May 2023
Escape from Murska Sobota – Vujdi vö s Sobote
I have always been an adventurer. Even my move to little Slovenia from Moscow 4 years ago was kind of a gamble. So, when I saw in April that Radio SI was looking for scouts, I responded immediately. And after a couple of days I found out that my friend and I were going to Prekmurje. Prekmurje! The most remote region (I live on Obala). Before coming here, all I knew about this region was Prekmurska gibanica (sweet pastry with poppy seeds, cottage cheese and apples).
It was the first warm weekend of the month, but the city was not yet full of tourists, so we managed to enjoy the trip in a relaxed and exclusive format. Everything was planned by the organizers inside and out, we were transferred from one caring hand to another – and it was damn unusual. The road from Obala took more than two hours, we arrived in the morning and of course we started with coffee in a cozy cafe of the Murska Sobota Tourist Center. Here after warm welcome, we were given a map, a note with a hint, and the quest around the city began. Probably no guidebook would give such a complete and broad view of the history, culture, architecture, and nature of this amazing place! We explored the city and surroundings on foot and by bike/scooter, visited a unique beer bar in the style of Mad Max and the expo center (where we want to return for a more detailed study).
The accommodation at the brand new Belmur Boutique Hotel was fantastic – stylish sunny loft, balcony overlooking the dome of the city’s most beautiful building, spotless beds, free parking – what more could you want?
But the day was not over yet – the icing on the cake was dinner at the Kodila meat restaurant in the suburbs of Murska Sobota. What a dinner it was! Various local meat specialties, steak, champagne, an open kitchen where you could see the process of creating dishes by a charismatic chef.
Full, tired and satisfied, we returned to the hotel to wake up the next morning to the birdsong, have breakfast in the company of the hotel’s owner (God, I will not forget this sumptuous breakfast with ocvirki, baked eggs in bacon, all kinds of yogurts and freshly baked bread!) and go to get acquainted with the Mura (the river that gives the city its name). The locals pronounce the name Mura in a special, soft manner (Müra).
It is hard to imagine a better company for going down the river than Marco and his team (murske čolnarji). The whole hour of the descent to the Island of Love was full of interesting stories, legends, laughter, surrounded by stunning nature around. There were kids on our boat, and it wasn’t extreme rafting but more of an adventurous outing. And of course, again and again, hospitable locals treated us to local specialties, fresh pastries.
At the end of the trip, we were even initiated into boatmen “čolnarji” (I hope this part doesn’t get into the media though 😂). We finally met the Radio SI team for a traditional Prekmurje breakfast (God, food again! Toasted bread on a fire with zaseka (chopped lard with garlic and salt) and for a short closing interview. It is hard to imagine that so many events, emotions and meetings fit into one weekend. The hospitality of the locals, the unique region, excellent organization is the key to an unforgettable holiday for the whole family.
Thank you, radio SI, I can’t waito be your scout for other amazing destinations!
Elena & Mihajl
Photos by: Elena and Mihajl
