsburgs, Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. More recently, the city has also ranked in the top 20 green Capitals of Europe, and today we enjoy a walking tour where we explore the charming cobblestone streets of the pedestrian-only city centre, followed by a river cruise. We then visit to the National Museum of Slovenia, housed in one of the city’s landmark Neo-Renaissance buildings. As part of our special curator-led tour, we take in the museum’s permanent archaeological exhibition, which showcases some of the country’s extraordinary past. We then pause for a light lunch together, sampling a selection of Slovenian cuisine. This afternoon we enjoy a private, guided tour of the Franciscan Monastery, one of the most iconic buildings in the old city centre. We then move next door to the Franciscan library for a chance to view some of Slovenia’s most priceless historical texts. At almost 800 years old, it has only recently opened to the public for the first time in its vast history. Returning to our hotel in the late afternoon, the evening is at leisure to further explore the city. Overnight Ljubljana (B, L)

We begin today with a guided tour of the city’s beautiful and historical churches in the old city centre, including the Baroque Ursuline Church and the Cathedral of St Nicholas. Our tour ends with a guided tour of the City Museum of Ljubljana, housed in the Auersberg Palace – once the estate of the House of Auersberg, princes of the Holy Roman Empire. Following a break for lunch, we take the funicular railway up to Ljubljana Castle, which has dominated the landscape since the 11th century. In 1256, Ljubljana Castle was mentioned in a document as the most important castle of the rulers of Carniola, then conquered by King Ottokar II of Bohemia, before being taken by the Habsburgs in the early 15th century. Here we learn of the castle’s origins as the city’s defence against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries, and through the war between Napoleon and the Hapsburgs, when Ljubljana was briefly under French rule. There will be time to explore the grounds, with breathtaking panoramic views of the city below. The evening is at leisure. Overnight Ljubljana (B)

Today’s excursion takes us to Bled, a Slovenian alpine resort town nestled in the foothills of the Julian Alps, on the shores of its famous glacial lake, with its fairytale island and church. On arrival, we will be rowed across the pristine waters of Lake Bled in the famous wooden Pletna boats to the island, where the 15th-century church of the Assumption of Maria still stands. According to legend, the temple of the ancient Slavic goddess Živa once stood in the place of the present Baroque church. We then explore Bled Castle, the oldest castle in Slovenia,  which dates back well over a 1,000 years, even predating the ancient Tower of London. Despite its age, the castle is almost perfectly preserved due to its strategic position atop a high cliff overlooking the lake and the town, and it was an important part of the Habsburg property portfolio from 1278 onwards. Here we will enjoy a special lunch at the award-winning castle restaurant, boasting unparalleled views of Lake Bled, after which there is time to leisurely explore the castle grounds. Return to Ljubljana in the afternoon, the evening is at leisure on arrival. Overnight Ljubljana (B, L)

Our journey continues this morning towards the Karst region of the country, with its rivers carving through the rugged terrain, and its vast underground limestone caves. Our first stop is the famous cave of Postojna – one of the most biologically diverse caves in the world. Postojna is the only karst cave with a railway, built more than 140 years ago, which will take us down into the underground network of karst corridors, its vast galleries and cathedral-like limestone halls. We will also see the Slovenian “Baby Dragons” – translucent aquatic salamanders, officially known as Olms, which can live up to a hundred years. After a break for lunch, we then take the short drive to one of Slovenia’s most famous and impregnable fortresses, Predjama Castle. Regarded as the largest cave castles in the world, it has dominated the surrounding area for more than 800 years and has featured in a number of films and TV series. After a tour of its grand rooms and renaissance hall, we continue towards Slovenia’s small but spectacular coast, arriving at our destination, Portoroz or “Port of Roses”. Famous throughout the centuries for being a seaside resort, its long boardwalk offers spectacular views out over the Adriatic. Dinner tonight is in our hotel. Overnight Portoroz (B, D)

From the 13th to the end of the 18th century, the Slovenian coastal cities and the entire Istrian Peninsula belonged to the Republic of Venice, traded back and forth between two larger forces – Habsburg Austria and Napoleonic France – and was then part of Italy after the First World War. Despite now being part of Slovenia, you can still feel the deeply ingrained heritage of these lost empires. After a brief talk in our hotel, we make our way to the charming seaside town of Koper, or Capo D’ Istria in Italian, the “head” of Istria which was under Venetian rule for almost five centuries. We will have time to admire the medieval streets and elaborate Venetian Gothic facades before a short drive to the city of Piran, also an important part of the Venetian empire from the 13th to 18th century and famous for its long peninsula and medieval architecture. After enjoying lunch together on arrival, we take a walking tour along the cobblestone streets of the waterfront, ending at the Cathedral of St George on the hill, which boasts spectacular views of the sea and the city below. On our return to the hotel, we stop for an afternoon visit to the walls of Piran, built to protect the Venetian ruled city from the Ottoman naval fleet, and enjoy one last gaze across the bay to Venice. The evening is at leisure. Overnight in Portoroz (B, L)

Once Europe’s main gateway to the Mediterranean, the Italian riviera city of Trieste was a maritime trade rival of the Venetian Republic. The city came under Habsburg rule in the 16th century, and remained one of the most important maritime ports of the Habsburg Empire. Today’s excursion to this complex city begins with a visit to the Cathedral, Saint Justus, formed from union in the 14th century of the two pre-existing churches: St. Mary’s Church and the Church dedicated to Saint Giusto the Martyr, the Patron Saint of the city of Trieste. We then wind our way down into the city to enjoy the stunning waterfront plaza, canal, and the mosaic of Neoclassic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture of its streetscape. There will be time to enjoy a lunch break in one of the many fabulous eateries before we depart for Castello Miramare. Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Adriatic, this luxurious chateau was built by Ferdinand Maximillian, Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph’s younger brother, in the mid 1800’s. Touring its sumptuous rooms, filled with eclectic style of the era, will immerse us in the splendour of the Austro-Habsburg Empire. The castle’s decor reflects Maximilian’s obsessions of the imperial age, including a bedroom modelled like a frigate’s cabin, ornate orientalist salons and a red silk-lined throne room. Not to be missed however, are the views out from the terrace over the Adriatic. We return in the late afternoon to Portoroz, where the evening is at leisure. Overnight Portoroz (B)

Istria, the heart-shaped peninsula in the north part of Croatia has a long and complex history, its strategic location in the Adriatic making it coveted by both the Venetian Republic and the Habsburg monarchy for centuries. Today we embark on the last leg of our tour towards Pula as we venture into the Croatian Istrian coast. We begin with Rovinj, the jewel in Istria’s crown. Due to its strategic position in the Adriatic passage, Rovinj has a complex and layered history, as part of the Byzantine, Venetian, and Habsburg Empires. We first take a walking tour of the city, exploring the bustling markets and vibrant medieval limestone buildings, before reaching St Euphemia Cathedral, which commands views of the city and the sparkling Adriatic below. After a break for lunch, we continue the journey south, stopping briefly in the charming medieval town of Bale, a little off the tourist track. Here we will enjoy a stroll through the cobblestone streets, with time to admire its beautiful venetian architecture for which Bale and its surrounding areas is famous. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Pula, and after checking into our coastal hotel, we enjoy dinner together. Overnight Pula (B, D)

We devote our day to the fascinating city of Pula, beginning with a guided tour of the 19th century Verudela Fortress, which houses an impressive naval collection dedicated to Pula’s history as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. We then make our way into town centre. With its charming narrow streets and ancient ruins, Pula is the largest city in Istria with a layered history of the Empires who ruled it, from its allegiance to Venice to its place as one of the Habsburgs most important military and trading ports. We begin with a walking tour covering key locations of the city’s ancient heart, such as the Temple of Augustus, Roman Forum, the city gates, and its medieval streets. We pause for lunch to sample traditional Istrian cuisine, followed by some free time, before taking a guided tour of Pula’s most famous landmark: the Roman Amphitheatre. One of the best preserved ancient Roman amphitheatres in the world, and the only one with all four walls intact, this is a space where we can truly soak up centuries of history. In the afternoon, there is the option to further explore the streets of Pula or return to the hotel for a relaxing evening, enjoying the sweeping views across the Adriatic. Overnight Pula (B, L)

Our final day begins with a visit to Fažana, a picture postcard example of a charming fishing village on the Istrian coast. The narrow streets and alleyways, with pastel facades and brightly coloured venetian shutters, make Fažana a cultural time capsule. After time to tour the charming streets on arrival, we embark on a private cruise, sailing past the Brioni Islands and viewing the coastal charm of Istria from the water. Upon our return, we will visit one of the many renowned olive groves to enjoy a special tasting of olive oil and Istrian truffle, for which the region is famous, before returning to our hotel. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner in a fine restaurant in Pula. Overnight Pula (B, T, D)

The tour ends in the hotel after breakfast this morning. There is a group transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport for those taking early afternoon flights. (B)

Hotels have been selected principally for their central location. All hotels are excellent 4 and 5-star standard.

• Vienna, InterContinental Hotel (3 nights)

• Maribor, Hotel City Maribor (3 nights)

• Ljubljana, Grand Hotel Union (4 nights)

• Portoroz, Kempinski Palace (3 nights)

• Pula, Park Plaza Histria (3 nights)