There is a diverse range of gifts available in Radol'ca. The majority are available in the Radovljica Tourist Information Centre and in the shops in the old town centre, so in this blog, we decided to focus mainly on food-related gifts.
Honey and other goodies from our apiaries
Beekeeping has a long tradition in Radovljica. The Apiculture Museum is located here in Radovljica and neighbouring Lesce is home to the Beekeeping Education Centre of Gorenjska. Therefore, it's not hard to guess what is at the top of the list of suggested gifts: a jar or two of honey from a local apiary! By far the biggest choice of honey and honey products in one place can be found in the shop of the aforementioned beekeeping centre, while various types of honey, honeybreads and honey liqueur are also available at the Radovjlica Tourist Information Centre. For pollen and propolis, ask a local beekeeper, and visit local shops for honey breads made from Slovenian honey.
Visit the 'sweetest' town in Slovenia for sweet treats!
Chocolates with local fillings
The Radovljica area also has a close connection with chocolate; it was here that over a century ago the first chocolate factory in the country opened – Gorenjka – which is still operating to this day. In recent times, boutique chocolatiers have become popular. There are two such chocolatiers in the area that produce handmade chocolates – Radolška čokolada, which is located opposite the entrance to the old town centre, and Hiša čokolade Molinet in Kropa. Of course, the biggest selection of chocolate is available every April when the Radovljica Chocolate Festival takes place.
The Hiša čokolade Molinet chocolatier won first place for its 'snickers' chocolate in the 'Best Chocolate' competition at the 10th Radovljica Chocolate Festival
Unique ceramics
Radovljica is a town of artisans. Many of them make beautiful items that you can enjoy using at home. If you'd like a unique cup, plate or bowl, you can visit the workshop of the ceramist Urban Magusar in Linhart Square. In close proximity is the Biserna hiša gallery, where ceramic ware is made by the attendees of the Radovljica Centre for Training, Work and Care. Vanja Bajt has a pottery workshop in Radovljica, and her colourful plates and cups can also be bought in the Radovljica Tourist Information Centre. And there's one more authentic ceramic story, which is being written in a nearby village by Matejka Legat and Marko Milenkovič under the name 6th Sense Art. Their stall at the Radovljica Market is always a feast for the eyes.
A wide range of handicraft products await you every first Saturday in the month at the Radovljica Market.
Wooden and metal products
In Radovjlica, cookery enthusiasts can buy unique wooden items, such as special spoons for honey or lovingly made chopping boards, under the brand Srečen dom (A Happy Home), which are made by the local artisan Teja Jesenko. The Kosmač family shop, which is located in the old town centre, is crammed with handmade wooden items; products are also available on Leseno.org. To ensure that your dining table is really special, you could adorn it with a wrought iron candle holder from Kropa, of course with a beeswax candle, which you can also find in Radovljica.
The Leseno.org shop is located in Linhart Square in Radovljica
This guide was created as part of the ‘EKO Tastes of Slovenia’ project, run in cooperation with LAS, which is co-financed with the help of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Invests in Rural Areas. The Radovljica Public Institute of Tourism and Culture is responsible for the content. The governing body appointed to implement the Rural Development Programme of the Republic of Slovenia for the period 2014-2020 is the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food. Source of funding: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
Every first Saturday in the month from 10am to 12noon a farmers, craft and antiques market takes place in Linhart Square and the square in front of St. Peter's church.
The Radovljica Tourist Information Centre is located at the entrance to the old town centre. It is open year-round.
What can we buy friends and family at a time when physical contact is limited, shops are closed, and handicraft markets stand empty? Below you can find our ideas for this year's original Christmas/New Year gifts.