Ljubljana, Slovenia - 27-28 June 2017

We depart Lake Bled bus station dead on time (at 11.30am) on Tuesday 27 June. Love the precise timing!

On arrival into Ljubljana I purchase my bus ticket to Piran for tomorrow morning then walk to my hotel - very straight forward, even for me. I'm loving the old buildings, ooh Europe how I've missed thee.

As I get closer the rain drops start, typical! Let’s hope the hotel has an umbrella I can borrow. Check-in is nice and easy - my room isn't ready as yet so I leave my suitcase and head out for some lunch.

Bridget had told me to do the free walking tour; on googling there is one in just over an hour and a half (at 3pm). Umbrella in hand, off I go to explore this amazing city.

It's started to get "cold" so I head back to my room, which I can now check-in to, to get a top. While the room is lovely and modern I'm glad I'm only staying one night as there is next to no external light.

The Free walking tour (which really isn’t free….) is put on daily by volunteers. I’ve been on a few others along my travels and always find they give a good overview of the city (both present and past).

   

I'm really start to get over this walk - tiredness is setting in so much so I find none of the guides jokes funny. Whoops!

For some strange reason I forgot to pack my toothpaste (never fear I have brushed my teeth numerous times since being in the country!) so before heading back to the room I went in search of a supermarket. Result!

The sun has now come out and is very strong! Crazy weather. I drop off toothpaste and umbrella then head out for a drink and snack.

 

I read in my trusty lonely planet that Union beer (which is what I've been drinking since being in Slovenia) is generally seen as the working-man's beer. I personally think it's very good and very drinkable. Ooh and basically free....here its €2.90 for half a litre (€1 cheaper than it was in Lake Bled).

I'm struggling a bit with the amount of people around - thousands (ok perhaps not.....) more than at Lake Bled.

One thing I've noticed since being in Slovenia is each menu has a list of allergies that maybe in their food, then next to each menu item the number corresponding with the allergy. Such a great idea!

In one of the many squares I'd been in this afternoon I noticed a restaurant that was busy and advertised tasty sounding like dishes. That's me!  I order a local vino, which I'm really getting into, then look over the menu. Dinner doesn't disappoint.

 

I'm so full! A walk around the city is required before I head back to my room. Every single table at each restaurant / bar along the river is full. Where on earth have all these people come from??! And why are they out so late on a school night??! Whoops it's just gone 8pm so not exactly late!

  

Wednesday (I think!), 28 June I wake at 5.30am, annoying as I managed to go to bed later last night than the previous nights.
I head out for a walk - decided to give my legs a break from running and don't want tire myself out before diving this afternoon.
On return I wander around the area, it's so lovely basically having the place to myself (along with the workers sitting up for the day).



   

I don't have breakfast included in my room rate so go off in search of somewhere for coffee and a croissant......breakfast doesn't seem to be a big there here (apart from in the big hotels). I spy a Spar (European supermarket chain) and enter, what a surprise!! NOT! Love me a supermarket.

I finally decide on a place within the covered markets. Coffee and croissant ordered, I make my way outside where I sit looking at the outdoor market stalls, a flower stall in the background and a Church.



I had worked out I need to leave the room by 9.45am at the latest to make my 10.10am bus; time for one more coffee. This time at the patisserie where I'm staying. The man kindly informs me "as you are staying in the rooms the coffee is on us". So nice!

My 21 hours in Ljubljana has given me a great preview into this amazing city (which I return to late afternoon tomorrow). For now it's the seaside; Piran here I come!