We'll set out for the mining town of Idrija, about an hour west of Ljubljana, winding around steep hills and along canyons. Toward the end of the drive, thick forests give way to the unassuming small town. But there’s more than meets the eye in Idrija; home to mine-shafts, a smelting plant, world-renowned bobbin lace, mouthwatering cuisine, and the storied, mischievous elf, Perkmandelc, Idrija is a small but mighty cultural hub. Upon arrival, we’ll take a guided tour of the long-abandoned tunnels that snake through Anthony’s Road Mine, the second-largest mercury mine in the world. We’ll partake in a hands-on cooking class, learning to craft the region’s famed cheese dumplings said to resemble Napoleon’s hat. Afterward, we’ll have the chance to sample geruš and zelševka, two local spirits beloved by miners, and tuck into a special bread stuffed with pork cracklings. In the afternoon, we’ll stroll along the stream that once powered the production of ore in the mine. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be yours to explore this charming town at your own pace.

This morning, it’s off to Križna Cave—an exquisite example of a karst cavern, complete with underground lakes, speleothems, and ancient fossils. Be prepared to wander, guided, through the caverns in rubber boots and by boat, often in total darkness (you'll have a headlamp and flashlight), passing through massive cave halls, stalactite-lined ceilings, and cave lakes. After a morning spent underground, we’ll emerge and head to the small town of Cerknica for lunch at a local restaurant. We’ll also pay a visit to the Heritage House, where we’ll learn about a nearby intermittent karst lake, fir tree essential oil, and the crafting of drevak—a traditional wooden boat carved from fir trees. Tonight we’ll dine at Tekavča ograda farm, home to the knights of Šteberk centuries ago. Each surrounding house once served a very specific purpose—from a weavers’ house to a house specializing in horse transportation. Most notably, it’s around here that you’ll find the annual tradition of dormouse hunting in full swing—and tonight, we’ll be joining in. We’ll gather our torches and set out into the nearby forest, making our way to the ruins of the Šteberk castle in search of the tiny polh. While hunting for the dormouse is no longer a necessity here, dormouse fat continues to have a reputation for healing wounds, and fur hats have kept generations protected from the frigid winter air. Those who’d prefer to hang back can relax or explore the farm, checking out its traditional Slovenian hayrack, or kozolec—an increasingly rare agricultural structure.

Today we’ll venture into Postojna, perhaps the country’s most widely renowned cave. To enter, we’ll take a subterranean train ride, rumbling past jagged stalagmites and stalactites. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for the otherworldly amphibian known as the “human fish,” or olm, an aquatic salamander that has evolved specifically to thrive in cavernous conditions. Effectively blind, the olm has developed an incredibly acute sense of smell and hearing. Postojna Cave is not only home to magnificent creatures, but also to great mystery. Just a few years ago, during the renovation of a nearby hotel built in the 1970s, workers uncovered hidden rooms replete with communication equipment used to spy on the hotel’s visitors, likely during the time of communist Yugoslavia. Since then, only more questions have arisen about this clandestine operation. We’ll get to ponder our hypotheses for what went down over local prosciutto and Teran wine at a nearby family-owned winery. Here, we’ll have the chance to check out the classic karst architecture (limestone walls, flat red roofs, and white wells), wander the vineyard, and drop by the village church. Then we’ll return to our cozy homestay, tucked away in the hills of Brkini—the last barrier between central Slovenia and the coast—for a home-cooked meal and a good night’s sleep.

Today we’ll roam the caves of Škocjanske—a system of massive caverns, containing some of the largest in the world, believed to have served as sites of ceremonial sacrifice during the Bronze Age. We’ll wander through the stunning subterranean world, learning about its history and unique ecosystems, where Alpine and Mediterranean plant species exist side by side. We’ll emerge for lunch at a nearby farm, then descend into a smaller cavern, Dimnice Cave. Due to the shape and size of the cave’s shafts, a tower of steam occasionally escapes the cave, earning it the nickname of The Devil’s Smokehouse. We’ll return to Ljubljana later in the afternoon for a free evening of independent exploration.

This morning we'll explore the underground tunnels built as World War II shelters for the people of Kranj, a small town outside of Ljubljana, in the event of an attack. Over the years, these tunnels have acquired a natural patina, and dripstone hangs spectacularly from the ceiling. Alongside a local guide, we’ll learn about the history, peculiarities, and current life led inside the tunnel walls.  Later in the day, we'll head up into the Alps. If we’re lucky, the peaks will be coated with glittering snow, and the fields below lush with wildflowers. We’ll stop where the mountains open up into the sweeping expanse of Bled Lake, dotted with traditional pletna boats gliding across the glassy water. We’ll spend some time exploring the lake and sampling Bled’s beloved cream cake, kremsnita, before heading to the medieval castle that overlooks the lake. We’ll stop by the castle’s famed restaurant to try traditional Alpine dishes with a modern twist: poached Piran sea bass with strawberries, istrian fusi with truffles, and chocolate with fleur de sel from the Slovenian coast. After a full day, we’ll head back to Ljubljana. Enjoy some time on your own to rest (and digest) before our final farewell feast this evening.

After a week of underground adventuring, it’s time to say our goodbyes and head home. If you'd like to extend your time in the area, our guides would be happy to recommend places to stay and things to do.