Pusti gradec and Lahinja
It’s very interesting drive-in trip on your way to Dalmatia, just before exiting Slovenia if you take bypass from Novo mesto to Croatian highway crossing at Bosiljevo.
Pusti Gradec is about 10 km from Črnomelj. First bigger town is Dragatuš, about. 1km away. Best option is to leave your car just in front of the village and continue walking.
Pusti gradecis famous to kingfishers, black proteus (aquatic salamander usually found in deep caves of the Slovene karst region). Nearby Lahinja spring and old Klepec mill are just another attractions worh seeing.
Whole area is quiet and nice.
Old stone mill is still operating.
It’s good and shady place to take a rest after long jurney, even in high summer. Your kids will love it.
Links:
http://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pusti_Gradec
http://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krajinski_park_Lahinja
PDF.