May 2022
‘’ROCK’n’ROLL OF TASTES in MARIBOR’’
Our two-day trip began in Maribor at the oldest fruit-producing vine in the world. We met up with our tour guide Barbara and the two lovely members of staff who work there. It was a perfect way to start the day, finding out the many scenarios the vine had survived throughout its 400-year history and also getting a short history lesson about the wine production in the region. We were also able to try a delicious wine from the ‘daughters’ of the vine.
From there, Barbara played the first rock song of the day while we walked to our next destination. At Restaurant Fudo we were greeted by the sounds of the Rolling Stones and surrounded by famous rock album art on the walls. Not only that but we had a pleasant breakfast which included homemade pumpkin oil butter and avocado (and a cheeky glass of sparkling wine!)
Our next destination brought us to HiKoFi and the very knowledgeable barista, Gregor. He provided us with a cold-brew coffee (which neither of us had experienced before) and showed us how it is made in a large structure on the counter there. We also sampled some delicious coffee in the form of an espresso while Gregor told us more about the process and where the beans come from. We definitely came away with a greater appreciation of the variety of tastes you can experience from coffee when it isn’t just bought from the store!
At the Maribor castle museum we were met by a large interactive board representing a dinner table showing the development of cuisine in the country. It was a very clever and aesthetically pleasing way to convey the changes that happened over the centuries. The surrounding walls were full of instruments, items, clothing and stories typical of a Slovene vineyard.
We ventured onwards to the delightful LeVino. Here we met Vida who, with her fun and friendly energy, provided us with wine paired with cheese and music (we won’t spoil which!) while we sat in a cosy courtyard. It was a fun way to experience the wine and they were all great songs! The establishment also has a cool cellar for parties!
Our final stop in the centre of Maribor brought us to GT22. It provides a creative/alternative space for people in the city as well as putting on events. Here we found photograph collections, workers creating puppets and beehive art, a radio studio, a beehive on the roof and even a skate-boarding half-pipe! There were even more rooms we didn’t get to see but it was clear this location provides a great service to the city. Next time, we might take a little more time between visiting GT22 and going to the next destination as we were running behind at this point.
To really top off our time in the city we were fortunate enough to go to Restaurant Mak, a short journey from the centre. The food was presented in a beautiful way and tasted even better. Attempting to describe the food wouldn’t do it justice but it might make you emotional! This is all down to the quirky, enigmatic chef, David. It’s clear he is a master of his craft. Just make sure you don’t snack too much during the day before coming here as you will want an empty belly to fit in all the delights!
Finally, under the shroud of a spectacular hailstorm, we arrived at the Sončni raj estate just outside of the city. Once the storm passed, we were shown to our Glamping hut (part of the Nesting resort) which was beautiful. Due to the storm we were unable to try the Wine Fountain (the name alone should make you interested!) but Bogdan, the owner, was kind enough to bring us a bottle of wine. It rained during the night which made it wonderfully cosy but was sunny in the morning, allowing us to take full advantage of the terrace. Waking up to a wall of foliage due to the forest opposite was perfect. The cherry on top was the wonderful breakfast brought to us consisting of a platter and picnic basket. There are only a few of these huts so it really does feel like your own personal nature retreat. Bogdan has really created a lovely place at Sončni raj!
Once we finished breakfast we walked a very short distance (maybe 20 metres) to try out ziplining! What better way to start the day than flying back and forth like a bee? It certainly woke us up faster than the coffee we had an hour earlier! One of us (Euan) normally has an aversion to heights but this kind of experience didn’t trouble him at all. If you happen to be here you should certainly try it!
Overall, our experience over the two days was amazing. We met great people, were introduced to wonderful cuisine and wine, all while soaking in the great city of Maribor. We will definitely return to each of the places we visited in the future. Of course, we also shouldn’t forget the great rock and roll we were treated to while wandering the streets but, naturally, we wouldn’t want to spoil any of those songs for people looking to take the tour!
We would like to thank all those who contributed to those two days and showed us the very best Maribor and its surrounding areas has to offer!
Euan and Katja
Photos by: Euan & Katja
