Ljubljana! (luhb-li-yahnah)

Yes, this wonderful capital city was the beginning of our next long weekend adventure. The children and Robert had off the 10^th and 11^th of June so we decided to go and explore the little country just south of Austria called Slovenia (once known as Yugoslavia).  

Robert picked up our rental car at SIXT Automotive, where we’ve rented our other cars, and we were on our way to Ljubljana. Slovenia is about 50km south of Graz. At the border we stopped and purchased a vignette tag. Many countries in Europe have a little sticker that allows you to pass through toll roads.

As we crossed the border the rolling foothills of the Alps grew a bit and there were many little villages tucked into the mountainside. All the homes were well maintained. Since Yugoslavia was a former Soviet country we were expecting to see run down homes and villages, a time capsule of sorts. It was a wonderful surprise to discover that Slovenian’s took pride in their villages. We soon found that they were a very friendly, warm people too!

Before arriving in Ljubljana we briefly stopped off at the oldest Monastery in Slovenia. Unfortunately we couldn’t’ go inside because the community were honoring the local firemen with a banquet! However, in the same little village we ate at a local café called Donner King and the kebabs were tasty.

Up and over the hills we drove and eventually ended up in Ljubljana. It was a beautiful and charming city with the Ljubljanica River Kanal winding it’s way through the old city centre, beautiful bridges, and gorgeous 18^th century buildings. The first bridge we crossed had four green dragons on each corner. We later found out that the dragon is the symbol of the city. Legend tells that Jason of the Argonauts killed an evil dragon like beast in the river right where the dragon bridge stands today. Another folktale mentions that St. George chased a dragon into the river in order to easily slay the monster.

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Street musicians, gelato shops, and a charming store that sold local Slovenian crafts enticed us as we strolled down the pedestrian way and along the small riverbank. From every street in Old Town you could see Ljubljana Castle sitting up on the hill keeping watch over the citizens of Slovenia’s charming capital city.

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Late in the afternoon we drove an hour south to the town of Postojna and our Air BnB. Our host Androsh was very kind and gave us a recommendations for dinner. The restaurant was a blend of Italian and local Slovenian foods. I had a guinea fowl and dumplings. The local Pinot Noir wine was delicious.

Behind our BnB was a little playground with amazing views of the silhouetted mountains bathed in an orange sunset.