From the Benedictine to the Carthusian Monks
Slovenia is a land of vineyards. The north-eastern part has been a wine-growing region important for both the nobility and ordinary folk throughout history. One of those who cultivated the tradition of viniculture and enriched it with their knowledge and experience were the monks in numerous monasteries. Today's heritage is a mixture of architectural and cultural heritage intertwined with outstanding vinicultural and culinary experiences.
OVERVIEW
DAY 1:
Your discovery of the combination of spirituality, cultural and artistic treasures and the vinicultural and culinary delicacies will begin in a wine cellar which continues the 800-year long Benedictine tradition of winemaking. They will prepare a tasting of their multiple award-winning wines. The tasting in the renovated and more than 450 years old mansion will give a completely new dimension to the wine. As you will not be able to bid your goodbyes quickly, you will also enjoy the rich ambiance of the place for lunch. They say that food comes from the heart which is why we will take the time after lunch to visit one of the most photographed Slovenian sights, the "Svečina heart". Maribor, the biggest city in this part of Slovenia, and its many hidden gems and the oldest vine in the world are on the itinerary in the afternoon. After sightseeing, you will enjoy dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants. Accommodation and overnight stay in a hotels.
DAY 2:
After breakfast, you will drive west towards the Žiče Charterhouse (Žička kartuzija), the oldest Carthusian monastery in Central Europe that was established in the 12th century. The monastery has preserved exceptional architecture and is considered one of the main European monuments of early Carthusian construction. The mightiest of them is the remnants of the Church of St. John the Baptist with its magnificent gothic windows. Afterwards, you will be welcomed at the oldest restaurant in Slovenia that has a collection of mediaeval recipes. After lunch, you will visit one of the most interesting wine cellars in Slovenia and finish off the day in pleasant company.
PACKAGE PRICE PER PERSON
- VIP package with a guide and transportation: from 278 €
- Group trip: from 219 €
THE ADVENTURE/PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Visit to the Benedictine mansion
- Visit to the Žiče Charterhouse
- 2 x wine tasting
- 2 x lunch in the selected restaurant
- 1 x dinner
- 1 x overnight stay with breakfast at the hotel ****
For more information about trips and activities click here.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Program can be carried out from 1 May to 31 October, arrivals possible every day of the week
- the program is intended for groups of 2–7 persons and larger groups for which the program can be adapted
- Possible to combine two or more packages
- Tourist fee is included in the price
- Due to the Covid-19 situation, VIP tours and group tours are suspended until further notice.
Hotel City ****
Hotel City is situated next to the Drava River, in the heart of the capital of the Štajerka region, Maribor. You can walk to the city centre and the main attractions, and you are also only a few minutes away from the Pohorje Mountain Range.
The hotel greeted its first guests in 2011 when it was first opened. It is characterised by outstanding hospitality and young, professional staff that is happy to go a step further for their guest. You can enquire about excursions to the surrounding areas or simply ask for directions to the attractions that are only a few minutes of walking away as the city is practically on your doorstep here. But you must be sure not to leave before visiting Lent that is home to the city's pride and joy, the oldest vine in the world.
If you're not tired after exploring the city centre or its surroundings, you can visit the fitness centre that is open 24 hours a day. The modern hotel lobby features the Lobby Cafe with a small terrace where you can relax and enjoy a drink. The outstanding City Terrace restaurant on the fifth floor of the hotel and its large terrace will surely leave a positive impression as they offer a unique view of the Drava River and the Pohorje Mountain Range.
All of the 78 rooms are air conditioned and feature a mini bar, satellite TV and free WiFi.
You can satisfy your culinary curiosity with unique dishes that will tingle your taste buds.
Hotel Betnava ****
Hotel Betnava is located on the southern outskirts of Maribor, in the immediate vicinity of Betnava Forest. The city centre is a mere 5 minutes away by car and the same is true of the foot of the Pohorje Mountain Range and the sports facilities there.
The location is more than suitable for a visit to the city centre with various interesting stories such as the one about a tailor who saved Maribor from a Turkish attack. Another attraction of the city is Lent with the oldest vine in the world that still bears fruit to this today. You can also find interesting things to visit and see in the surrounding towns and tourist farms where you can enjoy outstanding homemade food and wines, and you can amaze at the natural beauty around the Lovrenška jezera lakes, the Črno jezero lake and many other attractions. The nearby Pohorje Mountain Range offers activities in all seasons, i.e. cycling, hiking or skiing and sledding.
The hotel is also suitable for athletes as it is located near sports facilities and also operates one of the biggest fitness centres with specialised conditioning coaches. It boasts the unique "Halal friendly" offer that complies with the strict relevant requirements. The hotel is also suitable for visitors from Asia as its chefs will treat them to Asian dishes and the rooms also feature jasmine and green tea. The hotel's staff knows very-well how important relaxation is which is why they have prepared a varied programme of massages.
The hotel offers 36 spacious and comfortable rooms with natural elements as well as an LCD TV, mini bar, air conditioning unit and free WiFi.
When you encounter the aromas emanating from the Betnava Restaurant, you can be sure that true gourmet pleasures await you there. The self-service breakfast buffet merges flavours and the wishes of guests from numerous countries, while guests can choose from several dinner menus, some even featuring the flavours of Slovenia. Gluten and lactose-free meals are also available by special order.
Benedictines
The manor traces its roots to the 15th century, at the time of Abbot Antonius I when some of the edifices at the estate were renovated. The oldest part of the manor is the more than 450-year-old vaulted wine cellar. The Jarenina Manor estate was given as a gift to the church in 1130-1135 by the nobleman Rudolf Wittenswald, while Archbishop Conrad I of Salzburg gifted the entire estate to the Benedictine monastery of Admont. The estate grew larger over the centuries through additional purchases and gifts. The order acquired vineyards in the areas of Železne dveri and Kapele. As early as in 1300, the Admont Abbot Engelbert purchased a vineyard at Železne dveri from Lubet Valba from Radgona. Benedictines produced wine at all of the estates that were then transported by the serfs of Admont to Austria. Written sources speak of the monastic vineyards being exemplary and of the wines being expertly cellared. The monks gave the winegrowers written instructions on how a serf or vineyard leaseholder should manage the vineyard according to instructions ("Instructiones") that were written by Abbot Anselm Lierzer in 1712 and encompassed 43 points.
The magnificently renovated more than 450 years old manor and the tended surroundings coupled with wine tasting and lunch from a professional kitchen preparing the most exacting culinary specialties is always a wonderful experience for each and every guest.
The Svečinski srček heart in the midst of a vineyard
Hearts are always the best backdrop for photography. There is a heart in Slovenia that winds among vineyards and serves as an excellent motif for enjoying and photographing the surroundings.
Maribor
Maribor and its old town centre will amaze you with their cultural-historical attractions and the hospitality of the locals. The beautiful town square with famous edifices, Lent with the oldest vine in the world, the City Park with three fishponds and the Pyramid… Coffee and tea shops will lure you to the charming small streets and alleys where you will be able to chat with friends and relive your experiences after the sightseeing.
Žiče Charterhouse
The road will lead you through the Žiče village and St. John's Valley to the mysteries of the Žiče Charterhouse. In this remote and narrow valley, the owner of the estate at the time, the Margrave of Styria Ottokar III, tasked himself in 1155 with creating a home for the monks of Grande Chartreuse in France. After arriving in 1160, the monks began building most of the current buildings, which were first made of wood and later of masonry. The Gastuž guesthouse was built in the 15th century and is today one of the oldest still operating inns in central Europe. The order was disbanded in 1782 as Emperor Joseph II abolished the Žiče Charterhouse by decree. Buildings began to fall into ruin after 1827, however, life has begun to return to the charterhouse over the last decade. The renovated upper part of the outbuilding now houses four permanent exhibitions about the history of the charterhouse, while Zlati grič sparkling wines are peacefully aged in Ottokar's sparkling wine cellar. Under the vaulted ceilings of the monastery, a master potter shows his craft and you can also learn how to make pottery yourself as a part of the workshop that is organised there. You can also stroll through the landscaped herb gardens and visit the Herbal Pharmacy - Herbs from the Žiče Charterhouse that hides a treasury of herbal beverages and medicinal preparations. The Žiče Charterhouse is also home to the oldest still operating guesthouse, Gostilna Gastuž, from 1467 that offers monastic dishes to its patrons.
Visit to a wine cellar
The area around the Žiče Charterhouse is full of excellent wine cellars where you can taste excellent wines. One of them is the Meum cellar where you will have the opportunity to taste their wines.
- H1 Hotel City ****
- H2 Hotel Betnava ****
- 3 Benedictines
- 4 The Svečinski srček heart in the midst of a vineyard
- 5 Maribor
- 6 Žiče Charterhouse
- 7 Visit to a wine cellar
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- VIP tour with tourist guide and transportation
- Group trip
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Transfer from the airport
Guests arriving by air will be offered comfortable transfers at competitive prices from close by airports. Our chauffeur will meet you at the arrival and will bring you back safely and on time
to the airport at the departure. You can cancel the transfer from your home to the hotel without expenses within 72 hours prior to scheduled transfer. You will receive the information about the exact time of departure a day before the scheduled transfer.
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Transfer from home to the hotel
Guests from northern Italy are offered the possibility of transport from home to the hotel. You can choose between
morning or afternoon directory term, the carriage is available for 2-7 passengers, reservation up to 5 days prior to departure. The notice of the exact time and location of departure one day prior to the tour.
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Distance:550 km
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