Bela Krajina is a land offering a wide variety of experiences. The beautiful scenery of this rolling landscape with its abundant karst springs, the unique culture and ethnology of towns and villages in close proximity to an ever restless border, the original culinary creations which were developed over the centuries in this remote region...all these and more captivate the visitor with their uniqueness. There are limitless opportunities to sample the novel and the original in the villages from Metlika to Župančič's Vinica, available here and nowhere else ...

From Novo mesto take the Vahta pass over the Gorjanci hills to Metlika. Here you can visit a famous wine cellar, in which the first drops of Ice Wine in Slovenia were made from the frozen berries of Laški Riesling. A stroll around the old town center takes you to Metlika Castle, which houses the Bela krajina Museum (1), with exhibits on the history, archeology and ethnology of Bela krajina. The Slovenian Firefighters' Museum (2) is also located nearby: Metlika was the site of the first organized fire brigade in Slovenia, in 1869. After viewing the interesting exhibits on display at the Castle, visit the Church of St. Nicholas, the Provost's House, the former command post of the Teutonic Knights, and the birthplace of the sculptor Alojz Gangel. Metlika was also home for two years to Friderik Baraga, a missionary in North America who later became a bishop. Round off your impressions from a stroll around the old part of the town with a home-cooked snack. The next stop is the nearby village of Rosalnice with the famous Three Parishes (3). These three churches, which stand side by side, were built in the 15th century. Continue on from Rosalnice towards Črnomelj, but turn off at Gradac to the village of Krupa. Beneath the village is the powerful karst source of the Krupa River, the mightiest karst spring in Bela krajina. In earlier times the power of the Krupa was used to drive a mill and sawmill. The eyes of the curious will, after roving over the surrounding landscape, come to rest on the nearby shingle-covered cupolas of the 18th century pilgrimage Church of the Holy Trinity on top of Vinji vrh. After visiting the church go on to Semič for a good lunch.
Continuing the route towards Vinica, soon after Dragatuš you will come to the turnoff for Lahinja Regional Park, which contains many natural and cultural treasures of Bela krajina. Begin your tour in Pusti Gradac. The Lahinja River, which provides a habitat for the rare and endangered river otter, contains a number of fascinating karst springs and even more fascinating marshes - Lahinja and Nerajske luge - rich in extraordinary vegetation. In Pusti Gradac, located on a bend of the Lahinja River, the Church of All Saints is worth a visit, as is Klepec Mill and the Venetian sawmill.
In the neighboring village of Veliki Nerajec is the park visitor center. Here you can also visit a local farm with a gallery of handicrafts.
Through Vinica along the Kolpa River drive on to the village of Žuniči, in whose environs live descendants of the Uskoki, refugees who fled Turkish raids in the previous centuries and have had a unique influence on the history of Bela krajina. There are several houses in the village which serve as a beautiful examples of the architectural heritage of this part of Bela krajina. You can also visit Šokec Manor(, which houses a visitor center for the Kolpa Regional Park, extending from Stari trg to Fučkovci.
Return home via Metlika and Novo mesto, but not without first sampling some excellent and unforgettable culinary specialities and wines on one of the local tourist farms.