A Rick Steves' Tour - The Best of the Adriatic
The hotel had a fabulous breakfast buffet!
Our first group dinner
My mom and I arrived in Ljubljana, Slovenia on June 16, 2007. The next afternoon we met our guides, Tina and Renee, and the group that would be our travel companions for the next two weeks ... in all, a group of 15 women and 3 men ... I should say, 3 LUCKY men! Rick Steves' Tours are always smaller groups than other tour companies, but we were especially lucky ... Because this was a new Rick Steves tour, the group size was intentionally kept smaller than normal.
Castle Tower
My mom and me
The Venetian-style Triple Bridge
Ljubljana at night ... After dinner many of us wandered around town enjoying the charm of this small city.
View of Preseren Square from the castle hill
Ljubljanica River and Franciscan Church
The food! Mmmmm.
A castle dragon
On Monday morning, after an incredible breakfast at the hotel, we went on a walking tour of Ljubljana with a local guide named Martin.
Path leaving the castle
Walking tour with our guide, Martin
My mom and me at the top of the castle tower
We walked down from the Castle to a different part of town
Riverside Market
We walked around the heart of the old town, learning about Ljubjana's famous architect, Joze Plecnik, and its famous poet, France Preseren ~ the main square in town is named in honor of him. Then we took a funicular up the hill to the castle that looks over Ljubljana. From the top of the castle tower you have a grand 360 degree view.
After not taking very many photos of meals on my last trip, I decided I had to be more intentional this time.
Plecnik House
Plecnik House
To me food is as much a part of the travel experience as anything else! My mom and I shared Beef Carpaccio Salad and Gnocci with Mushrooms ... possibly the best gnocci I've ever eaten!
Gelato!
The Dragon Bridge
Our tour with Martin ended at the Joze Plecnik House. Walking through the house gave insight into this man who left his mark on Ljubljana. It was very interesting. He designed the house and many of the decorations & furniture. Unfortunately, photos were not allowed inside ... so you'll just have to visit Ljubljana to see for yourself!
The dragon has been the symbol of Ljubljana for centuries. Learn why.
Fast Food Dinner
Tour Buddies
My mom and I spent the afternoon wandering the streets of Ljubljana ...
Get to know you game
Ljubljanica River
That evening we enjoyed a peaceful cruise down the Ljubljanica River.
Tina tells us about the Honey Brandy she brought for us
For dinner, a few of us wandered away from the city center in search of Nobel Burek. Burek is a pastry made of filo dough filled with cheese or meat. It's a typical Balkan fast food.
After our orientation, we went out for our first dinner together. We ate a typical Slovene meal at
Gostilna Sokol.
