To Nature School We Go

Debeli rtič is located in the northernmost part of the Slovenian coast, close to the Italian border, and is part of the Ankaran municipality. The Youth Health and Summer Resort of Red Cross Slovenia Debeli rtič is the only seaside climatic youth health resort in Slovenia. Nature school is intended for children in kindergartens and primary schools and its purpose is to upgrade and encourage exercise, learning in different authentic environments, co-operation and integration. It allows for an upgrade of the compulsory curriculum and extended curriculum programme in primary school and also implements certain objectives of the curriculum.

The summer camp felt just like actual holidays, but with a few extra professional obligations. The biggest difference between travelling solo or with another adult and travelling in a group or accompanying a child is that you don’t get to visit the places in the surrounding area as much, but rather fully explore the resort area. This naturally has its own advantages because you feel at home just after a couple of days. And it’s far from boring. What I liked the most were the swimming lessons (taking place both in an indoor and outdoor pool), treasure hunting, science and nature trail, visiting the park and all the herbs, looking for seashells, observing the beautiful sunsets and various sports activities the surroundings have to offer (beach volleyball, football, walks...). The wonderful nature and the surroundings of the Debeli rtič peninsula are also perfect for various trips. With its altitude of 14m, Debeli rtič is also the last (or first) stop of the Slovenian Mountain Trail. In the summer, you can go on a boat trip to Koper, Izola or Piran. Due to a very mild climate throughout all seasons, you can explore the local area on foot (Ressljev gaj, Miljsko gričevje, a walk through Trieste, Bebler’s Trail...) or the greater area by bicycle (the Parenzana cycling route following the narrow-gauge railway line, the cycling route following the narrow-gauge railway line to Kozine that crosses the Glinščica, the incredibly scenic cycling route going past Trieste and all the way to Miramare Castle, the cycling route to Duino Castle...).

We stayed at the Youth Hostel Debeli rtič, which is very cosy and tidy, plus Hostelling International members get 10% off. Even if you stay with your whole family. And what’s really special about the hostel – you can arrange for the staff to prepare food that caters to your needs (and is very diverse). The staff at the hostel will take into account everything, even the most unusual diets. And there’s a special opportunity for you – you can also become members by donating 0.5% of your personal income tax to Hostelling International Slovenia (this applies only if you pay personal income tax in Slovenia). Each year, half of the funds collected in that way are exclusively used to help children and young people with fewer opportunities experience the seaside during the autumn holidays.

And even though the Slovenian coastline is short, Debeli rtič is one of those coastal places I hadn’t been to until this year. And I really liked it. And all the thanks goes to the little sweetheart. I’ll definitely be going back. And, next time, I’ll be taking my fifth-grader with me.