Slovenia landscapes

Slovenia with Maestro Rossen Milanov

May 13–19, 2024

Pricing: $6,395 per person; For a single room add $1,160

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For more information, contact ATA at 877-298-9677 or Reservations@academic-travel.com

Overview

Join Rossen Milanov, Music Director of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor of the Slovenian RTV Symphony Orchestra, to explore one of central Europe’s most enchanting destinations. Begin in Trieste, Italy, a delightful city on the Adriatic Coast that has long been an intersection of cultures and civilizations. In Ljubljana, Slovenia, enjoy exclusive access to observe Maestro Milanov as he leads the Symphony through a morning rehearsal, and attend that evening’s performance. Then, travel throughout the Slovenian countryside with guided tours of mystical caves, medieval castles, sparkling glacial lakes, and the captivating peaks of the Julian Alps. Finally, raise a glass of local prosecco in Treviso, Italy and toast to a wonderful week of awe-inspiring landscapes, incredible cultural heritage, and unforgettable music.

Questions?

Please contact ATA at:
Toll-Free Number: 877-298-9677
Reservations@academic-travel.com

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Trip Highlights

  • Visit the seaside town of Trieste, Italy, and enjoy guided tours of Verdi Opera House and Miramare Castle.
  • Discover the quaint cafes, red-tiled roofs, leafy green spaces, and charming bridges of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.
  • Attend a morning rehearsal and evening performance of the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rossen Milanov.
  • Explore the Slovenian countryside with visits to Predjama Castle and Postojna Caves.
  • Enjoy panoramic views of the Julian Alps on a full-day excursion to Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, and Triglav National Park.

Trip Expert: Rossen Milanov

Respected and admired by audiences and musicians alike, Rossen Milanov is currently the Music Director of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor of the Slovenian RTV Orchestra in Ljubljana. Mr. Milanov is also the Music Director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Princeton Symphony Orchestra. Nationally, he has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony, Colorado, Milwaukee, and Seattle Symphonies, among others, and internationally, he has collaborated with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, and the orchestras in La Scala Milano Ballet, Toronto, Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sao Paolo, and New Zealand, among others. Noted for his versatility, Milanov is also a welcomed presence in the worlds of opera and ballet and has collaborated with some of the best known choreographers of our time such as Mats Ek and Benjamin Millepied. Rossen Milanov studied conducting at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School, where he received the Bruno Walter Memorial Scholarship. A passionate chef, he often dedicates his culinary talents to various charities.

Rossen Milanov

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 1

Monday, May 13: Welcome, Chautauqua Travelers!

Arrive in Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and transfer with the group by private coach to Trieste. After checking in to your hotel, meet your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in a local restaurant.

Included Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Trieste

Day 2

Tuesday, May 14: Trieste: A Cultural and Architectural Pastiche

Begin the day with a walking tour of Trieste, once the great seaport of the Hapsburg Empire. Occupying a narrow strip of land between the Adriatic Sea and the Slovenian border, this unique city radiates with a blend of Italian, Austro-Hungarian, and Slovenian influences at every turn. Visit churches, piazzas, and monuments to discover a mix of architectural styles, and enjoy a guided tour of Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, finished in 1801 and the symbol of Trieste’s Italian cultural identity. After lunch on your own, join the group for a guided tour of Miramare Castle, the 19th-century cliffside home of Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian. Dinner and the rest of the evening will be at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton Trieste

Day 3

Wednesday, May 15: Slovenian Caves and Castles

Depart Italy for the Slovenian countryside, where you’ll begin with a visit to Postojna Caves, a magical subterranean world of towering mountains, murmuring rivers, and glittering halls. Emerge into the daylight with a tour of Predjama Castle, a fascinating 800-year-old castle seamlessly built into the side of a mountain. After lunch at a local restaurant, travel to Ljubljana, the capital and largest city of Slovenia. Dinner and the rest of the evening will be at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Grand Hotel Union Eurostars

Day 4

Thursday, May 16: Music and Memories in Ljubljana

Enjoy exclusive access to the morning rehearsal of the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rossen Milanov. Observe the musicians preparing for their upcoming concert and explore Cankarjev dom, the large concert hall and cultural center home to the Symphony and a rooftop colony of Carniolan bees. On a guided tour of Ljubljana, learn the history of landmarks like Ljubljana Castle, Presernov trg Square, The Church of St. Nicholas, Town Hall, and Triple Bridge. Dine with the group for an early dinner in a local restaurant, then attend the evening performance of the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Milanov.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Grand Hotel Union Eurostars

Day 5

Friday, May 17: Into the Alpine Wilds

Travel into the Julian Alps on a full-day excursion to witness some of the most beautiful scenery in central Europe. Lake Bled offers postcard-perfect views of Bled Island and the surrounding snowcapped mountains, while Triglav National Park is Slovenia’s largest protected area and home to towering peaks, tumbling waterfalls, flowering alpine valleys, and the crystal clear waters of Lake Bohinj. Afterwards, return to Ljubljana for dinner and the rest of the evening at leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Grand Hotel Union Eurostars

Day 6

Saturday, May 18: Raise a Glass to Your Travels

Depart Slovenia for Treviso, Italy, a walled city in the Veneto region where Prosecco wine and tiramisu were first produced.  Enjoy a guided tour of the historic town center, visiting Treviso Cathedral, Piazza dei Signori, and Canale dei Buranelli, among other picturesque sites. After lunch and the afternoon on your own, gather with your group for a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Relais Monaco Country Hotel & Spa

Day 7

Sunday, May 19: Adijo za Zdja!

Bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you depart the hotel for individual flights home out of Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE).

Included Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included?

  • All accommodations for the duration of the tour
  • Meals, as noted in the itinerary (B-breakfast; L-lunch; D-dinner; R-reception)
  • All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary
  • Expertise of a Chautauqua expert, ATA-hired tour manager, and local guides throughout the tour
  • All gratuities for on-tour guides, drivers, hotel, and restaurant staff as part of the group program
  • All on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted
  • A group transfer from the airport for those arriving according to the designated itinerary
  • Quietvox listening devices to facilitate audibility and social distancing on tour
  • Fully vetted program that meets COVID-19 health and safety protocols
  • The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights and other services
  • Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list
  • Emergency evacuation insurance

Accommodations

DoubleTree by Hilton Trieste
Located in central Trieste, this grand hotel is set in a historic building that dates to the early 20th century. Recent renovations maintained much of the original fresco ceilings and marble interiors. Stylish rooms feature flat-screen TVs, espresso machines, and minibars. Onsite amenities include a restaurant, bar, fitness and wellness areas with a sauna and hammam, as well as a game room with a pool table. And as with every visit to a DoubleTree by Hilton property, don’t forget to enjoy a delicious signature DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie upon arrival.

Grand Hotel Union Eurostars
An historic hotel with an art nouveau soul, this beautiful and elegant hotel was built in 1905 in the Vienna Secession architectural style and is part of the living history of Ljubljana. Spacious bedrooms ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay while multiple dining options offer the best of Slovenian cuisine. Onsite amenities include an elegant restaurant, a cozy eatery in a vaulted cellar, and a café with a terrace overlooking the city, as well as a wellness center, gym, and a top-floor indoor swimming pool.

Relais Monaco Country Hotel & Spa
Enjoy a quiet countryside retreat in a former Venetian villa, located just a few kilometers from Treviso. The hotel’s main building was once part of Villa Perisco-Guarnieri, built in the early 1800’s, and 79 elegant rooms are furnished with classic decorations and modern facilities, including a minibar and flat screen TV. A seasonal terrace adds to the warm and friendly atmosphere, while the onsite restaurant highlights local products, fine wines, and Venetian gastronomic traditions. Other amenities include a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and a 700-meter state-of-the-art wellness center.