Chalet Šume Pjevaju

Dance with the fairies at the eco-estate

Only 35 kilometres away from the city of Rijeka, an enchanting chalet invites visitors to a unique experience and a complete return to basics. Šume pjevaju (Forests Singing) is a fairytale chalet in the heart of the forest near Begovo Razdolje, with a true and unique Robinson Crusoe-esque feel. Secluded and surrounded by trees, reaching this chalet is possible via a macadam path, and during the snow season, access is available only by foot. The breathtaking chalet impresses from both inside and outside with a charming porch, ideal for sitting outside even on the coldest winter night with a warm drink, or cooling down in summer months and listening to the sound of nature. 

In harmony with nature

Husband and wife, Zlatko Rački and Jasna Kovačević had a clear vision of their future guest house. They wanted to build a house that would be in complete harmony with nature, yet still providing its visitors with all of the facilities required for a relaxing vacation. 

The chalet got its name from a family-owned tavern that closed previously, and the whole house was built by hand by this amazing couple. 

The materials that dominate are wood and glass, making the house environment friendly. Every single item that was built for the house is from recycled materials making it 100% eco-estate. 

The chalet itself is 50 square meters, divided into two levels, and is fully equipped with everything you could need for this unique kind of vacation. 

The maximum capacity is four guests, and at their disposal are a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, and lounge area. While guests can use a gas-powered stove and fridge, some special and forgotten skills will be of great use when staying in Šume pjevaju. 

You will have to know how to start a fire, learn how to warm up a bucket with shower water, and use only 12V sockets, to conserve as much energy as possible. Water for use in the kitchen and bathroom comes from a tank, while drinkable water is delivered separately. 

This unique experience is all about minimizing the effects of modern life, but still having all the essentials of a household. The mobile network will go on and off, which is ideal to use that extra time offline to reconnect with one another and the nature around the house. 

The highlight of the chalet is a lounge area on the top floor with a glass wall that provides a breathtaking view of the forest. You can spend hours gazing at the trees, reading, clearing your thoughts, and find absolute inner balance. 

Finding equilibrium

The owners wanted to create a unique chalet in the heart of mountains, away from busy roads. They made sure to pay attention to every detail of the house, as this is what separates Šume Pjevaju from other locations, making it unique and different from the rest. 

You will find everything you need in the house, from books, to the barbecue, and while it might feel detached from the world, it provides the opportunity to recharge, appreciate and immerse yourself with the simpler things in life.