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SCOUTS: Katherine and Alja

2025 FINALIST - Solčavsko

June 2025

A Memorable one-day journey to Solčavsko & Logarska Dolina  
 
Thanks to a trial one-day tour organized by RTV Slovenia (RADIO.SI), we had the opportunity to explore one of the most breathtaking regions in Slovenia Solčavsko and the stunning Logarska Dolina valley.
To make the most of the experience, we arrived the night before and stayed at a clean and cozy tourist farm nestled in the peaceful forest (NA MATKOVEM), where we spent a nice evening with its pleasant owners Mr. and Mrs. Matk. The air was crisp and fresh, and we were gently awakened by the cheerful morning songs of birds, a perfect start to the day. The region still preserves many traditional ways of life, with homemade foods and artisanal crafts that reflect its rich cultural heritage.
What makes this region so special is how it preserves its traditional lifestyle. For instance, our day started with a hands-on activity: milking goats with a farmer, followed by a delicious breakfast featuring fresh goat milk products, homemade jams, honey, and traditional bread. It was a simple yet authentic start to the day.
We then visited Center Rinka with a small museum that vividly showcased the local culture, traditions, and history. It offered us valuable insight into the region’s heritage and the warmth of its people.
After that, we rented electric bikes and embarked on a roughly 26 to 35-kilometer scenic cycling route around the valley. The landscape was absolutely awe-inspiring. The route was surrounded by spectacular landscapes, majestic mountains, lush forests, and clear streams. Along the way, we passed by charming taverns and restaurants offering local specialties, as well as several panoramic viewpoints where we paused to admire the magnificent natural beauty. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to stop for an appetizing lunch at one of the tourist farms there due to the tight schedule.
Following three hours of cycling, we then returned to the town of Solčava and joined a unique wool felting workshop at a quaint shop called “Bicka.” Led by a skilled craftswoman Nada with decades of experience, we were guided step-by-step through the fascinating process of creating handmade wool bags. It was an inspiring and eye-opening experience. After two hours of patient instruction, we each walked away with our very own wool creation, a unique souvenir from this unforgettable trip, an experience that was both artistic and meaningful.
This beautiful region left a deep impression on us both. One day simply wasn’t enough, and we’re already planning a longer stay in the future to relive the serenity and charm of the
entire Solčavsko area. We also look forward to returning in the winter, as we imagine the scenery will be equally magical in a whole new way.
A heartfelt thank you to RADIO.SI for providing this wonderful opportunity!
 
Love,
Katherine and Alja
 
 
photos by Katherine & Alja
 

Katherine and Alja

Photos by: Katherine & Alja

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SCOUTS: Katarina and Viktoria

2025 FINALIST - Koper

June 2025

 Truffles, the scent of earth

I’m so glad I took part in this program. It was an amazing experience. Viktoria (my co-explorer for the day) and I met up in the morning at and set off for our—truffle hunting in the village of Gažon. We were met by our hostess and tour guide Jerneja, the truffle hunting expert Valdi and his adorable dog. Not only did we venture into the forest in search of one of the most expensive (and delicious) culinary ingredients, we learned so much along the way. I now know the history of truffle hunting, why dogs are now used instead of pigs, how truffle dogs are trained, about the special tools that are used to harvest the mushrooms, and how to recognize real quality truffles in meals as opposed to artificial flavorings and low-quality oils. A highlight of mine was watching Valdi’s trained truffle dog in action. The sheer pleasure of locating truffles and receiving acknowledgment for her work was apparent. And when she was no longer working, I was allowed to pet her. Such a delight.

As a truffle-lover, I especially enjoyed the culinary portion that followed. We were able to taste a variety of both black and white truffle products (spreads, salami, cheese) and had a cooking course where we prepare truffle pasta (which, of course, was complimented by a lovely Malvasia and an elderberry drink). We also enjoyed olives from Jerneja’s garden. We also had something I’d never tasted before—pickled garlic stems. They were delicious. This took place at Jerneja’s house and I am grateful for her incredible hospitality. She really makes you feel at home, as if you are old friends spending time together. I’m so glad I got to experience this and I would definitely recommend this truffle hunting adventure to anyone.  

After leaving Gažon, we stopped for a coffee break. It was nice to get to know Viktoria, Jerneja and Ksenija (from Radio Si) a bit more. Then Jerneja took us on a walking tour of Koper. It was a mix of historical and cultural information, exploring the town, and visiting all major sites of interest. I learned that Taverna Koper was a former salt warehouse, stories of important former residents, events, and how Koper became what it is today. It thought it would be boring but it wasn’t. One thing I found fascinating was about the old gossip box at the city hall. The visit to the Koper Cathedral and Bell Tower was highlight. After going up many steps, we were rewarded with a beautiful, panoramic view of the city.

Near the marina, we had drinks and did our interviews. I’m so happy to have taken part in this and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thank you so much Radio Si and to all those who were a part of it. I will definitely be visiting Koper again in the future.

Katarina Hoffke

 Truffles, the scent of earth

You would be surprised how many different flavors bring us the ultimate aroma of a truffle. Do you want to know the exact number? Come and visit Gažon, a charming village in Koper region, just in the coastal region of Slovenia. I was very lucky to get the opportunity to visit IstraTerra and its full day of program, covering truffle hunting, cooking and a walk-around in Koper. It gave me not only a nice day program, but also lot of new understanding of truffles and a different viewpoint on Koper.

Thanks a lot for the warm welcome, the experiences and all the explanations to Jerneja Tratnik Lacovich and Valdi, the truffle hunter, including his diligent and kind dog.

We met with Katarina in Koper in the morning. Nice starting point the main Bus Station as it is so easy and cheap to get to Gažon by bus. Get on it, so nothing will limit your experience. Arriving to Gažon, Jerneja welcomed us with a big smile, a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm.  She has a real dedication to show the past and present of Gažon, answering all our questions with strong English knowledge and a good sense of humour. After a short walk to the end of the village, we met with Valdi and his dog, to understand key motifs and parts of truffle hunting. One may be surprised that a real hunting ceremony may take a full day, but this program is specially design for a shorter period to get people closer to nature, truffles and the hunters. It was so good to see how the dog cheered up after each and every successful hunting and became more and more dedicated to go ahead with it. The connection between nature, dog and hunter is crystal clear. Lots of questions were answered about truffles, hunting, dog training, the forest and everything related to the program.

After that we walked back to the IstraTerra house where, with the leadership of Jerneja, we prepared our lunch from pasta -typical Istrian one, the fuži-, truffles and some other ingredients. Which ones? Come and join Jerneja to know them. Each of the appetisers were related to truffles. Small tricks made the experience deeper and cheerful. It is for those who really want to know truffles and dishes made from them.  We were shown how to clean truffles, how to get to the truffle bases for the homemade pasta (the best ever eaten, so no dried pasta for the future), and how to refresh it. Tasting truffle pasta properly is an art of eating a dish. It is slow, very careful and brings everyone back to the time, when people were really focusing on lunch/dinner.

Local Malvazija and elderflower syrup were also delicious and helped us to fall in love with the experience even more. IstraTerra, besides being used for the program, is a beautiful Istrian House too, where you can feel the atmosphere of the slow – living of Istria.

After lunch we returned to Koper to have a walk around downtown and to climb the tower of the church. Grabbing a coffee before starting our little tour gave us a peaceful start to the program. During our afternoon “passeggata” we gained a huge understanding of the history and lifestyle of both ancient and current Koper including the old shoemaker, the square under which water used to be collected and stored, the palace, the tower and lot of little details one would not notice on his or her own. It was personal, humorous but still full of knowledge.

We would strongly recommend one to come and get closer to truffles and Koper through IstraTerra, get to know Jerneja and Valdi. To immerse yourself in the atmosphere we would not recommend joining more than in a group of 6, so one still has time and space to ask lots of questions and get answers for each of them.

Recommendation: it is an easy program, so no need to be very sporty. Still sporty shoes or even boots and long trousers are best choices in the forest.

Viktoria Galla

 

Photos by: Katarina & Viktoria

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SCOUTS: Vanja and Oliver

2025 FINALIST - Litija

June 2025

Experience in the Heart of Slovenia

Hello everyone! We are Oliver and Vanja Kavčić. Radio Si is a good friend and companion during our car rides ever since we moved to Slovenia from Sweden approximately a year ago. We love the music blend and news and interesting “radio stories” (ours being one of them 😉) in English.  As expats here, we feel that Radio Si is more than just a media outlet; more of a community of like-minded people gathered around the same passion and love- this amazing country we call home, the amazing Slovenia. 

We have been living in Slovenia for a year; first in Izola and since December 2024 in Ljubljana. We are eager to explore the rest of the country, but traveling alone, without proper guidance or advice, is not exactly our “cup of tea”. 

When we saw the announcement by Radio Si: “CALLING ADVENTUROUS FOREIGNERS living in Slovenia, we knew immediately it was something for us. They contacted us and the idea to explore Logarska dolina was on the table and preparations started quickly. We were so excited to visit Logarska dolina partly also because this was the dream of Oliver’s sister Angelica, who lived for a long time in Canada and she spoke of Logarska dolina as a dream landscape in Slovenia where she would feel good and” connect mentally “with her Slovenian roots. Angelica died of cancer in Canada at the age of 60, never having the chance to see and experience her dream landscape, Logarska dolina and Oliver and I wanted to visit this part of Slovenia, partly guided by these family and emotional reasons.

But soon came the sudden change of plans in the organization. The weather forecast for Logarska dolina visit was not so promising, i.e. the temperatures were supposed to drop from 25 to 15, and some heavy rain was predicted.

“Hm, what to do?” I asked Lidija from SI.

“I have another idea,” said Lidija swiftly. “How about visiting the Heart of Slovenia, the town of Litija?”

Why not? It sounds great. Let’s do it. We just “steer our ship” to the other side of Slovenia and may the Slovenia exploration begin. Full sails ahead towards Litija.”      

Oliver: “Vače, Slivna, Litija. Where is that?”

Vanja: “I do not know, but Lidija from SI says that it is magical there. And that people are so nice there.“

Oliver: “Ok, then, so be it. Look, it is just 40 km from Ljubljana. Nice, it is not going to be a long ride and we will have breakfast at the Kmetija Pr’ Škundr.

Vanja: “Yummy, I cannot wait. Food on the farms in the Slovenian countryside is so good, not like in supermarkets where everything looks so plastic and vegetables and fruits have no taste. It says that we will have: “Tasting and indulging in traditional Slovenian cuisine, lunch prepared at the Kmetija Pr‘ Škundr on a wood-burning stove.” This sounds heavenly.” And we have clay crafting, a pottery workshop where we will learn about traditional pottery-making and the magic of shaping clay with our own hands. I will make you a heart-shaped pot, dear. “

Oliver: “Radio SI planned a Tree canopy climbing – an adventure through treetop routes at Adventure Park Geoss and a visit to the Sitarjevec Mine in Litija, one of the largest ore deposits in Slovenia, known for over 60 types of minerals and the fastest-growing stalactites in the world.

This is how the Litija adventure started. We invite you to listen to our story made together with Lidija Petković from Radio Si that amazing day in May 2025. We hope you will enjoy.

Best,

Vanja and Oliver

Photos by: Vanja & Oliver

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SCOUTS: Anna and Kyra

2025 FINALIST - Vipava

May 2025

Bike and Wine Tour in Vipava

We met our guide Jani from Wajdušna active tours in the village Slap in the Vipava valley. He was waiting for us with the e-bikes that would be our transport around the valley. After short introductions we were on our way. We were very lucky with the weather, it was sunny but not too hot, prefect for biking. The ride took us over some small local paved and gravel roads and up some nice hills, but with the e-bikes this was no problem at all. The scenery was amazing, we biked through vineyards, as Vipava is one of the major wine regions in Slovenia, with a ridge of mountains as a backdrop. Flowers were everywhere and we even got to pick some delicious cherries on the way.

Our first stop was at the Napoleon bridge, where Jani gave us a small history lesson about the valley. We were super interested to learn about the ice caves close to Mali Golak, the highest peak in the area. In the past, they harvested ice which was sold to Egypt for what would now be the price of a car for a few kilos. The ice was transported over the bridge towards Trieste.

After another few ups-and-downs, we got to the smallest town of Slovenia, Vipavski Križ. This is a beautiful, fortified town, that feels more like a little village, with small narrow streets, a pretty church and a monastery. We explored it on our bikes, admiring the little gardens with flowers and of course the amazing views. Again, Jani shared a lot of cool facts about the place with us.

Then we got ready for another stretch of biking, along the Vipava river and past the village of Planina. The way down from there was the most thrilling part, speeding down a gravel road past long rows of vines.

The bike tour ended at a winery called Petrič. The owner Urban, who is the 8th generation wine maker in the family, showed us their wine cellars, a mix of traditional and modern ones. Then we got to taste the different wines accompanied by some delicious food. He made frtalja for us, which is a local dish made with eggs, flower and local herbs. Urban spoke with passion about all his wines and explained how they were made. All their grapes are organically grown and ripe in oak barrels. We learned how to taste wine without getting drunk, which was helpful since we still had to drive home afterwards. We did, however, get some wine from the shop to take home with us. Cheers!

Anna and Kyra

Photos by: Anna & Kyra

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SCOUTS: Yulia and Diego

2024 finalist - Vrhnika

August 2024

Discover Vrhnika: An Enchanting Journey Through Slovenia

We were immensely surprised and happy to receive the confirmation that we had been selected by Radio SI to spend the weekend in Vrhnika. Having lived in Slovenia for just over a year, we only knew the most famous tourist spots. Therefore, discovering this hidden gem was a true gift for us.  

Our trip began with a quick journey of less than thirty minutes from Ljubljana to the charming town of Vrhnika. Accessible and convenient, we went straight to the Mercator parking lot, located in the city center. Accompanied by our 3-year-old daughter, we walked just two blocks to the house of the renowned Slovenian writer Ivan Cankar, whom, I confess, we had never heard of before.

Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Tjaša, the kind employee of the TIC, the tourist center of Vrhnika, who guided us to the charming café Slaščičarna Berzo, located where an ancient Roman road used to pass, a path tread by warriors and heroes. There, we enjoyed a delicious iced coffee, a perfect refreshment for the sunny day.

Next, we immersed ourselves in the rich history of Ivan Cankar under the guidance of the enthusiastic guide Damjan Debevec. His resemblance to Cankar, accentuated by his mustache, added a special authenticity to the experience. The writer’s house, preserved with details from the era, offers a fascinating journey back in time. Cankar’s stories were revealing and moving, especially the touching narrative about the “coffee cup,” a detail we prefer not to disclose so as not to spoil the surprise for future visitors who are not yet familiar with the story.

Afterwards, we walked to a nearby park, which was an old military training base, crowned by the picturesque Church of the Holy Trinity, surrounded by small chapels adorned with beautiful images of the Stations of the Cross. Along the way, we encountered horses and the charming little chapel of the two Saints Anthony, one of Padua and the other of Egypt.

After the walk, we returned to Café Berzo to enjoy some ice cream, taking advantage of the beautiful sunny day. Damjan accompanied us to the tourist information center, where we picked up our electric bikes for the next leg of the trip. Guided by him, we explored narrow and wide streets, discovering the springs of the Ljubljanica River, an impressive climbing wall, and stunning landscapes.

Our stop to recharge was at the cozy Pri Kranjcu, where we planned to return to try the food. We continued on to the charming Star Maln, which has a small pool next to a cabin, perfect for a refreshing treat. The place, which also offers meals by reservation, features a playground for children, picnic tables, and a green lawn. The owner was extremely welcoming, making us feel at home. Although we were very excited about the experience of the “Fairytale Path Temple of the Dragon Lintvern,” we decided not to go, as our daughter was already tired and we would have to take a short 3 km walk to reach the location.

After this well-deserved rest at Star Maln, we returned to the town and returned the bikes at the TIC. We took the opportunity to gather more information and purchase a special coffee — a must-try tip for coffee lovers, as Vrhnika has built a strong relationship with coffee, offering various options for specialty cafés. In fact, there will be an annual coffee fair in September, which we plan to attend.  

We had lunch at Gostilna in pizzerija Boter. With reasonable prices, our daughter loved the spaghetti, and the chicken gnocchi with gorgonzola was simply delicious.

Next, we headed to Hotel Bistra for a shower and a brief rest before visiting the technical museum across from the hotel. The hotel is very cozy, small but with spacious and comfortable rooms.

The visit to the museum was surprising, with a vast collection of items that deeply impressed us. It is the second largest museum in Slovenia, and its collection ranges from natural history, with stuffed animals, to woodworking technology, as well as incredible machinery like turbines and hydraulic systems, along with a beautiful collection of vintage cars and motorcycles.  

After an hour and a half exploring the museum, we returned to the hotel for dinner. The Cankar burger was an excellent choice, ending our day in a delicious way.  

On Saturday, after a lovely local breakfast, we headed to Chef Bruno’s garden. This is definitely an incredible activity for children, as they have a map of the garden for the kids to find the right signs, allowing them to learn more about the herbs, their uses, and even taste them. We enjoyed delicious teas and infusions made with these herbs; it was truly enriching for us adults and a lot of fun for our daughter.  

After this enriching experience, we refreshed ourselves with a cold drink offered by the hotel and headed to the wooden tower on top of Planina nad Vrhniko.

The initial idea was to hike the trail to Planina nad Vrhniko, which would take about an hour of walking, something very common among hiking enthusiasts. However, I must admit that after a morning under the strong sun, the idea of driving up was more appealing to us. Upon arriving there, we were greeted with a wonderful view of the town and the region. We climbed the wooden tower, and it was even more incredible. 

We enjoyed the shade while having a Radler, embracing nature; there’s even a playground for the kids. We took the opportunity to have lunch at the restaurant at the top, which offered a local dish of the day that was quite delicious.  

And so, after meeting Lidija from Radio SI for a chat, we concluded our experience in the small town of Vrhnika.  

Our weekend was extraordinary, leaving us with the feeling that there is so much more to explore in beautiful Slovenia. We left with a desire to return, discover new places, and revisit those we already know. It was an unforgettable few days that we definitely want to repeat.

Yulia and Siego

Photos by: Yulia & Diego

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FINALIST#8: Vrhnika by Bike – Experiences for all Generations

FINALIST#8: Vrhnika by Bike – Experiences for all Generations

2024 finalist - Vrhnika, HIDDEN GEMS – finalists – 2024 EN

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.

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SCOUTS: Aga and Rok

2024 FINALIST - Velenje

July 2024

Underground adventure in Huda luknja

It was a rainy Saturday, a welcome change after a long period of heat, when we set off from Ribnica to Velenje. Upon arrival at Vila Bianca, we were warmly welcomed by Saša, who greeted us with small gifts. The hospitality set a positive tone for the rest of our trip. We started our day with a delicious breakfast that included an interesting dish of scrambled eggs with octopus.

Our original plan was to take e-bikes to the cave, but this was canceled due to the weather. Instead, Tina, our local guide and translator, informed us about Štrekna, a scenic cycle path constructed along the abandoned route of the former Velenje–Dravograd railway line, featuring some of the best bike infrastructure in the region.

On the way to the cave Tina continued to provide us with insightful information about the area. Next, we went to Jamarska Hut by Huda Luknja cave, where we met our guide Milan and received information about our upcoming cave adventure, checked the map, and were provided with caving gear. Our plan was to do trekking through the Lisičnica passage and crossing into the Medvedov passage. We also learned about the ferrata inside the cave, which is probably the only one of its kind in the world, offering a challenging route for experienced climbers.

Huda Luknja is one of Slovenia’s oldest tourist caves, open since 1895. It has a complex system with over 2,900 meters explored so far. Our exploration began with a walk towards the cave, passing a sinkhole. We entered the cave through a hidden entrance, navigated a small metal gate, and received final instructions on how to move within the cave.

The cave journey involved crawling, squeezing, climbing, sliding, and trying to avoid water. We observed shining golden and silver bacteria on the walls and listened to fascinating stories about the cave’s history. The highlight was reaching the Medvedji Rov, the largest part of the cave, where among other things we also learned about bats and the impact of global warming on their habitat.

Due to the rain, the cave was wetter than usual, making the return journey a bit challenging. Nevertheless, we exited the cave thrilled by the underground adventure. We returned to the hut to change and then headed back to Vila Bianca for a well-deserved dinner at Bistro Bianca.

We enjoyed a delightful dinner, starting with chicken liver pâté with truffles, followed by pljukanci with shrimp and clams. The meal was a perfect end to an active and exciting day.

This trip was a fantastic adventure, perfect for those seeking unique and active experiences. Exploring the incredible underground world of Huda Luknja was a highlight, making this trip one to remember. The Šalek Valley region has much more to offer, and we will certainly come back to discover more of its hidden gems. Slovenia truly offers treasures waiting to be discovered by adventurous souls.

Aga and Rok

Photos by: Aga & Rok

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SCOUTS: Caio and Leticia

2024 FINALIST - Kostanjevica

July 2024

Kostanjevica na Krki

If you want to enjoy art and history, adventure, peace, nature, friendly people, nice accommodation, and of course, good food and drink, you definitely should visit “Kostanjevica na Krki”, a small town located in southern Slovenia, in the Dolenjska region. In order to reach our destination, we chose to use public transportation and took a bus from the Ljubljana bus station, the travel time was 1 hour and 49 minutes. As soon as we arrived there, we were warmly welcomed at the “B&B Vila Castanea” in the heart of the old town. We started our activities with a guided tour of the “Galerija Božidar Jakac Art Museum” and “Forma Viva sculpture park”, where we admired paintings and sculptures by Slovenian as well as foreigners’ artists, and also learned a lot about the history of the place throughout the centuries. Then, our guide took us to the wine cellar where we tried one of the most unique Slovenian wines, “Cviček”, along with a delicious salty cake called “cop na lop” in Slovenian. After that, we had a short walk to the beautiful river “Krka” where we met our guide, who took us on a boat ride around the island. During the ride, in sunny weather, the guide explained everything about the history of the town, which was amazing. Everything was going very well, but we were lucky to spot three beavers jumping into the river, which made the boat ride even better. Following this, we walked less than five minutes to have dinner at a local traditional restaurant “Žolnir”. The staff members were very kind and helpful, and the fish we had was absolutely tasty. We strongly recommend this restaurant, especially if you want to enjoy good local food; do not miss the opportunity to go there. Next, we ended our first day trip at the “B&B Vila Castanea”, where our host provided everything we needed to have an excellent rest night. Our second day trip began with a delicious local breakfast featuring a wide variety of local products, including fruits, bread, honey, jam, seeds, juice, yogurt, and milk. After having a strong breakfast, we were ready to walk for 20 minutes to reach Kostanjevica cave, our final activity. Before exploring the cave, we met our guide, who explained many things about the cave, including how it was discovered, endemic species present, and many other interesting curiosities. Inside the cave, we looked in awe at every detail, noticing the stalactites and stalagmites, and observing how the action of water has played a crucial role in the formation and development of the cave paths. It was stunning. It is good to remember that the temperature in the cave is constant at 12°C and being prepared for it is important. In summary, we had such a great time in “Kostanjevica na Krki”, a small town with lots of things to explore.

Caio and Leticia, a Brazilian couple who loves Slovenia

Photos by: Caio & Leticia

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FINALIST#6: Kostanjevica na Krki – Green, local, authentic

FINALIST#6: Kostanjevica na Krki – Green, local, authentic

2024 FINALIST - Kostanjevica, HIDDEN GEMS – finalists – 2024 EN

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.

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SCOUTS: Rydel and Barbara

2024 FINALIST - Ribnica

July 2024

Overlanding for one day

On a sunny Wednesday-morning we put on our freshly received Radio Slovenia International scouting caps, and set out to explore Ribnica and its surroundings. We were offered a choice between mountain biking through the hills or exploring the Ribnica-river by SUP. With my girlfriend’s affinity for water in all its forms, the choice was easily made.

Our guide Aleš picked us up at the Rokodelni Center and off on our adventure we went. A short drive from Ribnica is the Ribnica river (as we were told the river that flows through Ribnica is actually called Bistrica) and we arrived at our SUP-starting point. The river is quite calm, and besides for mosquitos, we didn’t see another soul for kilometers while working our way downstream. Aleš filled us in about the river itself, the area around it, the differences between the seasons and what happens when the area gets flooded, but most of all we simply enjoyed the sweet sound of nothing. It was very peaceful simply gliding along taking in the scenery of the water carving its way through the forest and the hills, and we could definitely have done this for hours longer if possible.
Alas, we arrived at the disembarking point where our helpful guide already brought the car and prepared for the second part of the day: Overlanding on a nearby hill-top.

Upon arrival we were greeted by our chef who prepared us a fine-dining three-course meal fit for royalty, which we ate while overlooking the valley below and the nearing sunset. Unfortunately for us it was a bit cloudy, but during the evening the sky cleared up and we had a great view of the nearly full moon while playing cards on our bed, accompanied by a strong breeze and crickets all around us for that real nature ambiance. As I understand it, the usual offer includes sleeping in a villa, but we definitely got the better deal.

Come morning Aleš came to welcome us with coffee, breakfast, and to take us back to the Rokodelni Center, where we said our goodbyes and were taken on a tour of the center by the enthusiastic and very knowledgeable staff. We learned some interesting facts about the woodwork and commerce in the region throughout the ages, got a demonstration by a master basket-weaver and were offered to weave something ourselves, which we unfortunately had to decline due to our personal time-constraints.

We did however take the time to have a quick tour of the beautiful castle in the city, learned about its history, how the city got its name and visited two separate exhibitions that were open during our visit, one on the local witch-hunts in ages past, and one with a variety of interesting modern art-pieces and social experiments. All and all a lovely way to conclude our day there, and if we weren’t pressed for time we could easily see ourselves spending it there exploring more things on offer.

I guess we’ll have to visit again sometime soon.

Rydel Triebel amd Barbara

Photos by: Rydel & Barbara

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SCOUTS: Lukasz and Lilka

2024 FINALIST - Loska dolina

June 2024

Close to nature: An active weekend in Loška Dolina

On Friday afternoon, we arrived at the Ars Viva youth hostel in Stari trg pri Ložu. We were greeted by a thunderstorm and Tjaša, who kept her spirits high despite the downpour outside. Luckily, the weather didn’t ruin our plans, it just modified them. Instead of bikes and outdoor activities, we could have nice chats and a workshops.

Our first attraction was visiting the TIC Lož, a tourist information point. Lili introduced us to the fascinating history of the Loška Dolina valley. She told us about traditions, like setting up “ostrnice”, traditional hay formations. She also showed us films and photos of breathtaking nature. She surprised us that as much as 90% of the valley is covered by forests. It’s also called the coldest place in the country – Slovenian Siberia.

In the evening, we had a joint cooking session – culinary workshops with Lili Mahne. Our MasterChef taught us how to prepare the traditional “božični kruh”. It seemed like a simple dough, but we created real works of art – birds stuffed with vegetables, croissants with jam, pretzels with poppy seeds, or tarts with fresh fruits. We baked so many snacks, we were eating for two more days.

At the end of the day, the rain was still cheerfully playing songs on the roofs, so we decided to spend time in the Ars Viva. It turned out that the youth hostel has large tables, which are perfect for board games. Despite lousy weather, we had a successful Friday full of various events.

The next day, we could see the sky again. The wind blew away the clouds, and the sun rose — a perfect day to spend outdoors. After a delicious breakfast at the hostel, we packed our backpacks and went to meet Matej, a local guide and speleology expert. He took us to two caves in the nearest area — “Mrzla jama” and “Partizanska jama.” There, we could admire beautiful rock formations and colonies of bats.

After the caves, it was finally time for some biking. But instead of standard, traditional bikes, we had tricycles – bikes that we ride in a lying position. On the way to Gostilna & Pizzeria Pri Stani in Žerovnica, we could admire beautiful views of the Loška Valley. For lunch, we tried “kaura”, a local soup with kohlrabi, fish from Cerknica Lake, and homemade apple pie. There was so much food and it was so delicious that we had trouble getting up from the table.

In the end, we cycled to the Snežnik Castle. The building looked like something out of a fairy tale. It’s a medieval structure accessed by a charming bridge. It’s covered in ivy, and around it winds a moat filled with water. Thanks to our great guide Veronika who shared her knowledge with us, we could learn the history of the castle and visit all the rooms. In front of the castle was a local music festival, which we stayed for after the tour.

The weekend in Loška Dolina was full of amazing experiences. We recommend it to all active people who love nature. Personally, we will definitely visit this magical place again.

Lukasz Popowitz and Lilka from Poland

Photos by: Lukasz & Lilka

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SCOUTS: Sumit and Helena

2024 FINALIST - Slovenske gorice

June 2024

Sumit & Helena’s Slovenske Gorice Escape: A Perfect Blend of Relaxation & Cuddles!

We recently had the pleasure of experiencing the magic of Slovenske Gorice through Yoga with Anja retreats’ “Meet, Feed and Cuddle Mini Donkeys, Alpacas and Llamas” retreat. Nestled amidst rolling hills around maribor, it truly was a hidden gem!

Alen and his mother at Šraj Farm were incredibly hospitable and sweet, making us feel welcome right from the start. This beautiful property has cute rooms equipped with hay beds to give you an amazing experience. They briefed us about where all and how we can get around, of the property has a lot of horses and a donkey named Spela.We went around and reached our lunch place. The delicious traditional lunch at Kromburger Restaurant fueled our afternoon adventure. Exploring the stunning landscape on e-bikes provided by Šraj Farm was a fantastic way to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the region.

The highlight of the retreat, however, was undoubtedly the animal interaction! Yoga with Anja alongside the mini donkeys and alpacas at Valdek Farm was a unique and calming experience.

We can’t forget to mention the amazing Ana, her dedication and love for these animals truly shines through. Meeting, feeding, and cuddling these adorable creatures, especially Neshka the cuddly donkey, the massage-giving goat (who knew?), and the friendly rooster amongst the alpacas and llamas, was pure joy! We thoroughly enjoyed her company and brushing the adorable mini donkeys.

After gaining a lot of serotonin from cuddling these animals, it was time to meet Polona.
Polona, the owner of Domace Truntic, blew us away with her passion for brandy and warm hospitality. Her delicious homemade boutique brands and walnut liquor were such a treat. Her company and all the laughter and talks about brandys were the memories to cherish. She also prepared a beautiful dinner for us, she really made us feel special. it (all enjoyed in a picturesque setting overlooking the hills) was the perfect end to a delightful day.
Waking up to a breathtaking sunrise and enjoying a breakfast basket filled with fresh local specialties made for a perfect start to day two. The final yoga session with Anja, surrounded by the friendly animals (one alpaca even decided to join us!), was a heartwarming way to conclude our retreat.
Our trip wouldn’t have been complete without a final delicious lunch with Ksenija and Polona at Skupek. The fried chicken, along with other traditional dishes, was the perfect way to end our adventure and left me (Helena) especially happy!

A big thank you to Radio Si for organizing this fantastic experience and giving us the opportunity to see this beautiful side of Slovenia! We highly recommend this retreat to anyone seeking a relaxing getaway filled with stunning scenery, delicious food, and unforgettable animal encounters. We left feeling rejuvenated and with hearts full of happy memories.

Sumit and Helena

Photos by: Sumit & Helena

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