Apartment in Dolenjske Toplice: Thermal Springs, Cvinger and Nature

The thermal theme in Dolenjske Toplice is directly connected to water: two of the three thermal springs at Terme Dolenjske Toplice are located directly beneath the indoor pools, beneath the Knežja Pool and the Jama Pool at Hotel Vital. The Laguna area of Vitarium Spa & Beauty includes three indoor and outdoor pools, covering 324, 304 and 850 square metres respectively. Balnea FUN complements this area with four outdoor water slides, a pool with a pirate ship, a paddling pool and a climbing wall in the indoor pool.

Experiences

A family-friendly discovery is the Dotkova skrivnost adventure route. It starts at Sitarjeva hiša, home of the Dolenjske Toplice TIC. The key to the chest is given after 13 tasks have been completed. The activity is intended for children aged three to approximately ten.

The ruins of Rožek are also a child-friendly stop: they are located along the Rožek nature trail, which is particularly suitable for children in the first and second years of primary school and is also interesting for adults.

History and Culture

The Cvinger Archaeological Trail is 2.5 kilometres long, marked with information boards and has an elevation difference of 60 metres. Along the route are a burial mound field, a former smelting site, a cave and the ruins of a fortification. The Cvinger area is considered one of the most important centres of the Early Iron Age in Slovenia and the wider southeastern Alpine region.

The Church of St Anne is part of the area’s early architectural history. Its foundations preserve the remains of a medieval predecessor church from the end of the 15th century, including Gothic windows and a Gothic portal in the chancel. On the southern side, a tower with loopholes and part of the medieval defensive wall have also been preserved.

Rožek Castle, also known as Roseckh, was built at the beginning of the 13th century, first mentioned in 1249 and abandoned in the 19th century.

Nature

The Sušica stream flows through the centre of Dolenjske Toplice. Due to its hydrogeological and geomorphological features, it is designated as a natural asset. Because it is home to the olm and bullhead, the Sušica is part of the European ecological network Natura 2000.

Sitarjeva hiša stands in an area with several cold karst springs. One nearby spring once served as the most important water source for the inhabitants of Dolenjske Toplice. A trail leads to Sedlata gorica on Pogorelec via forest paths and offers encounters with the local flora and fauna.

The municipality of Dolenjske Toplice has 18 signposted hiking trails and 6 signposted cycling trails. The starting point for all trails is in front of the large map on the façade of the Dolenjske Toplice Cultural and Congress Centre.

Paragliding pilots can take off from the Peter launch site on Straški hrib. It is located above Dolenje Polje at an altitude of 464 metres and serves as a launch site for paragliders. The launch site on Sedlata gorica at Pogorelec is a second paragliding launch site in Dolenjske Toplice.

In the Surrounding Area

In the surroundings of Dolenjske Toplice, the Muzej Kočevarjev staroselcev is open by prior appointment and offers guided tours. In the wider region, Žaga Rog is a destination with an information board. A model of the sawmill can be viewed at the Skavtskem okoljskem centru, housed in the only building still preserved today.

In the surroundings of Dolenjske Toplice, the Muzej Kočevarjev staroselcev at the cultural centre of the Association of Gottschee Old Settlers presents historical facts about the former inhabitants of the Kočevje region, who lived there for more than 600 years. It also addresses the German-speaking linguistic island covering an area of 800 km², its settlement in the 14th century, the inhabitants’ lives and work, and their emigration during the Second World War.

The ground floor of Sitarjeva hiša was converted into an inn during the lifetime of its owner. Guest rooms were located upstairs; later, the inn became a restaurant.

In the surroundings of Dolenjske Toplice, the history, family vision and products are presented as part of a guided tour. The entire facility and the production areas are shown. The tour also includes a visit to a chocolate factory, where visitors can observe the work of the master chocolatiers.

Other Places

Other places in the same destination area include Otočec, Dvor, Brezovica, Šmihel Pri Žužemberku, Hrib pri Hinjah, Straža, Žužemberk and Mirna Peč.

For the higher-level travel overview: Novo Mesto.