Slovenian AZ Beehives
September 2024 ApiSlovenia Tour
2024 APISLOVENIA TOUR
September 27-October 7, 2024
Slovenia lies in the center of Europe, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean region and the Karst changes into sumptuous forests. Here, you will be captivated by the breathtaking beauty of Slovenia’s majestic mountains, the mysterious Karst forests with subterranean caves, and the splendor of the Adriatic Sea.
Beekeeping has been an important part of the fabric of Slovenian culture for centuries, being one of the oldest and most traditional rural activities for the Slovenian people. Therefore, it is no surprise that many internationally renowned beekeepers were born on Slovenian soil. Slovenia offers some of the extensive beekeeping heritage in the world and this history is enriched by Slovenian beekeepers’ novel ́activities in our present time.
During our tour, we will experience firsthand the hospitality of Slovenia’s people, as Slovenia’s Tourist Farms and beekeepers open the doors of their homes and apiaries. Come with us, and get to know the Slovenian culture, the Carniolan bee, and the secrets of how Slovenians work and live in harmony with nature and their honeybees. You will come away with a new appreciation for Slovenia’s ways of living in balance with nature, as well as learn the processes through which Slovenia achieves some of the highest standards of honey quality in the world.
September 27
ARRIVAL DAY!
SEPTEMBER 27TH IS ARRIVAL DAY!
You may arrive early at Tourist Farm Pri-Marku, in Crngrob village by prior arrangement, or travel on your own earlier to Europe and join us on 27 September. Our tour will officially begin on Saturday, September 28th.
After your arrival on 27 September, you can arrange your own transport from the airport or train station, or we can arrange transportation for you from the Ljubljana Train Station or Brnik Airport to the lovely and relaxing location of Tourist farm Pri-Marku http://www.pri-marku.si/en/ We will meet up for dinner, served by Beti, Marija and the Porenta family, and stay overnight in our family’s native village of Crngrob.
***Please note that any extra nights you spend at Tourist Farm Pri-Marku before or after the tour’s official start are EUR 60, which includes half board (a double bedroom, plus European style breakfast and dinner). You must specifically arrange early arrival prior to 27 September with us, so we can ensure your rooms are reserved.
Day 1, September 28
LJUBLJANA DAY!
Awaken to the bells of Crngrob’s Annunciation Church and enjoy a traditional Slovenian breakfast. We will begin our tour by visiting the Republic of Slovenia’s green city capital, Ljubljana, on market day.
On the first day of our tour, we will visit the striking, Green-award winning city of Ljubljana https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/ led by a guide. We will tour Plečnik’s famed market, visit the Ljubljana castle, travel up the Ljubljanica river by boat, while traveling Ljubljana’s Urban Beekeeping tour with a visit to a prominent bee site: the apiary of noted Architect Jože Plečnik. This will be a shorter day, as you may be tired from your trip.
Dinner and overnight at Tourist Farm Pri-Marku.
Day 2, September 29
LAKE BLED – VISIT TO A BEEKEEPER
Traditional Slovenian Breakfast at Tourist farm Pri-Marku.
Morning: No tour of Slovenia is complete without a visit to Slovenia’s crown jewel: magnificent Lake Bled! https://www.bled.si/en/ We will travel through beautiful Gorenjska to Lake Bled, with a pletna boat ride to the island. Also, a visit to Bled Castle is on the agenda.
After the morning session, we will have free time for lunch, coffee, and the necessary Slovenian pastry Kremšnica on the banks of one of Slovenia’s best tourist sites.
Afternoon: Visit to the countryside near Bled to the home of Čebelarstvo Ambrožič. Here we will meet Master Beekeeper Blaž Ambrožič, and visit his expansive apiary https://kralov-med.si to learn about queen rearing in AŽ hives, and have a workshop on beehive front panel painting (Optional EUR 25). Later, a visit to the delicacies of the Gartner Bohinj Cheese Makers: https://bohinjgartner.com
Dinner and overnight at Tourist Farm Pri-Marku.
Day 3, September 30
MUSEUM OF APICULTURE – ANTON JANŠA'S APIARY – VISIT TO A BEEKEEPER – PLANICA NORDIC CENTRE – ZELENCI SPRING OR
KRANJSKA GORA WITH JASNA LAKE
Traditional Slovenian Breakfast at Tourist farm Pri-Marku.
Morning: We will start our day with a journey back in time through Slovenia’s bee history at the Museum of Apiculture in Radovljica. https://mro.si (included).
Next, we will visit the family apiary of one of Slovenia’s best-known beekeepers, Anton Janša https://visitzirovnica.si/en/anton-jansa-apiary-world-bee-day, the first instructor of modern beekeeping. Janša’s birthday, May 20th, is the day now celebrated as World Bee Day! https://mro.si/; Anton Janša’s apiary https://visitzirovnica.si/en/anton-jansa-apiary-world-bee-day/ (included).
Afternoon: Visit to a beekeeper: https://www.apiturizem.si/en/cebelarstvo-kokl/ then perhaps a trip to the Nordic Ski Center at Planica https://www.nc-planica.si/en/.
Dinner & overnight at Tourist Farm Pri-Marku.
Day 4, October 1
BEEKEEPING VISIT – PROSCUTO ŠČUKA – PIRAN AREA RELAXATION
Breakfast at Tourist Farm Pri-Marku.
Morning: Visit to a beekeeper in the Primorska Region for a lesson on beekeeping in the varied regions of Slovenia.
Afternoon: We will visit the amazing Proscuto Ščuka tasting experience, which is located a stone’s throw from the Italian border. Here we will learn about the production of Prušt (Prosciutto) at a bespoke company that has been producing prosciutto for generations. https://www.prsutarnascuka.com.
In between will be free time for lunch, coffee, and contemplation of the beauty surrounding you…
Dinner and overnight at Adria Ankaran Hotel & Resort www.adria-ankaran.si on the Adriatic.
Day 5, October 2
FREE TIME ON THE ADRIATIC -VISIT TO PIRAN – SALT PANS – OLIVE OIL PLANTATION
Breakfast in Slovenia’s beautiful coastal region in the town of Piran.
Morning: Enjoy the beautiful seaside and the town of Piran. Free time to enjoy the morning.
In between free time for lunch, coffee…
Afternoon: Salina Nature Park https://www.naravniparkislovenije.si/ and Olive Tree Estate https://www.gramonafarm.com/ and if time permits, a visit to the wine fountain https://marezige.si/en/vinska-fontana/.
Dinner and overnight at Adria Ankaran Hotel & Resort www.adria-ankaran.si on the Adriatic.
Day 6, October 3
SLOVENIAN BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATION – BEEKEEPING & HERBAL FARM
Breakfast in Slovenia’s beautiful Piran area.
Morning: Visit to Slovenian Beekeeping Association. After a drive back into the interior of Slovenia, we will arrive at the headquarters of the Slovenian Beekeeping Association (ČzS) in Lukovica https://en.czs.si. We will visit their apiaries, as well as tour the laboratory, see the Carnica bee 3D model and the library. The gift shop is a great place to purchase beekeeping equipment and gifts for family and friends. There is also a nice café for lunch or coffee.
Afternoon: Next up is a visit to an herbal beekeeping farm (included); She is an expert on herbs, he is a beekeeper with a lovely apiary. This is one of the top-rated visits on our itinerary!
Dinner and overnight will be at Terme Vivat Thermal spa https://vivat.si/en/.
Day 7, October 4
FREE TIME AT THERMAL SPA – BEEKEEPING TIGELI – JERUZALEM WINE ROAD
Breakfast at Vivat. So many lovely breakfast options are available at restaurant.
Morning: Enjoy some free time in the thermal spa, have a massage, or take a walk or bike ride in the countryside. Or all three!
Afternoon: First up is a visit to Beekeeping Tigeli, then we will drive to Jeruzalam wine road and tour one of the wine cellars. Open air wine tasting is on the agenda. https://visitjeruzalem.com/en/odkrijte-jeruzalem
Dinner and overnight at Terme Vivat Thermal spa.
Day 8, October 5
VISIT MARIBOR - WORLD'S OLDEST GRAPEVINE -
ROGLA (SKY WALK) – HOUSE OF THE CARNIOLAN BEE
Breakfast at Terme Vivat.
Morning: Time to enjoy Thermal Spa.
Afternoon: Visit to Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city, on Market Day, with the oldest producing grape vine in the world: https://www.visitmaribor.si/.si/.
Next is the Rogla Sky Walk, where the views are amazing. https://treetop-walks.com/pohorje/en/.
In between free time for lunch, coffee…
Next, we will drive to the House of the Carnica Bee. https://www.hisakranjskecebele.si/en/.
Dinner will be in a local Gostilna. We will overnight in the bee cells at Hiša Čebele.
Day 9, October 6
HOUSE OF THE CARNICA BEE – BEEKEEPER VISIT – APITHERAPY CENTER
Breakfast at House of the Carniolan Bee.
Morning: Visit to the Hiša Čebele centre with their interactive exhibition. https://www.hisakranjskecebele.si/en/
Afternoon: Beekeeping Rogelj; Apitherapy Lecture & opportunity at Evin Gaj Center with heavy appetizers. http://evin-gaj.si/?page_id=278&lang=en
No Dinner (trust us, you will be stuffed full from Evin Gaj).
Overnight at House of Carnica Bee in Višna Gorica (sleep in bee cells).
Day 10, October 7
FINAL DAY – LOGAR TRADE – AIRPORT DEPARTURES – END OF TOUR
Breakfast at House of the Carniolan Bee.
Afternoon: Drive back to Ljubljana. Visit to apiary equipment Retailer Logar Trade, where you can shop for your beekeeping needs. https://www.logar-trade.com
After our trip to Logar, we will have time for lunch nearby in Šenčur & transfer to Brnik airport. End of the tour.
What is included in our offer?
✓ Transportation in Air-Conditioned Coach per itinerary
✓ 4 nights tourist farm, 4 nights hotel, 2x House of Carnica Bee in twin rooms
✓ Tourist tax
✓ Buffet breakfast
✓ 8x dinners in tourist farm/hotel (no drinks) and 2x restaurants
✓ Entrances and fees as per program (app. 280€)
✓ Slovenian – English speaking guide specialized in beekeeping
✓ Organization and assistance
What is NOT included in our offer…
✓ Flight ticket (you must arrange this on your own)
✓ Transfer from/to airport
✓ Lunches and drinks
✓ Assurance in case of sickness before departure
✓ Travel insurance
✓ Everything not listed in «Included»
✓ Supplement for single room 330 EUR
Program Cost: USD $4000 per person; Payment by Cashier’s Check or Credit Card (Stripe). Credit card payments incur an added 4% card merchant fee.
This price based on a minimum of 15 people. Deposit of USD $2000 to reserve your seat.
Single rooms are limited in number, but available for an additional EUR 380.
Please direct questions regarding our tour offer to Jonna at info@azhivesnorthamerica.com