After a long day of walking in the mountains, what we wanted most was some peace and quiet. At Tourist Farm Strle, in the small Slovenian village of Osredek, we found more than a nice place to sleep.
The farm is run by Urban and his mother Judita. We felt welcome straight away. There was no lengthy check-in, just a warm greeting and the sense that we could catch our breath for a while.
When we arrived, some of Urban’s friends were sitting at the table. We joined them and ended up staying for a long time. We talked about Slovenia, about the bears that live in the area and about the stories and myths that go round about them. One of them worked at a large textile printing company and told us enthusiastically about everything they make there. Their English was limited, but we got along fine, sometimes with a little help from AI to translate something. It was fun to swap experiences that way.
Throughout our stay we regularly had enjoyable and interesting conversations with Urban too: about running the farm, ideas for new activities and facilities, and our own experiences along the way. Over time we also got to know him better on a personal level. We never seemed to run out of things to talk about, and that quickly made our stay feel personal.
Another evening we had a long conversation with Judita. She told us how the farm came about and how much work it had taken to build everything up. She spoke about Urban with visible pride; he now runs the farm with passion and pays a lot of attention to his guests.
Away from the crowds for a while
Osredek lies at about 750 metres, among the green hills and forests of the Notranjska region. The Iška and Zala gorges are nearby. You won’t find busy shopping streets, big hotels or tourist promenades here.
There are several places around the farm to sit outside: sun loungers, hanging chairs on the grass and tables by the extension. You pick a quiet spot and look out over the surroundings.
One evening has stayed with us in particular. We were standing outside, the sky was crystal clear and, with hardly any light pollution, we could see a huge number of stars. Lynn couldn’t get enough of it and kept gazing up in admiration. For my part, I mostly enjoyed the quiet and the moment together. It was cold and almost completely silent, and that made it special.
Simple and home-made
After several days of travelling and walking, it was nice to be able to use the washing machine and drying rack. Whenever we needed help with something, it was sorted quickly.
In the annex there is a fridge with drinks. You take what you want, write it on a slip of paper and everything is settled when you check out. A small detail, but it suits the atmosphere: you are trusted here.
Breakfast was ready every morning, and in the evening we could join in for dinner. Judita does the cooking herself, with home-made dishes and produce from the farm or the local area.
There is no menu. You eat what you’re given, and it felt more like eating at someone’s home than in a restaurant. The meals were tasty and generous, just what we needed after a day outdoors.
Bears and the surrounding area
Brown bears live around Osredek. They had already come up in our conversation with Urban’s friends, who told us how people here see these animals. Through a family who are friends of the owners, you can go on a guided bear-watching trip to see bears in their natural habitat. We didn’t get round to it this time, but it sounds like something for a future visit.
The Notranjska region is well suited to walking and cycling, with various nature areas and sights within reach. Osredek is remote, though. Shops, restaurants and other facilities are not within walking distance, and without a car you won’t get far. That was no problem for us, as we were looking for a quiet base after our walks and day trips.
A place we’ll come back to
What has stayed with us most are the conversations with Urban and his friends, Judita’s stories and the starry sky Lynn enjoyed so much. You won’t find memories like these in a description of a place to stay, and for us they made the difference.
We’ll definitely be back, for the people and the atmosphere. Some places simply feel right, and Tourist Farm Strle is one of them.