Treasures of Slovenia: Enjoyment & Hospitality in Bela Krajina and Dolenjske Toplice

There are countries that we just want to travel to again and again. One of them is Slovenia. After we 2020 the most famous highlights of Slovenia We want to take a look at some real insider tips this time. We're starting off in Bled again. Admittedly, it's no longer an insider tip, but it's the perfect starting point for our trip. In our series of articles entitled "Treasures of Slovenia", we'll then head to the idyllic Bela Krajina and then to the thermal baths in Dolenjske Toplice.

Hotel Park in Bled

To arrive we are again in the beautiful Hotel Park of the Sava Hotels & Resorts directly opposite Lake Bled. The rooms, the spacious wellness area and the modern restaurant offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the lake. Bled welcomes us with perfect weather and we celebrate with a delicious lunch in the Café Park. The view here is almost kitschy. Hayao Miyazaki would definitely enjoy this landscape too. And of course the famous Bled cream cake is a must for dessert - a real treat that is simply part of a stay in Bled. 

Hotel recommendation in Bled at a glance

Accommodation: Hotel Park

Location: directly on Lake Bled

Rooms: cozy, modern rooms with balcony & lake view

Culinary: Hotel restaurant with a fairytale view. Chef Simon Bertoncelj, awarded with the “Michelin Plate” and “Recommended by Michelin”, serves creative dishes inspired by Slovenian nature.

Wellness: large wellness area consisting of panoramic pool with magnificent lake view, sauna area, Thai center & spa park

Highlights: The BellaBot, a cute delivery & service robot that “roams around” the restaurant area

Bela Krajina – A journey into Slovenia's untouched natural paradise

After a hearty breakfast at the Hotel Park, we set off for the south-east of Slovenia, to the magical region of Bela Krajina. Surrounded by the peaceful rivers of the Kolpa, the gentle hills of the Gorjanci Mountains and the dense forests of the Kočevski Rog, a fairytale landscape unfolds here. The karst features characterize the area, while rare plants and animals find their place in the untouched nature.

Of pretzel scent and hospitality

In the charming towns of Črnomelj and Metlika, tradition and modernity meet, which is what makes this area so special. The Lahinja and Kolpa landscape parks in particular offer us a breathtaking backdrop. The peace and quiet that prevails here is unique and gives the region a special magic that is rarely experienced in other places. We want to get to know this special atmosphere of the region and understand it better. To do this, we visit a traditional baking workshop in Črnomelj and learn how the famous Črnomelj pretzels are baked.

In contrast to the pretzels we know from Germany, Črnomelj pretzels last up to a week. This is mainly due to the generous amount of oil that is added. I am baking pretzels on the 200-year-old table for the first time in my life and am delighted by the cozy atmosphere. According to tradition, a delicious pretzel also goes with a delicious wine. We celebrate our baking skills with a “Na zdravje”.

Krupa Quelle – Wedding at a unique place of power

After our little refreshment, we continue to the Krupa spring. This legendary spring on a 30-meter-high rock face rises in a small valley and forms a crystal-clear, turquoise lake surrounded by lush vegetation. The spring is protected by the surrounding mountains and forests and offers visitors almost a spiritual oasis. The clear water, which meanders over the rocks in gentle currents and creates an ideal habitat for numerous plant and animal species, is particularly fascinating. The Krupa spring is not only a popular destination for nature lovers, but is also considered a place of power in Slovenia. This is why non-denominational weddings are often held here. A wedding in the midst of this natural treasure promises to be something very special.

This wine even convinced the English Queen

In the middle of the quiet, untouched landscape of Bela Krajina lies a real insider tip for wine lovers – the Weingut PrusHere, just a stone's throw from Croatia, even the English Queen has already tasted the fine wine. On 11 hectares of land, the Prus family cultivates 14 different types of wine, including the fascinating orange wines. These special wines are created when white wine grapes are fermented like red wine, which gives them an intense amber color and incomparable aromas.

"The bees don't know any border controls," jokes the third-generation winemaker. Because the Prus winery offers more than just wine: 200 colonies of bees buzz around the property, producing between 4 and 8 tons of honey every year. This symbiosis of excellent wine and pure bee honey makes a visit here a real experience for all the senses - and all this in one of the most beautiful corners of Slovenia.

Accommodation & Restaurant Tip – delicious homemade breakfast 

We spent the night in the cozy guesthouse Gostilna MüllerThe guest house also has an excellent restaurant, which serves dishes made exclusively from local ingredients. Our palates were spoiled not only in the evenings. In the morning, an incredibly delicious breakfast awaits us. The mushrooms, freshly picked from the forest, are a real dream.

Dolenjske Toplice – thermal springs in unique nature

Our journey continues to Dolenjske Toplice, a charming spa and wellness resort in the picturesque Dolenjska region, which stretches along the Krka River. Known for its natural thermal springs, the spa offers a combination of relaxing wellness treatments and a unique natural landscape. The healing springs have been valued for their beneficial properties for centuries and attract those seeking relaxation from near and far. Amidst rolling hills and lush vineyards, hiking and cycling trails invite you to explore. The combination of historical sights, natural thermal springs and a lively wine tradition makes Dolenjska a unique destination for those seeking relaxation and those interested in culture alike.

Best Wellness Hotel in Slovenia – The Art & Design Hotel Balnea Superior

In Dolenjske Toplice we visit the best wellness address in Slovenia. The Art & Design Hotel Balnea Superior is a luxurious wellness hotel that combines contemporary comfort with the healing power of thermal springs. The stylish rooms offer a wonderful view of the surrounding nature and are equipped with all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay. Guests can enjoy the spacious wellness area, which includes various saunas, an indoor pool and a variety of treatments that rely on the revitalizing properties of the thermal waters. With its modern, exclusive furnishings, the hotel also reflects the creative flair of Slovenia. Various Slovenian artists have contributed to the unique ambience with their works.

Meditative Forest Bathing – Places of Power in Nature

During our visit, we set off into the adjacent forest for a so-called “forest bathing walk”. But it doesn’t just stop at a walk, because we look for a special place to lie down. During a guided singing bowl meditation, we lie down in the moss and let the soothing sounds of the singing bowls guide us into relaxation. For me, it is the first time that I have laid down on the ground in the forest.

So, as we lie on the soft moss and absorb the sounds of the forest, we feel the energy of nature flowing through us. The gentle breeze and the rustling of the leaves, but also the disturbing noises of the insects magically create a relaxing soundscape of "loud silence" that opens our senses. For me, this forest bathing session is a small revelation of how deeply we are connected to nature and how well we can perceive it when we create such islands of relaxation and listening for ourselves.

Lunch tip: Romantic Castle Hotel Otocec

After our relaxing forest bathing experience in the magical forest of Kočevski Rog, we visit the historic Grad Otocec Castle Hotel for a light lunch menu of a special kind, in keeping with the fairytale surroundings of the property. The Otočec Castle Hotel, idyllically located on an island in the middle of the Krka River, is one of the most romantic accommodations in Slovenia. As a member of the renowned Relais & Châteaux group, it combines historical elegance with modern luxury in a special way. Guests not only experience the impressive medieval architecture here, but also enjoy first-class fine dining cuisine.

As we walk through the castle corridors, we can hardly decide whether we want to first enjoy the view of the river from the window or explore the artfully restored rooms. Our menu consists of several courses, but is refreshingly light and perfectly suited to the summer season. Many of the ingredients come directly from the hotel's large garden, which every employee can look after on a voluntary basis.

Castle on an island in the forest – One of the most beautiful wedding locations in Slovenia

For us, Slovenia is one of the most romantic countries to get married and enjoy a honeymoon. Nestled in a picturesque natural setting, the Otočec Castle Hotel is the ideal place for couples looking for an extraordinary break or a stylish wedding celebration in a historic atmosphere. An island in the middle of the Krka, surrounded by forest and water, where swans leisurely float past as if they had already accepted the wedding invitation. As a wedding location, the castle naturally offers plenty of opportunities for an extraordinary and royal celebration both inside and outside. The entire property is fairy-tale beautiful without being kitschy.

Treasures of Slovenia: Enjoyment, hospitality & adventure in five places you definitely don't know yet

In Slovenia we experience what hospitality really means: good food, pleasant conversations and the small miracle of how we can build open and lively relationships with strangers on an equal footing. We are still very inspired by this trip and you can look forward to more exciting articles from the Slovenia series in the coming weeks.