Food & Truffle Hunting in Istria, Coastal Slovenia and NE Italy

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Priced From

$4,998 USD *

(For One Person, Double Occupancy)

* Plus taxes. Tours sold on an availability basis.

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6 days | 5 nights

Istria's Culinary Trifecta
Truffles, Wine and Olive Oil

Enjoy truffles year round in Istria,Croatia, a stunning Mediterranean peninsula on the Adriatic Sea. Here, you'll find outstanding wines, olive oil and fresh seafood, but the crown jewel in this treasure trove of gastronomic delights is the truffle. Your edible vacation takes place anytime during the year and you'll enjoy the white or black truffle whenever in season. Istria offers a myriad of culinary and cultural experiences. You'll experience truffles galore as you tour and taste your way around the peninsula, discovering its beauty and bounty on this Sommelier-led, fully escorted tour.

Food & Truffle Hunting in Istria, Coastal Slovenia and NE Italy

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Itinerary Accommodations Map FAQ

VACATION HIGHLIGHTS

Please note: Tour inclusions can change depending upon seasonality and weather conditions.

•Round trip transfer from and to Trieste, Italy Train Station

•5 Nights Luxury Accommodations

•Breakfast Daily

•Luxury Ground Transfers

•Michelin Star Lunch - Zigante

•Cheeses of Istria Tasting

•Chiavalon Olive Oil Estate Visit

•Pula and Rovinj Walking Tours

•Istrian Traditional Dinner

•Shopping in Italy

•Honey Tasting and Cosmetics

•Truffle Hunting

•Motovun Visit

•Porec Walking Tour

•Groznjan Medieval City Tour

•Degrassi Wine Estate

•Michelin Star Dinner Sveti Nikola

While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.

AVAILABLE DATES

Year-Round Based on Your Travel Dates

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.

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Day 1

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Arrival Trieste Centrale Train Station | Trieste | Picturesque Piran | Porec

You'll be greeted at Trieste Centrale Train Station, visit Trieste in Italy and Piran in Slovenia and then traverse into Istria, Croatia. The romantic melancholy of Trieste's often windswept streets (the bora, a fierce wind that blows down from the Carso plateau, is a source of local pride), the resilient grandeur of its Habsburg buildings, the people (part Italian, part Slavic), the coffee (this is the home of Illy, arguably the best espresso in the world) and the chance to discover why James Joyce spent a decade of his life in this city. One of the most photogenic cities in the Mediterranean, Piran has preserved its unsurpassed charm. Enter the picturesque Piran, get to know its rich history and culture, and listen to the stories of our people. You will be charmed by the narrow streets within the old town wall. On the pier, you can catch sight of fisherman unraveling a fishing net. The proximity to the sea and the rich history, which is mirrored in the architecture, draw magical scenes. Upon arrival at the hotel, take some time to settle into your lavish accommodations literally surrounded by the deep blue Adriatic Sea, greeted by the view of neighboring Sveti Nikola Island.

Day 2

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Daily Buffet Breakfast

Each morning, relax and enjoy breakfast by the sea. The hotel serves a full international buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked to order items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren’t your thing, grab a quick bite and take part in one of the optional morning activities like yoga, hiking or cycling to start your day.

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Motovun Tour |Honey Bee's and Cosmetics | Guided Truffle Hunt | Michelin Rated-Zigante Truffle Lunch

Motovun, a medieval hill-top city overlooking the Mirna river valley that features breathtaking views. You'll learn about the city's historical significance from your experienced tour guide. From there, your day takes a sweet turn as you visit the Jankovic family honey tasting room. Sample various types of honey and also explore honey-based cosmetics and a honey-infused grappa called Medica, all while learning the history of beekeeping and all about the healing properties of honey. As a part of promoting Istrian truffles, Zigante family offers guided truffle searches in the Motovun forest. Truffle searches are led by experienced truffle hunters with specially trained tracking dogs. Instruction about the basics of truffle hunting and the procedure of searching for truffles and the truffle hunters sometimes reveal some of the secret locations abundant with truffles. Sit and explore your truffle based lunch at Zigante the world famous Michelin rated restaurant and home of the largest truffle. You can take home truffle products from the Zigante Delicatessen Shop.

Day 3

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Daily Buffet Breakfast

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Latus Dairy | Rovinj Walking Tour |Chiavalon Olive Oil Estate

A small family company located in the heart of Istria surrounded by pastures, at the hill above the village of Orbanici has been producing high-quality dairy products based on its own cows' milk since the end of the last century. The love they invest in every liter of milk is transformed into the tastes of the Latus dairy products. Head to Rovinj, also known as the pearl of the Adriatic. Feel the enchantment of the town in its narrow medieval streets, warm Mediterranean setting and magnificent views of the open sea. You'll visit the Chiavalon Olive Oil Estate, one of the leading olive oil producers in Istria and the world. This family-run estate is truly a labor of love and the Chiavalons guarantee the olive oil you taste here will be the best you've ever had. During your tasting, learn all about the cultivation of olive trees and the work it takes to produce this liquid gold while employing special tasting glasses to bring out the best in the Chiavalon oils.

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Roman Coliseum | Pula and Rovinj Walking Tour | Istrian Dinner

Day 4

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Daily Buffet Breakfast

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St. Euphrasius Basilica | Degrassi Winery | Groznjan Tour | Kozlovic Winery | Traditional Travern Dinner

Today, make sure to wear your walking shoes and bring a camera! A morning visit walking tour to St Euphrasius Basilica, a UNESCO heritage site by the sea will unite the past with the present. Family tradition is an essential part of the Degrassi wine story, committed from the very beginning to superior quality and at the same time expressive wines with a distinct character, There is an equal percentage of white and red varieties available to taste. The family philosophy of Kozlovic is based on togetherness and each generation of the family have been creating wines and today they are planting indigenous varieties – Malvasia, Muscat Momiano, Muscat Rose, and Teran. From International varieties, they grow Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Harvest is done by hand exclusively. In front of the winery, there is splendid, roofed terrace fenced in by glass, overlooking the vineyards in Valle valley. The day's activities will be drawn to an end with a Traditional Travern meal in North Istria.

Day 5

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Daily Buffet Breakfast

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Free Time to Explore on Own | Farewell Dinner at Michelin Award Winner

On this day you can take full advantage to explore the sights. sounds, tastes and traditions of Porec or to indulge in your hotel's spa and wellness area. For your final dinner, experience one of the most beautiful restaurant sunsets imaginable. Sveti Nikola is Michelin guide award-winning restaurant overlooking the harbor where you'll dine on flawless Mediterranean dishes featuring local meats, seafood, and truffles. The delightful, romantic atmosphere and amazing food create the perfect dining experience for your final evening in Croatia.

Day 6

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Daily Buffet Breakfast

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Check-Out and Departure

After a final buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be escorted back to the Trieste Train Station. Through the trip has come to an end, you'll forever enjoy the many wonderful memories of your Croatian truffle adventure.

Bohotel Palazzo Porec

Built in 1910 and literally surrounded by the deep blue Adriatic, the Grand Hotel Palazzo offers its guests traditional charm and magical views. Just steps away from the cobblestone streets of Porec, the hotel is the ideal base for exploring the picturesque towns and fertile landscapes of Istria. Inside, the Palazzo boasts modern, luxurious amenities, including flat-screen satellite TVs, air conditioning with heating and cooling function, heated bathroom floors, safes, minibar and free Wi-Fi. Free time can be well spent at the heated outdoor pool and bar, the intimate spa or one of the hotel’s eateries.

Porec, Croatia

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What Currency is being quoted?

The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.

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What does Double Occupancy mean?

Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.

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What is a Single Supplement?

Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.

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If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?

Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.

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Are flights included in the tour price?

No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.

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May I give a culinary tour as a gift?

Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.

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May we request separate beds if sharing a room?

Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.

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Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?

Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.

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Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?

In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.

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If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?

Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.

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Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?

Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.

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What meals and excursions are included in the tour?

The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.

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Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?

Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.

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Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?

Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.

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Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?

All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.

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Do you recommend Travel Protection?

We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0248.

The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA Agency License #0D10209. All products listed are underwritten by, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company), 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 E7N

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Istria's Culinary TrifectaTruffles, Wine and Olive Oil

Food & Truffle Hunting in Istria, Coastal Slovenia and NE Italy

Istria's Culinary Trifecta
Truffles, Wine and Olive Oil