INCENTIVE Culinary delights and tea with count Blagaj

When in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana, the European Green Capital 2016, any business or congress guest should also see its green side further out in its region. Hence, Ljubljana Tourism’s Information Centre provides incentive trips off the usual paths to explore the yet undiscovered beauty of its wider region and outskirsts, full of friendly smaller towns and villages, charming castles and mansions and old churches.

Where the Alpine and Karst worlds meet, the diverse landscape provides one with breathtaking experience. Polhov Gradec, for example, is a settlement in wooden Polhograjsko hribovje hills in the Upper Carniola region of Slovenia, a bare 20-kilometer drive from Ljubljana. Polhov Gradec was first mentioned in the 13^th Century and its Masion was first mentioned in written sources in the early 14^th Century. From the beginning of- and to the late 19^th Century Ursini Blagaj family was the owner of the manor. Count Rihard Ursini Blagaj (1786-1858) was a renowned botanist, patron of arts, and first mayor of Polhov Gradec.

The area, also called Count Blagaj’s land, is famous for an excellent local cuisine, thus the visit to discover its rich historical heritage, beautiful nature, strong and authentic rural tradition including a tasting of local delights, makes for a wonderful incentive programme. The participants visit a family-owned cheese dairy that makes goat-milk products coming from goats grazing freely on the grassy hillsides that provide unforgettable views of the Slovenian Alps. After the cheese dairy, the trip takes to the Grič Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Ljubljana surrounding, where top chef Luka Košir spoils guests with local and fresh ingredients mostly from his own garden.

Next stop takes to one of the most renowned Slovenian bee-keeping facilities that enables the guest to discover and taste the story of Slovenian honey and famous Slovenian Carniola Bee. The trip is wrapped up with a visit to the Polhov Gradec Mansion where Count Blagaj awaits for his guests for a tea party. He is available for a chat over a cup of home-made herbal tea. After the whole-day trip full of charming surprises and moments, the guests receive a gift – a bundle of delights from Count Blagaj’s land.