Travel Slovenia Videos for Your Viewing Pleasure

Toplarji Double Hay Racks in Alpine areas

Lavish and luscious videos are available for your viewing pleasure, free for the clicking!   The cinematography is rich and includes aerial views of  Slovenia’s most beautiful scenery and historical towns, cities and friendly countryside.  The Slovenian Tourist Board has developed this series of videos about various parts of Slovenia which detail different “Routes.”

The video series includes Discover Slovenia (intro), The Amber Route, The Sun Route, The Peddlers Route, The Goldenhorn Route, The Emerald Route and The Wind Route.  Other videos are available at this site such as “Nature of Slovenia,” Traditional Gastronomy, and other information about traveling in Slovenia.  On the link page just scroll down  after the top screen to access all the other “Route” videos.

The Amber Route has some great  walking footage through the Center of the Old City. 

I highly recommend your check it out! 

http://www.travel-slovenija.com/content/wind-route-slovenia

 

 

 

 

 

Lippizaner Stallions on PBS tonight, May 1

“Legendary White Stallions” will appear tonight on the

Lippizaner Horses

feature,”Nature” on  PBS TV stations tonight at 8.00 PM.   Check your local listing to see if you can view this program.

Horse Lovers and those who admire horses are familiar with the magnificent white stallions who perform in the Vienna Riding School. These horses were originally trained for warfare in the arts of ”dressage.”  Some of the most famous jumps are called “Airs Above the Ground” where the horses actually leave the ground.

Lippizaner horses originated in Lipica (Lipizza in Italian) in Slovenia, which was part of the Austrian Empire from around 1200 to 1918.  These horses perform

Lippizaner Stallion

all over the world  today as well as in Lipica,  not far from Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia and from Trieste, Italy.  On the Taste of Slovenia food tour 2013, we will be visiting Lipica and the Stallions on May  21.

For more information , Google the term, “Lippizaner” and many links and videos will show up on the search and “Taste of Slovenia. “

 

 

 

 

Ljubljana In Your Pocket Guide

Ljubljana Castle with Dragon -Symbol of the City

For those visiting Ljubljana or those who just want to see  what is new, browse restaurants, cultural events, shopping and

Ljubljana with Castle

sightseeing, or just plan your trip to Slovenia, the In Your Pocket Guide offers free and up-to-date info. Basics are also reviewed such as getting there, currency, climate, etc. On the left site of this webpage is  the searchable ‘Ljubljana Directory,’ as well  as a calendar which will display events in Ljubljana for specific days of the month.  ”In Your Pocket” is also on Facebook.

Browse the ‘In Your Pocket Guide’  for Slovenia  to review your other destinations on the tour.    Enjoy! 

 

 

 

 

 

Slovenia is a Good Place to Retire

Slovenia in the Heart of Europe

According to a new CNBC report, Slovenia is a secure place to retire. The Natixis Global Retirement Index Survey ranks Slovenia 16th among 150 countries examined  for retirement security.   The US ranks 19th.

Toplarji Double Hay Racks in Alpine areas

The new index is based on data from the World Bank, United Nations and other  organizations. The index is based on health expenditures, life expectancy, income equality, unemployment, and the ratio of young workers to retired workers.  The top 10 countries on the list  are Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Sweden, Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and France.

Glacial Lake Bled in Julian Alps

The retirement age in Slovenia is currently 65 years and Slovenian recently put into place a new pension system.  Slovenia, Israel, Japan and Czech Republic surpassed the U.S. in terms of favorable retirement criteria.

Source: Prosveta. April 3, 2013. pg. 3   at http://www.snpj.org

 

 

 

Tourists Visit Slovenia Mainly for Natural Beauty

Why They Visit Slovenia  

Glacial Lake Bled in Julian Alps

The Slovenian Press Agency (STA) recently covered a story about the results of a survey published by the Slovenian Statistics Office in March 2013.   The topic: why  foreign tourists come to Slovenia, where they go, and why they decide to visit.  The results showed that tourists mainly visited because of the natural beauty and wonders of Slovenia which

Toplarji Double Hay Racks in Alpine areas

include the glacial lakes, water ways and surrounding towns, the seaside, limestone caves and Karst region, mountains, mountain valleys, thermal spas, Castles, old Roman settlements, forests,  vibrant towns, the capital of Ljubljana, architecture, culture, gastronomy, and  fitness activities. Tourists gave the highest marks to Slovenia’s natural  environment, personal safety during their stay and the hospitality of the local population! 

Dr. Irena Fonda

The survey was conducted at hotels and campsites in April July and August 2012.  Three-quarters of tourists visit Slovenia in the summer months.  Many foreign tourists who visited the mountain resorts and Ljubljana, decided on the destination based on recommendations of friends and relatives. But the internet was ‘crucial’ for those who visited Slovenian spas and the Coast.  The tourists find the country attractive and offering good opportunities for rest and relaxation.  

Source: Foreign Tourists Mainly Visit for Natural Beauties. Slovenian Press Agency (STA). published in “Prosveta,” April 17, 2013, page 3.

Lippizaner Stallion

 

 

 

 

Real Food Lessons From Slovenia- Food Rights Hour Podcast

Slovenia on Food Rights Hour 

Slovenian Cows

Join Dr. Kaayla Daniel and Sylvia Onusic, PhD, for Episode 6 of the Food Rights Hour,  Real Food Lessons from Slovenia. You can download the podcast  at the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund website as they discuss the real food situation in  Slovenia, the food freedom and diversity that such a small country ‘on the sunny side of the Alps” has to offer. (recorded February 14, 2013)

Sylvia, a Slovenian American, lived in Slovenia for six years and worked at the Ministry of Health. She is hosting the “Taste of Slovenia- A Real Food Tour”  May 16-23, 2013. The tour starts in Ljubljana, Slovenia and includes the Mediterranean Coast, the Karst, Northern Alpine areas, the capitol city and more.   Even though the country is small with two million population, Sylvia is certain she has only discovered a small part of what the country has to offer in cuisine, culture and new experiences.  The topographical and geological and we as the history of the country accounts for the  diversity and some 26 culinary regions each having distinctly delicious and different dishes.  

But the question is: where is it, and why Slovenia? 1) Slovenia is Europe. This small microcosm is located at the crossroads of Europe and neighbors on Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. Because of its location, history, and geology, Slovenia shares a Big Bite of food history with these countries which is reflected in its cuisine.

2) Slovenia is local.  “Because of our small size, all foods are local in Slovenia,” says Professor of Dairy Science at the University of Ljubljana,Irena Rogelj.  In this small country, about half the size of Switzerland, where land is at a premium, real food has always been extremely important. Even today, the emphasis is still on “domaca,” fresh, local, naturally grown foods which are prepared at home.  Traditional foods continue to hold a special place in Slovenian cuisine.

3) The Slovenian landscape is truly beautiful. Waterfalls, alpine lakes, peaks and meadows, plains, hundreds of caves, dramatic karst landscape, seacoast,and  the 2^nd most forested country in Europe makes Slovenia the Green place to visit.   For some quality e-brochures see these links: Friendly Countryside. Slovenian Wine Roads   Taste Slovenia Cuisine of Slovenia Gastronomy.  Fresh and Tasty from the Sunny Side

4) A small country with such diversity and natural beauty, and quality of food and wine, is the perfect place for a premier food tour.

Mali Grad

We have a great group of people going on the tour this year but may have a few places available. Join us for a wonderful experience May 16-23, 2013.  To inquire, email Sylvia at sponusic@gmail.com or tasteofslovenia@wordpress.com See you in Slovenia.

Dobrodošli – Welcome.  For more  images of Slovenia and it’s vibrant food scene  click here!

Exciting News for Beekeepers and Honey Lovers

Sunny Bees– Honey Bees

Bee on Sunflower

Are you dreaming of a vacation where you can indulge your passions, yet, at the same time, learn more to benefit your work/interests/history/nutrition of all that is about bees? What about a new perspective for raising healthy bees, bee houses, biodynamic beekeeping, and added value for your honey products?  In addition to all that, enjoy fresh, traditional and local food in the midst of incredible natural surroundings for 8 days and 7 nights.

Taste of Slovenia, our premier food tour in the country that produced the Carnolian Bee, apis mellifera carnica, is a food tour you will not soon forget. While you enjoy sumptuous home-made foods and drinks, you will feel at home among like-minded people with a long tradition of beekeeping. Slovenia is the home of the ‘panjska koncnica,’  Anton Jansa, the Father of Modern Beekeeping, and the Beekeeping Center of Slovenia.

Our tour includes these ‘bee-utiful’ experiences:   1)Beekeepers Museum in Radolvjica.  This historical Museum of Beekeeping in Slovenia was opened in 1959. It gives the history of beekeeping in Slovenia and Europe with many exhibits, including original bee hive panels.  Painted Beehive Panels “Panjska končnica” ;

2) Beekeeping Education Center of Gorenjska in Lesce, near Lake Bled, opened in June 2012. There we will have a tasting (‘degustacija’) of the local honeys, a guided tour, shop, and educational exhibits.

Bee Panel design from 1862

3) Presentation by Janko Bozic, PhD, Professor of Apiary Science at the University of Ljubljana.

4) Visits to local beekeepers.  Near Bled: Beekeeping Blaž Ambrožič, Kingdom of Honey. This is a great website which combines traditional with contemporary. 

Near Ljubljana: Polhov Gradec, Cebelarstvo Boznar , an organic producer who sells health products made from honey such as immunomel. He sells the  different kinds of honey produced in Slovenia: fir, acacia, forest, chestnut, linden (my favorite) and some honey specialties, such as honey with pear brandy (‘viljamovko,’ a special brandy made in Slovenia by monks- the one with the pear in the bottle).

5)  Consultation with local honey experts upon request.

Honey Cakes

On the way back from the Museum in Radovljica we will stop at the Honey Cake Museum

Honey Cakes

museum located at the Inn, “Lektar,” a 500 year old house in the village of  the medieval city of Radovljica   The honey cakes are a traditional gifts in the shape of a heart,  which can be purchased iced with a special name, and a mirror. The cakes with mirrors were given by sweethearts to one another.  We will be able to purchase these small cakes.

We wish to mention our good friend, the biodynamic beekeeper, Anton Fabjan, who

Anton’s Beehouse

arranged his hives according to feng shui and was the producer of Endovital products made with honey. Anton unexpectedly passed away in October of 2012. We will miss him.

Bee Vocabulary: Bees in English and in Slovenian 

Bee                           čebela  (chebayla)

Beekeeper              čebelar (chebelar)

Honey                      med (met)

Honey wine-            medica  (medeetsa)

Bee hive                   panj  (pun)

Beehive panel          panjska koncnica

We also salute the film, “Queen of the Sun.”  ”The winner of 10 international film festival awards in 2011, this spellbinding film explores the long-term causes that have led to one of our most urgent global food crises, illuminating the deep link between humans and bees.  Inspiring and entertaining, QUEEN OF THE SUN uncovers the problems and solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature through the eyes of biodynamic beekeepers, commercial beekeepers, scientists and philosophers. QUEEN OF THE SUN features world renowned biodynamic beekeeper Gunther Hauk, New York Times bestselling-author

Film “Queen of the Sun”

Michael Pollan, Indian Activist Vandana Shiva, and a compelling cast of characters from around the world.”  At  www.queenofthesun.com watch trailers for the film. You can host a showing of this film in your community.

To read more pleasant things about honey please find “Taste of Europe. Slovenia. Honey.”

Sylvia