WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT BEEKEEPING IN SLOVENIA Slovenia was labelled the »heart and soul of beekeeping« in Europe. The country is known for the quality of its honey and its long tradition of apiculture.
First World Bee Day We all have an obligation to ensure our future generations will have a clean and healthy environment and nutrient-rich foods available, for which bees and other pollinators play a crucial role.
Bee inspired by tradition. Bee kind to nature. Bee involved in the local culture.
In order to raise awareness about the importance of bees and bee products, the Beekeepers Association of Slovenia with the support of the Republic of Slovenia, gave the initiative at the United Nations Organization to mark the birthday of Anton Janša, May 20, as World Bee Day.
Try out a restorative apitherapy treatment, from honey massages to beehive air.
Bee Active
Enjoy a cycling tour along the panoramic Beekeeping route.
Bee Playful
Anton Janša’s memorial apiary in Žirovnica (Breznica)
One of the pioneers of apiculture on a global scale was Slovenian. Anton Janša (1734-1773) is considered to be the first teacher of modern beekeeping.
Best quality honey
Native Carniolan bee
Slovenia is known as a country using a “unique beekeeping method” characterized by wide varieties of honey, like the acacia, lime, chestnut, fir, spruce, floral and forest honey.
Visit a museum of apiculture and a 200-year-old restaurant which makes delicious heart-shaped honeybread. Make one yourself to bring some sweetness back home.
PAINTED BEEHIVE PANELS A unique feature of beekeeping in Slovenia is the colourful panels of the beehives. Typically, they are decorated with paintings depicting scenes and characters from folk tales.
Slovenia is also the only European Union Member State to have protected its native bee, the Carniolan bee (Apis mellifera carnica). The Carniolan bee is now the second most common honeybee in the world, famed for its docility, hard work, humility and excellent sense of orientation.
Apitourism (also known as bee tourism) gives a fresh approach to eco conscious travel. It invites you on a journey into the fascinating world of bees, presenting you with the country’s cultural heritage and natural beauty. In Slovenia, a country of unique apiculture with a long beekeeping tradition, apitourism offers a new kind of holiday with a positive impact:
Bee Healthy
Join us in the celebration IN SLOVENiA!
Pioneers of modern apiculture
What’s the buzz about apitourism?
Bee Pleased
Enjoy honey tasting while learning about the amazing world of bees. Indulge in sweet honey delicacies and take pleasure in the local api-cuisine.
Bee Yourself
Meet local beekeepers, talk to them. Enter their homes and open your heart to their stories. Learn the deeply humbling realization about how the lives of people and bees are inextricably intertwined.
Discover apitourism authentic, bee-focused travel experiences info@beeourguest.eu www.beeourguest.eu
www.beeourguest.eu
Apitourism is unique to Slovenia as it is the first – and only – country to certify apitourism providers. For more information about api-holidays in Slovenia check out ApiRoutes. The tourism company offers bee-focused programmes and api experiences that inspire, educate and enrich life.
Where to find the best api-adventures Experience the tradition of Slovenian beekeeping in the beautiful towns of Bled, Bohinj, Žirovnica, Kranjska Gora, Gorje, Radovljica in the Alpine region of Gorenjska (Upper Carniola), Slovenia.
Visit the best must-bee places!
Žirovnica
authentic Slovenian countryside
Bled
The birth house of France Prešeren
• The birth house of France Prešeren
Indulge into some culture and taste the delicious honey biscuits.
• Anton Janša’s memorial apiary
Besides being a pioneer of bee-
keeping, Anton Janša also painted the panels of the beehives.
• Noč beekeeping
Try a vast variety of honey products, honey spirits, honey sparkling wine, and even honey scented perfume!
Radovljica
one of the most beautiful old towns in Slovenia
Lake Bled
• Ambrožič beekeeping
Enjoy the benefits of apitherapy and learn the modern way of beekeeping the Carniolan bee.
• Bled Castle
Besides an exceptional view of Lake Bled, the castle invites
• The old town centre of Radovljica
Stop at the tourist information centre for some honey chocolate.
• The Museum of Apiculture Discover the rich beekeeping tradition of Slovenia.
• Lectar restaurant’s traditional honeybread workshop
Admire the exhibition of the traditional honeydew hearts and decorate your honey-bread heart to take home.
• Honey menu at local restaurants
Fresh ingredients, traditional recipes and genuine Slovenian food. Visit Lectar Restaurant, Vila Podvin, Kunstelj Inn, Draga Inn, Restaurant Tulipan and Lambergh Château & Hotel Restaurant.
you to discover the old printing house, a wine cellar and a shop of honey products.
• Bled island
Taste the traditional Slovenian cake - potica with honey.
Gorje
wonderful views of Bled and Karavanke mountains
Lake Bohinj
• Guided cycling excursion
Hop on and cycle along the beautiful Bohinj beekeeping path in the Triglav National Park. Treat yourself to something delicious and taste the traditional honey specialties.
Kranjska Gora
• The panoramic Beekeeping route
Enjoy walking along this scenic road connecting several cultural and natural points of interest.
• Toni beekeeping
• Honey menu at the restaurant Pr ‘Jagru
• The old town centre of Kranjska Gora
It tastes delicious!
Stop for a while to admire the second oldest beehive in Slovenia.
• Visit local beekeepers
Join the presentation of the bee family and observe the bees in the special observation hive. Enjoy honey tasting, and indulge in the healing effects of apitherapy.
Kranjska Gora
• Bernik beekeeping
Try their special honey pops with various additions, like cranberries, cinnamon, lemon …
• Čuček beehive
the world famous sport center
Panoramic Beekeeping route
The Museum of Apiculture in Radovljica
The Carniolan bee
Bohinj
the valley with a magnificent lake in the heart of the Julian Alps
the Alpine jewel of Slovenia
Join a guided tour of beekeeping for children, indulge into some honey and pollen tasting.
• Židana Marela shop
Enter the shop with folk and traditional Slovenian souvenirs and a vast selection of bee products.
Take a stroll around the charming old town.
• The beekeeping centre of Gorenjska
Guided tours of the traditional Slovenian apiary, honey tasting, various workshops, shop with honey products, wellness centre with honey treatments and so much more …
Info: The booklet has been created as part of the Bee Our Guest project in cooperation with the Municipality of Kranjska Gora, the Municipality of Gorje, the Municipality of Bohinj, the Municipality of Radovljica, the Municipality of Bled and the Municipality of Žirovnica / Published by: Institute for tourism and culture Žirovnica / Copywriting: Artemidis / Translation: Artemidis / Design: Simon Pavlič / Photos: Franc Šivic, Simon Senica, photo collection of the Tourist Board Kranjska Gora by Bogomir Košir, Radovljica Tourism by Miran Kambič, Tourism Bled, Institute for Tourism and Culture Žirovnica, Bohinj Local Tourist Board / Printing: Tiskarna Medium d.o.o. / Print run: 10.000 pieces, Žirovnica, 2017