1. Trieste: History of Prosecco and the Karst Region
After being collected from your Trieste accommodation, you will make your way to the town of Prosecco. You will begin your discovery into the well-kept and bubbly secret of this town, which is considered the gem of this region. Throughout your tour you will have the chance to discover this under-explored region, hearing all about the history of Prosecco and appreciating the area's most historically significant vineyards. This will be followed by a visit to an exceptional winery where you'll try some of the most renowned sparkling wine in all of Italy. Your tour will carry on to the medieval village of Štanjel, which was one of the first communities in the Karst Region. It is loved for its ancient village center and its awe-inspiring sweeping vistas. Štanjel sits atop a scenic hill, from where you can easily see some its most famous structures. The village has changed in appearance over the centuries, but has always maintained the spirit of the Karst. The town gets its name from the Patron Saint, Daniel, which provides it with an interesting cultural heritage. During both world wars, Štanjel was uniquely influenced by a particular architect and mayor at the time, Maks Fabiani. He preserved the essence of the village whilst using his creative finesse to rejuvenate the newly-renovated public structures. Fabiani’s most notable work in Štanjel involved the restoration of Ferrari Villa and the design of the extraordinary Ferrari Garden park, lauded as the most significant park landscaping in Slovenia from the inter-war period. Throughout the tour, you will also get the opportunity to try local delights of the Karst region, including dry-cured ham, cheese and local wine.