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Highlights Include:
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Exploring the UNESCO historical sites, bustling streets, and bars of Budapest
Sampling local beers, wine and regional specialties in Budapest, Zagreb, and Ljubljana
Wandering the vibrant streets of eastern Europe
Meeting with local brew masters, wine makers and farmers
Eating delicious farm-to-table cuisine
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Itinerary” tab_id=”1449208778879-fcec8e78-e9ba”][vc_column_text]Day 1: Arrival Budapest, Hungary
Welcome to Budapest! Budapest is heaven for explorers and foodies alike – boasting a plethora of historical buildings, UNESCO sites, spas, bars, and amazing food.
Late afternoon walking tour of Pest side of the city, welcome dinner at private bar with beer samplings of Hungarian craft beers.
Meals: -/-/D
Overnight: Budapest Hotel
Day 2:Budapest – Market Tour
There is no better way to begin any exploration of Budapest than with its food and drinks. Budapest’s food, wine, and cultural walking and tasting tour begins at The Central Market Hall—Budapest’s cathedral of food—and continues through one of its most delicious and charming neighbourhoods. Be sure to come with an appetite as you will need it on this tour!
The Central Market Hall, one of Europe’s largest and most spectacular indoor markets, is a natural place to begin getting acquainted with Hungarian food. Here you will get an introduction to the culture of Hungarian cuisine through the great variety and abundance of ingredients (which are mostly local and seasonal) on display. We will discuss the history of the building, the culture of eating and drinking in Hungary, and just what it is that Hungarian home cooks do with all of that pork fat, paprika, and goose liver.
Leisure time to explore in the afternoon and evening.
Meals: B/L/-
Overnight: Budapest Hotel
Day 3: Budapest Beer Tour
Today we head out for a full day visiting breweries, talking with beer makers and, of course, sampling beers. Budapest is undergoing a craft beer revolution; not just bars devoted to ales but microbreweries opening across the country and a young generation of “Gypsy brewers” conjuring up new recipes at home, renting brewery space and creating intriguing beers.
Also learn about century old brewing traditions and history of Dreher Brewery.
Meals: B/L/-
Overnight: Budapest Hotel
Day 4: Budapest Free Day
Full day to explore Budapest with some optional activities like evening wine river cruise or Jewish dinner (at local’s home). Your leader can help you make the most of your time in Budapest.
Meals: B/-/-
Overnight: Budapest Hotel
Day 5: Zagreb, Croatia
Today we transfer to the vibrant capital city of Croatia, Zagreb. This city has culture, arts, music, architecture, gastronomy and all the other things that make a quality capital city – it’s no surprise that the number of visitors has risen sharply in recent years. There are countless cultural things to do in Zagreb, and its compact size makes it easy for visitors to navigate. Attractions range from historic sights and fascinating galleries, complemented by destination restaurants, live music venues, clusters of busy bars, and breweries.
En route to Zagreb we enjoy a delicious countryside stick-to-your-ribs lunch (probably goose or duck) at rustic farmhouse. From here we continue to Zagreb for a walking tour of the city’s highlights.
In order to get a ‘real feel’ for this city, we enjoy a pub crawl this evening to some of its best drinking haunts.
Meals: B/L/-
Overnight: Zagreb Hotel
Day 6: Zagreb Brewery Tours
Today we wander the charming streets of will explore craft breweries around Zagreb complete with beer tastings. The craft-beer revolution is another thing that has given the city an additional creative twist, inducing a swerve away from lounge-bar aesthetics and a return to the idea of the bar as a place to drink, mingle, and soak up an anything-goes range of musical influences.
Meals: B/-/-
Overnight: Zagreb Hotel
Day 7: Zagreb to Eastern Slovenia via Austria
This morning we depart for Ptuj, the oldest recorded city in Slovenia. It has been inhabited since the late Stone Age and developed from a Roman military fort due to its strategic location, along a prehistoric trade route between the Baltic Sea and the Adriatic. After visiting this historical town, we continue to a great gastropub run by Bevog (Slovenia’s premier craft brewery). From here we then visit the Bevog brewery across the river in Austria. Here we’ll meet with pumpkin seed oil producer.
For dinner we dine on amazing eastern Slovenian dishes at local Gostilna for dinner.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Eastern Slovenia in a farmhouse
Day 8: Travel to Ljubljana – Beer Fountain & Craft Breweries
Today we visit the unique beer fountain in Zalec, famous for hop growing. We tour the Hop Museum and learn the history of Slovenia’s beer making culture. Upon arrival to Ljubljana, we enjoy a foodie walk focusing on Slovenian cuisine and craft beers. Later we pay a visit to Tektonik Brewery in Ljubljana.
Slovenia’s capital and largest city also happens to be one of Europe’s greenest and most liveable capitals. Car traffic is restricted in the centre, leaving the leafy banks of the emerald-green Ljubljanica River, which flows through the city’s heart, free for pedestrians and cyclists. This small city oozes with charm and friendly Slovenes.
Meals: B/L/-
Overnight: Ljubljana
Day 9: Ljubljana & Lake Bled
This morning we further explore the streets and the culinary delights of Ljubljana. No visit to Slovenia is complete without a schnapps tasting at Slovenia’s finest distiller served with delicious locally sourced products including venison for lunch.
Later in the afternoon we visit with a bee keeper making honey liqueur at Lake Bled. Lake Bled is an emerald-green lake with a picture-postcard church on an islet, a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps as backdrops. It is stunning.
Day 10: Skocjan Caves & Goriska Brda
Depart Ljubljana and enjoy a scenic drive as we travel into the emerald green Soca Valley. Visit to the amazing underground world of Skocjan caves featuring the largest subterranean cavern in Europe.
Arrive in Slovenia’s most picturesque wine region of Brda and enjoy samples of olive oils and cheese. The variety of culinary traditions (Slovene, Friulian, Habsburg) have intertwined on this strip of land, giving Brda cuisine its special touch.
Our big farewell dinner will consist of 5-courses paired with amazing wines from the Brda region.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Ljubljana Hotel
Day 11: Departure from Ljubljana
Check-out and transfer to the airport
Stay: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Inclusion & Exclusion” tab_id=”1449208780765-5fd2d40a-5e8d”][vc_column_text]Tour Inclusions:
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• 10 nights in charming accommodations based on double occupancy
• Meals as per itinerary (10 breakfasts, 4 dinners, 7 lunches, 8 tastings)
• Local transportation (private vehicles)
• Excursions and entrance fees (as per itinerary)
• Local guides (where applicable)
Tour Exclusions:
• International Flights (can be arranged through us nicola@finisterra.ca)
• Mandatory travel medical insurance and optional cancellation insurance (can be arranged through us
nicola@finisterra.ca)
• Meals and beverages not mentioned in itinerary
• Items of personal nature
• Services and entrances not mentioned above
• Passport, vaccination and visa fees
• Tips/Gratuities for tour guides, drivers, etc.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Pricing & Dates” tab_id=”1449223591510-29ce0fb2-4171″][vc_column_text]DATES: MAY 4-14, 2018
Costs and Fee Schedule
Prices from $3595USD are based on double occupancy. Single supplement fee applies.
A 20% non-refundable deposit is due at time of registration and can be paid by cheque or credit card. Please contact info@finisterra.ca for more information.
Final Payment: Full payment is due 60 prior to departure.
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Air Travel
Flights are not included in the tour price. DO NOT purchase any airline tickets until the trip is confirmed to take place. Pre and post tours can be arranged through us available at an additional charge. Please contact Finisterra Travel for further details info@finisterra.ca
Important Information
Travel Visa requirements and passports are the responsibility of the participants. Cancellation, Travel, Flight and Health insurances are STRONGLY recommended and are the responsibility of the participant to research and secure the appropriate coverage.
Passport Information
Please note that most countries require passports to be valid for 6 months from the date of your return flight. We are not responsible if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct passport, visa or other travel documentation.
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