The origins of the Dolenjska and Bela Krajina waters comprise a world full of mystery, cloaked in green, steeped in ethnology, echoing with footsteps exploring the towns on river bends and islands. From the peace of the Krka to the scenery of the Lahinja, from the disappearances of the Temenica underground to the gushing of the Krupa from a rock face-awaiting your exploration are caves and hollows, folklore and arts, culinary delights and the inspiration that comes from wild and natural places.

Day 1:
Take the Ivančna Gorica exit from the Ljubljana - Novo mesto highway and go towards Žužemberk. This road will take you to Muljava, the birthplace of the writer Josip Jurčič. There is an attractive outdoor museum with a superb natural amphitheater. The Church of the Assumption of Mary is also well worth a visit. Stop for a bite to eat in Muljava or Krka. You will come to the turnoff for the village of Krka soon after leaving Muljava. Leave your car in the parking area and set off on foot to Krška jama (Krka Cave), the source of the Krka River. The cave, which has not yet been fully explored, used to serve as a refuge from Turkish incursions. The cave is accessible only during drier periods; when water levels are high, access is impossible. Witness the birth of this river, which gives rise along its course to unique calc tufa steps, and without whose presence it is impossible to imagine the scenic images of Dolenjska. From here return to Ivančna Gorica and continue on towards Trebnje and Novo mesto.
The road to Mirna Peč runs along the Temenica River, which originates in the village of Javorje south of Litija. Along part of its course it flows underground and re-emerges at the picturesque spring of Zijalo near the village of Vrhpeč. The river accompanies you past Mirna Peč, near which it again sinks below ground into the mysterious underground world of the Dolenjska karst and re-emerges at Luknja gully. After bidding farewell to the Temenica, head towards the Krka River, into which the Temenica flows after a few kilometers. After passing through Novo Mesto you'll come to Kostanjevica na Krki, one of the smallest and oldest Slovenian towns, located on an island in the river. Visit the Božidar Jakac Gallery (1) in Kostanjevica Castle, a former Cistercian monastery, alongside which is also the famous Forma Viva outdoor sculpture garden. After a stroll through the town center and lunch, continue on to Kostanjeviška jama (Kostanjevica Cave) (2), where you can follow an illuminated path to the magnificent, beautifully sintered Hall of Stalactites.
Continue on to Novo mesto, where you can stay the night. But first go for a pleasant walk around town and have a look around Glavni trg and Kapiteljski hill, site of the Chapter Church of St. Nicholas, followed by a delicious home-style supper.

Day 2:
Before leaving Novo mesto, visit the Dolenjska Museum (3), with its fascinating archeological and ethnological collections as well as more recent historical artifacts and the Božidar Jakac Gallery. Then go over the Gorjanci hills to Bela krajina. You can get to the village of Krupa via Semič or Metlika. Here, gushing from beneath a sheer rocky cliff, you will find the most powerful karst spring in Bela krajina. This is the source of the Krupa River. After a bite to eat continue on towards Rožanec, where an ancient Mithreum lies hidden in the woods below the Church of St. George. The area around this shrine to the all-powerful god Mithra, as the writing above this stone relief sculpture from the 3rd century tells us, is ideal for a stroll.
Return to the vicinity of Črnomelj above the confluence of the Dobličica in Lahinja Rivers. Walk past the castle, at one time a command post of the Teutonic Knights, St. Peter's Church, and the smaller Church of the Holy Spirit. In Črnomelj Castle( you can see the city museum collection as well as a collection of works by Božidar Jakac. There are also some archeological finds in the Pastoral Center by the rectory (4). Then indulge yourself in a good lunch at one of the restaurants nearby.
Continue today's route towards Vinica to Lahinja Regional Park, which contains a wealth of natural and cultural sights typical of the shallow karst topography of Bela krajina. In the village of Veliki Nerajec, where the park visitor center is located, you can lean more about the ethnology of the region before continuing on to the neighboring village of Pusti Gradac. Here a collection of accidentally discovered archeological finds is on view, as well as a mill and a Venetian saw. On a river bend is the Church of All Saints, whose builder left the imprint of his hand, and where legends about the church bell abound.
You can return home by way of Črnomelj either towards Kočevski Rog or Dolenjske Toplice. Conclude the day's sightseeing with dinner along the way. If you wish, you can extend your two-day tour into a longer holiday devoted to exploring the natural and cultural heritage of Dolenjska and Bela krajina, including the culinary specialties of the region's tourist farms and home-style inns.