Italy & Slovenia
Fly fishing & cultural discovery in the heart of europe
September 20th - October 3rd, 2026
HOSTED BY: BARRY BECK
FROM YOUR HOST
There are not many places left in Europe where you can fish wild brown trout on permit-controlled rivers, stay in genuinely exceptional hotels, and eat and drink as well as anywhere in the world. Italy and Slovenia happen to offer all of that, and this departure combines the best of both.
We'll be returning to South Tyrol, with exclusive access to a private stretch of the Aurino River reserved entirely for our group, guided by Giorgio Cavatori, and Omar Gade of Italian Fly Fishing Tours, two of the finest guides working in Europe today. Giorgio's magazine H2Ois the most widely read fly fishing publication on the continent, which tells you something about his standing in the sport. Everywhere we fish in Italy operates under a strict no-kill policy. The fish are healthy, the water is pristine, and the country around it is extraordinary.
From Italy we'll carry on eastward into Slovenia, which has been producing world-class fly fishing for over a century, and remains one of the most beautiful and underrated destinations in Europe. We'll be based at Lake Bled; a glacial lake ringed by mountains with a medieval castle on the cliffs above and an island church at its center, a place that genuinely has to be seen to be believed. Then we'll head over to Ljubljana, a compact and walkable capital with outstanding food, and some real character. Between our fishing days, the full group comes together for private guided tours of both cities, and for those who want to go further, there are optional excursions into the Julian Alps, the UNESCO-listed ŠkocjanCaves, and the wine country of the Goriška Brda region.
This is a trip built around the fishing, but it doesn't ask you to sacrifice anything else to be here. Kristene Fitzgerald has orchestrated every detail, as she has with everything I've done in Europe. I look forward to being with you on the water.
Sincerely,
ABOUT Your Host
Longtime Frontiers trip host and photographer, Barry Beck, travels far and wide to follow his love for fly fishing, nature photography and adventure travel. Based in Pennsylvania, Barry is a professional photographer, writer, fly fishing travel and African photo safaris host while also operating his own stock photography business.
Barry is well-known in the fly-fishing, photography, and travel industries, and possesses a stellar reputation for his skill, knowledge, and expertise born from a lifetime of related experiences.
Barry continues to share the love for fly fishing, and exploring the outdoors that he and his late wife, Cathy, enjoyed together for decades.
ITALY
SOUTH TYROL
South Tyrol is wedged between the Austrian border and the Dolomites. It is a region of high alpine villages, medieval castles, and a culinary culture that draws equally from Italian and Austrian traditions. The rivers here are cold, clear and tightly managed, and they hold some of the finest wild brown trout fishing in Europe. The group will stay at the five-star Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz. Anglers will enjoy three days on a private stretch of the Aurino River reserved exclusively for our party, plus two additional days on no-kill waters across the region. There will be one professional guide per two anglers. Giorgio or Omar is on the water with the group every day of the trip. One full day is set aside for anglers to enjoy a day of touring mountain villages, and the landscapes of the Italian Alps. For non-anglers, touring options (at an additional cost) include wine tasting at a local vineyard, cheese tasting in a historic mountain bunker, guided bike rides to the Riva Waterfalls or Lake Braies, and mountain trekking.
A five-star property in South Tyrol with spacious rooms, a full spa, multiple pools, a gym, and saunas. The adjacent golf course and nearby tennis courts are complimentary for guests. Breakfast and dinner are served daily at the hotel.
falkensteiner hotel kronplatz - South tyrol
SLOVENIA
LAKE BLED & LJUBLJANA
Slovenia's fly-fishing tradition stretches back more than a century, and its rivers — cold, clean, and carefully managed — have earned a devoted following among anglers worldwide. Three nights at Lake Bled, one of the most visually dramatic settings in all of Europe, are followed by three nights in Ljubljana — the Slovenian capital, compact and walkable, with excellent food and architecture throughout.
A private guided tours of both Ljubljana is included for the full group, and a selection of optional excursions is available for non-anglers: a guided hike and lakeside picnic at Lake Bohinj, a private visit to the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, and a full-day culinary journey through the Goriška Brda wine region.
Three nights on the shore of Lake Bled in Superior Lake Side Rooms with balconies overlooking the water. Breakfast is included daily. bled rose hotel - lake bled
As Boutique Hotel - ljubljana
Three nights in the heart of Ljubljana's old city, steps from Prešeren Square and the Triple Bridge. Rooms are Premium Double rooms with a terrace or french balcony. Breakfast is included daily.
ITINERARY
Sept 19, Depart the united states
Evening departure via overnight transatlantic flight service. Frontiers can coordinate all airfare to and from Europe.
Sept 20, Arrive in south tyrol
Private group transfer from Venice or Milan airports to the Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz, check in for seven nights.
Time to settle it. Dinner at the hotel.
Sept 21-23, Fishing the aurino river
Three full days of guided fly fishing on a private sixkilometer stretch of the Aurino River, exclusively reserved for our group, and just minutes from the hotel. Non-anglers can arrange touring and activities per their preferences for an additional cost, such as wine tasting at a vineyard, cheese tasting in a cave, guided mountain biking, and hiking.
Lunch at a local restaurant as your guide recommends. Dinner at the hotel.
Sept 24, full day of fishing
A full day on fifteen kilometers of no-kill waters across, within 45 to 60 minutes from the hotel. Waters will be chosen by the guides based on conditions.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner at the hotel.
Sept 25, cultural touring in the alps
A charming immersion in local alpine life. A guided visit through Brunico’s historic center — a picturesque town with Tyrolean character — combined with a visit to Brunico Castle and the Messner Mountain Museum, and a tasting of regional culinary specialties.
Sept 26, full day of fishing
Final full day of fishing in Italy on no-kill waters. Waters will be chosen by the guides based on conditions.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner at the hotel.
Sept 27, transfer to lake bled, slovenia
Check out after breakfast and transfer to Lake Bled in a private Mercedes-Benz sprinter. Check in at the Bled Rose Hotel for three nights.
Time to explore before dinner, taken independently, we can make suggestions or reservations.
Sept 28, Fishing Lake Bled
Anglers head out for a full day on the water.
Non-anglers have the morning free, and in the afternoon, a private guided tour of Lake Bled: a traditional handrowed Pletna boat ride to Bled Island, a visit to the Church of the Assumption, and a walk through Bled Castle above the lake.
Dinner taken independently.
Sept 29, Fishing Lake Bled & Lake Bohinj
Anglers head out for a full day on the water.
Non-anglers enjoy the day in Lake Bohinj, a guided halfday hike through Triglav National Park, and a lakeside picnic.
Dinner taken independently.
Sept 30, Transfer to ljubljana & Škocjan Caves
All guests check out of the Bled Rose Hotel. Anglers meet their guides for a full-day of fishing, then transfer to Ljubljana.
Non-anglers enjoy a private guided visit to the UNESCO- listed Škocjan Caves, one of the largest underground canyons in the world, then onward to Ljubljana.
All guests check in at the AS Boutique Hotel for three nights.
oct 1, half-day fishing & Ljubljana tour
Anglers meet their guides for a morning on the water. Non-anglers have the morning free to explore. In the afternoon, the full group has a private guided tour of Ljubljan: the old town's architectural highlights, a wooden boat ride along the Ljubljanica River, and a funicular ride up to Ljubljana Castle.
Dinner taken independently.
oct 2, fishing & Goriška Brda Excursion
Anglers enjoy a full day on the water with their guides. Non-anglers enjoy a full day in the Goriška Brda wine region; a Jeep tour through terraced vineyards, an olive oil producer visit with tasting, and an afternoon at a family-owned wine cellar for a private tasting and traditional homemade meal.
Dinner taken independently.
oct 3, depart slovenia
Breakfast at the hotel. Private minibus transfer with tour guide to Ljubljana Airport. Departure and safe travels home.
RATES :
Fishing Package
Pricing contingent based upon optional add-ons, please contact Kristene Fitzgerald.
INCLUSIONS :
Italy - South Tyrol:
All private transfers within Italy. 7 nights at Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz — breakfasts and dinners included. Full access to hotel spa, pools, gym, golf course, and tennis courts. 5 days of guided fly fishing — 1 professional guides per 2 anglers. 3 days exclusive access to a private 6 km stretch of the Aurino River. 2 days fishing on no-kill waters across different rivers in the region. All required fishing permits and licenses in Italy. One full day of cultural / culinary touring.
Slovenia - Bled & Ljubljana
All private transfers within Slovenia. 3 nights at Bled Rose Hotel, Lake Bled — breakfast daily. 3 nights at AS Boutique Hotel, Ljubljana — breakfast daily. 5 days of guided fly fishing. Private guided tours of Lake Bled and Ljubljana for the full group.
OPTIONAL ADD ONS:
Available at additional cost; must be arranged in advance. Guided hike and exclusive lakeside picnic at Lake Bohinj (Sept 29). Private entry to UNESCO Škocjan Caves (Sept 30). Full-day culinary adventure in the Goriška Brda wine region (Oct 2). Wine tasting at a local South Tyrolean winery. Cheese tasting in a historic mountain bunker, South Tyrol. Guided bike rides — Riva Waterfalls or Lake Braies. Mountain trekking excursions, South Tyrol
EXCLUSIONS :
Airfare. Dinners in Italy are included at the hotel; all dinners in Slovenia are taken independently and paid on site. Gratuities for fishing guides. Fishing permits and licenses in Slovenia – approx. 100 euro per day per angler.
DEPOSIT PAYMENT REFUND POLICY:
A non-refundable deposit of 50 % of the land cost is due at time of reservation. Balance payable at time of final land package invoicing. Final / full payment is also non-refundable unless client replacement is provided.
Travel Enhanced
Our team of expert agents coordinate every last detail of your trip. Our full-service Airline Department can coordinate all of your travel logistics to/from Italy & Slovenia. For this hosted departure, please contact:
