Day 1
Arrival and check in at Hotel Jožef, a boutique, modern and functionally equipped four-star hotel just a step away from unspoiled nature. In the afternoon we will accompany you through the city centre to introduce you to the story of the origin and the development of Slovenia’s oldest mining town Idrija. You will find out where the tub maker was soaking his tubs and collected mercury for the first time, where the Dog Countess was roaming the paths and more. Sightseeing will be followed by dinner at restaurant in Hotel Jožef. Overnight.
Day 2
After breakfast guided tour in Anthony᾽s main road. We will visit the Anthony’s Shaft, where over 1,200 meters of underground shafts leading from the oldest preserved mine entrance (dating back to the year 1500) are open for tourists. We will see drops of mercury, trickling from black slate, get familiar with miners’ work and even meet the pit elf “Perkmandlc”. The adventure ends with a 116-step climb up the Attem’s shaft. In the former register office, you can also take a look of the extensive and in-depth multimedia presentation of the history and heritage of the Idrija mine. Afterwards tasting of geruš and ocvirkovca (cracling cake). Geruš is the absinthe (wormwood) spirit, the traditional homemade drink of miners. Because wine was too expensive to afford on a miner’s salary and the desire for alcohol big, the resourcefulness of the miners helped in its creation. Ocvirkovca and zeljškevka are cakes made from leavened dough; the first is filled with cracknels, the second one with chives. Degustation will be followed by visit of Miner᾽s house, a special type of Slovenian dwelling houses developed in Idrija (nowadays reconstructed into a museum). After lunch, (we will taste typical Idrija’s cuisine with Idrija’s finest,“ Idrijski žlikrofi,”) we will take a guided tour around renovated Smelting plant, which houses an interactive exhibition on the development of smelting and mercury mining industry in Idrija. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Departure in Kanomlja Valley, visiting Šturmajce homestead. High above the right bank of the Kanomljica stream stands the Šturmajce homestead – one of the largest farms in the past. Bread baking workshop. Our next stop will be at village Idrijske Krnice, where we will admire the small St. Florian Church with astonishing mosaics, taste locally produced cheeses and other dairy product on the family run farm Pr’Kendu. The team of Hiša zelišč (House of herbs) will introduce you to their herbal gardens and serve you herbal liqueurs, teas and spreads. Lunch at Kenda Major. The Kenda Manor is a haven of peace and tranquility! Upon crossing the threshold of this magnificent manor, time loses importance. Extraordinary tranquility of the manor together with the mysterious scent of the past, great works of art, beautiful hand-made Idrija laces, careful attention to the smallest detail, sheer excellence of the Kenda Manor cuisine accompanied by an exquisite selection of wines and soft music will fill you with unforgettable warmth and farewell.
more information: TIC Idrija, Mestni trg 2, 5280 Idrija, Slovenia,
Phone: +386 (0)5 374 39 16; E-mail: tic@visit-idrija.si
Day 1
Arrival to Metlika (Hotel Bela krajina), where the group will meet the local guide. First we will learn how to make belokranjska pogača, a protected dish that is similar to bread. The dish was awarded the status of a protected designation of origin by the European Community in Brussels. This will be followed by visit of Tri fare (three gothic churches) and lunch. After this we will visit a good local vinery, where we will have a wine degustation. Drive back to Metlika, where you will have some free time before dinner, to stroll abound picturesque streets of old town. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.
Day 2
After breakfast, drive to small village Žuniči, where we will visitis a typical Bela krajina farm house – Šokčev dvor. It is one of protected cultural monuments of the Kolpa Regional Park. The farmhouse has enclosed courtyard, a house, a shed, and a barn, all connected by a wall with an entrance door. In this renovated house, you can see the farm room, where old furniture, cradle, old farm clothes, and homemade linen have been put on display. The other room with an old baker’s oven serves as a dining room, which is perfect for groups and all other visitors to take a seat and ponder away… The owner will also show us how to make the belokranjska pisanica (Eastern egg from Bela Krajina) and typical linen products. Our lunch will be in the nature today – Picnic style lunch on the banks of the river Kolpa. After looking at river Kolpa, now we will “ride it”. We will have a pleasant rafting experience and after that, you have the opportunity to take a swim. Some free time, then dinner in a restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3
After breakfast, we will visit the spring of Krupa, where the water springs from under a 60 m high and steep rock. The water flows together into a lake with an island in the middle, then it falls over the waterfall and at the end, it flows into the river Lahinja. Power of a spring and its biological meaning are ranging Krupa among the most beautiful and the most important Slovene karst springs. Then we will visit the private brewery and be convinced that the region does not only have good wines, but also beer. Lunch. After lunch we will take a walk thought the old town of Črnomelj (largest town in Bela krajina) and have a visit of City museum collection. Farewell.
more information: TIC Črnomelj, Trg svobode 3, 8340 Črnomelj, Slovenia,
Phone: +386 (0) 7 30 56 530; E-mail: tic.crnomelj@ric-belakrajina.si
Day 1
Arrival of the group to the Center Rinka, multipurpose center for sustainable development of Solčavsko. Welcome degustation of local snacks and drinks, which will be followed by short film and exhibition presenting a destination Solčavsko. The mountain-encircled Solčavsko is located at the upper current of the Savinja River. Many customs, traditions and beliefs from the past can still be found in the everyday life of the hospitable locals. Three parallel valleys are the jewels of Solčavsko: Robanov Kot, the Logar Valley and Matkov Kot. There is a meaningful slogan in the Landscape Park Logar Valley: The Logar Valley is not here to be changed, but to change you! After presentation we will experience guided walk through the ethnographic trail in the Landscape park Logarska dolina. Refreshment and accommodation at the tourist farm and some free time. Dinner in the nearby restaurant with local dishes. Overnight.
Day 2
After breakfast we will have a numerous choice of activities. We can decide to visit one of the biggest mountain farms in the Alpine space – tourist farm Matk in Matkov Kot Valley. Alternatively, we can go for a guided walk or self-guided cycling tour along Solčavsko panoramic road and there are some surprises waiting for us on the road 1000 m above the see level. Lunch from the travel bundle. In the afternoon we will join feltmaking presentation and short workshop: felting with wool of local Solčava-Jezersko sheep breed. As an alternative you can join an Archery Adventure on a tourist farm Gradišnik in Matkov Kot Valley – as supplement. Some free time before dinner in local restaurant. Overnight.
Day 3
After breakfast easy guided walk around landscape Robanov Kot. This will be followed by the lunch at the tourist farm Govc-Vršnik, one of the oldest tourist farms in Slovenia. Farewell.
more information: Poseben Dan, Institute for Pure Experiences;
Phone: +386 41 467 122; E-mail: info@posebendan.si
Day 1
Meeting in front of Northern Velebit NP headquarters, in Krasno. Local guides will present Northern Velebit National park, which is the youngest national park in Croatia. Its beauty consists of untouched nature, wild life and rare plants. Whether we are hikers or just nature enthusiasts one thing is for sure, promise the local guides, we will wish to come back again. Then we will attend a degustation of local products and a “herbal” workshop, which includes picking and selecting herbs for preparation of our own tea and liqueurs. Before lunch, we will take a look of Eco etno house. It is a traditional ethnological collection where we will see the old usable objects, characteristic for Velebit region. Traditional lunch at local bistro. We will continue with the sightseeing of Shelter for young bears Kuterevo, which mission is to provide shelter for bear orphans, protect bear habitat and promoting sustainable life and traditions of the local community. Our last visit today will be the Sanctuary and Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Krasno. Above the village strands the church from 18th century and is well known place of pilgrimage, where every year, on August 15, a large number of believers from all over the Croatia come here for the celebration of the Assumption Day. Traditional dinner with lamb, roasted on scrowe is the specialty we will enjoy. Accommodation in Hotel Degenija.
Day 2
After breakfast with local products, we will take a short bus drive to the starting point for our hiking tour. Zavižan, one of the most popular localities within the Northern Velebit NP, which views are leaving visitors breathless, will be our first stopping point. Here is also the oldest mountain meteorological station in Croatia, founded in 1953. In close proximity is the Velebit botanical garden, founded in 1967 and located at 1480 m asl. In its central part is the Balinovačka ponikva karst sinkhole surrounded by a 600 m long stone path. After the visit we continue our hike at “The Premužić trail”, which is considered to be a construction masterpiece as it is built of drystone, and laid in such a way as to lead us near the roughest and craggiest parts of the Northern Velebit – Hajdučki i Rožanski kukovi – in a very easy way. At Rossi’s hut (Rosijeva koliba), we will have backpack snack and some time for relaxation. Then we will hike from Rossi’s hut to Shepherd dwellings (huts) at Alan’s. The new huts were made on remains of shepherd dwellings, which were in the past used as a summer destination of shepherds and their families. We will prepare our own traditional dinner with Lika’s potato halves and bacon, like shepherds did in the past. Overnight.
Day 3
After breakfast we will return to Krasno, where is Northern Velebit NP headquarters and have s degustation of products from family run dairy Runolist. They respect the tradition of cheese production, use only the best quality home-made milk from cows and sheep grazing on ecologically clean pasture lands, and apply only traditional recipes. Then we will visit Forestry Museum Krasno, which was opened in 2005 on the 240th anniversary of existence of Forestry Krasno. Lunch at local tavern in Krasno and some free time to relax. Before we say goodbye to Northern Velebit, we will be involved in the wool processing workshop and have s small degustation of local product. Farewell.
more information: Northern Velebit NP, Krasno 96, 53 274 Krasno, Croatia,
Phone: +385 53 665 380; E-mail: npsv@np-sjeverni-velebit.hr
Day 1
Arrival in Feldbach and check-in at the hotel. Ambassadors of the region will welcome the group at the hotel and guide the guests with stories about the people of the region steirisches Vulkanland. Typical styrian lunch at the Bauernstadl. A short walk to the Tabor Museum, the former defense system, which surrounds the parish church of Feldbach on three sides. The guided tour will provide insights into folklore, natural history, geography, crafts, history, archeology, geology and volcanism, as well as the culture of Southeast Styria and Feldbach. Later on we will enjoy in old town, where you can find fine shops in original renovated little houses. With the wine expert Sissi, you will taste the typical wines of the regional volcano soil in their wine bar and learn charming and funny stories. It remains a bit time to explore the city with its special flair and small shops on your own. Dinner at the fine Italian restaurant “Lo Scoglio” directly at the river Raab in walking distance to the hotel. Overnight.
Day 2
Strengthened by the extensive breakfast we will take a short bus trip for a hike along the quarry Gossendorf. Volcanoes formed the landscape 20 million years ago and gave it the appearance and the basis for the diversity and richness of nature. Hiking is a sensitization for these treasures. Once you arrive at the quarry, you will be guided by a meditative connection to the volcanic landscape. After this experience, we will have lunch in typical Styrian Gasthaus Kulmberghof. At the next skittles in the nearby Loambudl (old regional bowling alley) you can prove your skill. Fun and good entertainment are guaranteed. After a short drive, we will take a look at the Loderer art foundry and participate in a casting process. Here, unique sculptures of different kinds are produced. The steps from the model to the finished sculpture are brought to the attention of the amateur as well as the professional sculptor. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight.
Day 3
After a hearty breakfast, you will visit Castle Kornberg. Consul Mag. Andreas Graf von Bardeau offers exclusive insights into the private rooms of Kornberg Castle. There are historical backgrounds of the family, as well as amusing anecdotes. Count Bardeau takes you personally through the castle and thus provides an exciting and unforgettable insight into the last centuries. At Vulcano Ursprung, you will experience the world of hunting as a realm of the senses. During the tour, you will hear about the persistent path of Vulcano, which has been producing delicious air-dried raw ham – one of the best in Europe – for around 15 years. We will also enjoy high-quality raw ham. Afterwards we will visit the Obsthof Stangl, where Michaela Stangl gives a glimpse into the art of schnapps burning. You will get an insight into the work at the farm and taste exquisite brandies from the fruits of the Vulkanland. Farewell.
more information: Spirit of Regions, Auersbach 71, 8330 Feldbach, Austria,
Phone: +43 664 9682882; touren@spiritour.at
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