VINOTOUR experience on the wine road in Svečina

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Vinotour is the first international Nordic Walking trail that leads through the vineyards, across the farmyards of Slovene and Austrian wine producers. Vinotour was developed more than ten years ago in cooperation between the Municipality Ratsch (today Ehrenhausen a.d.W) and Tourism association in Svečina.  At the beginning, there were only two circular trails, 33km long and with 40 stations (local farmers or guesthouses) but the project soon started growing and it more than doubled its length and number of stations on the way.  We are especially proud of the award that the trail was given in 2014 for the best walking trail in Slovenia.

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Today Vinotour trails lead us through more than 100 farms on more than 80 km marked trails.  What is special about these Nordic walking trails is that we can enter wherever we feel like and adapt the length to our needs.  Twice a year, in April (Ratsch an der Weinstraße) and in September (Svečina) there are guided walks organized on several distances. There are also other walking events organized during the year that became very popular and nowadays traditional events: Three kings in January, Valentine’s in February, Youth walk in May, , Jacob’s walk in July, Moonwalk in August, Torch walk to quarry Pruh – with live Xmas crib performance and the most popular walk is “Hallowine” - witch walk, always  in October 31st.

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Some events are organised together with partner municipality in Austria, Ehrenhausen a.d.Weinstrasse and IG Welsch, which is only 2 km away from Svečina. Other with Tourism association in Svečina and Municipality Kungota.  For professional support with nordic walking technique and poles, the Nordic walking instructors are invited to participate.  Each participant becomes a pass to collect stamps, map with all the trails and often refreshments.  All walks are lead in a moderate pace, so they are suitable for all ages and generations of nature lovers.  

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What is special about Vinotour walks is the opportunity for the visitors to get to know the region, important historical facts, enjoy the landscape and learn what the local farmers can offer from their kitchen and wine cellar. There is always a possibility to taste wine, look in the wine cellar or get a meal on Vinotour walks.  Several times a year there is also bigger party at the end to celebrate the harvest, season or just meeting together in this wonderful region. 

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All the trails are marked with yellow and white round marking and black boards in the shape of a bottle with suitable colour sticker, depending on which trail it stands (for expl. Red, orange, blue, green, yellow).

Today we have five circular trails:

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• red, 11 km long, takes you through 19 stations in about 3 hours,

• orange, 22 km long takes you through 29 stations in about 5,5 hours,

• yellow, runs mostly on Austrian wine road, is 12km long takes you through 18 stations and can last 3 hours of moderate walk.  

• green, 13 km long and goes to Jurski vrh, has 14 stations and can last 3,5 hours,

• blue, 24 km long, has 28 stations that you can visit in about 6 hours,

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Vinotour is part of association for Nordic walking promotion Odriv but started its activities as part of Tourism association in Svečina program fourteen years ago.  In these past years, more than 10.000 hikers visited our municipality and they always love to come back to enjoy our nature, food and excellent white wines.