BELA KRAJINA KOČEVSKO-RIBNIŠKA Different experiences Content Introduction 3 Things not to miss 4 Card of different experiences 5 Where to eat? 6 Where to sleep? 23 Adventures 35 Wine cellars and vineyard cottages 44 Cultural heritage 49 Map of destination 58 Tourist information centres 59 Entry form 61 Introduction Vibrant, green, sparkling, calm, sociable. Openly boastful and mysteriously sophisticated. A landscape of meadows and forests, pretty green rivers, a cradle of picturesque places and sincere, hospitable people. Placidly sited in the south-eastern Slovenia, between the Ljubljana basin and the Sava river, Dolenjska has many surprising faces. The varied relief, numerous streams, karst features and bio- diversity create its unforgettable dynamic. Through the local landscapes there extend boastful deep green forests, whose primeval remains and giant trees are absolutely breathtaking. The river valleys of sparkling beauties, the Krka, Mirna, Kolpa and Lahinja Rivers, which give home to rare plant and animal species, invite visitors into their quiet retreats. On the slopes of its hills ripen sun-kissed grapes, which, once they are in the wine cellars, grow into a veritable poetry whose verses run inwards. In the bosom of its deep springs bubble restorative and healing thermal waters. The rich heritage refines the hamlets, villages and towns of Dolenjska. Castles, religious, building, monu- ment, garden and architectural heritage are the jewels that form its rich entirety. In Dolenjska there live genuine people. Friendly, open and happy. They are rightfully proud of their achievements, creativity, as well as natural and cultural heritage, and they are always ready to share it with others. Their hospitality knows no boundaries, covered tables are full of culinary delights and wine. Their smiles are wide, their words are soft and sooth- ing, their hearts are full of pleasant melodies. An embrace of the soft warmth of Dolenjska that accompanies you long after you leave its kind glebes, is felt upon every subsequent meeting. Here Dolenjska - vibrant, you feel at home, regardless of where you have come from and where you are headed. Here you are not alone even if you don’t know anybody. And here you see for the first time, perceive, feel and green, sparkling, calm, become softer, even though you have arrived stiff and numb from the burden of time. sociable. The door of Dolenjska is wide open for any human desires, needs and tastes - to move away from the miseries of everyday life and experience the unique, pure, extraordinary and unforgettable events. 3 Things not to miss Novo Mesto Main Square with Franciscan Monastery and Library. The Land of Hayracks in Šentrupert – the first open-air hayrack museum in the world. Pleterje Charterhouse – the only living monastery in the Slavic world. The House of Living Heritage in Šmarješke Toplice – get to know the local heritage through its historic-period themed rooms. Lahinja and Kolpa Landscape Park – experience the pristine nature of Bela Krajina. Otočec – with unique castle hotel at the centre of the island. The Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary in Nova Štifta. Gorjanci with their peak Trdinov vrh (1,178 m) – the most famous and visited mountain chain in Dolenjska. The Live Museum of Struga Castle – a small castle, a great experience of history. Peak Heaven above Šentrupert (602 m), where a heavenly view awaits you. Soteska Castle Ruins and Hudičev turn garden pavilion, about which interesting stories circulate. Žužemberk Castle – one of the most picturesque castles in Sloveni. The Honey Trail – take a pleasant walk through the thematic Honey Trail at Dolenjske Toplice. Base 20 is an important monument of national importance, the only resistance leadership headquarters in Europe built and preserved in such a secretive way. Card of different experiences Dolenjska offers you plenty of different ways to spend your leisure time or holidays. To make your stay with us even more pleasant you are invited to visit a num- ber of providers who have prepared for you a variety of benefits. You will receive your Card of different experiences for free upon a least one overnight stay in our destination. The benefits apply during the stay at the accommodation provider at the desti- nation plus 30 days. The benefits can be used by the card holder (holder of the reservation) and his family along up to 5 people. The card must be validated by your accomodation provider (reception). Fill in the entry form and submit it to the provider where you’re staying. You can pick up your Card of Different Experiences from providers carrying the symbol. Where to eat? Veselič Guest House 1 Take time to taste authentic cuisine in a rural environment. During the week, you can enjoy prepared afternoon lunches; at weekends you’ll be served special lunches and various special weekend offers. You’ll be pampered with à la carte dishes and, with prior arrangement, lamb or suckling pig roasted in a wood-fired oven. This is the right place for you if you’re celebrating anniversaries or weddings or are on an organised trip in Bela Kra- jina. Its idyllic Kolpa River location, close proximity to three cities in Bela Krajina, pleasant ambiance, friendly staff and delicious food assure you’ll coming back again and again. 10% discount on accommodation. Complementary cooking class where you’ll learn to bake the delicious “Belokranjska pogača” flat cake (based on pre-orders). Podzemelj 17 +386 (0) 7 36 37 233 8332 Gradac [email protected] Koren Inn 2 Koren Inn offers a wonderful view of Žužemberk Castle, its setting a few hundred metres below Žužemberk waterfalls, where the Krka River spills into green fields. The inn’s cuisine is based on Slovenian traditional dishes; the house specialties being homemade mushroom soup in a bread bowl, homemade ravioli-style “žlikrofi”, cottage cheese rolled dumpling “štrukelj”, grilled and smoked trout, the farmer’s feast of “kmečka pojedina”, and smoked trout pâté. Guests can also rent boats, go fishing, stay in any of their rooms, camp, and organise teambuilding events. 10% discount on accommodation (min. 2 days). 10% discount on à la carte dishes and complimentary coffee or homemade brandy. Dolga vas 5 +386 (0) 7 30 87 260 8360 Žužemberk www.turizem-koren.com [email protected] 7 Don Bobi Restaurant and Pizzeria 3 With its excellent food, friendly and professional service, and exceptional location, Don Bobi is located in the centre of Novo Mesto, with a wonderful view of the Krka River embraced old city centre. With its unique culinary offer and top-class wine list, Don Bobi always inspires and convinces every guest. It’s popular with business people, foreign tour- ists and locals. The restaurant’s pleasant ambiance, with 60 seats, is perfect for enjoying cu- linary pampering, offering the requisite privacy for business meetings, romantic dinners, family gatherings and group celebrations. Come and be pampered with the sophisticated flavours which will make your evening a perfect one. Complimentary coffee with lunch or dinner. Kandijska cesta 14 +386 (0) 7 33 82 400 8000 Novo meso www.don-bobi.si [email protected] Welcome to the land of wine growing hills and hospitable people! The wine and cuisine form an integral part of Slovenian traditions. Slovenians have great appreciation for our wines and swear by them just as much as the tasty treats that come from our traditional cooking. The most important wines from the Dolenjska and Bela krajina wine-growing district are Cviček, Metliška črnina and Belokranjec – all protected with the mark of a recognized traditional denomination (PTP). Cviček is a bit of an oddity as the only wine in Europe that has less than a 10% alcohol content. 8 Domen Restaurant and Guest House 4 This restaurant and guest house are located on the banks of a stream, half way between Ljubljana and Zagreb, only a kilometre from Šmarješke Toplice Spa. You can choose from single, double or triple rooms with above-standard 220 cm beds, air-conditioning, fridge and private bathroom. The restaurant offers home-made dishes, such as, trout, suckling pig, rolled dumplings, strudel, bread and beverages produced by nearby farms. The homestead is home to horses and other animals, a tennis court, a children’s playground, and space for camper vans. There is a stream where guests can cool down and canoe during hot days, or guests can walk the nearby wine-growing hills and forest. The terrace overlooking the stream, the orchard, our vineyard cottage and easy access are other advantages for those in transit, as well as those seeking longer periods of relaxation in a natural environment. This is also a “bikers welcome” hotel. Use of tennis court. Družinska vas 1 +386 (0) 41 890 901 8220 Šmarješke Toplice www.gostilnadomen.si [email protected] Šmarješki Gaj Pizzeria and Spaghetteria 5 At the heart of Šmarješke Toplice, you’ll find ŠMARJEŠKI GAJ, where you can expect a special experience and pampering for groups up to 50. In the summertime, you can sit on the terrace in the shade, embraced by the breeze, and enjoy a culinary symphony accom- panied by the sound of the nearby stream. Complimentary digestive with main courses. Šmarješke Toplice 116 +386 (0) 41 516 793 8220 Šmarješke Toplice [email protected] 9 Kapušin Guest House 6 Good restaurants have always been the pride of families, locations, villages, cities and countries. The Kapušin restaurant in Krasinec offers top-class cuisine, a vast selection of famous Bela Krajina wines, it even has a sommelier. Guests will notice its special gastronomic style, which syntheses Bela Krajina’s heritage, innovation % and the regional environment. The restaurant is renowned for its lamb and suck- ling pig roasted to perfection.