FINALIST#1: Three different experiences in three castles
Do you like stories about castles? In the Čatež & Brežice area there are four castles.
SCOUTS: Karen and Spike
May 2021
Three castles with three different experiences in a day.
On our tour we started with a hearty breakfast at the pretty Youghurtlandia cafe in Brežice. Monica the owner made us pancakes & waffles with fresh fruit & Nutella, accompanied with a delicious frozen yoghurt & pistachio topping. Monica is passionate about coffee & hers is the best in town. It was a great way to start the day.
Just a short step away is the magnificent Brežice castle. Impressive not just for its architecture but also its well curated museum. Andre, our enthusiastic guide, picked out the highlights for us which enriched our visit. The museum brings history alive for visitors of all ages.
It traces the chequered history of the castle, which has withstood invasions, fires, peasant revolts & earthquakes, in a lively & engaging way, from the Bronze Age to the present day. It presents fascinating artefacts & stories of the lives of the people who shaped Brežice through the ages, from Barbers to Barons. It’s crowning glory is the Knights Hall which is gloriously painted in Baroque style by the Slovene artist, Karel Frančišek Remb.
The history of Brežice is intrinsically linked with the castle. It dates from Mediaeval times & was originally a walled city. At this time the Castle was on a hill & the River Sava, filled its moat. The Sava provided livihoods & commerce for the people living there.
The town is comprised of two main streets. Dejan, our town guide, was a mine of information & justifiably proud of his town & its history. He & several societies are determined that its historic buildings should survive. He pointed out the water tower which was built in 1914. There are plans to turn it into an observation tower which people will be able to climb & see the surrounding countryside.
Our second castle just 20 minutes away, Bizeljsko Castle can truly be classed as a “hidden gem”. It reveals its fairytale appearance as you approach up a steep windy road. It too dates from medieval times & was owned by the Wisell Knights. It also houses a beautiful Baroque altar in suprising contrast to the air of faded gentility in the rest of the empty 36 rooms.
It is owned by the State who have provided a new roof, but is occupied by a family who live in just a few renovated rooms.
The family give added character to the castle by decorating it with interesting & sometimes humerous artefacts, pretty plants & a sturdy wysteria. The views from the windows are breathtaking.
We were greeted by Bojan who has lived in the castle since he was a boy in 1971. He is a viticulturist, who produces a great variety of bio wines from 30 thousand vines. He offers wine tastings in the cellar which we very much enjoyed. His stories of the castles history were very entertaining!
Imagine perfectly manicured meadows between groves of varied trees, over 60 varieties, and at its centre, an imposing castle. This is Mokrice castle golf course. Your introduction to golf by Mislav starts by the impressive 10th hole, voted one of the best in Europe. After safety and etiquette rules, some introductions were made to the equipment; balls and bag, clubs and clothing, tees and trolley. Then basics of grip, swing and posture before you’re actually allowed to hit some balls. Driving, chipping and finally putting. All the time with patient encouragement and tips from Mislov. You soon learn that this hobby can become addictive!
All are welcome to walk the course, have a drink at the 19th hole or even buy a bucket of balls and try for yourself.
Reset brewery is a young project in its second year, run by an enthusiastic young team headed by Samo. In a modern warehouse setting with views into the brewery, this lively space buzzes with energy. As well as a range of beers, on tap and gas free, there is a variety of pub food. Fish and chips, two types of vegetarian burger as well as hamburgers, steak and salads. The tasting tray of five beers allows you to try a variety of flavours, in small servings, all excellent.
We stayed on one of the towns two excellent PZA’s for motorhomes. We enjoyed cycling around the largely traffic free town and took several longer rides around the lake formed by the new hydro electric dam. Water sports are also enjoyed here.
Thanks to RADIO Si and to the Brežice tourist board for a great experience, we will be back!
Karen and Spike Thorne
Photos by: Karen & Spike
SCOUTS: Nina and Adam
October 2020
EXPERIENCE LJUTOMER
Our first stop was the center of Ljutomer for a guided tour of the city from Andrej, a local teacher. He showed us around the center and introduced us to the history of the region. The town has a very ornate church at the center with a beautifully decorated alter. We saw where the first Slovene movie was shot, the first independent storefront in Yugoslavia, and the park where the first Slovene national gathering was held.
From there he took us for a short walk to the Horse Trotting Museum, located on the grounds of the historic horse racing club and hippodrome. There we met the president of the club and the curator of the museum to learn about the history of pace horse breeding and racing from the area. It was one of the first clubs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and has continuously operated from 1874 until today. The museum was carefully curated with a collection gathered from the horse breeding families in the region, augmented with documentation from historical archives around the region.
A short walk away from the town center we visited the Žuman pottery studio where we learned about the traditional pottery and cooking techniques. First we made Gibanica using a pan that was made by Sašo, the 5th generation of Žuman potters, and local ingredients. Then we toured the pottery museum showing pieces that had been made by the generations of Žuman potters. We also had the chance to watch as he made and decorated a dish, and attempted to create a dish of our own. We will make the trip back in a few weeks to pick it up once it has been baked in the wood fired kiln – the same one that has been used by the family for over 100 years.
We had a massive lunch at the Tomaž Frank-Ozmec tourist farm, where all the food came fresh from their fields. The mushroom soup and pumpkin oil salad were particularly delicious, and both very fresh. At one point we even saw the chef walk over to the vegetable garden to grab a few more fresh ingredients for our meal. We had a tour of the rooms, which looked very comfortable, and were impressed to see the extensive renovations that are being made to make areas handicap and family friendly. They are also installing solar panels and have plans to become carbon neutral in the next few years.
Our last tour of the day was at the Pristava family farm, where the family has been farming for over 300 years. They gave us a tour of how their family members lived over 100 years ago and walked us through how they would have worked the land. As well, the brothers are still involved in local folk music and demonstrated a number of folk instruments for us. They were very knowledgeable about the history of the town, and shared a number of local legends from the Ottoman invasions and medieval times.
After a long day of touring we spent the night at the Mala Nedelja Bioterme and Glamping. Staying in one of their cozy villas with its own private hot tub, we were also only a short walk away from the relaxing outdoor pools and spas. The Bioterme also offers a plentiful buffet for both breakfast and dinner, ensuring that we had lots of energy for an evening trip to the spa.
The next morning, after a filling breakfast the Bioterme, we visited Tigeli Bees, a museum and apiary. They had an original octagonal bee house, over 100 years old, that had been reconstructed to show the history of raising bees, as well as more modern examples to explain how the family does it today. They walked us through how they are raising bees today, as well as the various factors that impact how the honey will taste, along with samples of the types of honey so we could taste the difference.
Next, Andrej took us on a tour of the Jeruzalem church and explained the history of the town and why it has such a famous name. Right next door to the church was the tourist information and wine tasting center that boasted over 60 local wines to sample. Our host explained to us the various types of grapes that are harvested in the region and the wines they produce. We tried a few of the local specialties and were able to purchase bottles to take home.
For our final meal, we had a 6 course local lunch at the Restaurant Vinski Hram Brenholc, a short walk from the Jeruzalem wine cellar. The terrace looking out on the vineyards hosted amazing views and we were able to try many local delicacies- from pig tongue, fresh caught deer, baked fresh cheese, fresh bread with pork crackling, and of course more mushroom soup. The hosts were very friendly and welcoming to us as tourists and were happy to share information about the food and culture from the region.
Nina & Adam (US/Canada)
Photos by: Nina & Adam
FINALIST#10: Experience Ljutomer
Ljutomer lies in the heart of Prlekija (NE Slovenia), a fertile palm of land on the right bank of the Mura River, generously spreading into vast fields of cereals rising into large waves of hills along which vineyards are captured in a special order. Fond of horse breeding, recognizable by its thermal springs, storks, traditional windmills, exceptional cuisine and witty hospitable people, it is a real treasure for discovering new experiences.
SCOUTS: Yumei and Gregor
September 2020
A trip along the apple trail
Our trip along the apple trail began at the medieval square in Podsreda, where the Kozjansko Apple Festival is held every year. We were warmly welcomed with fresh apple juice made from the apples of Kozjansko’s apple orchards.
We were then introduced to Kozjansko Park, the largest regional park in Slovenia, and got an understanding of the important role conservation plays in the preservation of the ecosystem in the region. We were shown around Podsreda and got to know its feathery inhabitants better through a little exhibition.
The trail with Barbara then continued with a tour through Kozjansko’s apple orchards where we were able to pick our own apples and taste a variety of them. One tradition that we found particularly interesting, was the fact that every child in the town of Podsreda have their own little apple trees planted when they are born. It was also interesting learning about how the wild bees made use of the “Bee Hotels” to reproduce. We had fun spotting the nesting boxes made by the park administration for the various birds that live in the park.
The tour was followed by lunch at Kozjanski Dvor, where we were served a special apple menu. The dishes were made from ingredients sourced from local farms, and enjoyed on the outdoor patio right by a small pond. We finished off the meal on a sweet note with a delicious apple tiramisu dessert.
We then proceeded to the nearby Kukovičič Mill Organic Farm, which we learnt is the last remaining water-powered mill for grain milling on the Bistrica river, and one of the few left in the whole of Slovenia. Maja from the mill taught us the mechanics of the mill, and told us more about the history of the old building the mill was housed in. We had a lovely afternoon chatting with Maja over some homemade breads, spreads as well as a yummy apple pie.
The next part of the apple trail took us to Podsreda Castle. “Slovenia’s most castle-like castle” definitely lived up to its name, as a lot of its original Romanesque architecture has been preserved over the centuries. We were warmly received by Mojca from the castle, and checked into the very newly renovated castle apartments. The castle apartment we were kindly invited to was clean, tastefully-designed and had large windows that looked out onto the peaceful green surroundings of the castle.
After a short rest, we headed to Terme Olimia, a short 30-minute drive away from the castle for an evening of relaxation at its Wellness Orhidelia pools. The three hours of pampering was much needed after not having taken a proper break this summer. It was nice disconnecting from the outside world and just enjoying the company of each other and the carefully thought through amenities at Terme Olimia.
Upon returning to the Podsreda castle apartments, we were greeted with a generous cold cuts platter accompanied by a bottle of Slovenian wine. All our hosts at Podsreda certainly made sure that we were well-fed! With our bellies filled and satisfied, we took the opportunity as guests of the apartments to roam the Podsreda castle by night – truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! It felt like the castle was all ours. After a little walk around the castle grounds, we retired to our beds, and had a good night’s rest.
The next morning, we collected our breakfast basket filled with homemade delicacies from the Kozjanski region – apple strudel, apple juice, pate, cheeses, bučni namaz, overnight oats and freshly made bread. We were told that we could take the basket to enjoy anywhere in the castle, so we chose the castle dining room. Breakfast was followed by a tour around the castle grounds with an audio guide, as well as the warm hospitality of Mojca, who joined us midway and gave us a personalized tour of the castle.
It was a good day and a half of exploration of one of Slovenia’s hidden gems. We are thankful to have been able to meet the passionate locals of the region, and be taken such good care of. We would recommend a visit to the Kozjansko region to anyone. There is something for everyone.
Yumei Foong and Gregor Strnad
Photos: Yumei & Gregor
FINALIST#9: A trip along the apple trail
Get to know the unspoiled region of Kozjansko and one of Slovenia’s most beautiful natural places: Kozjansko Park.
SCOUTS: Adam and Mateja
September 2020
FINALIST#8: Explore the Wonders of Nature
We experienced two days exploring the beautiful Cerknica region, which truly is one of Slovenia’s hidden gems. As a couple currently living in Kranj, from Canada and Mateja’s global life which even she’s confused by, it was a pleasure exploring this lesser-known region of Slovenia. We had a fantastic, well-informed guide Dejan from Zeleni Kras and met many locals who shared their stories and experiences of life in the area.
Day one began with meeting Dejan and venturing into Rakov Skocjan, the natural park which started with a hike leading to the Little Natural Bridge and then to the Big Natural Bridge. Along the way, Dejan gave us information about the park itself as well as the nature you encounter throughout. The park and river system here are incredible. If you only drive the main road of the park you would never know what is here. You might catch a glimpse of the river as it appears above ground here and there, but to really understand this place, hiking the full trail and seeing the natural bridges is a requirement. As Dejan explained, the entire area is like Swiss cheese. There are sinkholes (formerly enclosed caves) throughout the greater karst area. Being able to walk from the top of the bridge, down the sides of the holes to the base and meet the river is a real pleasure and accessible even for families.
Next up we headed off to Cerknica Lake. There was a great view spot just above the three holes where the lake flows underground in the Northwest corner of the lake to capture an expansive view of the valley and lake. From here, we travelled to the site of the new visitors’ center in Dolenje Jezero and took a canoe trip across the lake. We were lucky to experience the lake with water due to heavy rains the previous few days. Again, Dejan explained the phenomenon of this disappearing lake and some of the strategies once used to try and stop its disappearing act, as well as fish management practices. We paddled to one of the holes where the water either flows into or out of the lake and enjoyed a hearty picnic lunch on the shore, provided by Gostilna in Pizzerija Pri Stani, in Zerovnica. The water was like a glassy smooth mirror and very calming.
After our canoe trip, we had an intimate experience at Krisna Jama due to the small group sizes. This cave is AMAZING! It’s a natural cave with 45 lakes in total. It’s the only truly natural cave in Slovenia with no lighting or power inside. Our guide, Gasper, provided us all with torches for safety and to see the features inside. As you get deeper and further into the cave, you experience pitch black like you’ve never seen. Couple this with the sound of the river flowing past…and it’s a mind-blowing experience. We took a short walk through the cave before reaching the launch point of the zodiac ride. From here, we continued on in the zodiac until the first lake while Gasper provided great information about the stalactites and stalagmites, the infamous giant cave bear, bats and more. In the heat of summer, this place provides a fantastic experience as well as free air-con!
We left Krisna Jama and drove to Grad Sneznik to wrap up the day. Here Dejan took us around the castle grounds, shared some history of the building and previous occupants. The castle is beautiful, like a fairytale castle, and truly worth seeing! To conclude our day, Dejan took us back to our lodging where we ate delicious food at Gostilna in Pizzerija Pri Stani and stayed at their incredibly well-presented and beautiful apartments.
Day two began with a hearty breakfast then taking a short hike on one of the newly created trails on the western side of Cerknica Lake to an elevated platform to view wildlife and the valley. Dejan provided us with binoculars to view the birds and animals in their habitat and filled us in on how they designed the many new information points along the trail. Once again, seeing the lake from an elevated vantage was fantastic as it helps you understand the size and workings of the waterway.
After our hike, we visited Jezerski Hram Museum in Dolenje Jezero which is a family run business. Here we got to visually experience the lake through the filling and draining process made possible by the handcrafted model (which is about 2 meters by 4 meters) built in the 90’s. The detail and precision is outstanding and listening to Kristina explain the workings of the lake as the demonstration was happening was really great as she is a fantastic storyteller! She also showed us the old canoes used to fish or transport people and livestock across the lake and explained the building process of these canoes which is really quite amazing.
Our experience came to an end with a fabulous traditional Slovene lunch at Agriturismo Bela Griva, where we had a wonderful homemade country-style 4-course meal. Needless to say it was delicious and of course filling!
Thank you again to Dejan from www.zelenikras.si for a wonderful two days and all the great information that you shared with us! This region is truly a hidden gem of Slovenia and if you like to get off the beaten path and see lesser known sights, this region is a must-do.
By: Adam Bangay (from Canada) & Mateja Henigman (from Canada/Australia/New Zealand/Slovenia)
Photos: Adam & Mateja
FINALIST#8: Explore the Wonders of Nature
This is a unique programme where you will acquire knowledge and skills in karstology, speleology, ornithology, scouting, coexistence with wild beasts, hiking and outdoor survival.
SCOUTS: Fabio and Laura
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
FINALIST#7: With a »PREKLJAVZN« on Pohorje – From Puščava to Lovrenc lakes
In northern Slovenia lies a mountain ridge called Pohorje. There, among the rich and dense forests, hidden away from transit roads and commercial centres, you can find the only flat basin with a small town Lovrenc na Pohorju. Due to its secluded location you will discover pristine nature, unspoiled and lush green forests.
FINALIST#6: Discover Brežice on horse and bike
Do you like nature, sport and good food? If your answer is yes, then Brežice is definitely a must for visitors of Slovenia.
SCOUTS: Kevin and Mankica
July 2020
When Radio SI informed us that we were chosen to discover the area of Brežice on horse and e-bike,
we were super excited. We would get to ride a horse, an electronic bicycle, and enjoy some local
culinary delights—an ideal itinerary for a Slovenian life-enthusiast and a Belgian gourmand. The
beautiful scenery that greeted us while we headed out to Brežice put us in a holiday mood. We were
ready for this two-day adventure, and the weather gods were on our side.
The unique scent of horses lingered in the sweet summer air as we arrived at the Vašcer Quarter Horses
ranch. We parked our car on an open spot, reserved for real cowboys, and were welcomed by Marko,
his family, and the wide variety of animals on the ranch. Shortly after our arrival, Marko (wearing an
impressive belt buckle and a great pair of cowboy boots) introduced us to two honest creatures,
Thelma and Juliette. These four-legged half-sisters were relaxing in a green field, accompanied by their
foals. Relaxing graciously in the summer heat. Marko patiently explained to us how they breed and
train excellent American Quarter Horses at the ranch. We felt relaxed as we walked among the horses
and felt safe as we participated in our very own Western movie with a Slovenian horse whisperer by
our side.
As soon as Juliette and Thelma were saddled up, under the watchful eyes of several stallions, we
headed to the arena. Here the family had set up a small obstacle course. Marko’s competence and
skills made us feel at ease as we took the two first-class mares for a spin. It felt as if we independently
rode big stubborn motorcycles while following an authentic badass Western horseman’s instructions.
In the end, we felt that our time with these majestic creatures was a time of satisfaction, pleasure, and
joy. Even though the week after, we still felt some pain in our behind. Bouncing up and down in a
Western-style saddle will do that to a rookie.
After our ride, this new cowgirl and cowboy set out to Brežice. We had dinner reservations at Splavar,
rafter’s pub gastro inn. When we arrived, our waitress, Jerry (she refers to herself as the cheeky
cartoon character from Tom & Jerry), kindly greeted us. As we relaxed on the terrace, she asked us if
we wanted to hear what they had planned or if they should surprise us. Naturally, we went for the
surprise treatment. Little did we know that they had a seven-course meal in mind. Every delicious dish
was accompanied by a matching wine for the Slovenian adventurer and a matching beer for the Belgian
explorer. After the first course, both the wine and beer would be consumed by the imported Gaul.
Much can be said about our time at Splavar, rafter’s gastropub. But words cannot adequately describe
how amazing our dining experience was. The creative, scrumptious, and sustainable dishes were the
best we have been served in a long time. Due to this gastronomic journey, we lost track of time, and
our schedule completely derailed. The one-hour dinner quickly turned into a luxurious four-hour treat.
So, in the end, we had to rush towards the farm where we’d spend the night. On our way over, the expat was practicing a sincere Slovene apology: ‘Oprostite ker sva pozna. Imela sva sedem hodov.’ This
is the best that a Belgian can utter (after numerous beers and wines).
Despite our extremely late arrival, Milena and Nero, an adorable social puppy, welcomed us with open
arms at the farm. The pitch-black sky, bright stars, mesmerizing Milky Way, and Milena’s hospitality
quickly made us forget about our late-night entrance. We were led to our charming room, where we
laid down our heads on the soft pillows. After setting our alarms, we became keenly aware of how
silent it was on the farm. Needless to say, we fell asleep right away.
The second day of our exploration started off with a terrific breakfast at the self-sustaining tourist Farm
‘Pri Martinovih.’ A buffet with homemade delicacies, marmalade, and pancakes awaited us as we set
foot in the old house. Franc was socializing with all his guests as Milena was baking pancakes and
preparing coffee in the kitchen. Franc entertained everybody and let us try some of his homemade
schnapps. Shortly after we had filled our bellies, Milena showed us around the estate, which has been
in the family for almost 300 years. It was amazing to observe how much freedom their animals had.
Like in Orwell’s book Animal Farm, the pigs had more perks than the other animals. Such as their own
apple trees and a swimming pool. But even the donkeys, horses, and chickens were able to chill outside
under some old fruit trees. Before leaving, we bought a bottle of Franc’s homemade schnapps (sold in
a clear glass bottle, as is mandatory for homemade liquor).
Half an hour behind schedule (Balkan clocks tick a bit differently), we met up with Boris Papac, a
forester, bicycle enthusiast, and cycling tour guide. Given that it was our first time on an e-bike, Boris
gave us some clear instructions. With his guidance and two fully charged metal stallions, we discovered
the beauty of the municipality of Brežice. We drove through the local forests and climbed to one of
the highest points, approximately 700m. Despite the warm summer weather, it was gratifying to cruise
through the dense forest, with the birds and insects providing life’s cinematic background music. We
didn’t hear anything but nature’s voice. It felt as if we had reached the outskirts of the civilized world.
Until we bumped into a barrier in the middle of the forest. A small sign explained that we had reached
the Slovene – Croatian border. Crossing it might result in being arrested, and apparently, there was
camera surveillance. We never did spot that camera in the canopy of the dense forest, but we didn’t
dare to get cuffed and safely continued cycling in Slovenia.
Boris made sure that the region’s appeal didn’t go unnoticed. We passed by lush vineyards, orchards,
and beautiful cottages. He took us places we would never find on our own, and if we would, we
probably wouldn’t be able to find our way back home. Orienting yourself in a forest or in a city are two
completely different skills, rest assured. Before our final descent, we stopped at a local church on top
of a hill. Here we rang the church’s bell for good luck and put our names in the register dedicated to
the brave visitors who successfully endured the steep climb.
After our 26km-long thrilling adventure, we parked our e-bikes at Pension Les. Here we were able to
catch our breath and recover from the activities that rocked our sheltered world. We enjoyed a lovely
lunch and some revitalizing fresh apple juice at the Pension. Fully satisfied, wiser, and exhausted, we
said goodbye to Boris and Lidija (Radio SI’s warm voice). We drove back home with some beautiful
memories to cherish for years to come.
Kevin and Mankica
Photos: Mankica Kranjec
FINALIST#5: Explore, feel, enjoy Rogla-Pohorje tourist destination
The ROGLA-POHORJE TOURIST DESTINATION stretches across the mighty Pohorje range, via Rogla and the wine-growing hills where it aligns with the calm Dravinja valley.
FINALIST#4: Taste of Sevnica
The Sava river valley, the longest river that flows through most of Slovenia, offers many opportunities for active holidays and unspoiled nature. On the left and right banks of the river there are meadows and fields where hard-working people cultivate the land and produce home-grown local foods. The Posavje region was also marked by feudalism, with a reminder of this period being the castles of Posavje.
FINALIST#3: Lisjak Gourmet Vintage Tour
The ”Lisjak Gourmet Vintage Tour” offer is an all-day olive oil ‘training course’ for individuals or groups. We begin by picking up our guests at an agreed place.
FINALIST#2: Feel and experience the forest of Kočevsko – wild, but nice
Experience the vastness of the green forests of Kočevsko.
FINALIST#1: A soldier’s story from the Isonzo Front
Exclusive guidance through a half-day program for smaller groups along The Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic.
SCOUTS: Manca and Fernando
June 2020
We were really excited to go to Kočevje, as we didn’t have the chance to visit it before, and the survival training idea was na extra push to wake up that moring.
We live 45 minutes away from Kočevje by car. The road was very beautiful as it passes trough some nice forests, there was no traffic, so the way was just perfect.
We parked in front of the Bearlog hostel, where our guide Miha and Nadja from the Kočevje tourist association were waiting for us with a nice welcome breakfast, homemade yogurt, apple juice and local “narezek”.
Afterwards Miha drove us up to the first spot – the way there (10-15 min by car) was like opening an encyclopedia of animal behaviour and culture about it – over there we had a chance to visit the ‘animal facebook of the forest’, as Miha calls it, a tree which many animals visited and left some proof for us, some bear and deer hair.
We had a nice walk, about 45min long, to Loška stena, beautiful hills where the high points allowed us to have a stunning view of the Kolpa river valley. During this walk we tried to see some mountains gods which we could listen to, but they didn’t show up.
Miha then showed us some herbs and plants which we later used during the survival training. He also prepared “malica” for us, which we enjoyed at the “end of the world” point, the highest point of our route. We sat on a rock on the top of a hill and tasted some of his home made products, cheese, salami, salad, apples, herbal tea and 3 different kinds of schnaps, a perfect amount of energy to face what followed afterwards.
We drove to the second point, where we embarked on our first tracking school, which showed us deer signals. Every step we took deeper into the forest showed us more and more clues of the animals we were surrounded by. We had a chance to see a lot of deer tracks and also bear and wild boar tracks. Unfortunately we weren’t able to see any of them, since the forest in this time of the year is too dense and allows us to see only few meters in front of us.
When we arrived to our survival training spot, we were first worried about the most important thing, food. There we learned a lot about plants which taste really good and can be eaten, too. The menu included a forest risotto and salad, and a couple of grasshoppers and spiders as our appetizers.
The next thing we learned about was how to make a fire in 3 different ways, by using appropriate tools, in order to prepare our lunch, which was just delicious. One important tip: next time bring salt!
Afterwards we had a trainning course in using a knife and an axe. We finished with hand fishing, which was exciting and fun at the same time.
Our day ended at the hunting lodge Pr’ Slavcu in Koče with a great dinner.
We are really satisfied with the experience, which we will repeat for sure. Kočevje survival weekend sounds amazing after this first contact. Next time, we will see a bear for sure!!
Manca & Fernando (Spain)
Manca and Fernando from Spain
Photos: Manca & Fernando
SCOUTS: Annette and Steve
July 2020
The visit ‘A Taste of Sevnica’ began at Sevnica castle where myself and Steve were met by a guide. We firstly watched a short film on the history of the castle, and its owners. This we found very interesting and learnt a lot from it.
The guide then gave us a tour of the castle, showing us different rooms, some of which are still in use. We visited an old school room, with the old desks with ink walls, also the fire museum, displaying old artefacts from different eras of the fire stations.
We also saw the rooms the Moscons occupied, including living rooms and bedrooms. There are also art exhibitions in the castle.
After our guided tour, we visited the cellar where we were treated to wine tasting and salami and canapes. Both the wine and the food were of excellent quality. After our sampling, we visited the shop and bought some of the excellently produced local wine.
We then took a twenty-minute drive out into the countryside and visited Gostilna Repovž in the village of Šentjanž. The village itself dates back 700 years and is named after the local church of St. John the Baptist.
Here, the owner gave us a guided tour of the apartments and showed us the land they own and all the fruit and vegetables they grow.
We then experienced the Gostilna’s 4 course tasting menu. This is an introduction to traditional Slovenian foods, with a twist of modernity, and all were excellent once more. The dessert and small taster of sweets were perfection, as I loooooooove sweets!!!!!, as was the wine provided with the different courses. The lamb was the most tender and tasty we have ever had. This was Steve’s favourite.
The owner explained all the courses and was very attentive. The chef came to see if everything was ok, which of course it was.
I would say for anyone wanting to experience the ‘Taste of Sevnica’, then this is the trip for them. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend. There are four rooms to stay over in also, so after a good taster at the castle and beautiful wine and meal at the family run Gostilna, you can rest your weary head in one of the rooms, and sleep off your meal.
Enjoy.
Annette and Steve Loveland from UK
Photos: Annette and Steve
SCOUTS: Nevenka and Jon
July 2020
We are Nevenka and Jon, a married couple with two young children and a dog, who has been living in Kamnik for the last five years. Nevenka is originally from Kamnik and Jon from Hull, England, but we have decided to move to Slovenia after living in the Netherlands.
After being chosen by Radio Si to be their scouts for another Slovenia’s hidden gem location, we were sent to Explore, feel, enjoy Rogla-Pohorje tourist destination.
Our day started in Charterhouse Zice (Zicka Kartuzija) where we met our tour guide for the day, Nina. After being given audio guides and smart glasses, we were taken inside the walls to explore the Carthusian monastery, which was the first Carthusian monastery that was built outside of France or Italy. After the virtual guide of the monastery it was only fitting to visit the Herbal Pharmacy where we sampled a few drinks, that are made from the herbs grown on the grounds of the monastery.
After spending some time (and money) at the Herbal Pharmacy at Zice Charterhouse, it was time to go to Oplotnica and visit the Old Laundry and Oplotnica mansion. The old laundry is set in the middle of a nice green park through which a river of the same name flows. While there we were shown how laundry used to be washed. Of course, as we were only watching, not helping, we got sprayed with water. Although it was quite refreshing on a hot day, we still left them to go see the Oplotnica mansion, which is also called Zice manor, as it was previously owned by the monks from the Charterhouse Zice. Inside the mansion you can see some of the most beautiful examples of Baroque stucco in the area.
We were then taken to Forbar Homestead where we had a very delicious lunch, including a vegan option. We might have spent a bit too much time enjoying lunch, so then we had to rush off to our next destination which was in Rogla, the Treetop walk Pohorje. Unfortunately, the weather had completely changed by the time we got there and it went from sunny and hot to rainy, cold and foggy. The walk to the top was still very enjoyable and it passed a lot quicker than we thought it would, but because of the rain, the new addition to the Treetop walk – a slide, was unsafe for us to go down on. After a few photos at the top, we made our descent rather quickly as the rain picked up, but we are looking forward to going back and, with some luck, seeing the view and trying out the slide!
Our last stop of the day was in Vitanje to visit the Noordung Center or The Herman Potocnik Noordung Center of Space Technologies. There we learned a lot about Herman Potocnik and partook in the VR flight simulator.
We had an amazing experience which we hope more people, tourists or locals, will explore in the near future. Thank you to Radio Si for a truly great day out!
Nevenka and Jon
Photos: Nevenka & Jon
