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 an ideal starting point for our trip. In our series of articles "Treasures of Slovenia", however, we'll 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 estate, 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.