Tranquil, secluded riverside location. Well appointed. Extensive grounds
Venckov Water Mill is attractively located in a tranquil and secluded river valley in south eastern Slovenia. The former flour and timber mill was built about two hundred years ago, and was fully working until the end of the second world war. Some of the mill equipment can still be seen in the mill buildings.
The valley is incredibly peaceful, and Venckov is the perfect antidote to busy city life. The air is clear, and the sound of the river tumbling through the mill race therapeutic and relaxing. It is the perfect place to chill out and recharge your batteries.
Whilst secluded the mill is not isolated – there is a small hamlet comprising two mills and two houses about 250 metres further along the valley, and a village nearby, where you can sample delicious home made products, including fresh cheese, the traditional Slovene cake (potica) red and white wine from vineyards located high on the surrounding hills, and a particularly fine fruit spirit. Tastings can be arranged in a traditional Slovene wine cellar.
The region comprises heavily wooded rolling hills mixed with open fields and vineyards. Small villages are dotted around the countryside, and many of the hilltops are dominated by small white churches with bronze roofs . The country is wonderful for walking, with marked trails and paths leading to stunning view points at the top of hills. The forests are alive with wildlife including bears, wild boar and polecats. Deer are a common sight at the mill, as are fire salamanders, eagles, herons and shoals of brown trout.
Novo Mesto the regional capital is close by (7km). This is a pretty historic town built above a bend in the river Krka (which runs into the Danube) and has numerous cafes, restaurants, shops, supermarkts and a multiplex cinema. (The films are usually in English with Slovene subtitles.)
Trebnje is equally close and has two good large supermarkets (Mercator and Spar), pizzerias and restaurants selling local food.
Even closer - a couple of kilometres down the valley - is Mirna Pec with the local post office, supermarket and church and a good local bar which serves simple but high quality food. A farmers market is held here the first Saturday each month, selling delicious locally made bread, cheese, honey and jams.
There are plenty of other pretty local towns to explore such as Kostanjavica na Krki (a Slovene Venice built in a bend in the river Krka), Zuzemberk, with its restored castle and monasteries.
Activities
Slovenia is famous for its castles, and there are several within easy reach of Venckov Mill - from ruins to complete renovations.
Ljubljana, the pretty capital of Slovenia is about forty minutes away and Zagreb - over the border in Croatia - a little over an hour.
The area boasts three very high quality thermal spas - at Doljenske Toplice (20 minutes away by car), Smarjeske Toplice (30 minutes) and Catez (45 minutes). These all have stylish modern indoor and outdoor swimming swimming pools and offer a wide range of massages and other treatments. The friendly staff speak English. The spa at Catez is particularly appealing to children with its ten outdoor swimming pools, water slides, toboggans, lazy river and wave pool.
Outdoor pursuits are very popular in Slovenia, and there are many opportunities for kayaking, white water rafting or more sedate river trips within a 30 minute drive of the mill, as well as indoor and outdoor tennis courts, horse riding, and hot air ballooning. The majority of people offering these facilities speak English.
Slovenia is not a big country, and you can easily visit the picturesque lakeside town of Bled, the stunning medieval seaport of Piran on the Mediterranean coast or the beaches of northern Croatia in a day trip.