In October, the Association of Tourist Farms of Slovenia organized a study trip for Slovenian journalists to Gorenjska region and its farmstays.

In Gorenjska region, we got to know its diverse countryside, met the owners of the farms in person, listened to their stories and tasted the authentic local dishes.

Guest House Pr’Dovar

Driving uphill from Cerklje na Gorenjskem along the winding road towards the small village of Ambrož pod Krvavcem, you soon reach the Guest house eco farm Pr’Dovar. The whole of central Slovenia lies before you. Numerous cats quickly become your friends. In the neighbouring meadows, cows and sheep graze contentedly. Beekeeping has a long tradition in the family, so do not hesitate to relax and inhale the aerosol while listening to the bees buzzing in the bee house. Furthermore, they collect medicinal plants from the healing meadows to prepare tea blends and herbal syrups. We ended our visit at Guest House Pr’Dovar with a tasting of sage syrup, home-baked semolina bread, thick barley soup with meat and vegetables, rhubarb compote, and štruklji dumplings with tarragon and cottage cheese.

Šenk homestead

Šenk homestead tourist farm in Jezersko is truly a gem of Alpine architecture. The complex consists of eight buildings with wooden roofs, arranged in a layout designed over 500 years ago. Look for the engraved year 1521 above the door of the main building, which is now protected as national cultural heritage. We were welcomed by Polona and Drejc, who offered us homemade schnapps. The impressive views of the magnificent Kamnik-Savinja mountains are breathtaking. Mija, who speaks in the Jezersko dialect, showed us how wool is brushed and spun into yarn using a spinning wheel. At the end of the hands-on activity, we made our own felted soap bar. At dinner time, we delighted our taste buds with masunjek, a typical shepherd’s dish made from sweet and sour cream mixed with buckwheat flour, served with home-baked bread. We continued with mashed potatoes, pumpkin purée, lamb, and a large bowl of fresh seasonal salad. We could not resist finishing the delicious dinner with a pancake topped with plum jam. Before falling asleep, I took the opportunity to relax in the Finnish and infrared sauna.

At Šenk homestead, accommodation is offered in two renovated buildings (with a total of 11 units) and in the campsite during the summer. After a delicious breakfast, we were shown around the farm, where chickens, ducks, cats, and dogs roam freely, while pigs, cows, and sheep can be seen in the meadows or inside their enclosures.

Tourist farm Dolinar-Krainer

Tourist farm Dolinar-Krainer is a small farm located between Bohinj and Bled. Iza, who takes care of four apartments and a room, also produces goat products that guests can enjoy at breakfast. We had the opportunity to tantalise our taste buds with stuffed peppers filled with goat cheese, goat cheese with various herbs, goat cheese wraps, and melissa juice. It was a true culinary goat cheese treat!

Tourist farm Mulej

At the tourist farm Mulej, near Bled, we learnt how milk production is carried out according to the principle ‘happy cow, happy farmer’. The farm has around 150 cows, and milk production is fully automated and robotised. We had the chance to taste Bled cheese, Emmental cheese (made with milk from Mulej farm), venison salami, wild boar salami, lard, pâté, butter, and cottage cheese. In addition to milk production, they also offer bed and breakfast apartments and rooms.

Tourist farm Tominc-Frelih

At the tourist farm Tominc-Frelih, located in Brezje, the largest Slovenian pilgrimage site, they have been involved in tourism for more than 120 years. From the farm, there is a wonderful view of the Jelovica, Pokljuka, and Triglav mountain ranges. Vid and Meta can accommodate up to 12 guests, who can enjoy a traditional Slovenian breakfast made with food from local producers. Their delicious apple juice has won many awards. For a late lunch, we were served jota sauerkraut soup with Kranjska sausage and home-baked bread. Vid’s sister prepared a delicious autumn cake shaped like a pumpkin.

The Gorenjska region is undoubtedly a year-round tourist destination, featuring outstanding tourist farms and offering a true culinary paradise.

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