A multitude of souvenirs for the most gourmets
If you are a classicist, you can choose one of the two PDO honeys of the country: the Kocevje forest honey with its light and floral aroma, or the Karst honey with its stronger taste. As for condiments, special mention should be made of Piran's salt, which is several hundred years old and has maintained its tradition of harvesting by hand from the Strunjan and Sečovlje salt pans. Istrian olive oils also have some virtues and can be an original gift, less so, however, than pumpkin seed oil (bučno olje
). Originally from Styria, its green color and its taste of dried fruit may surprise the uninformed tester. Nevertheless, this oil, beyond its gustatory quality, has many medicinal virtues, especially for the preservation of the digestive system. We will prefer recognized labels such as Oljarna Kolarič or Domaine Passero. For information, 1 l of oil corresponds to about 3 kg of seeds from about 30 squashes. For foreign wine lovers and/or collectors, Slovenia is a small paradise on earth because there are very varied and often unknown grape varieties, depending on the regions and their very particular climatic conditions. All colors are present - red, white, rosé - and a new color has made its way into the good cellars of the country - orange wine.Some exceptional craftsmanship
Slovenia has a remarkable culture of tradition and transmission of skills. Each historical region or municipality cultivates its own specific craftsmanship.
In the southwest of the country, traditional wooden objects called suha roba have been made since the Middle Ages. This practice is now anchored in the local customs. Wooden toys, baskets and dishes can be found at the Ribnica craft market, which takes place every first Sunday in September and brings together some 500 exhibitors.
Further north, but still in the west, Idrija lace will fascinate you with its cult of precision. This activity, initiated in the course of the 17th century, was initially intended to maintain a certain economic activity of complement. It was a question for the women of this time to support their husbands who worked for the greater part in the mercury mine of Idrija. Little by little, this domestic use was the object of an exponential demand. The work of lace is particular to Idrija since it is based on the unprecedented use of seven pairs of spindles. Due to its success, the municipality opened a school dedicated to the art of lacemaking in 1876, which is still in operation today and can be visited. In mid-July, the whole city puts on its most beautiful pieces for the festival dedicated to this know-how.
In the south of the country , Rogaška Slatina crystal is the local pride. Crystal making has been going on for over three centuries in Rogaška Slatina. Indeed, the glassblowing factory launched the beginning of this artisanal activity, which was considerably industrialized during the 20th century. Today, the town's workshop is one of the most important in Europe and its store is full of high quality tableware. It is possible to visit it, with a reservation.
Head east to the Premurkje pottery, which has been a popular traditional activity since the 14th century. The famous black pottery is the pride of the region, although the number of potters (about 30) has been falling in recent years.
The painted beehive panels(panjse koncnice), which are scattered all over the country, have the major interest of serving as a visual marker for beekeepers. This Slovenian practice dates from the 18th century, when modern beekeeping emerged under the leadership of Anton Janša. The drawings are often religiously inspired, but can also depict scenes of everyday, popular and rural life. An impressive collection of these painted beehive panels can be found in the museum in Radovljica. This visual art has been the subject of a request for inscription on the Unesco intangible heritage list for several years. It is possible to buy some of them for decorative purposes made by local artists of great talent.
Finally, for poetry lovers, the pisanice consists of decorating Easter eggs with drawings. The different colors are achieved through the use of various natural elements. There are three types of eggs in Slovenia: Carniola, Vrhnika and Prekmurje. Every year, an artistic competition is held at Ljubljana Castle to determine the most beautiful egg.
The markets in the capital are very colorful as Easter approaches, with the sale of butarica, the traditional boughs with bright colors and different branches depending on the region
Products to follow
Without claiming to be exhaustive, which would be an illusion, we can nevertheless highlight some clever objects and/or products, in the spirit of the times, and whose know-how is 100% Slovenian! Cushions, bags and other original duvet covers offered by Bymiabags are obviously part of this category (www.bymiabags.com). The two sisters, illustrators by profession, have launched themselves into this field with a particular emphasis on respect for the environment. Thus, the silkscreen printing is done directly at their home and the bed linen designs are printed locally. Drytide (www.drytidegear.com) is also a pioneering company in its field of expertise with the launch of a new generation range of backpacks, guaranteed 100% waterproof and made entirely in Slovenia. If we leave the world of decoration to teleport ourselves into that of well-being, it would be regrettable to miss the organic cosmetic products Dvorec Trebnik (www.trebnik.com/naravna-kozmetika), which have the advantage of being certified natural and designed with the precious help of an herbalist who will introduce the public to the virtues of each plant. A last detour to the high-tech world in which the Erzetich Audio brand (www.erzetich-audio.com) has made a name for itself thanks to its headphones that are acclaimed for the quality of their acoustics. It's up to you to determine whether their solid wood finish and high-end finishing justify their high price.
Specialized stores for unique souvenirs
. His shop, established in Ljubljana, specialises in recycling and assembling waste to make original bags. On a more unusual note, if your umbrella has been damaged by heavy rain or a stormy wind, you can have it repaired at Deznik, a micro-shop where Marija will try to restore your makeshift headgear or offer you a new, sturdier one from her personal collection.If you wish to make Slovenia known through the souvenirs you bring back to your loved ones, we have a few addresses to share. First of all, if you are visiting the Bled region, don't miss Woodway, a nice shop that offers a wide range of durable, high-quality Slovenian wood products - dishes, watches, cups, etc. - and a wide variety of other products. If you have more of a literary soul, you should be seduced by Trgovina Ika's stylish stationery items. If you can't find what you're looking for here, take a little further down the street to the next street, where Babushka Boutique is located, with a wide range of designer and decorative items, each one more attractive than the last. Real artists will appreciate the small seaside workshops, like Nika's in Piran who makes elegant tiny houses
and her own postcards. If you are one of those who believe that art should be useful, go and admire the delicate and impressive work of Soap Art, which abounds in artistic works made with solid soap. For those with a sweet tooth, go to Olive Oil Morgan in Koper, a producer of quality olive oil with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), which has won awards in several international competitions. A visit to the vineyards and cellars could be the subject of a whole chapter as the offer has grown in recent years. To avoid an umpteenth enumeration, you can consult the list of the best sites on the page of the Slovenian Tourist Office. Finally, if you love animals and especially dogs, Slovenians won't let you leave without a canine pastry from Hov Hov, guaranteed 100% natural and made in Slovenia.
