kpiepen

I just wanted to post on our current stay in Ljubljana as I had received encouragement to visit this city on this forum. We have really fallen for this charming city so far. We arrived last night and wandered about the beautiful downtown. The Christmas lights are absolutely beautiful - original and enchanting. Our kids are enthralled. The town has a lively fun feel and we loved walking around window shopping and then enjoyed a fabulous meal at Spazja. It was a bit of a splurge for us but well worth it.

Today we walked around the lovely city park Tivoli and then popped into a couple of boutiques full of local crafts. There are museums aplenty and lots of public art. A great photo exhibit is on display in Tivoli park. We are going to take our kids to the nearby indoor waterpark and amusement park. They have been troopers visiting so many museums with us in the past few weeks so it is time for a bit of fun.

Our bed and breakfast - Slamic - is cosy and comfortable. Spacious warm rooms and exceptionally friendly staff. We are able to park our car in their private garage and easily walk into town. So thanks for the advice to visit here - we find it is a really special place and encourage others to visit as well.

mr_go

Glad you're liking Ljubljana, kpiepen. We think it's a great town too, with a great vibe. Our meal at Spajza was one of the best on our trip, btw!

Keep on posting!

irishface

I am so glad that you are having such a wonderful sstay in Ljuvljana. I only had one day there on a trip and wished for more. Hope to get back there one day.

Andrew

It's such a lovely town. I'll bet it's even more so at Christmastime! I'd love to see some pictures if you wouldn't mind posting a few.

If at all possible, try to get in to see Jože Plečnik's house. (He's the architect who designed many of the beautiful bridges and buildings you have been admiring around town.) You have to have a guide, but the tour is only a half hour. I think it's open only certain days. I thought his home was interesting and worth a visit.

kja

Ljubljana has such a delightful feel to it - it must be wonderful over the holidays! Glad you're enjoying it; thanks for letting us know.

If you have time, do try to take a peek at the main staircase of the National Museum.

kpiepen

On our second full we did more wandering in town in a different direction. The fog from our first night has cleared and now we see the castle up above the town. It feels like the city could be in a fairy tale. We also went to the outdoor food market and by chance found the indoor food market tucked in the basement of an old building. What a delightful place - full of small speciality stalls - dried fruit, dairy, breads, little wine stalls, butchers etc. Of course all in Slovenian but we have purchased some Jacni Mlinci --a kind of dry flat bread you soak then fry. We will try it out when we next have a kitchen.

Outside there was also a lovely flower market as well as craft market along the river with some junky things but also some local handcrafts.

We also had our first Burek - stuffed savoury pastry - kind of like filo. Made for a delicious lunch for under 2Euros. Dinner last night was at Juliya - lovely ambience but the food was okay not standout. What was enjoyable was just being outside with all the people. Despite the cold on a Monday night the riverside was full of people enjoying mulled wine with their friends under the beautiful lights. I enjoyed a lovely mulled wine and was told that by January the city is much quieter. December is really the winter month to visit. There is also a lovely square with an outdoor skating rink and huge paper lantern angels hanging from the trees.

My son was feeling a bit under the weather and our b and b owner made him a special tea and arranged for a kettle and cups for the room. He is very sweet and asked us later if my son was feeling any better.

mr_go

<i>We also had our first Burek</i>

Aren't those great?

maitaitom

We also loved the Slamič when we stayed there. FYI, we really enjoyed our meal at Gostilna AS, although it was warm enough to eat on the patio (less expensive), which I doubt you could do now.

http://www.gostilnaas.si/gb/index.html

Have a great time in beautiful Ljubljana.

kpiepen

Ha I wish we had eaten at Gostlina. After pleas from our children and against our better judgement we went to Cantina Mexican which had decent reviews on Trip Advisor. It was pretty bad. My seafood fajita was barely edible.
Oh well. I won't let this mar an otherwise great visit. I'm sure the Slovenian food in Mexico is nothing to write home about!

We visited Atlantis waterworld today - a huge waterslide and sauna/relaxation complex - and it was quite lovely. The kids hung out in the waterslide area and my husband and I went to "Saunaland". Definitely a local's place and the staff were, as everywhere here, very friendly and welcoming. Kids also went on "the best ride ever" at the nearby fairground. I think it is a seasonal event.

kja I went for a run today and thought I was going past the museum you mentioned but somehow missedi it. We ran up the hill in Tivoli park and then down past the embassies and beautiful buildings and sculptures surrounding the park. When you get up the trails in the park you really feel like you are out in the countryside - lovely.

Another festive night in town tonight but nice and quiet at our b and b. Off to Vienna tomorrow.

yestravel

Thanks for posting. Planning a trip there in 2013.

Hi mr_go & maitai -- your reports are also very helpful

isabel

I stayed at the Slamic last summer (on advice from here). You should let them know they have their own little following on this forum, in case they don't know about it. Ljubljana was magical in the summer, I would think it even more so at Christmas. Is there snow?

Debs

Ljubljana surprisingly offers a lot for a small city. We visited in June a few years ago, but imagine that this time of year is so beautiful! Burek's ... yes! They're delish!

Is the Dragon bridge decorated for Christmas?

Hopefully you'll have time for a trip to Lake Bled. ENJOY!

mr_go

<i>Hopefully you'll have time for a trip to Lake Bled.</i>


True Fact: That's the current desktop image on my work computer. Gorgeous lake!

Debs

Love it, mr_go! Picture on my desk of my husband sitting in the boat SPELA as we're being paddled out to the island. We enjoyed a lovely day at Lake Bled.

Andrew

I made a Slovenia calendar from my 2011 trip pictures. The December picture is a dusk shot of Ljubljana, with the triple bridge etc. I'd love to see that shot in the snow!

Someone just bought a Lake Bled print off of my website. It sure is a beautiful setting there!

maitaitom

I'm going to make my desktop image from Lake Bled a Kremna Rezina.

kja

Sorry you missed the National Museum, but thanks for letting me know! Here's a picture of what I hoped you would see:

http://www.tripomatic.com/Slovenia/L...m-of-Slovenia/

kpiepen

Thanks wow that is a great staircase. Wish I had shown my kids that one.
There had been some snow before we arrived but it was cleared to the sides while we were there.
Dragon bridge was not decorated that I could see in the daytime. But still very beautiful. We did not have time to go to Lake Bled. Another trip perhaps.....