| Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, is a charming | | | | European cinemas, plays the majority of it's |
| city full of galleries, museums, and art, and | | | | films in their original language with |
| with a population of just 330,000. The | | | | Slovenian subtitles. The main exception to |
| Ljubljanica river flows through the centre of | | | | this rule are animated films, which tend to |
| town and divides the city like a timewarp, | | | | be dubbed for children. For a truly |
| with the modern city to the West, and the old | | | | remarkable experience, take a walk round |
| city & Ljubljana Castle to the East. | | | | Ljubljana zoo, considered to be amongst the |
| These two city halves are connected by | | | | most beautiful in Europe. |
| several bridges, Tromostovje (triple) bridge | | | | |
| being the most famous. The city is well | | | | You'll probably want to eat at some point |
| connected, with a good bus network, but the | | | | during your trip, and you'll find a whole |
| centre is small enough to walk everywhere | | | | host of options on the streets of Ljubljana. |
| should you choose. If you find yourself | | | | If you need a quick, cheap fix, there are |
| outside of the city, grab a taxi – they | | | | seven McDonald's restaurants dotted around |
| are very affordable, and a convenient way of | | | | the city. For the slightly more adventurous, |
| getting around. | | | | however, try Hot Horse, fast food with a |
| | | | twist – all the meat served is horse |
| Old Ljubljana is a hotspot for monuments, | | | | meat! For a more relaxed lunch, try Luka |
| historic buildings, churches and museums. | | | | Gourmet Lunch Cafe, one of a line of cafes on |
| Keep your eyes open as you wander round for | | | | Stari Trg with outside seating. This cafe |
| Zmajski Most (Dragon Bridge), one of the most | | | | serves up tasty, mainly pasta dishes with |
| famous crossings on this part of the | | | | reasonable prices and friendly service. For |
| Ljubljanica. The Dragon has become a | | | | your evening meal, Gostilna Sokol deals up |
| traditional symbol of Ljubljana and four of | | | | authentic Slovenian cuisine, complete with |
| them stand here, carved in stone, forever | | | | all waiters and waitresses dressed up in |
| guarding the bridge. Ljubljana castle, | | | | traditional costume. Alternatively, Manna, |
| accessed by the 'tourist train', is another | | | | South from the main tourist area, serves |
| popular attraction in this area of the city. | | | | excellent traditional dishes for about |
| Entrance to the courtyard, chapel and gift | | | | €20 for a full dinner. It boasts "Slow |
| shop is free, while there is a charge for | | | | food", but in effect the service is both |
| access to the tower and its fine views over | | | | helpful and fast, and has a friendly and |
| the old city to the Sava River and Julian | | | | artistic athmosphere. |
| Alps. The National Museum of Contemporary | | | | |
| History charts Slovenia's turbulent history, | | | | Ljubljana really comes to life in the |
| passing from regime to regime. The immersive | | | | evening, with locals and tourists all seeking |
| exhibits include a walk through WWII trench. | | | | a fun night out. Patrick's Irish Bar is the |
| For some natural history, take a trip to | | | | ubiqutous Irish Pub, with Guinness and Local |
| Postojna Caves – 20 km of underground | | | | Beers on tap and a typical menu of Hearty |
| galleries, chambers and corridors with a | | | | Meals available. Also typical is the |
| constant temperature of 8 C. A guided tour on | | | | welcoming atmosphere that seems common to all |
| special cave train takes one and half hours. | | | | Irish Pubs. BI-KO-FE is a lively little bar |
| | | | that plays excellent jazz music, and the |
| Cross the river to the new city for more | | | | place the youngish locals hangout to drink |
| modern attractions and developments. This | | | | the night away. Wine lovers must try Vinoteka |
| part of the city is great for families, with | | | | Movia, a cosy, candlelit wine bar comes with |
| fun attractions including Water City of | | | | knowledgeable barmen who can recommend a wine |
| Atlantis, a water park with 14 pools, thermal | | | | based on your tastes. Be careful, however |
| baths, slides and saunas, and Laguna Fun | | | | – the prices can vary from modest to a |
| & Spa, with open air pools during the day | | | | remortgage! For clubbers and anyone else |
| and themed parties at night. The Vodafone | | | | who'd like to dance the night away, K4 is a |
| Live Arena offers bowling, pool, laser games | | | | nice spot at 4, Kersnikova Trg. National and |
| & a 3D Theatre, and the Kolosej | | | | international DJs play electronic music to an |
| (Colosseum) multiplex cinema, unlike most | | | | enthusastic crowd. |