FINALIST#7: Underground adventure in Velenje
FINALIST#8: Overlanding for one day
Embark on an unforgettable overnight overlanding experience with us! Departing from the picturesque Rokodelski Center Ribnica (The Public Institute Ribnica Handicraft Centre) at 17:00, our journey begins with a thrilling choice between a serene SUP Safari or an exhilarating MTB trip, exploring the stunning surroundings for 1-2 hours while hearing captivating stories about Ribnica.
FINALIST#4: Vrhnika by Bike – Experiences for all Generations
Vrhnika is a small town located in Central Slovenia, at the crossroads of the peri-Alpine and karst worlds, on the outskirts of the Ljubljana Marshes. The karst river Ljubljanica, a river of seven names that Greek Argonauts have sailed through, originates from many springs. The wonders of Vrhnika were also fascinated by the greatest Slovenian writer, Ivan Cankar. He honored his birthplace in several of his works, which still reach the very top of world literature.
FINALIST#6: Discover the Astonishing UNESCO Global Geopark Idrija
Embark on an unforgettable journey to explore the natural and cultural marvels of the UNESCO Global Geopark Idrija. Through a hiking trip immersed in the pristine landscapes of the Geopark, we will delve into the picturesque countryside of Idrija.
FINALIST#5: Meet, Feed and Cuddle Mini Donkeys, Alpacas and Llamas in Slovenske gorice
Nestled in the heart of Slovenia lies a hidden gem waiting to be explored – welcome to Slovenske gorice, a paradise of rolling hills, lush vineyards, and timeless charm.
FINALIST#3: Being active in Loška valley
Hidden between the Bloke Plateau in the north and the Snežnik hills in the south, the beginning of the Kočevje primeval forests in the east and the elongated Javorniki forest barrier in the west, lies the Loška valley, where the images of nature and human creations change their reflections through the changing seasons.
FINALIST#2: Kostanjevica na Krki – Green, local, authentic
Kostanjevica na Krki is the smallest and only Slovenian inhabited town on the island, hiding in the gentle embrace of the Krka river. Situated between the Krakovo forest, plains of fertile fields and the hilly Gorjanci range, the town has been, throughout history, an inspiration to numerous great people and artists. Myths and tales representing thousands of different faces of natural and cultural heritage have sprung up and stayed.
FINALIST#1: Gmajt’než – A Trip to the Heart of Carinthian Homeliness
The idyllic surroundings of the Carinthian hills, mountains, forests and sun-drenched hill villages will conjure up moments of relaxation and homeliness. Authentic and unspoiled nature! Proximity to cities, but at the same time distance from excessive pace and stress. Priceless peace, warmth and homeliness are at home in Carinthia.
SCOUTS: William and Robert
September 2023
Exploring the Kolpa river valley
After a two hour drive from Ljubljana on Friday morning, we arrived at the camp known as Eco-village Rinčica on the Kolpa river at about 11 am. We were greeted with a warm welcome that included coffee, homemade elderberry juice and a hearty plate of snacks consisting of cheese, cold cuts and local mushrooms. After spending some time admiring a couple of very friendly alpacas at the camp farm, we checked into our small wooden glamping hut that was situated right next to the river. Mid-September was already well past the peak tourist season, so we were one of the few guests in the camp, and the atmosphere was exceptionally peaceful. Just what we were looking for!
After resting for a brief period and enjoying the serenity, we headed back to the camp office and suited up with helmets, lifejackets and neoprene suits to get ready for our river adventure. The camp owner, Tine, drove us 10 km upriver to the starting point, offering us some basic tips along the way for how to best negotiate the rapids. Once we arrived he helped us launch the canoe and wished us a safe and enjoyable experience.
The river itself is a truly magical environment, with gentle, slow moving waters that allow for a variety of mesmerizing sounds from nature to emerge. It’s truly a therapeutic experience to just sit and enjoy the serenity… at least until approaching one of the 7 or 8 spots where we needed to carefully navigate through the minor rapids. Neither my son or I were very experienced at this, having done it only a couple previous times with a larger group, so this was the first opportunity to prove that we could do it all on our own. And we managed to succeed, more or less, aside from the largest rapids where we decided to carry the canoe over the rocks. We’ll surely be back to give it another try next time!
Making our way back to the camp, we passed by a couple canoes with loud and drunken paddlers, but they were few and far between. Most of the time we could not see anyone else on the river. After returning to our hut, we rested for a short break and then met up with Tine again, who took us on a sightseeing drive and short hike to see an amazing vantage point on the cliffs above the river. It was truly a scene that would leave a landscape artist spellbound. Heading back to the camp, Tine also invited us to a delightful fish dinner at a local restaurant, where they served fresh trout caught locally from the river. And back at the camp, we wound up our long and active day with a couple bottles of local craft beer known as Robinson Kolpa, named in honor of the more adventurous “Robinson” canoe tours on the river which last for 3 days or longer.
Saturday morning was our time to relax and enjoy a late breakfast in the camp kitchen before heading out on ebikes to explore more of the river valley. We crossed over the nearest bridge to ride along the Croatian side of the river, enjoying the beautiful nature of the Kolpa valley from another perspective. There was no traffic along the narrow paved road… just us and the river, with a couple sleepy villages along the way. I think we discovered the perfect place to get away from it all 🙂
William & Robert
Photos by: William and Robert
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FINALIST#10: Exploring the Kolpa river valley
When going on a trip to the green valley with crystal clear and one of the warmest rivers in Europe, the Kolpa River, you will create unforgettable memories and recharge your batteries.
SCOUTS: Paul and Evgeniia
August 2023
Retreat Through Aromatic Plants and Vineyard
Our trip to the Dragonja Valley started off by visiting the Bonistra estate. The scenery was beautiful, a stone house with great views.
At Bonistra we made our own essential oil and hydrolate from herbs in the garden that we harvested ourselves. We enjoyed a lovely homemade, traditional Istrian lunch prepared by our host Jana, which consisted of bobiči and fritule. After lunch we had a self-care workshop presented by Sara Bičič, where we learned how to massage the face and destress using certain techniques.
Afterwards, we then drove to the Brič estate for wine tasting. The drive there was very unique, as we had to drive across the Dragonja River, literally driving through the water!!!
At the winery we had a private tour of the facilities and vineyard, followed by wine tasting, accompanied by some local meat and cheese. Our host Karlo was very kind and knowledgeable. The winery had stunning views of the Slovenian Alps and the Adriatic. We enjoyed the sunset while sipping the wine. Unfortunately our night had to end.
We had such an amazing day!
Paul & Evgeniia
Photos by: Paul and Evgeniia
FINALIST#9: Retreat Through Aromatic Plants and Vineyard
Welcome to the magnificent Dragonja Valley, situated in Slovenian Istria, an area renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, cultural richness, and delectable gastronomy. This enchanting valley is traversed by the Dragonja River, which meanders through the landscape, creating a vista of rolling hills, verdant forests, and picturesque hamlets.
SCOUTS: Nika and Mik
August 2023
Rogaška Slatina – Spend your retreat with the best company
Our trip to Rogaška Slatina started on a Thursday morning. We drove from Ljubljana and it took us less than 2 hours to reach our accommodation for the night.
The moment we arrived at the parkway of the Pomono we were greeted by Janko, our host and the owner of this fantastic relaxing nature guest house. He welcomed us with open hands, and we immediately knew it would be a tremendous stay. We were taken inside the dining area for breakfast, of what is otherwise a fairytale corner in the countryside of the health resort Rogaška Slatina. We could hardly call it a corner, since Janko owns an extensive farmland that offers completely sustainable tourism. The farmland is all about pears, herbs, flowers, grass, and water. But we’ll get to that later on.
Janko continues telling us the story: All the rooms in a separate object are named by a different fruit sort. We picked an Apricot room for ourselves. And we weren’t disappointed. Each room comes with a modern feel as well as wooden floors. The wooden beams of the building are thoughtfully incorporated into the interior design.
After a breakfast that already felt like the highlight of our day, we were then taken around Janko’s land. Be ready to have your mind blown away by all the projects Janko has realized or is still working on. There is a whole wellness area that allows a guest to completely relax (saunas, natural pool, beehives bed…).
When going further, Janko took us through a 120m long bridge he has built over the part of his land, where looking down you can observe all different types of trees, shitake mushroom garden, pigs,… it’s like a small ecosystem right below your feet.
But it doesn’t end here. He then takes you to his herbs garden, vegetable garden, and water-powered greenhouse, and tells you that all you will eat at Pomona guest stay comes from this exact land.
Continuing the “learning path” as they call it, you soon pass by an extensive pears’ orchard. (Hint: buy their homemade pear jam and thank us later)!
This path ends with Janko’s introduction of his future projects and needless to say they are futuristic, as well as have a meaningful idea behind them. We won’t even start by trying to explain them – you should go and see them for yourself!
We had lunch and dinner both organized in Pomona’s restaurant. We had such an amazing opportunity to try all the traditional flavors in a modern and innovative version: local, healthy, prestigious, and VIP menu. And Janko went out of his way to introduce us to some local wines as well – and we were simply stunned. We were so grateful for how Janko and his team treated us, with warm hospitality and making sure we are always having a lovely time. They made sure we had all that we needed and still felt like we were at home, and we were so happy to continue chatting with Janko and getting to know his vision even after closing time.
The next morning, we visited the city center of Rogaška Slatina, which is known for its laid-back, relaxed environment, and it did not disappoint. We were brought to the Medical center, where we had a scheduled morning: Mini regeneration. We took a short break to relax and gain new strength. It included: 1 on 1 Body and nutrition consultation, 1 Donat drinking card (be sure not to skip it) and 1 body massage with magnesium oil.
The whole experience was as relaxing as it gets. It’s exactly what one needs at the end of a working weekend!
But what better way to connect the dots of these two days than ending the trip with a visit to Anin Dvor, where lovely Saša introduced us to the whole history of this place.
The legend goes that It has been a long time since Apollo, the God of light, healing, and beauty, (and today’s trademark deity for the healing mineral water Donat), encountered the winged horse Pegasus. With a powerful strike of his hoof, the winged horse revealed a mineral spring at his command, the power and fame of which are still with the people of Rogaška Slatina today.
Not only did we learn why everyone in this region is so laid back and relaxed, but we also got to know the most famous Glassware brand and its history and impact it has on this region, Swiss patron Kurt Müller’s Graphic Collection, Local History Collection of the local creator and collector Nani Poljanec, Park Collection of Rogaška Slatina’s native trees, Water Collection with water scenery for relaxation, Beauty Collection of the leading Slovenian cosmetics house, and the famous multipurpose Event Hall.
And no, this is not your typical museum, but instead an extremely interactive and versatile museum collection. Trust us.
We would once again like to emphasize how lovely the people of Rogaška Slatina were. How welcoming and warm they are with any newcomers, and how relaxing and calm the whole place is.
We’re so grateful we got to know this part of Slovenia, and we will surely be coming back in the future!
Nika & Mik
Photos by: Nika and Mik
FINALIST#8: Rogaška Slatina – Spend your retreat with the best company
FIt has been a long time since Apollo, the God of light, healing, and beauty, and today’s trademark deity for the healing mineral water Donat, encountered the winged horse Pegasus. With a powerful strike of his hoof, the winged horse revealed a mineral spring at his command, the power and fame of which are still with us today.
SCOUTS: Heidi and Igor
August 2023
Green Gourmet & Wellness Experience in Novo mesto
My partner Igor and I were given the opportunity to explore one of Slovenia’s underrated areas, the Southeastern Dolenjska region. We were particularly excited as this area was less on the usual tourist circuits. It was a bit new even for Igor, who works in Slovenia as a professional tour guide. There is always something to learn about Slovenia despite its small size.
The main sights of this were based around Novo Mesto, Otec, and Trška gora wine hill. We found the city of Novo Mesto cute; it reminded me of a Moravian village that you would find in the Czech Republic, where I lived for some years before residing in Slovenia. The waiter at our restaurant on the river was excellent with all his recommendations. I have to say my favorite things food-wise from this restaurant were the wine and the soup. There is something special about Slovenian soup. It’s simple yet done in a way where it can’t be beaten. Also, it’s not riddled with meat like other Central European counterparts.
We were treated to a beautiful kayaking trip with Green Adventures. This might have been my favorite part of the trip because I am no stranger to floating down rivers. I like their approach to tourism as well. I’m passionate about ethical and sustainable tourism and supporting local economies while having a great time. It’s challenging to strike the right balance, but I have confidence that Green Adventures is doing just that.
We spent the rest of the evening in Otočec, and we were treated again to a lovely meal at the Otočec castle; it was once again very accommodating to my vegetarian diet. All the courses were great, but once again, the soup was probably the best. There is just something about Slovenian soup. While the main courses were tasty, I have to say the appetizers were really outstanding.
The next day we got to check out the golf course, I was a bit nervous as I didn’t know the first thing about golf, but we had a lot of fun with it. The golf cart ride was a blast. Speeding around this stunning course was what was needed on a hot day. We followed up by visiting the winery. We were welcomed with a bottle of dry sparkling time, which is my favorite kind of wine. We found the hospitality received on Trška gora hill to be really friendly . They were very welcoming to receive us and it was the perfect end to these two fantastic days.
We were really thrilled to experience this unique part of Slovenia and hope to continue to explore more underrated pockets of this beautiful country.
Heidi Koelle & Igor Puh
Photos by: Heidi and Igor
FINALIST#7: Green Gourmet & Wellness Experience in Novo mesto
Welcome to the picturesque landscape nestled between the valley’s wine-growing hills, the beautiful river Krka, the historical town of Rudolfswerth, and the forested plateau of Gorjanci on the border with Croatia.
SCOUTS: Mariann and Gerhard
July 2023
A mix of Culture & Gastronomy at Rajhenburg Castle
Day 1
We drive south from Sentjur along a scenic and very winding road. As you approach Brestanica you see Castle Rajhenburg rising majestically on a hill overlooking the river Sava below. We are met with friendly smiles at the reception desk inside the castle and meet our tour guide, Ms Rozman, who is the curator of the castle museum. She expertly explains the long and interesting history of the castle as we move through informative and interactive displays. The castle is over 1000 years old and was established by the Knights of Rajhenburg to protect the outer boundaries of the Holy Roman empire. These knights were loyal to the Holy Roman emperor through several centuries and were close allies of the Hapburgs. As the family line died out, the castle was purchased by various noble families until the 1880’s when it was bought by Trappist monks based in France. They brought with them their knowledge of herbal medicines, liquor, cheese making, wine and chocolate. They were responsible for introducing innovative farming techniques and machinery to the region as well as electric power. Alas they were forced out by the occupying German army during World War 2.
The wine cellar at the castle houses a very impressive collection of local sparkling wines. The Trappist monks started this tradition, which the castle keeps up. Tastings are offered in a room with a special ambience around a long wood table. The local tourism official, Ksenja Kragl, is also a sommelier, and expertly guided us through the large collection of sparkling wines offered here. Once again, we purchased some to take home to enjoy.
The castle houses exhibits about the Trappists, the general history of the castle and it’s more recent history as a prison for political prisoners, all presented creatively with explanations in Slovenian and English. Great thought went into the restoration of the castle and in creating an interesting presentation of it’s past. We recommend it so highly that we plan to return next month when our family arrives from Canada for a visit.
Lunch at Restaurant A3, situated in the castle Atri ( Atriium in English), thus the name, very cleverly is A tri ( 3 in Slovenian). It is the endeavor of 2 entrepreneurial couples who have combined their culinary and business expertise to create a delicious and original restaurant in the castle. We were treated to their 4 course menu and several local wines to compliment the meal. Without going into exhaustive detail, I can say we highly recommend this restaurant. Delicious and innovative! We bought the wine and penina ( sparkling wine) that were introduced with our meal. A memorable and delicious experience!
3/ Chocolate making at Kunej family vineyard and chocolatier. We made chocolate! Our hostess and owner Emmanuella led us through the process. She had created a recipe for lemon and raspberry chocolates, and she led us very nicely through the process of making a ganache, raspberry jelly ( using fresh raspberries) and then dipping in the chocolate sauce. Gerhard provided quality control throughout the whole process! Our end result was a tangy, tasty treat, covered in dried raspberry crumbles. Very original and delicious. We took home our creations, but stopped by the gift store to add some wine and more chocolate to our collection.
4/ Our stay at Tri Lucke restaurant and hotel was absolutely lovely. It sits on top of a hill surrounded by vineyards. The property is beautifully decorated with a modern touch, showcasing natural wood and stone elements with lots of windows to appreciate the views. Breakfast was a selection of locally sourced cured meats, cheeses and jams, eggs and breads. Our lunch was equally impressive, showcasing the chefs creativity. An innovative and delicious 4 course meal with complimentary wines was very tasty. We stayed in our own ‘ chalet’, a calm and spacious space with a private sitting room, separate bedroom, bathroom and vestibule. Satellite TV with numerous English options was a pleasant and welcome treat! We really appreciate that the hotel allows pets, so that we could bring our fur baby with us. The hotel provided e-bikes for our use. This was our first time trying out e-bikes and we were so happy to be able to try them out as we are very intrigued by them and think that we are potential customers. Well…right on!!! We loved the boost we get when going up hill and now know to look for nice wide seats ( for our elderly soft behinds )!!
5/ We explored the nearby attractions: Kostanjevic pri Krki, a charming little town located on an island in the middle of the river, with a very nice art museum, Terme Catez, a natural hot springs pool complex ( again highly recommend). Here, they did not welcome pets so we discovered a reliable and good dog sitter who works at the local animal hospital. Our Juno, was well looked after with ‘ Varstovo za Hisne Ljubljencke’ in Krsko, just a few minutes away from Tri Lucke.
All in all a very successful and enjoyable exploration of the Krsko area. Thank you for the opportunity of discovering this area. It was GREAT!
Mariann Poirier & Gerhard Fiedler
Photos by: Mariann and Gerhard
FINALIST#6: A mix of Culture & Gastronomy at Rajhenburg Castle
For a complete experience, go to the remote part of Slovenia in the Posavje region, where you will be taken on a guided tour in the peaceful surroundings of a mighty castle, put on an apron in the spirit of the Trappist heritage and make chocolate treats, visit the first Peninoteka in Slovenia in the company of a sommelier and in the end, indulge yourself in the gastronomic pampering of the top team of the A3 Restaurant.
SCOUTS: Derek and Phinneas
July 2023
Eye Popping Tour – an adventure tour of Most na Soči
My nine-year old son Phinn and I experienced a wonderful “Eye-Popping Tour” of Most na Soči. Our guide to the history and natural beauty of the town was the friendly and entertaining Nataša Hvala. We began our day at Pension Šterk, a lovely guesthouse nestled on a hill above the opal-aquamarine confluence of the Soča and Idrijca Rivers. Our weather was perfect with majestic views of the valleys and mountains around us as Nataša introduced us to our surroundings as we walked through the town and learned about its origins as an Iron Age and later Roman settlement.
One of our first stops was the seventeenth church dedicated to the patron saint and former namesake of the town, St Lucia (also St Lucy). St Lucia is also the patron saint of the blind as we learned to chilling effect, when told that during her martyrdom she plucked out her own eyes. As such, she is often depicted in the church’s murals and statues around Most na Soči with her eyes presented on a plate.
Our ‘eye-popping’ tour continued with Nataša telling us about the Iron Age discoveries made in the region and showed us a quaint but fascinating museum with structures uncovered from that era. Next we went up through the town admiring the views with small stops and interesting explanations of Most na Soči’s importance during World War One and the town’s history in the twentieth century. Nataša then took us to the ruins of a Roman house, briefly explaining some architectural elements, before we headed down to a spring for a refreshing rest before we arrived on the banks of the Soča River. In the cool shade next to the iridescent blue waters of the river with high valleys rising above us, we were invited to ground ourselves in nature with a ceramic, or clay molding workshop. It was the perfect rest for us halfway through our tour, and allowed us to pause and absorb the scenery all around us while working earthen clay balls in our hands. Our small dishes formed and left drying in the sun for us to pick up later, Nataša led us along the Soča to meet our captain and crew of the mid-size paddle-wheeler that would take us along the river and under the most of Most na Soči to its confluence with the Idrijca.
We had a peaceful and relaxing boat trip as we paddled up and down the river, listening to interesting explanations and local stories from our guide and boat crew. After we embarked, we went back up to Pension Šterk for a truly delicious meal of fresh whole local trout cooked and seasoned to perfection followed by a lovely local štruklji filled with nuts.
In all, we had a really amazing day out and experienced Most na Soči in a way we never would have had we just come exploring on our own. We are very grateful to Radio Si, our guide Nataša, and Pension Šterk for such a memorable “eye-popping” day out!
Derek Elliott & Phinneas Žvan Elliott
Photos by: Derek and Phinneas
FINALIST#5: Eye Popping Tour – an adventure tour of Most na Soči
The Soča Valley is mainly known for the Soča River and outdoor sporting activities. However, it also offers a rich cultural heritage. One of the cultural jewels is the village Most na Soči, which was one of the most important stops in the past, as one of the first bridges over the Soča River was located there.