Copy of Terme 3000: From Black Water to Vineyards
The Pannonian Sea stretched across a vast expanse of Central Europe, and millions of years of geological history have left their traces deep beneath today's plains. The sea has long since disappeared, but in one corner of northeastern Slovenia there is still water that reminds us of that ancient past. Only today, fossils are not sought in it, but rather enjoyed! Moravske Toplice, in the heart of Slovenian Prekmurje, but also in a part of the former Pannonian Sea, is about a two-hour drive from Zagreb by car, and this destination does not require a Slovenian vignette! Here, water from the depths tells its own unique story, turning this area into one of the more famous thermal destinations in Slovenia.
The story of Terme 3000-Moravske Toplice did not actually begin as a tourist story. In 1960, oil was being sought in Moravske Toplice. The well reached a depth of about 1,300 meters, but instead of the expected "black gold", hot thermomineral water flowed from the ground. At first, the discovery was not seen as a success. The well was closed, but already in the winter of 1961, locals began using the hot water for bathing. Word of its healing properties spread quickly, and the small pool next to the well soon became too small. Thus, the black thermal mineral water became available to everyone, and the first official bathing area was opened on July 28, 1962. Just two years later, in 1964, the water was declared a natural healing agent, and over the decades, the first bathing area grew into a large thermal resort that today combines hotels, a thermal park, wellness, health services, a campsite, apartment and bungalow complexes, and a golf course.
Today, Terme 3000-Moravske Toplice is a large thermal complex where everyone can find their own type of vacation. The resort has three hotels - Livada Prestige, Ajda, and Termal, as well as the Prekmurska vas apartment complex, bungalows, and a campsite, and guests have a total of 32 swimming pools and baths, two wellness centers, a health center, and a golf course at their disposal. The central place is occupied by the Terme 3000 Thermal Park, one of the largest thermal water parks in Slovenia. It covers more than 3,000 square meters, with indoor and outdoor areas, relaxation and swimming pools, children's facilities, and adrenaline and family slides.
This means that Moravske Toplice is not a destination where everything is about relaxing in warm water. You can relax during the day in the thermal water pool, try the offer of the Wellness Thermalium, where local nature is tried to be transferred into treatments and rituals. The offer of all beauty treatments uses black thermomineral water, Prekmurje herbs, oils, mud and septaria - stone rocks about 15 million years old. Just one treatment in this wellness oasis provides complete regeneration that puts the dot on the "I" of a stay in this destination. And when you have completely relaxed in this resort, you can play golf, enjoy a local lunch, and then set off on a bike ride through the plains and vineyards of Prekmurje.
If you want to spend a weekend of complete relaxation, Hotel Livada Prestige has a special place in the complex. The five-star hotel opened in 2006 and is located right next to the Livada Golf Course. Its special feature is that almost all rooms have bathtubs where guests can enjoy a bath with black thermomineral water. The hotel has its own thermal pools and a world of saunas, and its eight pools and baths are intended for hotel guests who want a more peaceful thermal holiday. In addition, the Livada Golf Course covers more than 50 hectares and has 18 holes. The ninth hole is particularly noteworthy because it is the longest hole in Slovenia. In other words, here you can play golf among the Pannonian plains in the morning, go to the wellness center in the afternoon, and end the day in the thermal water in the evening.
Moravske Toplice is an excellent base for cycling trips. One of the routes leads through Moravske Toplice, Mlajtinci, Ivanci, Bogojina, Filovci, Strehovci, Dobrovnik and Bukovniško Lake, and then returns to Moravske Toplice. It is 29 kilometers long, with about 180 meters of ascent, and most of it is driven on asphalt. The route alternates with villages, churches, traditional houses, vineyards and local amenities. And especially interesting stations when you arrive towards Dobrovnik.
One of the most unusual stops on the way is Ocean Orchids in Dobrovnik. In the plain of Prekmurje, you simply park your bike and step into a magical tropical garden located next to a large orchid plantation. During the tour, you will hear interesting information - here - at the thermal spring, under ideal conditions, around two million orchids are grown a year, which are sold in all EU countries, and one of the most unusual orchids - vanilla, which you can taste in homemade ice cream served with coffee - is produced here. Wonderful refreshment when you ride a bike - isn't it?
The power of the thermal spring was used not far away by the founders of Lušt homestead, the place where LUŠT tomatoes are grown. This story is also related to thermal water and heat, and visitors can hear the story of the cultivation of over 30 types of tomatoes, and take a peek at the offer of local products where this fruit is the main star.
The next stop on a cycling trip could be Bukovniško Lake. The lake was created by damming the Bukovniško stream in the late 1940s, and today it is surrounded by a forest. There are 26 energy points marked in the area that visitors associate with beneficial energy radiation. The lake is also home to the Chapel of St. Vitus, the St. Vitus spring, a forest educational trail, an adventure park and other facilities.
From thermal pools to vineyards - in Prekmurje, this path has a special story. From Terme 3000, it is worth heading towards Goričko and MAROF wines, a winery in Mačkovac, where the landscape reveals traces of its distant past. Goričko lies on the edge of the Pannonian Plain, and its soil is made up of layers of sand, clay, marl, quartz gravel and basalt. It is there that Marof grows some of its oldest vineyards. The estate where the winery is located looks like a fairy tale - there is a restaurant with local food, the beautiful Szapary Castle and a tasting room where you can take a peek into wine production and taste wine stars in a glass, and then return to your base - Terme 3000 where you will continue your vacation.
Autumn is the ideal time for a wellness vacation, but also for those who want something more than a few hours spent by the pool from the weekend. More and more travelers are looking for new places, different experiences and the opportunity to combine rest and active time in nature in just a few days. That is why Moravske Toplice and Terme 3000 are an interesting option for an autumn getaway. After the thermal water, wellness and sauna, the day can continue with a bike ride, excursion, visit a winery or explore Prekmurje. Without much planning and a long journey - close enough for the weekend, and different enough to return from a good weekend to everyday life with the feeling that you really traveled somewhere and recharged your batteries!
photo: Nikola Zoko and promo
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