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Slovenia
is a small Country, no bigger than Wales, situated between Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy in the Heart of Europe sitting
at the top of the Adriatic Sea.
Slovenia is thickly forested
at 58% of the land and with 1.5 million Trees planted annually. Surrounded by nature with many footpaths, cycling and horse-riding
trails.
Slovenia is a Country of Culture, with Events and Festivals, Museums and
Galleries, Castles, Churches, Rivers and Lakes.
Slovenia where
not only the Surface Land is invigorating but there are also Wonders Underground with some of the Most Beautiful Caves in
the World.
The Dolenjska Region of Slovenia
I would like to share with you a small part Slovenia, a part that I believe to be Paradise, it is situated
in the South East of Slovenia and is called the Dolenjska Region and the Bela Krajina of Slovenia.
 
The Dolenjska Region of Slovenia is home to
sincere, hospitable people who are hard working, creating a wealth of Culture. Slovenia is safe with virtually no crime,
especially in the rural areas.
The Slovenian Dolenjska and Bela Krajina are Wine regions made apparent
by the many hills covered in Grape Vines and as with all Wine Regions the food is a gastronomic delight. A Country with picturesque
dry river bed valleys, forests and rivers - the Krka with its waterfalls and series of weirs. Hill vineyards
and hilltop churches, castles and monasteries, large forests and groves of birch trees give the extensive region of south-east
Slovenia a particular charm. Dolenjska, which joins hands with Bela Krajina across the beautiful Gorjanci Hills and further
up, with the Posavje region, is an area that offers countless opportunities to relax, explore and enjoy, to visit natural
sights of interest and make interesting stops along heritage trails and wine routes.
  One of the sights of Ribnica, the cradle of Dolenjska woodenware,
is Ribnica Castle, which today houses a small museum of local culture and traditions. You can see traditional craftsmen at
work in the towns workshops and at numerous events. In Kočevje, the centre of one of the most forested parts of Europe,
you can see the virgin forest reserve in Kočevski Rog, visit the Ice Cave or the Željne Caves and relax by the lake
or on the river Rinži. The area has numerous footpaths, nature trails, cycling trails and horseriding trails. Anyone
seeking something more out of the way should visit the area around Kostel. One of the sights of this mysterious region
above the gorge of the river Kolpa is Kostel Castle and, nearby, the legendary Nežica waterfall. The Land of Peter Klepec
(after the legendary hero) has its centre in Osilnica, a valley with seven churches and various opportunities for recreation:
from water sports on the Kolpa to hiking trails and cycling routes.
  Those wishing to follow the waters towards the south can
set off from the centre of Slovenia along the river Krka. From its source in Krka Cave to Žužemberk, the location
of one of the most picturesque castles in Slovenia, the river, which once drove the wheels of watermills, makes its way over
a series of weirs that today attract canoeists and anglers. A different kind of experience is offered by the Temenica, a tributary
of the Krka, which draws visitors through a stunningly, beautiful valley of dry riverbeds, swallowholes and potholes
to Trebnje and Mirna Peč. The Krka also gives Novo Mesto, the capital of Dolenjska its characteristic appearance,
it being built in the curvature of the river, which runs the length of Slovenia. Not far from the town, with its many
historical and religious monuments, are the spas of Dolenjska Toplice and Šmarješke Toplice and Slovenia's
only island castle Otočec castle, which stands on an island in the middle of the Krka. The nearby Gorjanci Hills promise
adventure to hikers, cyclists and hunters. Trška Gora, a hill above the town, shows us that we are in wine country,
the home of Cviček, a famous local speciality.
Other traditional centres of wine-making linked by wine routes
can be found in Bela Krajina, for example Semič, Metlika and Črnomelj . Not far from Metlika is Rosalnice with its
famous “Tri fare” – three Gothic pilgrimage churches from the 14th or 15th century, huddled together inside
a common surrounding wall. In the village of Rožanec a temple to the sun god Mithra has survived from Roman times.
  On the other side of the Gorjanci Hills, which mark the
border with Bela Krajina, Dolenjska continues along the Krka all the way to the point where it joins the Sava: from Šentjernej
with its equestrian tradition, it leads to Pleterje with its famous Carthusian monastery. Amongst the Grape Vines are the Zidanice, the Beautiful and Tranquil Slovenian Wine
Lodges. 
Visit Slovenia, visit the Dolenjska Region,
visit Novo Mesto and Trska Gora. Enjoy the Diversity that this Region has to offer.
Enjoy the natural surroundings
and the genuine hospitality of the Dolenjska.
Stay in a Zidanica, taste the Wines and enjoy the Foods. Fly
Fish in the River Krka, Horse Ride through the picturesque valleys, Play Golf at one of the best Golf Courses in Europe, Walk
or Cycle between Valleys and Foothills.
Simply enjoy the Peace, the Tranquility
and be at one with Nature.
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