Celje–Maribor–Ptuj–Jeruzalem–Ljutomer–Veržej

Day 1: Celje bears great historical importance, since it was the home of Counts of Celje, one of the most powerful ruling families in medieval Europe. After a sightseeing walk through the old town, we will drive up to the Celje Castle, which offers a panoramic view of Celje and the Savinja Valley. After lunch we will head towards Maribor, the Styrian capital and the proud guardian of the Old Vine. There will be a guided walk around the old part of Maribor, but also free time for souvenir shopping, snacks and individual sightseeing. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: After breakfast, we will head to Ptuj, the home of the most famous Slovenian Mardi Gras carnival. Costumes of the “kurent” can be seen all year round in the ethnological collection of Ptuj Castle; apart from this one, we will also see other collections. In Jeruzalem, the heart of the Prlekija region, we will be served a light meal, and then proceed to a wine cellar for wine tasting. In Ljutomer, we will stop at a pottery workshop and have the chance to do some souvenir shopping. Finally, we will enter a genuine, still operating flour mill on the Mura and then return to the point of departure.

DID YOU KNOW ...
... that Maribor is home to the oldest grapevine in the world? Although over four hundred years old, its Žametna Črnina grapes produce 25 litres of wine per year, which is than put into specially designed bottles and used for protocolary gifts.