FINALIST#5: Šmartno Culinary Adventure

To start the day, we invite you to the Dremelj homestead, where the fourth generation has been engaged in beekeeping. They present their activity, show us the apiary, the process of honey production, with the help of photo material they explain the process of breeding queens, for which they are known far and wide. They prepare a real beekeeper’s breakfast for you, homemade bread with honey, along with honey lemonade and tea or coffee with honey.

You continue past the city center, where your view is drawn to the mighty brick-built church of St. Martin, which gave the place its name. The church interior reveals some interesting facts about the construction and equipment itself. At Gostilna pri Mačku, you can try their traditional dish, which was prepared by the chef’s grandmother.

You continue your tour towards Primskovo, where on the top of the hill, which the locals call Primskova gora, you can see the rich architectural heritage of various historical periods, including the anti-Turkish defensive wall. Here stand three churches and the tomb of the miracle worker Jurij Humar. The eco-farm Vodnjov prepares a real energy treat for you, fruit leaves and hazelnut spread, and they also explain how their day on the farm goes. From there, you pass the vineyards, located on the extreme northern edge of the Dolenjska hills. You stop at the Bogenšperk Castle, where a real castle adventure awaits. This one starts in the atrium with the Wagensperg sparkling wine. You take a walk around the castle, where life at the Bogenšperk Castle is introduced through time, with an emphasis on the time when the famous polyhistor Valvasor lived and worked here. Throughout the tour, we focus on cuisine. We may also give away a recipe for potica, a dessert which Valvasor wrote about in the Glory of the Duchy of Carniola. At the castle Krčma pub you can pamper yourself with a real castle culinary delicacy. You end up in the castle cellar, where Wagen meats are dried and the most precious wines of the three wine-growing areas of Slovenia are matured.

Day 1
8.45-9:00 You start off at Staretov square 25 (TIC Šmartno pri Litji), by meeting your guide.
9:00-10:15 Welcome drink, breakfast and tour of beehive at Čebelarstvo in vzreja matic Dremelj
10:15-10:35 Guided tour of Šmartno pri Litiji
10:35-11:00 Guided tour of St Martin church in Šmartno pri Litiji
11:00-11:40 Traditional meal at Gostilna pri Mačku inn
11:40-12:10 Guided tour of Primskovo, storytelling about orchards, wine and local legends
12:20-13:20 Tour of defence wall remains, three churches, a grave and visit to the Vodnjov Eco farm in Primskovo
13:50-14:50 Welcome drink and guided tour of the Bogenšperk castle
15:00-16:00 Castle stew and visit to the wine cellar at the Bogenšperk castle – wine tasting and local meat products

Contact of the Provider:
Javni zavod Bogenšperk
Staretov trg 12
1275 Šmartno pri Litiji
T: 01 89 87 867
M: 040 856 568
W: www.smartno.si
E: turizem@bogensperk.si