Big Berry

Ask your loved ones or your co-workers to join you for a relaxing weekend at Big Berry by the Kolpa River in Slovenia. Featuring events, among others, include therapeutic yoga, local food and drink, and a culinary workshop, dedicated to raw food diet (soups and desserts). Explore green river banks and dams of the Kolpa River with a canoe. Discover the inner workings of Štrucelj farm that will provide milk for your breakfast.

We leave from Primorska and Ljubljana region on Friday afternoon. On the way, we turn off our mobile phones and get our first glimpse of digital detox. In the early evening hours, we arrive to Bela krajina (White Carniola), the town of Primostek, and get settled in the 1st Slovenian Lifestyle Camp on the bank of the Kolpa River. A new concept, a weekend free of mobile phones, and a multi-purpose centre are waiting for us there. The whole complex is barefoot friendly. All mobile homes have a view of the river and are made from high-quality materials. Each comes with air-conditioning, a hot tub, and beautiful designer furniture.

After we settle in, it is time for yoga. At digital detox, each day begins and ends with it. Therapeutic yoga adapts to your individual physical, psychological and emotional needs. Therefore, it is suitable for anyone, regardless of your age, health issues, or physical fitness. It is especially recommended for those who believe they are not flexible enough to do regular yoga. Therapeutic yoga uses various yoga elements and techniques: asanas (yoga postures), pranayamas (breathing techniques), mudras, meditation, and other teachings of yoga philosophy. Yoga postures are achieved carefully, gently, and gradually, the main focus being dedicated to proper breathing techniques. Yoga is the art of self-awareness, where we focus our attention on our being, to live in this moment. After all, the change must come from within.

Saturday afternoon will be spent on culinary delights. We will learn to prepare a raw dish to enhance our awareness, and a delicious guilt-free dessert. We will explore different flavours that stimulate the body’s hidden taste buds, and address the issue of food awareness. Where does our food come from and how it affects our body and mind? Which food makes us feel great? Which food makes us sleepy and bloated? Which ingredients are the best source of vitamins, minerals and other vital nutrients? Which food rejuvenates us from inside out? We focus on natural, local and body-friendly plant ingredients, seasoned with a pinch of spices from around the world.

After a healthy glass of lemonade, a rejuvenating morning yoga session, and a home-made breakfast, we are off to Štrucelj farm, located in the Črnomelj municipality, only 15 minutes away. The Štrucelj farm is known for integrated farming in the area of milk production and dairy cattle breeding. The milk is sold through KRKA agricultural operative to the biggest Slovenian dairy company, Ljubljanske mlekarne. We will get to know the whole process: from milking to making dairy products, and you’ll get the chance to buy home-made yoghurt and cottage cheese. At the end of our trip, we’ll treat our taste buds with a glass of home-made juice and/or local wine.

Next up is a water adventure in Bela krajina. The Kolpa River runs along the country border with the Republic of Croatia. Canoeing on the river offers effective stress relief and time for introspection, but at the same time it also raises awareness of the importance of free-flowing rivers in Europe ‒ the rarest natural treasures that Slovenia and the Balkans are famous for. The Balkan Rivers Tour has become the biggest river conservation action in Europe, aiming to protect our natural and cultural heritage from capitalist greed. About 2,700 new hydro plants are currently projected between Slovenia and Albania, despite their possible devastating effect on the environment and its biodiversity. The Balkan Rivers Tour exposes stories on the exploitation of rivers and locals by corporations from Western Europe. Their paddling actions call attention to harmful construction projects, which are mainly conducted in secret. This is definitely food for thought during our exploration of the pristine riverbanks and dams of the Kolpa River that offers an even more splendid view of the Bela krajina region.

Digital detox will end with a delicious home-made lunch at Veselič restaurant. We will return back home full of fresh energy and inner peace. On the way, you will get your mobile phones back together with a surprise gift ‒ a souvenir of our relaxing weekend that will remind you to detox from the digital world on a daily basis ... or at least from time to time.