GLAMPING: Luxury of Freedom with BIG BERRY
I am not sure about you, but as for me, I grew up in a city my whole life therefore if you leave me stranded in the middle of the forest – I’ll die. I have zero survival skills when it comes to the wild, I mean, I had my first camping experience this year at the age of 25! How pathetic is that? Don’t get me wrong; I love nature! I just have no clue how to survive if we are left alone. Anyway, what does this blabber has to do with this article? Well, not sure if you’ll ask but I’ll answer that for you anyway: BIG BERRY luxury landscape resort happened! You see, BIG BERRY has this awesome theme called “Glamping” and it stands for “Glamorous Camping” – and yes, they have Wifi.
Slovenia’s BIG BERRY is located just by the Kolpa River, a river that serves as a division between Slovenia and Croatia, and as well situated in a lovely village called Primostek. It is very easy to get to BIG BERRY from different location point, for instance, I came from Zagreb, and it took us only one hour from Zagreb’s bus station to Metlika (Croatia-Slovenia border) and then to BIG BERRY. You can also come to the resort quickly from Ljubljana (one and a half hour) and Novo Mesto (about one hour).
I was fortunate to visit BIG BERRY this year and had the opportunity to discover many great things about Slovenia’s countryside and as well had the chance to meet its friendly locals. The latter being the best experience I’ve had during my stay! In fact, BIG BERRY has this concept whereas the resort only supports local small businesses from the neighboring villages. How cool is that?
My early arrival at BIG BERRY from Zagreb went bliss; the travel time was convenient, and the lovely staff left me a welcome kit basket filled with snacks and stuff catered by their local partners. I was delighted by the hospitality! My first day was already looking promising, and BIG BERRY did not disappoint till the end!
WHAT IS BIG BERRY ANYWAY, YOU MAY ASK?
BIG BERRY is a unique luxury landscape resort located in a beautiful region called Bela Krajina with amazing landscape and nature surrounding it. They adapted the idea of camping with a twist of modernity to appeal to us, 21st-century folks. That said, their mobile houses are fully equipped with modern amenities to cater our needs:
Photo by BIG BERRY
Photo by Hrvoje Grguljaš
Photo by Matko Mestrovic
Photo by Matko Mestrovic
- Temperature adjustable rain shower
- Proper toilet and bidet
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Flat screen TV with Netflix – Where I watched Sex and the City with no shame because I think I am a Carrie that dresses badly and Helsinki is my New York (Yes, you can judge me)
- Inside lounge
- Terrace dining area
- Jacuzzi on the porch overlooking Kolpa River (It is awesome)
- Comfortable beds
Now, who would like to go glamping with me again to BIG BERRY? Millenials raise your hands!
Yikes, so many hands! Glad to say though that a BIG BERRY mobile glamping house can accommodate between two to six people depending on which mobile house booked. The more, the merrier, am I right? So bring friends and enjoy!
WHAT DOES BIG BERRY OFFERS ITS VISITORS?
Well, glad you asked! BIG BERRY luxury landscape resort takes you to a whole new level of comfort during your holiday, hence their title “Luxury of Freedom”. Not only they are located in a quiet area blossoming with nature for your eyes to feast, they will also introduce you to a laidback lifestyle with a bit of countryside simplicity and a touch of modern minimalist overall design.
As I’ve mentioned, the resort is partnered with several local businesses from around the area therefore not only you’ll get a chance to enjoy Slovenia’s beautiful nature; you’ll also learn a lot about the village’s local culture through its local producers who has been living in the area for generations. What is great about this, by coming to BIG BERRY, you’ll also be supporting these small businesses! And if you ask me, I honestly believe in organizations and companies which support local producers because not only they are growing on their own, they are also helping their neighbors grow with them!
BIG BERRY will introduce you to some of the beautiful and hidden parts of Slovenia you’ll never find elsewhere, and that is the countryside’s beautiful nature, hospitable locals, and the undying opportunity to camp with Wifi – Yes! That means internet, Facebook, Instagram, etc.! You’ll stay connected. The luxury of Freedom they say, Luxury of Freedom it is!
I mean, seriously, that was such a treat to be in the middle of nowhere with internet (call me a loser, but I love my Wifi). When I went camping this summer, and all of my electronics died on me, I had Wifi withdrawal. So, let’s just say I enjoyed staying connected.
BIG BERRY PARTNERS YOU’D WANT TO VISIT
As I mentioned above, BIG BERRY is a fan of its neighboring small business – BUT, these partners are carefully chosen for their quality products and amazing history regarding the villages they are situated. Some of them have been continuing the same business for three generations! Now, that is a dedication to their family’s craft I must say.
Every day during my stay at BIG BERRY, the lovely staff leaves a basket filled with breakfast food on my mobile house porch. What impressed me is the quality of dairy this region has, I’m a huge fan of anything dairy for breakfast and every day my basket have a small jar of quality yogurt with jam and fresh milk, and it was perfect!
If you’re interested in dairy manufacturing, or just cows in general (no pun intended), you can always visit their farm located in Gradac!
Oh, and if you stay at BIG BERRY, you’ll have these delicious Kmetija Štrucelj dairy products at your porch pretty much every morning for breakfast.
For about 20 minutes drive, BIG BERRY can take you to Semič, a municipality within Bela Krajina, where you’ll find fields after fields of wine yards and as well to this small winery, Vinogradništvo Malnarič.
Vinogradništvo Malnarič is owned and run by Samoel Malnarič, a third generation winemaker from Bela Krajina. We visited his winery and sampled some of his fine works from Slovenian favorable table wine to good-quality white, red and sweet dessert wines.
Not to mention, Samoel is a family man who could tour you around his wine yards and winery. Plus, you get to taste his fine wines! At the moment, Vinogradništvo Malnarič only manufactures locally, and a big hit amongst the locals.
BIG BERRY can arrange tours to this winery upon request! If you’re not intrigued enough, you can watch this video where BIG BERRY visits the winery.
I’m a huge natural oil fan and if you have read my post about beauty products I can’t travel without then it is safe to assume that I do splatter natural oils all over my body and use different oils when cooking. My point is, I enjoyed our tour of this place!
We visited Oljarna Pečarič’s oil factory to learn a little bit about this small business and as well about several essential oils they have. Apart from learning about how this business started, we were also briefed about each oil’s properties and health benefits when used. Not only I learned lots of information and new found oil favorites, but I also had the opportunity to taste all of them!
Best of all, Oljarna Pečarič’s oil products are cold pressed from 100% organic seeds. Not only that makes their oils healthy but also beneficial in so many ways!
You might want to know what my new favorite oils are? Well, Oljarna Pečarič produces tasty Pumpkin Seed oil and as well Black Cumin Seed oil! Both are not only delicious but also healthy. Good for me!
Čebelarstvo Veselič is a family beekeeping business run by a third-generation beekeeper, a man called Jože.
Jože is a former policeman who decided to continue the family business and owns about 300 bee hives which he keeps in different locations therefore he can produce several sorts of honey with unique flavors from each other.
When we visited Jože’s bee farm, he toured us around and showed us how he takes care of his bee hives and as well showed us a little sneak peak of his small honey production factory explaining to us his methods.
Čebelarstvo Veselič not only produces high-quality honey, but he also produces other quality bee products such as beeswax, propolis, bee pollen, and honey liqueur.
Plus, Jože is a funny man!
Domače Dobrote Mojca is a bakery located in Metlika where we had the pleasure to enjoy a snack prepared by its chief baker and owner, Mojca. She served us a delicious plate of different hams and salad with her homemade bread and a wonderful platter of freshly baked pastries; Mojca is also a lovely lady full of life! It was such a pleasure to visit her lovely bakery.
Also, have I mentioned already about the awesome breakfast basket I got every morning on my mobile house porch? Well, to make it even better, I also got Mojca’s freshly baked Pocačia in my goody breakfast basket every morning!
What is Pocačia, you may ask? It is a traditional Slovenian salty flatbread seasoned with sea salt and cumin seed! I would say it is quite similar to Italy’s Focaccia. If you’re intrigued about this bread, you can watch this video created by BIG BERRY as Mojca demonstrates how to make Pocačia!
What I have mentioned above are only few of BIG BERRY’s partners and if you’re interested in learning more about the small businesses they support, please refer to this link and find out more about Bela Karjina and surrounding area’s small producers!
THINGS TO DO IN BIG BERRY RESORT
Now that we tackled few of the awesome things you’ll find at BIG BERRY’s surrounding areas, let me introduce you to few of the many activities you can do while in the resort! What? You think that’s about it? Wrong! I told you there’re tons to do here even though it is in the middle of nowhere! Haven’t I? Well, read on, and I’ll tell you!
Apart from the mobile houses located just beside the Kolpa River, and a revelation on its own, the resort also offers tons of things to do while you’re on the premises!
- You can swim across the river to Croatia (no kidding)
- Use the jacuzzi overlooking the gift of mother nature
- Rent a canoe and paddle your way around Kolpa River
– You can also canoe across to Croatia (it is quite easy to do this if you don’t know how to canoe)
- There’s a swimming pool built on the river
- Rent a bicycle and explore BIG BERRY’s surrounding areas
- Beach Volleyball with your friends
- Playground for kids (and adults, if you wish)
- Beautiful grill area
- Laundry service
- Yoga classes
- Outdoor fitness
- Wifi (!!!)
From my experience, there’s more to do while in BIG BERRY enough to fill a week’s stay. The surrounding areas are so beautiful to explore that it gets overwhelming! Otherwise, a chill stay will suffice as well. I was so relaxed after four nights stay at BIG BERRY and nearly every day we had full day excursions!
INTERESTED ON GLAMPING AT BIG BERRY?
If you’re looking for a different way to spend your holiday in a laidback manner and near nature, I highly suggest BIG BERRY in Slovenia. Not only you’ll see one of the most beautiful countrysides in Slovenia, but you’ll also get a chance to spend quality time with family or friends during your stay.
Glamping is a whole new way to see and experience a new place, and BIG BERRY is one of the leading resorts to cater to that way of traveling. If you enjoy nature with the luxury of our generation, I’m sure you’ll love the luxury of freedom BIG BERRY can offer.
If you’re interested, please refer to the contact details below.
BIG BERRY in Kolpa River
Address: Primostek 50, 8332, Gradac, Slovenia
I must say, the experience at BIG BERRY was something I would love to go back to. I’ve been living in the city for the past 26 years of my life that I forgot that nature is just around the corner. That said, glamping is my way of camping thats for sure! BIG BERRY has surprised me in many ways and it will be a bliss to visit again and truthfully, it was so hard to go back to my old past paced routine once I set foot in a city!
I think that this whole new glamping experience will be a hit for many people who would like to explore nature and still have the luxury of freedom in a more relaxed and comfortable way.
If you want to experience glamping at BIG BERRY, check below for any available dates for next summer and go glamping with family or friends!
NOTE: Thanks to BIG BERRY for inviting me over to experience a whole new way to describe a fulfilled holiday. All opinions stated are all mine and written with honesty, as always.
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