Page 19 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #06

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

SWEET

SANCTUARY Radovljica

Known as Slovenia’s ‘sweetest town’ and home
to the Museum of Apiculture, Radovljica is
From the sunny Mediterranean coast to the mighty the ideal place to explore the nation’s rich
Alps, visit Slovenia and discover a country that beekeeping history.
takes its bees – and their wellbeing – seriously Api camps
Slovenia is home to a selection of api camps,
where you can learn beekeeping skills like
Slovenia is a proud beekeeping nation and was celebrated for the first time on 20 May 2018. honey production and queen bee breeding.
the practice is one of its oldest traditions, with Slovenia is a world leader in sustainability and
the nation now home to more than 10,000 its tourist board hopes to use the campaign Honey trails
beekeepers, 12,500 apiaries and nearly 170,000 to raise awareness of the importance of bees Slovenia produces an impressive 2,400kg
hive colonies. Slovenia’s Carniolan honey and promote api-tourism, which focuses on of honey every year. Head to its second
bee is regarded as the world’s second most green destinations, travel and apiculture. largest city, Maribor, to sample sparkling
widespread breed, and the central European The Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association has honey-based wine, or watch traditional honey
country is the only EU member state to have collaborated with tour providers to curate being made in Radovljica.
protected its native bee species. The Slovenian trips that combine the country’s beekeeping
Tourist Board even succeeded in getting the UN tradition and eco-friendly values – read on to Apitherapy tours
to back its campaign for a World Bee Day, which discover just a few of the highlights. Embark on an apitherapy tour to learn all
about the healing effects of Slovenia’s ancient
beekeeping tradition, from honey massages to
breathing in air from honeycomb.
Art workshops
Hand-paint beehive panels and make your own
wax candles in the village of Selo with local
beekeeper Blaž Ambroži.

The Slovenian Beekeeping Centre
Established in 1873 and located in the village
of Lukovica, the centre showcases Slovenia’s
beekeeping history and offers opportunities for
exploring nature trails and sampling traditional
honey liqueurs.

Api-friendly accommodation
Stay at the Trnulja Estate, an organic farm with
Start planning your Slovenian sustainably built bio-apartments, Ljubljana’s
adventure now at slovenia.info/en Hotel Park with rooftop beehives or a beehive-
shaped api chalet in Mozirje.