How one OAT Trip Leader shares the beauty of Slovenia's local rural charms
by Barbara Bedenk, OAT Trip Leader, Dalmatian Coast & Greece
Barbara Bedenk, an OAT Trip Leader since 2004, likes to plan little surprises for her travelers in Slovenia.
On one of the last days on our Hidden Gems of the Dalmatian Coast & Greece trip, we head to Bohinj, Slovenia. Bohinj is a glacial valley with the biggest lake in the whole country. The valley is surrounded with forested mountains and the high, rocky peaks of Slovenian Alps. We drive around the stunning countryside, take a hike through the “jungle of Bohinj lake” (as I call it), and learn about nature.
I like to take my travelers for a walk because they can stretch their legs and enjoy fresh mountain air after visiting lots of cities included in the program. They especially appreciate that we have to choose the right path through the forest, due to flooded sections, which occur very often. It adds some adventure when we have to adapt to nature and explore it a bit. I like to include a surprise during our forest walk. We stop at the small village of Studor and visit wooden hayracks or kozolec (barn-like structures, which are part of Slovenian traditional rural achitecture). They are unique buildings, used for drying grass and storing hay and other products.
It can be a bit boring to simply look at the hayracks and take photos, so sometimes I present a bottle of a blueberry liquor for my travelers to taste—which is usually followed by a big applause! We get off of the bus and taste it under a hayrack—still smelling of hay. Everybody is smiling, laughing, and taking photos. Of course they get a recipe how to make it at home. They just love it!
Lily pads rest upon Lake Bled, Slovenia.
During one trip, we heard some noise while we were enjoying our liquor. It was coming from behind a nearby farmhouse. It sounded as if someone was cutting wood, so a few gentleman went to check it out. When the rest of the group followed, we found the travelers engaged in a very lively conversation with a few locals (they all spoke English!) working on the logs. I thought it might be interesting to see the farm. I asked the men if we could look around. Stables were full of animals—cows, pigs, and sheep. Lots of chickens and turkeys were running around the courtyard. Everyone was enjoying it very much and then a lady came out of the house with a full tray of local fruit brandy! Everybody had another shot or two while they walked around the orchard. We were also offered some cheese, for which the valley is known.
The locals were very hospitable! They told us about their work on the farm, as well as at their jobs (besides farming they were all employed!). The owner took us further inside the orchard where there was another surprise: Horses! They had five horses—four Islands and one beautiful, white Lipizzaner, which Slovenes are very proud of because it's a Slovenian breed.
At the farm, we stayed for about an hour and we just didn't want to leave. When we left the farm, the bus was full of happy people! Hiking in the fresh air made us all a bit tired, but we had to admit, the two brandies added a strong boost to our spirits. My travelers unanimously proclaimed that this was the best day of the whole trip! Like myself, they also appreciated the spontaneity of learning and lots of laughter.
Visit Slovenia's beautiful glacial valley and enjoy your own adventurous walk on our Hidden Gems of the Dalmatian Coast & Greece Small Ship Adventure.