Podčetrtek

Podčetrtek: terme pod Rudnico in samostan v Olimju

Podčetrtek leži na vzhodu države, tik ob hrvaški meji, v gričevju pod Rudnico. Kraj je majhen, ponudba pa je za njegovo velikost nenavadno zgoščena, ker sta se terme in samostan v Olimju razvila drug ob drugem in danes večina obiskovalcev pride zaradi obojega.

The surroundings are green hills with pastures and vineyards, merging to the north with Kozjansko. The distances are short, so you can fit swimming, a monastery visit and an unhurried lunch into a single day.

Terme in kopališka ponudba

The thermal water is the reason the place grew into a tourist centre at all, as before there was only a village by the border here. The bathing area is divided into indoor and outdoor pools, next to which there are saunas and wellness programmes.

Za obiskovalca to pomeni, da kraj ni vezan samo na poletje in da je bazenski del odprt tudi v hladnejših mesecih. Pregled kopališke in wellness ponudbe najdete zbran na enem mestu.

Samostan Olimje in stara lekarna

Olimje is a few minutes' drive from the place and is the most visited cultural point in the area. In the former Minorite monastery an old pharmacy is preserved, one of the oldest in Europe, with frescoes on the ceiling and walls that restorers saved from the damp.

Ob samostanu je čokoladnica, where you can see the production and taste the local chocolate, and right above it is Jelenov greben, with deer in the pasture. The combination of monastery, chocolate and animals is why Olimje is popular with families.

Kozjansko in grad Podsreda

Severno od kraja se začne Kozjanski park, eno najmanj pozidanih območij v državi, znano po travniških sadovnjakih s starimi sortami jabolk. Jeseni je tu praznik kozjanskega jabolka, ki je najbolj obiskan dogodek v parku.

V parku stoji Podsreda Castle, one of the best-preserved Romanesque castles in the country, which hosts exhibitions and events. A narrow road through the forest leads to it, so allow more time for it than the map suggests.

Kolesarjenje in gibanje po gričevju

The area is rewarding for cyclists, because the climbs are short and the roads almost empty, so you can adjust the length of the tour as you go. The strongest activity in the area is precisely cycling, tako po asfaltu kot po makadamskih poteh med vinogradi.

If you are looking for a quieter pace, you can walk up Rudnica above the place, from where you can see both sides of the border. The climb is moderate and can be done in a good hour, even without special equipment.

Kaj početi v Podčetrtku?

The basis of a visit is the spa, to which most people add Olimje and a bike ride or a walk through the hills. For a longer stay it pays to add Kozjansko Regional Park, which in content is completely different from the bathing part.

In winter the programme stays in the pools and saunas, which is why the place is visited outside summer too. You will find an overview of the offer among doživetji v Podčetrtku.

Podčetrtek z otroki

For families the place is among the simpler choices in the country, because everything is close together and requires no planning. The water park fills the morning, and in the afternoon you can choose Jelenov greben with its deer or the chocolate shop in Olimje.

In the rain the indoor pools remain, and the monastery with its pharmacy, which is interesting for children because of the paintings. For longer walks Kozjansko is too spread out, so it is better to save it for a day with fine weather.

Podčetrtek v dvoje

For two, the combination of wellness and hills works well: saunas in the morning, and a wine road or a farm visit above the place in the afternoon. Most of the providers are small, so the atmosphere is more homely than in the larger spas.

Za mirnejši del dneva izberite zgodnje jutro v bazenih ali sprehod na Rudnico, ko se dnevni obiskovalci šele pripeljejo.

Kaj in kje jesti v Podčetrtku?

The cuisine is Styrian and borderland: dishes with pumpkin seed oil, obara stew, štruklji and pastries made from leavened dough. Chocolate comes from Olimje, and wine from the hills, which you can taste at the smaller producers.

The offer is concentrated around the spa and in Olimje, with a few farms scattered across the surrounding villages. As the local dining offer on the portal is still modest, for dinner you can also look at the offer in neighbouring Rogaška Slatina.

Kje prespati v Podčetrtku?

Most of the accommodation is tied to the spa, and in addition the surroundings offer apartments in kmetije po gričevju. Slednje izberite, če vas zanima podeželje in ne le kopanje.

As the place is small, accommodation fills up quickly at weekends, so arrange it in advance, while midweek the choice is considerably larger. You will find an overview of the whole offer among namestitvami.

Kam na izlet iz Podčetrtka?

Najbližje je Rogaška Slatina with the spa park and the drinking cure, which is a good half-hour from the town. To the north opens up Kozjansko, with its castles and orchards.

Za cel dan sta dosegljiva Celje z gradom in Ptuj z najstarejšim mestnim jedrom pri nas. Širši pregled destinacije najdete pod Termalno Panonsko Slovenijo.