Day 17 Ljubljana • Cruise on the Ljubljanica River
• Destination: Ljubljana
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodations: uHotel Ljubljana or similar
Breakfast: Included at the hotel.
Morning: We’ll see the city from a new perspective during a private cruise along the Ljubljanica River (weather permitting). We’ll first sail past the suburbs of Ljubljana, a popular place to spot local wildlife such as ducks and, if we are lucky, nutrias (a semi-aquatic rodent similar in appearance to a beaver). We may also see fellow boaters from the local sport club as they practice their strokes aboard their kayaks and canoes. After passing Gruber’s canal—an artificial canal built in the 18th century for water regulation—we’ll turn back and take in views of Ljubljana Castle. As we cruise back towards the city, we’ll encounter Ljubljana’s many interesting bridges.
After we return and disembark, the rest of the morning is yours to spend as you please.
Lunch: On your own. You might want to sample štruklji, a traditional Slovenian boiled or baked dough roll with fillings such as tarragon, cottage cheese, or walnuts. Your Trip Experience Leader will be happy to provide other local suggestions as well.
Afternoon: Continue to explore Ljubljana on your own. Perhaps you’ll choose to rent a bike for the day and leisurely cycle around the city. Or maybe you’ll visit Ljubljana Castle, originally built as a fortress in the eleventh century.
Later, we’ll reconvene with our fellow travelers for a farewell drink before setting off for dinner.
Dinner: Included at a local restaurant, where we’ll enjoy a Farewell Dinner and toast to our discoveries.
Evening: The evening is yours. Perhaps you’d like to pack for your return trip home, or sample a last glass of the region’s wine.
I have really enjoyed Ljubljana over the last couple of days. It feels very different than the other major cities that we visited. It seems very vibrant and young.• Destination: Ljubljana
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodations: uHotel Ljubljana or similar
Breakfast: Included at the hotel.
Morning: We’ll see the city from a new perspective during a private cruise along the Ljubljanica River (weather permitting). We’ll first sail past the suburbs of Ljubljana, a popular place to spot local wildlife such as ducks and, if we are lucky, nutrias (a semi-aquatic rodent similar in appearance to a beaver). We may also see fellow boaters from the local sport club as they practice their strokes aboard their kayaks and canoes. After passing Gruber’s canal—an artificial canal built in the 18th century for water regulation—we’ll turn back and take in views of Ljubljana Castle. As we cruise back towards the city, we’ll encounter Ljubljana’s many interesting bridges.
After we return and disembark, the rest of the morning is yours to spend as you please.
Lunch: On your own. You might want to sample štruklji, a traditional Slovenian boiled or baked dough roll with fillings such as tarragon, cottage cheese, or walnuts. Your Trip Experience Leader will be happy to provide other local suggestions as well.
Afternoon: Continue to explore Ljubljana on your own. Perhaps you’ll choose to rent a bike for the day and leisurely cycle around the city. Or maybe you’ll visit Ljubljana Castle, originally built as a fortress in the eleventh century.
Later, we’ll reconvene with our fellow travelers for a farewell drink before setting off for dinner.
Dinner: Included at a local restaurant, where we’ll enjoy a Farewell Dinner and toast to our discoveries.
Evening: The evening is yours. Perhaps you’d like to pack for your return trip home, or sample a last glass of the region’s wine.
With a much later start to the day, I went to the fitness center. I did a ten minute Peloton core workout and then walked on the treadmill for twenty minutes. I have been able to keep a streak alive for the last seventeen days alternating between core and bodyweight or upper body strength workouts.
After being sick at the beginning of the trip, Sharon started to get a cold on Thursday. She was feeling worse on Saturday morning. I am usually the one that gets sick on trips!
After a quick bite to eat at the buffet in the hotel, we met the group at 9:30 am in the lobby. We walked back into the old town and took a boat ride on the Ljubljanica River. The boat ride was cut short due to some race activity. In total, it lasted about 45 minutes. While it provided a little different view of the central part of the city, it was underwhelming.
Afterwards, Sharon and I wandered the old city. We walked through City Hall. Sharon did some shopping.
We had an early lunch at Pop's Place Pizza. We split a SOFIA [Bufala Mozzarella Campana, Fior di Latte di Agerola, ‘Gargano’ pelati (Puglia), Tomato “Pizzutello” Pomodorini di, Carbone, Reggiano Parmigiano, 14 months,Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil].
After lunch, I walked Sharon back to the hotel. She ended up taking a nap for a couple of hours.
I did the Rick Steves walking tour of the city. It included the Riverside Market, the Dragon Bridge, the Cathedral, the City Museum and one of the few monuments erected to Napoleon oustide of France. Rick Steves' two highest rated sights for Ljubljana are people watching and the Riverside Market.
I was pleasantly surprised by the interior of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. The original church on this site was built in the Gothic style in the 13th century. However, it was destroyed by a fire in 1469. The current cathedral was constructed in the early 18th century. It was designed in the Baroque style by architect Andrea Pozzo. The cathedral's interior features stunning Baroque decorations, including frescoes painted by Giulio Quaglio between 1703-1706 and 1721-1723. The ceiling of the main nave is also adorned with Quaglio's artwork.
I also enjoyed the City Museum of Ljubljana; it is housed in the historic Auersperg Palace The basement level has some Romain ruins including part of a Roman road. I got my Roman fix for the trip. The upper level has a detailed history of the evolution of the city.
As I was getting to the end of the Rick Steves walking tour, it started to pour. I headed to the Dvorni Wine Bar that the Tour Leader pointed out earlier in the day. I had a couple of glasses of Slovenian red wines that the waiter recommended.
Eventually, I headed back to the hotel. I was still raining hard.
The group met in a conference room at the hotel at 6:00 pm for a farewell drink. Afterwards the group headed to RESTAVRACIJA OPERNA KLET for the farewell dinner. I had trout, while Sharon had roast beef.
With an early flight home on Sunday morning, Sharon and I headed back to the hotel early. We crashed just after 9:00 pm.
A note. I am writing this blog entry on the flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco. We are approaching Greenland...
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