Ljubljana.

Today could not have been more different to yesterday, and all the days before since we started this trip.

We were taking the bus from Piran to Ljubljana. Rain was forecast. We left our studio in Piran at 8am for a short walk to the bus stop. One minute later we felt a few drops. One more minute and the wind hit like a tornado and we, and everyone else in the steet, were lashed with sideways rain. With nowhere to shelter, a few minutes later we were at the bus stop, drenched to the bone. The bus arrived on time and we out our backpacks in the luggage hold and, like all the other passengers, got on soaking wet.

It wasn’t a great start to the day and a bit of a shock after weeks of sunshine …but the day improved. Still damp when we arrived in Ljubljana, and with squelching shoes and socks, we first found a coffee stop, then walked to our accommodation - Saint Ignatius Retreat Centre. Happily, although we arrived hours before check in, our room was ready. Let the drying begin, 😊

For those for whom this means something, our twin room at the Jesuit Retreat Centre was the dream twin room you might find in a pilgrim albergue or gite. Lots of storage, hangers, shelves, lights and power outlets where you need them … and comfy beds, crisp sheets, cosy doonas, spotlessly clean. There was even a hairdryer that I used not for my hair but for my socks and shoes. And breakfast included. Parfait 😊

Back to Ljubljana. What a lovely compact old town. Probably more beautiful buildings in a small area than I’ve seen before. Thanks to the rain, the photos don’t do justice. Sometimes it was too wet to get the phone out. But it’s delightful.

Ljubljana feels very different from anywhere we’ve visited in Croatia or in Slovenian Piran on the Istrian Coast. As we travelled on the bus we noticed the shift in the scenery from the Italian / Mediterranean vibe of Piran to a more Germanic flavour. Slovenia shares its entire northern border with Austria and here in Ljubljana it shows. According to Rick Steves … ‘Ljubljana's culture and history have been deeply shaped by the Germanic world, serving for centuries as a vital crossroads where Slavic, Germanic, and Romance influences meet’.

It was a choice to have just an afternoon and evening in Ljubljana as we were keen to get to the lakes and mountains. But despite the weather, we managed to get a feel for the city, the Old Town at least. I’ve no doubt there would be plenty to warrant a longer stay, especially for museums, galleries and shopping.

We topped off our short stay in charming Ljubljana with a delicious dinner. Given how our day started, it certainly ended well.

Next stop, Lake Bled.Read more