JoeTro

Meant to post these earlier. Here goes. I'm leaving Friday, probably ariving in town around 6-7 pm on Friday and returning on a flight at 5 pm on Sunday. Think I need to leave though around 1 or 2 pm ... have to check bus schedule:

1) How much do I tip at restaurants?
2) Any ideas on how much money to take out? I was thinking maybe 10,000 - 20,000 SIT? I really have no idea, though. I won't be eating in expensive places, and aside from a few museum entries it doesn't seem to be too expensive. I'll pay hotel with credit card.
3) Restaurant help.

I have two dinners and 2 lunches.

I'm thinking of:

Friday dinner at Operna klet.
Saturday lunch at Lunch Cafe
Satruday dinner at Trta
Sunday lunch at Chez Eric, or somewhere else? Maybe Tomato?

Ideally, I'd like to spend under 10 Euros, not including wine. I'd like to have 1-2 nice meals that include a glass of wine, as I'd like to experience Slovenian white. I could also try a wine store like Vinoteka Movia

4) The real question is about itinerary. As usual, I have way too much stuff planned.

Here are musts:

Preseren Square
Triple Bridge
Cathedral (6-12, 3-6)
Town Square – Mestni Trg
Stari Street/Trig and Gornji trig
Castle (grounds 10-9, tower 10-6)
Kongresni Trig
National Gallery
Tivoli Park
Library (Trg Francoske Revolucije)
River
Cobbler’s Bridge
Dragon Bridge

Maybes include museums:

City Hall Museum
National Museum of Slovenia
Museum of Modern History

And Churches:

CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION
ST JAMES CHURCH
SERBIAN CHURCH
ST FLORIAN CHURCH
URSALINE CHURCH

Wondering about help with choosing between the other museums and churches. Are there some that are don't miss versus others that are just okay?

Also, does anyone know anything about Gruber Palace or Kazina? Are they worth visiting and/or possible to visit? Do they require special permission or reservations? What about the library?

I could also take a 45 minute free tour of the town hall on Saturday, or a 2 hour city walking tour.

5) My thought was to spend Saturday just basically walking, hitting the bridges, streets and squares listed, Library, maybe the town hall tour, the cathedral early and the castle late (i.e. after 6, unless this is a bad idea b/c I won't be able to see things from the tower or access the tower), and maybe a church or museum along the way.

Then, Sunday I could spend early in Tivoli Park and then the National Gallery, with maybe another museum and/or church if possible. I'd plan on maybe Two hours in National Gallery, unless it merits more? I'm especially interested in impressionism.

I could potentially visit the Castle late on Friday when I arrive, but then again I'm not sure what access I'll have or if it will be worth it.

Thanks, and sorry for all the questions.

By the way, thanks to everyone for their help with my Paris trip. I had a fantastic time and have been meaning to write a trip report. But I'm totally behind with my coursework and applications, so that may have to wait!

P_M

Bookmarking, as Ljubljana is on my list of "might do" for 2007.

sssteve

Just got back from Slovenia 2 weeks ago. Do I understand you correctly that you will be in Ljubljana for only 2 days?

You seem a little stressed about the details. Relax. Ljubljana is a small city and you can cover it easily in one day unless you spend all your time in restaurants and museuams.

You didn't say which hotel or where it is. I assume you will be in or near the center. You mentioned several restaurants and a price tag of 10 Euros. Also, you're only there for 2 days and you've mentioned 4 restaurants. You won't get an appetizer at Chez Eric for under 10 Euro. I also think Eric is not open for Sunday lunch. If you are ready to spend more than 10 E, eat at Gostilna As. It's in an alley right near the triple bridge. It's really excellent if you eat inside where it's very elegant with excellent service. Outside it's like a different restaurant.You've got a problem eating at a good restaurant on Sunday because you have to leave "around 1 or 2". I'm not sure, but I think Gostilna As opens at 12, but if time is a problem, then you should check out a simpler restaurant.

In any case, here are some tips.

1.Tipping in restaurants is like the rest of Europe. Not mandatory, but if you do tip, 5% is enough.
2. Preserin Square and the triple bridge are in the same place, and the only thing to do there is absorb the atmosphere or have a cup of coffee.
3.Sunday morning there is a flea market along the river. Plan to stroll throuugh it.
4.As I said, it's a small town and many of the places you mentioned are walkable in a couple of hours. They're all close together, preserin square, triple bridge, dragon bridge,the cathedral, the old city squares (trg). The only thing that takes time seperately is the castle.I didn't visit any museums.
5. From Preserin square there is a tourist train that takes you up to the castle. Days are short now. Visit during the daylight hours. I don't know how late the castle is open.
6. On Sunday, ALL the stores are closed.
7. As for money, I don't know where you are coming from, but if you can brings Euros, do that. In Slovenia today, both Euros and the local currency (tolers) are accepted. You'll have no problems with Euros and you won't have to worry about getting stuck with Tolers.

In short, Ljubljana is best enjoyed just strolling around and enjoying the atmosphere.

JoeTro

Thanks for the advice. I'm staying at Emoenc. I'm not stressed, but I do like to plan as much out as possible. Maybe I'll just stick with the Euros ... I hadn't really considered that. Do they give change back in Euros too? Would the rate be worse?

tripgirl

Yes, please don't stress and plan too much. You'll see it is such a small city that indeed you can coverit all in one day.

This past summer we got all loused up coming fromt he US to Ljubljana that we actually missed one of our days there and it made not difference; you can cover the city so easily.

Go the ATM and withdraw a few tolars, better bet.

Just soak up the atmosphere and relax!

Have a great time

JoeTro

Thanks, I think I will get a few tolars, maybe visit 2 museums and a couple of churches, with the rest of the time mostly walking to soak up the sights.

I did mean to ask about the castle ... should I walk up to it or take the train? Seems like the train doesn't run very often.

sssteve

The train runs almost every 30 minutes in the middle of the day. It's a tough walk up but the walk down is easy !

The Emonec is located perfectly.

If you pay in Euros, they give change (almost always) in Euros. It's the law. They are in the transition period when both currencies are in use. On 1.1.07 the Euro replaces the Euro. The rate is fixed and the merchants are honest.

JoeTro

It all worked out great, thanks. Hopefully I'll get it together and post a trip report soon. I did walk up some side street to the castle and was dying by the time I reached the top, but it was worth it.