VINSKA VIGRED 2009
15. -17.  may 

Stay here a while longer
and experience the feelings
you thought you had already
forgotten!
(Toni Gašperič)

Along this road one can visit wine shops, wine growers, tourist farms, accommodation facilities, beekeepers, etc. In addition to the tasting of selected sorts of Bela krajina wines, particularly "belokranjec" and "metliška črnina", you can also have a taste of the local flat cake. Still warm "pogača" tastes best in the autumn time, when the fruits of the vine turn into vintage wines.
You can take a ride across viny hills by bus, by car or even by environmentally-friendly horse carriage. Those who love to exercise can take a bike or perhaps simply walk between vineyards and vineyard cottages. The area of Drašiči yearly offers a whole-day tour along eight vineyard cottages. Wine, the central theme of the visit along the wine road, is at the same time the guiding element of the most famous tourist and wine event in Slovenia called "Vinska vigred", which takes place in Metlika every May. But a very vibrant time is brought by St. Martin, ťwho creates wine out of mustŤ. Consequenty, every bigger settlement in Bela krajina organizes "martinovanje", the baptising of the new wine. There are various other forms of celebrating our wine patron, who is soon followed by St. Urban, the patron of vine.
However, we cannot talk about the quality, were it not for the competitive spirit among many wine growers. Various local testings and testings on the state level have given drive to currently acknowledged winegrowers, who undoubtedly gave their share to the recognition of the region.

LEPA ANKA

DAY 1: Our hike around Bela krajina begins in morning hours. First we are welcomed by a local tourist guide, who also introduces a two-day programme of the excursion. Every traveller must gain some strength before he or she embarks on a journey, so we treat ourselves with a light snack. Afterwards we drive to the old town core of Metlika to taste a glass of wine and “belokranjska pogača”, explore the area, and visit the Belokranjski museum, which bears witness to the history of Bela krajina from prehistoric times to the middle of the 20th century. This is followed by the visit to the Slovenian Fire Fighting Museum of Dr Branko Božič, whereas art enthusiasts will get their share by visiting the Kambič gallery. Even more eager of learning about Bela krajina we head for the Metlika wine cellar to discover and to taste wines. Afterwards we head to the village Rosalnice to visit three gothic pilgrim churches called Tri fare. We admire the scenery while driving past fern areas and white birch tress towards vineyards. Winding among viniferous hills the road takes us to Drašiči and to the 250-year old Soseska Zidanica (neighbourhood Zidanica), where we learn about old customs and have a glass of wine of 65 wine makers.
The first day of our journey ends with a proper local dinner in the renewed Bela krajina hotel, which is also our stay for the night.

DAY 2: After breakfast our guide takes us outdoors to the source of the river Krupa. After visiting this spectacular, fast, and romantic river we continue towards Adlešiči. On the local farm we have a look at the procedure of flax processing and learn about the tradition of making painted eggs. We learn more about the Kolpa Regional Park in Žuniči in a typical farmhouse, Šokčev dvor. Our trail continues along the river Kolpa, pass Vinica, where Oton Župančič was born, and up to the Lahinja Regional Park, where we visit Veliki Nerajec and Pusti Gradec. Finally, we will share our feelings about the trodden path with friends at a typical local late lunch at an inn or a tourist farm, followed by the sound of an accordion.


BELA KRAJINA WINE TOURIST ROAD

In the morning hours we indulge ourselves in the ride across the Bela krajina wine tourist road. We have a look at the viticulture collection, which belongs to the Belokranjski Museum in Metlika. In the Metlika wine cellar, where we learn about typical and autochthon sorts of wine, we can also have a taste of some of them. The long-lasting wine tradition in the region is further confirmed in the village vineyard cottage named Soseska zidanica in the village Drašiči. It is clear that wine carries a lot of meaning in this region. After meeting the tradition and tasting dark red wine, the product of the work of 65 winegrowers, the wine tasting continues at a local winegrower. After a few samples you can compare the development of individual wine trademarks. Further, we drive to Semič and visit another known winegrower. After tasting some of his best wines from his wine cellar we drive off to the nearest inn or to a tourist farm, where the boldest among you can greet the morning after having an excellent dinner and an entertaining night.

BOATING ROUTES

DAY 1: We arrive to Bela krajina, or, more specific, to the border village Prelesje, in morning hours, and are welcomed by a local guide. At a tourist farm we refresh ourselves with a typical local snack. After the snack we embark on our canoes, kayaks or mini rafts and begin exploring the riverbed downstream towards the village Kot, pass the local border crossing at the village Sodevci to reach Srednji Radenci. Further on, we continue downstream the river canyon, observing Mala and Velika Radenska stena rising on the Slovenian side. In Breg, where we make a stop, we have a lot at the still active mill and the longest karst cave in Bela krajina, the Kobiljača cave. We continue downstream towards Kot, and have a look at the symbol of the southernmost point in Slovenia and the church of St. Michael. The tourist farm offers us a local dinner and a place to stay. All of you eager to experience nature to its fullest, can spend the night in a tent by the river.

DAY 2: The following day after breakfast we continue downstream pass Krivec, the Otok hamlet, and villages Vukovci, Učakovci, and Sečje selo near Vinica. Vinica is the place, where we make a short stop. We have a look at the birth house and the museum collection of our great poet, Oton Župančič. Afterwards we have a snack and then continue our downstream journey pass villages Podklanec, Zilje, and hamlets Pavlini, Dejani, Jakovini, and Vidine. Below the village Preloka we keep going downstream to the village Žuniči, which is also a local border crossing. In Šokčev dvor we have a look at the renewed farmhouse, typical for the region along the river Kolpa. Further on, we take a walk across the unique Bela krajina beekeeping educational path, which stretches on half a hectare of karst area, with nine explanatory boards. Then we continue downstream pass villages Marindol and Vrhovci to Adlešiči, where we take a short break. In Adlešiči we witness the making of cottage industry products in one of the farmhouses (home-made linen, “belokranjske pisanice”). We settle for the night at the camp near Kolpa, where we also have dinner and whatever follows. You can also decide to spend your night on one of the tourist farms in the village above the river.


DAY 3: The third day takes us down the river Kolpa to Pobrežje to have a look at the Pobrežje castle and sawmill. We keep going downstream pass villages Fučkovci, Dragoše, and Griblje. We make a stop at a popular camping place of Podzemelj and take a walk across the educational path Kolpa-Kučar, which is one of the most important archaeological findings not only in Slovenia, but also in the wider south-eastern Alpine region. This is followed by a light snack.
Our river experience can be concluded in Podzemelj with a picnic and various social and sports games. The other option is to continue downstream pass Otok to the village Primostek, which is the meeting point of rivers Lahinja and Kolpa. In this case our journey would end in the nearby camp.