Slovenia’s history has long been rooted in the tradition of beekeeping, with the destination having relied on the healing powers of bees and their products for years and Slovenia also being the country that has the most beekeepers per capita in the world. In fact, Slovenia proposed to the UN that the 20th May be named World Bee Day back in 2017. The date marks the birthday of 18th century bee expert, Anton Janša, and is now celebrated every year.
Today, blooming meadows and forests across Slovenia are home to the Carniolan honey bee, an indigenous Slovenian sub-species of bee that is one of the most widespread honeybees in the world, known for their diligence, humility, and great sense of direction. With apiculture playing such an integral role in Slovenia’s background, the destination offers a range of honey and bee-related experiences, with just a selection of these highlighted below ahead of World Bee Day on Monday 20th May.
Spend a night sleeping with the bees
In Soča Valley, visitors can explore the home apiary, which has been specially adapted for apitourism activities, allowing people to see the life of bees as closely as possible without the risk of being stung.
Kozjak offers overnight stays in the apiary, allowing guests to sleep listening to the buzzing of the bees and inhaling the scents of the beehive. For those wanting more than just passively breathing the air of the apiary, there are two masks provided for intensive inhalation of aerosol that comes directly from the beehive. Whilst providing a relaxing experience, breathing the air from the beehives has also been shown to help with treating certain respiratory conditions.
Available from €100 (approximately £88) in low season for two people for a one-night stay.
Indulge in honey wellness
Whilst ingesting honey provides many health benefits through its naturally occurring enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, it has also been shown to be a wonderful skincare resource.
The Slovenian town of Laško is a destination dedicated to bees and beekeeping, which is utilised at the Thermana Laško Spa; one of the first in Slovenia to develop the concept of honey wellness.
Here, the spa offers guests the chance to experience a honey massage, which uses a natural honey ointment of local origin that boasts a quality Taste Laška mark. The ointment used in the massage uses four bee products: honey, pollen, propolis and beeswax, as well as sunflower oil. These honey treatments help to maintain the flexibility and elasticity of the skin, detoxify the body, improve blood flow, strengthen the immune system, as well as calming and relaxing the recipient.
The treatments are recommended for anyone with allergies and those with conditions such as rheumatoid diseases, chronic fatigue and sleep problems, depression, headaches and cardio-vascular problems.
One-hour honey body massage available from €64 (approximately £55).
Witness the Slovenian tradition of “lectarstvo”
Of course, in a destination where bees and honey feature so prominently, it would be rude not to eat any!
The medieval town of Radovljica is home to the Lectar Workshop and Museum, which demonstrates the Slovenian tradition of “lectarstvo”, a craft connected with the production and sale of honey-bread (lect), a decorated pastry made from honey dough, which is baked in tin moulds to make various shapes and figures.
In the Lectar Inn in Linhart Square, visitors will encounter the enticing smells of genuine Lectar hearts, as well as being able to see how the hearts are made and decorated, alongside a collection of decades-old honey-bread hearts. Personalised products with the names of loved ones can be purchased here, and for groups it’s possible to arrange workshops to decorate the hearts.
Workshop available from €15 (approximately £13) per person.
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