0 Comments
Ljubljana Castle Offering phenomenal a 360 perspective of Ljubljana, the castle is well worth a visit just for its views. Unfortunately, the mist did not lift during my stay, but this did not affect my amazement when looking from above. I can only imagine how stunning it must be on a clearer day. There are many parts of the castle which are free, like walking around the gardens, taking in the views, and looking in a few of the rooms. However, to get entry to the bell tower and various other rooms in the castle, it costs around £10. You can take a very short funicular ride up to, or down from, the castle. You can also walk, and whilst a steep climb, I enjoyed being able to stop and take in the views as I rose higher and higher from the ground. I wanted to experience the funicular ride as well, so I took that back down to earth from the castle. Well worth a look! Tivoli Park Perhaps winter isn't the best time for a leisurely stroll around Ljubljana's most famous park, as I was one of only a mere few braving the cold to explore the open space. Bare trees, misty skies, dew dripping off branches down my back...it probably wasn't the best day to visit, but enjoyable in its own way none the less. I envisioned myself cycling or walking through the gardens during the full strength of summer, sun beaming down, tanning my skin. It helped keep me warm for a while, to say the least... There was a wonderful outdoor exhibition on the path leading up to Tivoli Gardens. I really enjoyed taking my time strolling up to the castle, whilst admiring the photography of various artists portraying a range of current world affairs. Worth a visit - and I would suggest hiring a city bike and looping around the border of the park. Dvorni Bar
I stumbled across this wine bar as I was desperately seeking warmth as darkness fell upon Ljubljana. One thing I noticed about Ljubljana is that it's an extremely social place. I was shocked to see so many locals, gathering with friends from 2pm onwards, drinking mulled wine on the street. As the sun set, and night hit (around 4pm...), what shocked me even more was the sheer lack of indoor drinking spots! Don't get me wrong, each bar had some (limited) indoor seating, but no one was choosing to use this space, instead opting for mingling in the freezing cold outdoors. I promised myself I'd give it a try the next day, but for now, I need warmth. Pronto. Alas, situated right on the river, I found the perfect spot for me. A wine bar. Excellent service by young waiters, who recommended local Slovenian wine for me and brought me dishes of olives to accompany my glass or two. Just so you know though, wine comes is served at a very responsible 100ml, very small compared to London standards. The perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring. From the huge Christmas tree in Pressrun Square (the main square in town), to the somewhat interesting choice of Christmas decorative lights...
...to the mulled wine whilst seated upon the river (thank you, under seat heating!), to the traditional Christmas markets, Ljubljana was certainly the ideal spot to get into the festive spirit. |
DEC, 20152 days in Ljubljana, Slovenia |