In the narrow valley near Sotla river in east Slovenia small town Podčetrtek is situated. On a hill above the town stands a small sympathetic castle, built in 12 century, while it got today's appearance six centuries later. One of many green pearls of Slovenia attracts numerous visitors, especially because of excellent and varied selection of pools, saunas and all possible forms of spoiling.
In
Terme Olimia everyone will find some kind of enjoyment for themself. Fans of massage touches will not be disappointed, relaxation in the steam sauna is always welcome or simply soaking in the thermal waters of outdoor and indoor pools can be nice too. A huge spa complex also includes a modern wellness. In the hot summer days the best thing to do is to refresh in the outdoor pools. Even better is if you can splash into water after a ride on water slide. Best of all is, if the choice of water slides is huge. Such an adventure full of adrenaline and fun provides the summer water complex
Thermal Park Aqualuna. Only a few kilometers from Terme Olimia in the lush vegetation of tall trees there is hidden land of fairytales and imagination. This is the land where witches circle on broom over a stream in the woods. This is the land where you can meet Kekec, Martin Krpan, Snow White and Pippi Longstocking on one place. Finally, this is the land, where the youngest in the Witch Hut (Koča pri čarovnici) can meet their favorite characters from fairy tales and those a bit older are taken back in times of their childhood.
In the municipality Podčetrtek is excellently catered not only for lovers of fairy tales, but also for cyclists and hikers, as it is possible to visit the greater part of the surroundings of Podčetrtek by foot or bicycle. Near the green meadows, along the bubbling river and trough the lush forests there are cycling and pilgrimage routs. The municipality has also paid great attention to the construction of bike lanes, so you can see the beautiful countryside by nature-friendly transport modes and in addition do something for your body. If you sojourn in these places, you simply must find the way to Olimje, peaceful valley with renewed Minorite monastery, church and famous pharmacy. The church, which holds on to the monastery, has one of the largest gold altars in Slovenia, at the choir there are the only still-preserved baroque organ. Pauline lived in the monastery for 120 years and they left a big mark not only in architecture but also in pharmacy. Monastery of Olimje is most famous for its ancient wonderfully painted pharmacy (the third oldest in Europe after Paris and Dubrovnik). In front of the complex the Minorite monks still grow medicinal herbs in their gardens and prepare herbal medicines according to home recipes. Monks are specially known by their herbal medicinal drink, made of twenty-eight herbs, called Vicars drops.
Only a few minute walk from the monastery stands the house for chocolate lovers. It is a great sight; feast for the eyes and a real gastronomic experience. Pralines, truffles, chocolate bars and other chocolate treats wait just for you in the Chocolate boutique in Olimje. As sweet chocolate can leave unwanted marks on the body, we suggest a short walk to Deer reef where at Homestead Ježovnikovi you will be friendly welcomed by deer and mouflon. There are more than 100 of these beautiful animals and they are grazing on green hilly slopes where a variety of flowers bloom. And if there are flowers, there must be bees also. Those small insects diligently collect nectar and store it in apiaries and hardworking beekeepers ensure that customers can sweeten with several types of delicious honey.
