After years of camping, I have to admit that I got a little lazy and today I rarely do it (probably because I no longer have the body!). After sleeping 2-3 nights on the gym mat my back makes me realize that I may need the crane to get up. But I still like camping very much, I love falling asleep and waking up in the middle of nature, lulled by the sound of flowing water or cicadas. This preamble just to tell you that when I was invited to spend 3 days at Big Berry in Slovenia I was no longer in the skin! I had never been to Slovenia (incredible considering the proximity to Italy!) And the Big Berry is a beautiful glamping site (or Luxury Landscape Resort as they prefer to be called) which has all the advantages of camping but the comfort of a luxury facility.
Where it is: the Bela Krajina region (Slovenia)
Il Big Berry Luxury Landscape Resort is located in the greenest of Slovenia, on the banks of the Kolpa River near the small village of Primostek. This region of Slovenia is still little known and touched by tourism, it is called Bela Krajina and it is almost entirely a rural region. It is located in the south-east of the country and the Kolpa River is precisely the natural border that separates Slovenia from Croatia. Think that with a few strokes of swimming from the Big Berry you can reach Croatia!
To see a larger town you have to reach New town (which is 30 km away), but you can also reach them Ljubljana or Zagreb in just over 1 hour. From this point of view, Big Berry is also a really good base for exploring the famous Lake Bled, the Croatian capital and the famous Plitvice Lakes.
How to get there from Spain
To reach the Big Berry from Spain the most comfortable thing to use is the car: from Milan it takes about 6 hours. Wanting to reach it by public transport, you can take the train to Trieste (from September 2018 there should also be a direct train from Milan to Ljubljana!), then from there take a bus to Ljubljana: Flixbus is very comfortable and has several trips a day. If you agree first, the Big Berry staff can then come and pick you up in Ljubljana which is just over an hour's drive away.
The resort: glamping and Luxury Landscape Resort
Il Big Berry expresses a new concept of hospitality thanks to which it is possible to be immersed in nature having a comfortable bed, a kitchen, a whirlpool tub, wi-fi connection and a thousand other comforts that are normally found only in luxury structures. All this is what is normally called glamping. In addition to this, there is a strong and constant interaction between the structure and the surrounding environment thanks to continuous cooperation with local producers and the maintenance of the ecosystem in which it is inserted and that is why it is also defined as a luxury landscape resort.
There are only 7 bungalows in an area of 25000 square meters, just to ensure the privacy and tranquility of the guests. The bungalows they can accommodate 2, 4 or 6 people and have been built following very high standards of design, comfort, quality and above all sustainability. Each unit has the equipped kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms (it's all air conditioned) and a beautiful one veranda with table, chairs and above all one double jacuzzi (yes, you got it right!). In the common spaces then there are several relaxation areas shaded or not, a structure half covered and half uncovered to do the barbecue, for an Beach volley field, a play area for children, a laundry, a fenced area on the river that serves as a swimming pool, and delle terraces located in the building that houses the reception where many things are organized (food / wine tastings, yoga classes, etc.).
Local activities and partners
Il Big Berry and the partners with whom it collaborates offer an infinity of outdoor ranging from the most soothing (such as nature walks or massages) a the more sporty / adrenaline-pumping ones (As rafting, trekking, cycling, etc.), passing through the tastings of excellent local products (oils, wines, cheeses, just to name a few). There really is something for everyone. Personally, in the 3 days that I was there I was able to taste (and buy) the cold pressed oils of Oliarna Pecaric, do rafting in the Kolpa River with Kolpa Adventures, taste the excellent local sparkling wines from the cellar Semiska Penina, and taste an infinity of truly exceptional local products at zero kilometer starting right from breakfast. In fact, every morning you receive a nice one breakfast basket prepared with local ingredients; excellent cheeses, butter, jams, yogurt, fresh bread typical of the area, eggs and freshly picked fruit. At the Big Berry it is also possible to take advantage of bicycles and kayaks at no additional cost, as well as other equipment for water and non-water sports.
The Big Berry on Kolpa in Slovenia was the first to be opened, but now there are also 4 more, 3 in Austria and one in Romania at Mamaia Beach, and the project includes the opening of many more Big Berry around Europe. Can't wait to go see the others too!
