Slovenia & Croatia: underrated gems
Discover the best of Slovenian and Croatian wine, food & culture.
This trip has double the guides! Ben Curtis, Ph.D., an expert in the area teams up with Tyler Colman, Ph.D.—two Ph.D.s for the price of one!
This trip is organized exclusively for members of CWC and friends. It is followed by a tour of Barolo & Piedmont and several travelers will be doing both.
7 days/6 nights
Limited to 12 guests.
April 19 - April 25, 2026
$5,850 per traveler (includes donation to CWC)
$900 single supplement
$500 reserves your spot
We are having an informational Zoom meeting November 2. Be in touch for the link!
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Meet top winemakers
Get access to the minds and wines of leading winemakers
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Visit cultural sites
Incredible caves as well as castles
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Discover new varieties
Broaden your repertoire with native grapes
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Discover local foods
An olive oil tasting as well as regional dishes
“Slovenia is the most underrated wine destination in Europe” -Food & Wine magazine
Sunsets over sapphire water? Hill towns that evoke Tuscany? The genetic grandfather of Zinfandel? Welcome to Croatia.
We will get a bit of everything this neglected part of Europe has to offer, including: the bustling city of Zagreb, the scenic coastal towns, Roman-era sites, and a bit of spelunking in UNESCO world heritage caves.
Where will we stay?
1 night in Ljubljana
Slovenia’s capital city has charming cobbled streets and river walks. We will stay at a central hotel with an optional night the prior for those who want more time.
2 nights in the Vipava Valley
A family-run hotel that has a restaurant with a wine focus
3 nights in Ravinj on the coast of Istria
A four-star hotel in the town center
3 reasons to travel with Ben
A Colorado native, Ben now lives in Prague. He went to Middlebury, the London School of Economics, and the University of Chicago before settling into a career of teaching, writing, consulting, and leading tours.
He speaks your language
Ben is a polyglot who speaks 13 languages (he learned Russian just to make learning Czech easier). More importantly, he unpacks local culture and history in a compelling way whether you speak economics, history or even music.
He keeps it accessible and engaging
Ben is the last thing from being called stuffy. Fortunately though, “dad jokes” are not in his repertoire.
He’s the guide you want
Ben has led tours in central Europe for Rick Steves for over a decade. He also contributes to the Rick Steves guidebooks. He is the expert in this area and the top choice for a guide in this area.
3 reasons to travel with Tyler
Tyler got into wine writing the way so many people do: by writing his Ph.D. dissertation on the political economy of wine in France and the US. He has led wine tours in three countries and with this trip, will add two more.
He knows wine
Tyler has written two wine books, contributed numerous articles to places like Food & Wine and the New York Times, and his writing has been nominated for a James Beard award. Tyler taught wine classes at NYU for ten years and at the University of Chicago for five. He has led numerous corporate and private events and organized over 200 wine tastings on Zoom, many with winemakers.
He knows wine people
Tyler’s deep knowledge of the wine industry means this tour will go to important wineries and meet the people who are telling the most compelling stories of the region wine today.
It’s a snob-free zone
Two words that go together frequently are “wine” and “snob.” Fortunately, the tone of this trip is fun and informative. It will be an amazing, immersive opportunity to expand your wine knowledge no matter what level you bring to the start.
Our itinerary
This tour begins in Ljubljana, Slovenia and ends in Rovinj, Croatia. There are many connecting flights to Ljubljana and Rovinj is about 90-minutes drive to Trieste, Italy. We will spend three nights in Rovinj (row-veen) on the Istrian Peninsula, an area with gorgeous coastal towns and a history that includes Roman, Venetian and Hapsburg eras.
Sunday April 19: Afternoon walking tour of Ljubljana. Five o’clock (!) welcome drink at the hotel followed by a group dinner.
Monday April 20: We will check out of the hotel in Ljubljana and head to Postojna cave, followed by a visit to the castle in Predjama. Winery visit in the afternoon and group dinner.
Tuesday April 21. Visit a leading winery in the Karst region, free for lunch, then visit a stud farm of famed Lipizzaner horses that has been in existence since 1580. Return to hotel for free time. Group dinner.
Wednesday April 22. Check out of the hotel in the Vipava Valley. Our first stop in Croatia will be at a gorgeous winery in Buje in Croatia. Truffle hunting and tasting in the afternoon. After, we will go to Rovinj (row-veen), our spectacular base on the coast. We will have a group dinner in this town, described as “Croatia’s hidden foodie gem.” (Conde Nast Traveler) Group dinner in Rovinj.
Thursday April 23. Head to Pula, another coastal town, for a walking tour. Picnic lunch, visit and tasting at an olive oil farm, winery visit. Free for dinner in Rovinj.
Friday April 24. the hill town of Motovun. Free time to explore the town and lunch on your own, then we will visit Porec, a coastal town with the Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO world heritage site. .
Saturday April 25. Our tour is over after breakfast at the hotel. For those continuing on to the Barolo tour, we will have an option for connecting travel arrangements.
***Itinerary may change; exact details to follow.
“Tyler set an outstanding tone for the group - knowledgeable, relaxed, humorous and engaging. The group dynamic made every activity superb.”
-Gale
“I would give it 10 stars if I could!”
-Tracy
“It was truly a fantastic two weeks. The accommodations were A+. The size of the group was ideal.”
-Norma
“Thank you for a wonderful experience. Looking forward to the next tour!”
- Frank
Book the Slovenia/Croatia wine tour today!
Reserve your spot now for $500 per traveler, fully refundable for 30 days.
Then $2,000 per traveler is due November 15, 2025, refundable for 30 days. The balance is due February 28, 2026.
Unlike previous trips, the CWC donation is built into the price. There is a non-member supplement, which includes an annual membership.
Got a question? Don’t hesitate to ask.
Terms & Conditions are here.
Questions. And answers.
What’s included?
This tour includes six nights at hotels, breakfast at the hotel each morning, one group meal a day (three lunches and three dinners), transportation to events on the itinerary, and all winery and cultural visits. A reasonable amount of wine with group meals is included. There is also no need to tip anyone on this tour.
What’s not included?
Not included: airfare, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals not on the itinerary, wine beyond the set wines with dinner, and personal incidentals such as room service, other hotel charges or laundry.
What’s the cancelation policy?
Your initial deposit is fully refundable for 30 days. A second payment is due on November 15, 2025. That is also refundable for 30 days. The final payment is due February 28, 2026 and the trip will be non-refundable after that payment.
Should I get travel insurance?
We recommend travel insurance. Some credit cards offer limited insurance included or for purchase. Please note that some “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) policies must be purchased within two weeks of the initial deposit. Allianz, AIG or your home insurance company may offer suitable policies that also include medical coverage.
Who’s going?
This trip is offered exclusively to Chautauqua Women’s Club members and guests.
Can solo travelers go?
Absolutely! It is a great way to meet people. There is a supplement for single occupancy.
Is this a fundraiser?
Yes, it is a fundraiser for the Chautauqua Women’s Club, a 501(c)(3) organization. A donation for each traveler has been built into the price. If you would like to donate to the Club directly, please be in touch. Also, non-members will have a higher donation level that also includes a one-year membership in the club.
What documents are needed?
Just a US passport that expires after December 2026.
What’s the closest airport?
Ljubljana airport is a short taxi ride to the center of town. Ljubljana airport is available through connecting flights in European hubs such as Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt or London. Venice airport (VCE) is a large airport with direct flights to the US. It is less than one hour in a car service from the trip’s end point. Trains are also available.
How do we get there?
The tour starts at the hotel in central Ljubljana. There are many connecting flights to Ljubljana. At the end, the tour ends in the Rovijn, which is about 90 minutes to Trieste.
How much walking is there?
Travelers should be able to walk two miles a day (5,000 steps), some of it on paths, cobbled streets or in vineyards. Travelers should be comfortable with a few flights of stairs.
I don’t know that much about wine. Should I go?
Yes! If you want to learn more about wine, this is an unparalleled way to do it. No advance knowledge is required. Also, there cultural stops and excellent meals.
