Tag: #slovenia
Ljubljana

Ljubljana

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Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a small nice city with a small, yet bustling center. The city is so charming and perfectly walkable, so no car is needed here. To get the best out of your stay here, I recommend that you stay one full day and night to see what all this city has to offer; and the best way is to stay somewhere in the city center to optimize your time. However, if you are a budget traveler, like me, finding a good hostel in the center can be tough, but I’ve the perfect one for you:) (click to request info). It is a hostel right in the center with all the day & night action literally just a step out of the door!

A walking tour around the city center is the best way to explore the city and I’ll give you here some tips to help you navigate the city. There are 2 main squares in Ljubljana’s city center; each on one side of the river: Mestni Trg & Presernov Trg, which are located in the pedestrian only zone. The city’s layout is along the river, so navigation is easy. I don’t suggest that you stick to a particular itinerary here, the city is very relaxed, compact, and there are hidden gems at every corner…so, armed with a good map (click to request info), just walk around, cross its famous bridges like: the dragon bridge and the famous Tromostovje bridge, visit the market, and have a bite or drink at one of the amazing riverside restaurants 

The only plan you, maybe, need to make; is if you want to visit the castle which lies on a hill overlooking the city. You can go up there by public bus or a funicular 

At night, the riverside restaurants become bustling with people, especially during the weekend, servicing nice cocktails and delicious food in an amazing setting

However, these places tend to close around midnight, so if you are up for a late-night drink, you should head to another area which is away from the river, yet only 5 minutes walking (click to request info)  
Predjama Castle

Predjama Castle

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Predjama Castle

A castle built inside a cave!! Yes, it is true:) Predjama Castle is truly a one-of-kind attraction that you’ll only find in Slovenia. The Castle is located in the southwest region of the country and is easily accessible by car from Ljubljana via E70. You drive on this highway for 50 km, then you’ll find signs for the exit that takes you to a byroad towards the castle. Then, you’ll drive around 20 minutes more on this road till you reach the castle complex. However, if you don’t have a car, there are tour buses that goes from Ljubljana to the castle during the day.

You won’t believe your eyes when you first see the castle, it is an engineering marvel & since I’m an engineer, you can understand my fascination with it:)

You can enter the castle and take a tour, but for me the main reason of visiting this castle was its location, so take your time admiring it, I bet you’ll want to take a picture from every angle hoping to capture the perfect one…hope I did a good job:)

 

The ticket for entering the castle costs 14 euros/person (2018) and there is also a cave complex next to it which you can visit. For a complete list of the tours, prices, and timing, there is comprehensive website with all the details (click to request info)  

After you finish your tour, there is a nice restaurant where you can enjoy a drink or food in the terrace with amazing views of the castle…So Enjoy! 
Lake Bled

Lake Bled

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Lake Bled

Lake Bled is one of the famous touristic destinations in Slovenia & rightly so! It is a very picturesque lake with crystal clear water with towering mountains surrounding it and, above all, the small little church in the middle of the lake!!

Although you’ll find lots of organized tours offering a trip to lake Bled, it can be easily done on your own. The lake is located in the northern part of the country, near the Austrian border, and is only 40-minute drive from Ljubljana via E61. If you don’t have a car, you can still reach the area easily through one of the many regular buses from Ljubljana to Bled. Although you can visit lake Bled as a day trip, I recommend that you spend one night there and allow yourself one complete day to explore and enjoy the beauty of the area at your leisure.

Without a question, the main attraction here is the lake and you should plan your day to do as many activities as you like to explore this majestic lake and enjoy its beauty. The first must do activity is to hike the entire recreational trail around the lake; and believe me when I tell you, that you can’t get enough of this lake:) Start the hike from the far end to the church and walk counter-clockwise. This way you’ll be constantly excited with every step as you are getting closer to the church and with unobstructed views. Throughout the trail you’ll find yourself taking a multitude of pictures with every step you take, like I did:) Some from the furthest point to the church

Some when you get closer…

& some when you get to the closest point:)

However, to get the best views for the entire lake with the church in the middle, you’ve to head into the forest and up the mountains where there is a short trail that will give you the best views ever!

The Ojstrica trail will lead you uphill in the forest and after 30 minutes of hiking from the trailhead (click to request info), you’ll reach a viewpoint with the same name; and OH MY!! What a view!! 

There is also a bench at the top, so if you are lucky (like I was:), you sit, enjoy a stunning view and have an amazing picnic

When, and if, you were able to leave this view and head back down, there are some more activities that you can do and enjoy. If you want to visit the church itself, there are two ways of doing so: the adventurous way, and the relaxed one. So depending on your mood you can either rent a kayak and paddle your way to the church (will be a tough paddle if windy), or take a touristy boat ride with one of the many touristy outfitters around the lake…so make your pick:)

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