Slovenian AZ Beehives
Autumn 2025 ApiSlovenia Tour
2025 APISLOVENIA TOUR
September 19-29, 2025
Welcome to the Republic of Slovenia, the green, crown jewel of Europe! Hidden away from the crowds of Western Europe, this tiny Alpine nation is the land that time has forgotten. Here the beauty of the Julian Alps meet the Mediterranean region of the Adriatic, and the breathtaking beauty of Karst valleys changes into sumptuous forests. Visitors to Slovenia are captivated by Slovenia’s majestic mountains, the mysterious Karst forests with subterranean caves, and the splendor of the Adriatic Sea. Most of all, it is the warmth and hospitality of the Slovenian people that will forever be remembered by those lucky enough to visit this small nation.
Beekeeping has been an important part of the fabric of Slovenian culture for centuries, and is 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 Honeybee, 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 19. ARRIVAL DAY!
September 19th IS ARRIVAL DAY!
DAY 0, 9/19/25
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 19 September. Our tour will officially begin on Saturday, September 20th.
After your arrival on 19 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 September 1, 2025 with us, so we can ensure your rooms are reserved.
Arrivals. Organized group/individual transfers can be arranged to Tourist Farm Pri-Marku. http://www.pri-marku.si
Settle in, relax, then dinner and overnight at Tourist Farm Pri-Marku
Day 1, 9/20/2025
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, 9/21/2025
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, 9/22/2025
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, 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, 9/23/2025
BEEKEEPING VISIT – PROSCIUTTO ŠČUKA – PIRAN AREA RELAXATION
Breakfast at Tourist Farm Pri-Marku.
Morning: We will leave Gorenjska, and drive to Slovenia’s Primorska (Adriatic) region. First up is a visit to a beekeeper in the Primorska Region for a lesson on beekeeping in the varied regions of Slovenia.
Afternoon: Lipica Stud Farm, to meet Slovenia’s equine ambassadors and learn about their history. We will visit a nearby historic village afterwards.
Dinner: 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…
Overnight at Vila Andor Ankaran Hotel & Resort on the Adriatic.
Day 5, 9/24/2025
FREE TIME ON THE ADRIATIC -VISIT TO PIRAN – SALT PANS – OLIVE OIL PLANTATION
Breakfast in Slovenia’s beautiful coastal region, with time to enjoy the Adriatic.
Late morning: Šecovlje Salina Salt Pans Nature Park https://www.naravniparkislovenije.si/ and Gramona Olive Tree Estate https://www.gramonafarm.com/.
Dinner: A visit to the wine fountain https://marezige.si/en/vinska-fontana/.
Overnight at Vila Andor Ankaran Hotel & Resort.
Day 6, 9/25/2025
SLOVENIAN BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATION – BEEKEEPING & HERBAL EXPERIENCE
Breakfast in Slovenia’s beautiful coastal area at Vila Andor Ankaran.
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. 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 Termana Laško Thermal spa, in Slovenia’s town most famous beer town!
Day 7, 9/26/2025
LAŠKO THERMAL SPA – ROGLA SKYWALK – BEER FOUNTAIN AT ŽALEC
Breakfast at Laško. So many lovely breakfast options are available at restaurant.
Morning: Enjoy some free time in the thermal spa.
Next, A trip to the Rogla Skywalk, for the amazing views, then a visit to the beer fountain at Žalec.
Dinner and overnight at Thermana Laško.
Day 8, 9/27/2025
HOUSE OF THE CARNIOLAN BEE - STIČNA MONTASTERY-
VISIT TO A BEEKEEPER
Breakfast at Thermana Laško.
Morning: We will drove to Višna Gora, home of the the House of the Carniolan Bee, for a tour of their museum and facility.
Afternoon: Lunch at Gostilna Jelenov Rog, then a visit to the historic Stična Monastery, with their apiary and herbal tea shop.
Afternoon: Visit to a beekeeper, with amazing views and appetizers.
Dinner will be in a local Gostilna. We will overnight in the bee cells at the House of the Carniolan Bee.
Day 9, 9/28/2025
HOUSE OF THE CARNIOLAN BEE – BEEKEEPER VISIT – APITHERAPY CENTER
Breakfast at House of the Carniolan Bee https://www.hisakranjskecebele.si/en/
Afternoon: Evin Gaj Apitherapy experience (you can sign up in advance to have a massage, or do the intensive bee-air therapy (additional fees apply).
Late Afternoon, if time allows: Kostanjevica na Krki experience;
Dinner at an amazing restaurant!
Overnight at House of Carnica Bee in Višna Gora (we will sleep in the bee cells).
Day 10, 9/29/2025
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 gifts, as well as 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 at resorts; 2x House of Carnica Bee in twin rooms
✓ Buffet breakfast
✓ 8x dinners in tourist farm/resorts (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 (we can arrange for ~EUR 40
✓ Lunches and drinks
✓ Travel insurance
✓ Everything not listed in «Included»
✓ Supplement for a single room 450 EUR
Program Cost: USD $4000 per person; Payment by Cashier’s Check or Credit Card (Stripe). Credit card payments incur an added 3.5% 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 450. For those requesting to share rooms, the additional EUR 450 will be charged if we cannot find a same-sex roommate for you.
Please direct questions regarding our tour offer to Jonna at info@azhivesnorthamerica.com.