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

There are some countries we simply love to visit again and again. Slovenia is one of them. After visiting Slovenia's most famous highlights in 2020 , this time we want to explore some real hidden gems. We'll start again in Bled. Admittedly, it's hardly a secret anymore, but it's the perfect base for our trip. In our "Treasures of Slovenia" series, we'll then head to the idyllic Bela Krajina region and on to the thermal spa of Dolenjske Toplice.

Hotel Park in Bled

We arrive back at the beautiful Hotel Park, part of the Sava Hotels & Resorts group, located directly opposite Lake Bled. The rooms, the spacious spa area, and the modern restaurant all offer breathtaking panoramic views of the lake. Bled greets us with perfect weather, which we celebrate with a delicious lunch at Café Park. The view here is almost too beautiful to be true. Hayao Miyazaki would definitely have loved this scenery. And of course, no trip to Bled would be complete without the famous Bled cream cake for dessert – a true indulgence that is simply part of the experience.

Hotel recommendation in Bled at a glance

Accommodation: Hotel Park

Location: directly on Lake Bled

Rooms: comfortable, modern rooms with balcony & lake view

Culinary delights: Hotel restaurant with a fairytale view. Head chef Simon Bertoncelj, awarded a "Michelin Plate" and "Recommended by Michelin," serves creative dishes inspired by Slovenian nature.

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

Highlight: The BellaBot, a cute delivery and 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

Nestled in the tranquil, unspoiled landscape of Bela Krajina lies a true hidden gem for wine lovers – the Prus Winery . Here, just a stone's throw from Croatia, even the Queen of England has sampled their exquisite wines. On 11 hectares of land, the Prus family cultivates 14 different grape varieties, including their captivating orange wines. These unique wines are created by fermenting white grapes like red wine grapes, resulting in an intense amber color and unparalleled 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 stayed overnight at the cozy Gasthaus Gostilna Müller . The inn also houses an excellent restaurant that serves exclusively dishes made with local ingredients. Our palates weren't only delighted in the evenings; in the mornings, an incredibly delicious breakfast awaited us. The mushrooms, freshly picked from the forest, were especially divine.

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 Slovenia's premier wellness destination. 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 stunning views of the surrounding nature and are equipped with all the amenities needed for a relaxing stay. Guests can enjoy the spacious wellness area, which includes various saunas, an indoor pool, and a wide range of treatments that utilize the revitalizing properties of the thermal waters. With its modern, exclusive décor, the hotel also reflects Slovenia's creative flair. Several Slovenian artists have contributed their works to the unique ambiance.

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 undoubtedly one of the most romantic countries for weddings and honeymoons . Nestled in a picturesque natural setting, the Otočec Castle Hotel is the ideal place for couples seeking an extraordinary getaway or a stylish wedding celebration in a historic atmosphere. An island in the middle of the Krka River, surrounded by forest and water, where swans glide by as if they've already accepted the wedding invitation. As a wedding venue, the castle naturally offers ample opportunities for an exceptional and regal celebration, both indoors and out. The entire estate is fairytale-like in its beauty, 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.