August 2020
Our two days in Lovrenc na Pahorju was nothing short of amazing. As a South Africa couple of Portuguese and Italian descent living in Ljubljana, experiencing the simplicity yet incredibly rich, picturesque and magical countryside lifestyle of the local community was a breath of fresh air. The hospitality, generosity and kindness of the locals second to none.
Our tour began with a short hike to the beautiful Lovrenc lakes, where local guides informed us about the area, the nature and its preservation. We then hiked up to the Rogla ski resort, enjoying the breath-taking tree top walk with a view stretching for kilometers on end, before being taken to a local restaurant in Lovrenc for way more than just a sensational meal of local goulash, polenta and frozen yogurt at Gostilna Urban – the super accommodating owner engaged in friendly conversation, showed us his 200-year old bar (the oldest in the region) and then opening up a bottle of wine to share with us!
One of the many highlights of our trip was the magnificent cottage where we spent the night: Cottage Dobnik, a 245-year old dwelling which has been transformed into a piece of paradise! Located in the middle of the woods in complete serenity, the cottage seems fairytale-like with its enchanting look, and is fully equipped with all you need and so much more to make your stay memorable. We passed the evening by unwinding in the cottage’s own private Finnish sauna and roasting sausages around the outdoor fireplace before relaxing on the wooden deck, gazing up at the star-lit sky, excitedly pointing out every shooting star we were able to spot.
Our final day began with fun-filled adventure as we were given two chic E-bikes to propel us around the rolling hills on a local tour of the region. Stopping off at local churches, museums, view-points and iconic structures, the guide – a local forester – introduced us to the many local activities, traditions and norms, while relaying the rich history and numerous anecdotes emanating from the area. We then visited a local bee farm, learning about the importance and significance of this activity before getting the privilege of tasting the divine honey, as well as numerous confectioneries made with honey.
Thereafter it was back on the bikes for an uphill yet oh-so-worth it ride to Farm Koh, where Marjan and his wife Olga prepared us the most delicious lunch from locally-sourced produce. The amazing food was accompanied by side-aching laughter through Marjan’s endless array of jokes and entertainment. Set atop a hill, the view from Koh is exquisite, where a fun-filled game of Russian bowling was also enjoyed.
Lovrenc na Pohorje is most certainly a hidden gem of Slovenia: with so much to see, so much to do and with the friendliest local community to make your stay one to remember, it certainly deserves a place on your travel list!
Fabio De Dominicis & Laura Caetano (South Africa)
Photos: Fabio & Laura
