pristine ties between nature and people The unique charm of the Slovene countryside. OdprteOdprte vasi vasi/ / ... Nature's beauty, the power of tradition, the warmth of genuine hospitality. … Life slows down here. ... Everything smells nicer. ... Full days and peaceful nights. ... A break from everyday worries. Open villages Come and enjoy a wealth of experiences that go hand in hand with the seasons. Discover the unspoiled nature, diverse landscapes, authentic local customs and traditions, dialects and culinary specialties, sample some wholesome organically produced food and wine, and experience the sincere hospitality of local people. 3 Open villages / Experience Experience Life in the Slovenian countryside has its own rhythm. Far away from the urban world and the daily grind, this is a great place to get away from it all, perfect for relaxation in an environment that preserves tradition and respects nature, a world whose rhythm is dictated by the seasons and the knowledge passed down from generation to generation. The kitchen is filled with the enticing smells of dishes prepared according to our grandmothers’ recipes, spices change the fragrance and the flavours of home-made dishes made of everything that the gardens and fields have to offer. Sometimes the table is laden with juicy vegetables and large potatoes and at other times, when nature is less generous, with dishes made from home-grown grains and meats. The countryside changes with the days Here, you will find no noise, traffic jams, smog or plastic bottles. If you’re thirsty, it doesn’t get much better than tap water that comes straight from under the nearby hills and mountains. Local children are still familiar with games played back in the day and people often while away the evening by singings songs from centuries-old songbooks. On Sunday afternoons, men head to the village pub to play some cards, while women visit their friends to share a cup of coffee, exchange some cake recipes, show off their knitting skills and tell one another what’s happened in the vil-lage during the week. In vineyards, orchards and olive groves surrounding the villages, tractors with all sorts of state-of-the-art attachments are a common sight, but during the growing season stems and shoots are nur-tured by the owners’ capable hands. Cellars are full of wine, pantries are filled with cheese, beehives packed with honey and glass con-tainers brimful of olive oil – in exchange for the tender loving care, these treats offer a different wealth of flavours every year. Homemade meats are aged by the bora. The best known of all is prosciutto, often served to friends and paired with homemade bread and a glass of fresh wine. Everything is healthy and full of flavour. 4 Technological advances are slow to affect the village life and have only done so to the extent that still benefits the community. It is an unforgettable experience to get to know a part of this one- of-a-kind world. To be able to meet a winegrower who invites you to his cellar and offers you a glass of his wine, or a housewife who offers you the best vegetable minestrone and is more than happy to share her recipe for a delicious potica cake. There are all sorts of exhilarating experiences to look forward to: you can learn about the bottling process of sparkling wine, feed the chickens and collect some fresh eggs, slice vegetables in the garden and learn how to make a herb frtalja (frittata). This is what village life is all about. After checking out everything that’s on offer, including Maxis’ location and the locals’ open doors, tourist attractions and good inns, all there’s left to do is book a stay and pay, which generates a code allowing guests to use the chosen accommodation. Upon arrival, our guests receive an Open Villages Card with all sorts of special deals for select tourist attractions and restaurants throughout Slovenia. These are Open Villages. Glamyarding – a new, unique way to holiday in the countryside! A one-of-a-kind experience of authentic village life paired with the charms of tradition and all the comforts of modern accommodation. 5 Open villages / MAXI MAXI - A small home with great comfort Maxi and its trendy exterior, a sustainable approach to planning and construction and a well-thought-out interior make for a pleasant, healthy and comfortable stay for four people. A spacious kitchen with a stove, a fridge, a microwave and a dishwasher, a bathroom with a shower, a living room that can be turned into a bedroom for two adults and a separate bedroom with a double bed offer all the comforts of a home away from home. The Minimaxi is made of completely natural materials, is self- sufficient and energy-efficient, and features a water-saver faucet system and large windows, which let in plenty of light and can be shaded on request. Guests enter with a code that they receive upon payment of the reservation, which allows them flexibility in terms of arrival and departure. Maxis boast the international GREEN KEY eco-label, awarded to facilities whose staff and partners are committed to environmentally-friendly practices. In line with this, our guests are likewise asked to respect our green policy. Environmental protection: energy-efficient light bulbs waste sorting water-saver faucets use of eco-friendly soaps and cleaning agents use of eco-friendly toilet paper wastewater collection eco-materials cost- and energy-efficient construction Additional features: Wi-Fi, pet-friendly, air-conditioner heating, garden view, flat-screen TV 6 An unforgettable experience of the authentic countryside. E-bike rental You can explore Open Villages and the local attractions on comfortable Empress electric road bikes. 7 Open villages / MAXI Made entirely of Slovenian wood, Maxi is sustainable and energy-efficient. It consists of a private bathroom, a kitchen and a bedroom. It is set in the midst of a green rural setting and also features an outdoor wooden bathtub set right by the terrace, where you can relax and refresh yourself. While staying here, you can also explore the surrounding area by e-bikes, which can be rented directly from the host. 8 Maxi is a modern, sustainable, energy-efficient accommodation unit that boasts design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The bathroom features a spacious shower cubicle and the kitchen offers everything you need to prepare some traditional dishes. The sleeping area has a double bed with a mattress made of natural materials and the living area sleeps two more people. And on top of it all, there is a terrace and an outdoor wooden bathtub. Maxi is designed to offer complete privacy, while also allowing guests to socialise and spend free time in the midst of na-ture. 9 Open villages / Green and safe Green and safe Open villages Slovenia is a green and safe tourist destination. We build the trust in the ‘I feel Slovenia’ brand by increasing the safety of you, our guests. We adhere to responsible travelling standards which we have combined in the Green & Safe mark. We use it to mark and emphasise high hygienic standards and protocols as well as the sustainability recommendations which all tourist providers and destinations adhere to. With activities based on safety, responsibility and sustainability, we take care of your well-being and increase your trust in Slovenia as a green and safe tourist destination. Feel the green heart of Open villages Slovenia is one of the greenest and most sustainable countries in the world. From generation to generation we live and work with nature by preserving it for our future generations. Almost 70% of our country is covered by forests, crystal clear drinking water springs under the mountains, and the extraordinary biodiversity of our ecosystems can be seen at every step. In the Slovenian countryside, you can feel people’s connection to nature and the land at every step as well as their devotion to tradition. Therefore, Open Villages are full of inspiring stories. Whichever direction you look in you will find something that will warm your heart. In close cooperation with the local community, we uphold our greatest values: authenticity, untouched nature, peace and quiet, tradition and sustainable development. In order for you to fully experience Open villages and become part of our life for the duration of your stay, we invite you to participate in the co-creation of our joint green future. Let your visit of Open Villages be inspired by our love for nature and heritage. 10 Nature and landscape The mild weather makes for a pleasant visit regardless of which season it is. Active holidays which include hiking, biking, horse riding, water sports, fishing, hunting, parachuting and mountaineering have an impact on the natural balance. You can help preserve the balance by following along well-trodden and marked trails. Environment and climate Feel Open Villages as your green open air home. Together, we can make sure it remains clean and tidy. Please ensure waste separation and always take your waste to the designated waste bins or home when you are out and about on trips. Culture and tradition Through thousands of years, the Slovenian language helped preserve Slovenian culture and identity. Try to learn a few basic phrases to humour your host (hello = dober dan, thank you = hvala, How are you = kako si/ste, that is so good – to je zelo dobro). The Green Spark opens the Green Heart of the Open Villages If you are looking for a nice souvenir, it doesn’t get better than handicrafts and home-grown produce. Share your Open Villages experience with friends and help us spread the green philosophy.