Salon Penina (Sparkling Wine Salon) — a 3-day weekend in Primorska

The weekend, day by day

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Nova Gorica

   Land at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.

2. Day 2

   Salon Penina (Sparkling Wine Salon)

   Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: Arrive for the blind tasting competitions on the first day when producers are most generous with pours and less exhausted; focus on rebula-based sparklers from Vipava Valley producers, as they're Slovenia's most distinctive category and under-recognized internationally. Book workshops with smaller méthode traditionnelle producers directly rather than through the main event.

3. Day 3

   Wine country day in Primorska

   Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.

Where to stay

Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.

• Hotels in Nova Gorica

  Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.

• 4–5 star options near Nova Gorica

  Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.

• Apartments in Nova Gorica

  Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.

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Practical

Nearest airport

Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU)