Trieste, Venice, & Slovenia Explorer

Welcome to Trieste! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Coffee & Canals Enjoy getting to know Trieste, your charming base for the vacation ahead, with a guided orientation walk through its elegant Old Town, taking in the grand Piazza Unità d’Italia and picturesque canals. Delve into the city’s renowned café culture with a visit to a historic coffee house, complete with a tasting experience. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to discover more of the city. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Trieste’s coffee culture is woven into everyday life, reflecting the city’s historic role as one of Europe’s great coffee ports. Visitors can experience unique local customs, including ordering coffee by distinctive Triestine names—such as a nero (espresso), capo (espresso with a touch of milk), or capo in B, served in a small glass. The city is also the home of Illy, the internationally renowned coffee company founded in Trieste in 1933, which has helped establish the city’s reputation as a global center of coffee excellence.

Going Underground An unforgettable day awaits! Cross the border into Slovenia and head to Postonja for a definite highlight – a visit to the world-famous caves. Your experience comprises an underground train ride and walking tour. Pass through amazing corridors and see impressive limestone formations. Once back above ground drive to Slovenia’s picture postcard Bled, located on a stunning lake, surrounded by the Julian Alps. Enjoy some free time before returning to Trieste for an evening at leisure. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Explore the world's most captivating cave on an unforgettable ride on an underground train. Enter the surreal subterranean world of shiny white stalagmites shaped by millions of years and millions of drops of water in the Postojna Cave. See the baby dragons (olms) who call the caves home - in the mysterious underground caverns of Slovenia.

Cosmopolitan Crossroads Enjoy a full day to delve deeper into the city. Take a stroll along the charming streets, admire the spectacular views, browse the stores, or try delicious local specialties. Later, why not do as the locals do, take a seat in a café, enjoy a spritz triestina, and watch the world go by. Alternatively, why not join an optional excursion to uncover some of the regions tastiest gastronomic specialties? (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME No visit is complete without experiencing the local aperitivo culture, a cherished tradition that brings residents together in the late afternoon to enjoy a drink and light snacks. Whether in a historic café or a lively piazza, an aperitivo offers the perfect opportunity to relax, socialize, and soak up the unique atmosphere of this captivating Adriatic city.