Archives: Trips

“In 1994, Art Kovačič wrote down his grandfather’s stories. He says that they never knew where the truth merged into dreams.
The adventures of Halar Poldek take place in Šmarje. They are humorous, mischievous and a boy’s view of life in Šmarje between the two wars.
You are invited to take a walk around Šmarje accompanied by Poldek’s Tales, which are suitable for young and old alike. The walk starts on the platform in front of the Šmarje Cultural Centre and will take 1 – 1.5 hours.”

“On a hill above Šmarje pri Jelšah is a manor house. A mansion with a very special history. A manor around which countless stories circulate. On a walk, visitors will learn about the history of the manor and the folk stories associated with it.

Discover these stories and the life of the manor between glamour and misery.”

The Rogatec Cultural Heritage Route encompasses the most important sites in Rogatec. It is a simple, approximately 2 km long, walking trail that starts in front of the Castle Pristava, the seat of the Municipality of Rogatec, where free parking is available. The first place to visit is the Renaissance-Baroque Strmol Manor House (during opening hours). In addition to exhibitions on glassmaking, flax production and the development of kitchens, the manor house also houses the Hofmann Collection, a collection of artworks. The manor houses the Rogatec Handicraft Centre with four professionally equipped workshops; pottery, weaving, weaving and glassmaking. The route continues to the centre of the town, the medieval Rogatec Square, first mentioned as a square in 1238. Climb the stone steps to the Baroque church of St Jernej, from where you can see another church – St Hijacinta, the only church dedicated to this saint in Slovenia. The highest point above the square, the preserved ruins of Gornji Rogatec Castle, offer a view over the square and across to the Croatian side. From here it’s downhill on a partly forest and partly asphalt road to the Rogatec Open Air Museum. The largest museum of its kind in Slovenia, preserving folk architecture of the sub-Pannon type. It presents the life of farmers and craftsmen in the 19th century and the early 20th century, mainly from the slopes of Boč, Donačka gora and Maclja. With heritage tastes, experiential workshops and handicraft demonstrations, the route is rounded off with a walk along the footpath, past the equestrian centre and the caravan park, to the car park at the castle annexe below Strmol Manor House, where the route began.

“A special wooden path winds through the property, high in the treetops. It takes you on a journey through a story that begins somewhere in the past and ends who knows where in the future. It was born in Janko’s head. Maybe even in his heart. It is about a time when vegetables tasted good, when neighbour helped neighbour and when ideas were bigger than dreams. A walk along this educational tourist trail reveals the self-sustaining sections of the estate – the herb garden, the forest nursery for two species of mushrooms, the cress, the vegetable, berry and herb field and, last but not least, the breeding of carp, sturgeon and albino beluga whales, which live in the aquaponic greenhouse, a replica of the pompous old garden nursery from Rogaška Slatina. Part of the educational tourist trail, on the bridge, is called the Walk among the Trunks, where you can learn about 17 different species of trees. At the end, you’ll climb a 25-metre-high wooden tower.
Janko has a big heart, filled with the experience and tradition of his ancestors and his own visionary ideas. And Pomona is always by his side…”

“See all stages of premium glass production
The tour route allows you to see all stages of the production of premium glass – from the preparation of raw materials and glass blowing to the grinding and refining of the products. The Glassmaking Trail connects the glass collection in Anna’s Mansion, where you can virtually blow your own glass, through the park, where you can see the crystal hall, and then along the main trail through Rogaška Slatina to the Rogaška Glassworks.
Points of interest along the way
See where and how and recharge your batteries with the unspoilt and varied nature of Rogaška Slatina. The Anin dvor Museum, the spa park, the Crystal Hall and the Rogaška Glassworks.”

“Easy marked hiking trail. Suitable for families with children who are used to longer walks. The information boards on the trail have mountaineering stamps and registration books.
The starting point of the trail is the parking lot at the bus station in Gorica pri Slivnici, where you can park for free.
There is a self-service shop, the Aurea café and the Lesjak Inn in Gorizia pri Slivnica.
About 1 km away, on the road to Loka pri Žusmu and Sodno vas, is Slivniško jezero, where the Ramna Slivniško jezero café is located.
At the roundabout there is the Grasseli Park, where you can rest after returning from the trail.”

“Easy circular hiking trail, 12 km long. Suitable for families with children, suitable for baby carriers or pushchairs
Starting point at the Blaž Kocen Ponikva Primary School, where there is free parking
You can start the trail from Ponikva railway station and head towards Hotunje
For the visit of the birth house of Anton Martin Slomšek, the memorial room of Blaž Kocen, prior reservation is required
There is a self-service shop and a restaurant near the starting point.”

Suitable for families with children. Dobrina, free parking at the former school building (Dobrina 7, 3223 Loka pri Žusmu). Village Žamerk, parking on the local road Dobrina-Loka pri Žusmu. This is a thematic trail which takes you through Žusm and the surrounding area. The 9 km long circular route can be completed in 4 hours. Along the way, there are four stations or adventure playgrounds to make the trip more interesting.

Easy circular hiking trail. Suitable for families with children, suitable for pushchairs and baby carriers. The starting point of the trail is at the Blaž Kocen Ponikva Primary School, where there is free parking. Near the starting point there is a self-service shop and a restaurant.

“Easy marked hiking trail. Suitable for families with children who are used to longer walks. The information boards on the trail have mountaineering stamps and registration books.
The starting point of the trail is the parking lot at the bus station in Gorica pri Slivnici, where you can park for free.
There is a self-service shop, the Aurea café and the Lesjak Inn in Gorizia pri Slivnica.
About 1 km away, on the road to Loka pri Žusmu and Sodno vas, is Slivniško jezero, where the Ramna Slivniško jezero café is located.
At the roundabout there is the Grasseli Park, where you can rest after returning from the trail.”

“You leave from the historic centre of Lecce to reach the village of Acaya, a citadel where you can admire the imposing castle, the surrounding walls and the urban layout of the old town, which has remained unchanged over time. In the charming square of this village there is only one shop, which serves as both a bar and a grocery shop: here you buy, Italian-style, a sandwich with provola and lampascioni (a small local onion, much appreciated by gourmets) or the more classic prosciutto and mozzarella
You then head to the Le Cesine Nature Reserve, a wetland area that is home to numerous species of plants – mainly from the Mediterranean maquis – and water birds. In the right season, spring or autumn, it is not uncommon to see migratory birds, including beautiful pink flamingos; today it is one of the very few remaining wetlands in the region, which is why it is a WWF oasis.
Stop at the beach for a refreshing swim, if the season permits, and to eat our excellent sandwich.
On the way back to Strudà you will visit a centuries-old olive grove with thousand-year-old specimens, now almost completely destroyed by the Xylella virus, but which testify to the difference between a past in which the land was cared for and a present in which the land is neglected.
Return to Lecce in the afternoon.
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“Bari vecchia, the old heart of the city, the pulsating commercial soul of the people of Bari, among dozens of churches, museums and theatres, also hides a spirit full of delicacies and flavours.
In this new unmissable adventure, you will have the chance to try the best street food in the Mediterranean: focaccia, sgagliozze, cold meats and cheeses, accompanied by some excellent wine, strictly Apulian.
Attention! It is recommended not to eat beforehand!
What to see in Bari: The Papal Basilica of St Nicholas, Bari seafront, Swabian Norman Castle, Underground Bari, Cathedral of San Sabino, Streets of Orecchiette.
On Bari’s southernmost coast there are many nightclubs, for parties and music, the beaches of Pane e Pomodoro and Torre Quetta are the most popular destinations.
And since gluttony is hard to resist, several pastry shops and cornetterias are also open at night: you’ll be spoilt for choice.
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