02 Jul 2025
Our day trip to Slovenia turned out to be an incredible experience, but it didn’t start out that way. I had booked the private version of this tour months in advance, only to be informed shortly before the trip that our group was “too large” and would be placed on a shared group tour instead. That was disappointing, especially since the price remained the same, and what was supposed to include hotel pickup became a DIY trek to a meeting point, which we didn’t find out about until the day before.
But then came Dean, our tour guide, and he absolutely saved the day. Dean gets five stars all on his own. He was knowledgeable, engaging, funny, and had an obvious love for his country that shone through every story he shared and every stop we made. He brought so much heart to the tour and made the group feel like old friends. You could tell he takes pride in what he does, and it made all the difference.
The itinerary itself was great. We visited Piran, and Izola, and drove through Portorož, each offering its own charm, with plenty of free time to explore, shop, or enjoy a meal. The drive along the coast was gorgeous, and Slovenia truly is a gem of a destination.
I’m only knocking one star off this review because of the last-minute logistics issues from the company, but Dean turned what could have been a frustrating day into a memorable highlight of our trip. If you’re lucky enough to get him as your guide, you’re in excellent hands.