Velenje–Mežica–Dravograd

A pleasant bus ride will take us past the town of Velenje and through the valleys of the Paka and Mislinja rivers. We will stop in Mežica to visit the lead and zinc mine. Entering a real mining tunnel makes this visit special and different from ordinary museums. The rest of the excursion will offer another unforgettable experience. Near Dravograd, we will board a Drava raft, similar one to those that were used for the past five centuries to float wood from this area to southern regions to be sold. During a 2-hour float, we will learn about this formerly important occupation, then a typical lunch will be served, and our hosts will entertain us with an instructive and amusing show. After disembarking, we will return to the point of departure.

DID YOU KNOW ...
… that in the 1930s, over 1000 rafts per year carrying over 100,000 cubic meters of wood sailed down the Drava? After WWII this activity declined because of hydroelectric plants, which left no channel for river traffic.