Curiosities / Local stories in the most beautiful parts of Slovenia
Slovenia is bursting with thousands of stories that have been retold by the local population for centuries. And these stories appealed to us so strongly that we simply had to pass them on to our guests. Why did people start gifting each other gingerbread hearts in Bled? What were witches cooking up in the Radenci area? What dishes are served on New Year's Day in Prekmurje? Which tree is the symbol of Slovenian Istria? Discover a wealth of local stories through the architecture, equipment, and facilities of our resorts!
Date: 11. 7. 2024
Traditional elements in the architecture of our resorts
Each new renovation incorporates local architectural elements into the design of our accommodation facilities, swimming pools, and other facilities. While staying at our Rikli Balance Hotel in Bled, you can learn about spruce trees from Pokljuka, about the Carniolan honey bee, about the gingerbread heart, and about traditional embroidery from the Gorenjska region, or take a break in the style of Arnold Rikli, who is considered the pioneer of health tourism in Bled. The rooms at Hotel Park have been furnished with spruce wood, while also capturing the symbolism of water, of Lake Bled, and of the forest. On the coast, Hotel Histrion at the St. Bernardin Resort Portorož welcomes you with dry stone walls, Istrian shutters, and oak trees typical of this part of Slovenia, while the rooms tell stories of lavender, of the sea, and of olive trees. The latter can also be experienced at the resort’s renovated Hotel Vile Park Premium.
At Terme 3000 – Moravske Toplice, all three hotels tell stories of Prekmurje. The rooms of the 5-star Hotel Livada Prestige feature Prekmurje straw and corn husk weaving, which are unique elements of handicraft tradition; buckwheat motifs are featured at every turn in Hotel Ajda (in the pillows, in the interior of the swimming pool, and in the restaurant); and the swimming pools at Hotel Termal tell the story of crystals and rocks with beneficial effects. At Terme Ptuj, we have skilfully interwoven elements of ancient Rome into the interior of the modern Grand Hotel Primus, and these accompany you in the form of frescoes, columns, and arches, especially in the Valens Augusta Wellness centre. That's because two thousand years ago, during the ancient Roman period, today's Ptuj was known as the mighty city of Petoviona and boasted approximately 30 thousand inhabitants. The city centre, which was rich in culture and art, was teeming with life, just as the Ptuj thermal water, which you can enjoy at Terme Ptuj, is boiling and bubbling today.
A close connection with rich tradition and natural treasures
The services of each of our resorts – some more than others – are closely linked with the rich history and tradition of their local area. The development of both Health Resort Zdravilišče Radenci and Terme 3000 – Moravske Toplice was based on the discovery of the beneficial local waters. Namely the unique mineral waters, which were first used in Radenci by Dr. Karl Henn, and the miraculous black thermo-mineral waters, which more than 60 years ago changed the fate of Moravske Toplice forever. Health resort tourism also began to develop in Bled thanks to the natural features recognised by famous Swiss healer Arnold Rikli, who built the first natural health resort at Lake Bled in the mid-19th century. The establishment of Terme Ptuj is directly related to the discovery of Ptuj's thermal water, which is particularly effective in treating musculoskeletal problems. And the services offered by our coastal resorts are, in addition to the powers of the beneficial sea, also strongly connected with other natural resources such as sea salt, Istrian herbs, and bio-energy points.
Local cultural heritage through culinary delights
The approach of Slovenian chefs could be described as “back to local”. And that includes the chefs in our restaurants. Among them, the Michelin Plate and Recommended by Michelin award-winning chef Simon Bertoncelj, who indulges guests with culinary specialties in Bled, and the chef dream team, Danilo & Danilo, at Terme 3000, who prepare up to 50 local dishes from Prekmurje at the hotel restaurants. At Terme Ptuj, guests are pampered with cuisine of the Štajerska region and selected local wines; at Health Resort Zdravilišče Radenci, our chefs indulge you with authentic culinary delights from Prlekija and dishes made with mineral water; and at all three coastal resorts, our chefs find inspiration for local Istrian dishes in Istrian villages and in the sea. The variety of landscapes in which our resorts are located is reflected in the variety of flavours you can taste at our restaurants. With us, the culinary journey begins at the hotel!
Wellness pampering with a local twist
A bath of a thousand bubbles which gently caress your hands, making you feel like royalty at Health Resort Zdravilišče Radenci. The scent of blossoming Pannonian meadows and the soft embrace of pumpkin seed oil used in massages at Terme 3000. The intertwining of the beauty rituals of ancient Rome and modern beauty treatments at Terme Ptuj. Pampering in an Istrian hammam, algae wraps, or a salt scrub on the coast. Or Alpine wellness with spruce tips and honey gathered by Carniolan honey bees. Even our wellness pampering has a local twist!
In touch with the local environment, customs, and sights
All our resorts are ideal starting points for discovering the special features, sights, and traditions of the local environment. Explore the mysteries of natural and cultural attractions by bike or on foot, and visit the surrounding tourist farms, where you can not only indulge your taste buds with local homemade specialities, but also learn about various crafts and treat yourself to the charm of an authentic local experience.
Discovering landscapes through fairy tales
Holidays with children usually revolve around activities and trips tailored specifically for them. So, what could be better than exploring and discovering new landscapes through the eyes of a child? Exploring your holiday location through local fairy tales will make your holiday even more miraculous! Here are the enchanting fairy tales and stories that unveil the mysteries of Pomurje, Bled, the Slovenian coast, and Štajerska.
Foto: Mankica Kranjec, TZ Ptuj
Experience holidays as they used to be celebrated
Even in December, the most festive month of the year, we at Sava Hotels & Resorts respect the local stories and traditions of the places where our resorts are located, and we enthusiastically incorporate them into our facilities and services across Slovenia. With us, you can experience the different traditions that bring holidays to life, as remembered by our grandparents!
