This morning we will visit the Slovenian Beekeepers' Association, established 140 years ago, and comprised of 200 beekeeping societies. Meet the president and vice-president of the association as well as the director of Slovenia's Beekeeping Academy.

Learn about the activities of the center and walk around a nursery of nectar-producing plants as well as beehives built in the unique Carniolian style. Free time for lunch.

This afternoon, visit a family of beekeepers which, in addition to their wide range of bee products, have become experts in queen breeding. Take a tour of their bee farm and queen-breeding station, observe the rearing procedures and sample their products.  Dinner and overnight in hotel in Ljubljana. 

This morning, visit the Museum of Apiculture where Slovenia’s entire beekeeping heritage is presented. Meet the director and then visit the museum and take in its collection of traditional and historic tools, as well as a magnificent collection of approximately 600 painted hive fronts. The museum provides an insight into typical bee habitation, describes the meaning and symbolism of bees, and acquaints visitors with a vast range of beekeeping literature. Freetime for lunch.

From there it is a short drive to magnificent Lake Bled - one of the most beautiful Alpine resorts in Europe - where you will enjoy a stroll around the lake. Take a boat ride with the traditional wooden boat pletna to a small island on Lake Bled (optional 20 Euros), where you can ring the bell at the Church of the Assumption for good luck. Take some free time for lunch before visiting a local beekeeper and then drive back to Ljubljana for dinner on your own and overnight in the hotel. 

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart for the beautiful coastal city of Piran, which sits directly on the Adriatic and has a lovely, historic town center with narrow winding streets, quaint squares and churches. 

On the way, visit a beekeeper in Pliskovica who has developed a unique hive transportation system. Sample some of his unique Karst honey before continuing on to Piran. Take a walking tour of the town and stop for a drink at the wine fountain (wine not included).

Continue to Portorož  check into the hotel, dinner and overnight. 

After breakfast, drive through the Karst region between the Bay of Trieste and the Vipava valley which is cultivated with olive trees and vineyards. 

Visit a special beekeeper who will explain his medicinal products made with honey and aloe vera. He also has a charming collection of miniature "bee houses" and a wonderful photo collection.  Afterwards, travel to a family-owned winery for a tour and tasting (with some nibbles from local food producers). Return to the hotel for dinner on your own and overnight.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to the Styria region. This green and hilly region is rich in tradition, folklore and cultural heritage. Visit a beekeeper making biodynamic honey resulting from a completely natural way of keeping bees. Hear a presentation on apitherapy, bee sting therapy and honey massage. Visit his bed above the hives where inhalation of the air from hives is used as a treatment for asthmatics. 

This afternoon, visit a herbal farm which is owned by a husband and wife that are experimenting in different flora for attracting bees. Take a tour of their herbal farm to learn about all the herbs, what they do, how bees react to them. See their apiary and learn about their techniques and products. Enter the “magic house in the hill” and sample some of their honey and herb products, including a traditional Slovenian spread with herbs on bread.  They also use their herbs for teas, herb blends and essential oils.  Continue to the charming town of Maribor for dinner and overnight at the hotel. 

This morning after breakfast,, visit a pumpkin seed oil mill. The use of pumpkin seed oil goes back centuries into rural Slovenia, originally treated as food for peasants. Now, it is considered "black gold". Introduction & tasting of homemade pumpkin seed oil. 

This afternoon's visit will be a beekeeper who specializes in sparkling mead for a tour and tasting. 

Return to Ljubljana for overnight at the hotel and departure in the morning. There will be a farewell dinner on the way to the hotel. 

Breakfast and free time before transfer to Ljubljana Airport and flight back to the US.