Discovering Ljubljiana's Charm

Tues., 10/6
Today is our last opportunity to see this lively university city of 300,000, 60,000 of whom are students, which has incorporated Roman, Medieval, Baroque and Hapsburg elements with the 20th century architecture of its native son, Joze Plecnk, after an earthquake struck in 1895. Walking the Old Town, crossing rivers and bridges, dodging the college students on bikes and listening to street musicians was energizing. We took the funicular up to the beautifully reconstructed medieval castle, overlooking the city, walked the Farmers' Market, and had a seafood lunch by the river.
All good things must come to an end, but we are pleasently tired and ready to go home, so this afternoon was dedicated to packing up the souvenirs and dirty clothes before we were treated to our farewell dinner at a very ethnic Slovenian restaurant, which included a program of folk dancing and their signal instrument, the accordian.
This has been a very educational and fun trip with 12 of us compatible new friends and an outstanding young woman, Ivana, as our trip leader. It has been great to introduce the Overseas Adventure Travels experience to cousin Joan!

Saving the Best for Last

While Ljubljana looks like a fascinating university city to explore, we will leave it for tomorrow, our last day of the journey, to enjoy. However, today was the most special of all. Fog lifted and the sun shone bright as we elected our "optional" tour to Lake Bled and its resort town. This mile long lake is set against a backdrop of the Julian Alps, not far from the border of Austria. The scenery includes a 17th century church perched on an islet in the middle of the lake and an 800 year old castle clinging to a rocky cliff high above. We first visited the castle, which houses one of the early printing presses and a lovely chapel. Then, walking along the lake, we boarded a plenta (wooden) boat, the locals' version of a gondola, and were rowed over to the island church, climbing 99 steps to reach the entrance. A treat was getting to ring the church bell with a long rope.
Lunch was another amazing experience, this time a leisurely 2 1/2 hour affair complete with entertainment, at a family pension/restaurant with an Austrian flair, and a gingerbread bakery downstairs.
We have  exercised and played hard on this trip!

A couple of extra pix

Oct. 4
Here are several extra pix from the last two days. Our hotel in Opatia; the spa; the medieval castle at the cave.

One Last Border to Cross

We leave seaside resort life today to head inland once again, crossing into our last country, Slovenia. This small Slavic country, bumping up against Italy, with a population of only  2 million, is breathtakingly beautiful, with lush hills, mountain villages, and countryside leading up to the Julian Alps. We headed for Ljubliana, the capitol city today but not till we explored the most fascinating Postona Cave, a twelve mile long labyrinth, considered one of the finest limestone formations in the world. Better than a Disney ride, it was a thrill to zip along in long trains through miles of passages of limestone tunnels, stalactites and  stalagmites, and then walk up and down the trail leading us mile after mile further in this strange world. In a protected tank we saw the cave-dwelling olms, sightless albino amphibians that live only here.
Not far from here lies a medieval castle built right up against one of the cave entrances.
Ljubliana is our last stop and we are being treated to a wonderful modern hotel in the heart of the city for the next 3 nights.

Time out in Opatija

Opatija is a handsome seaside resort town, fashioned of 19th century neo-boroque Italian style hotels and a long walkable promenade down by the harbor. This was to be the day for our optional tour up into the "Hills of Istria"! but we awoke to thunder and rain and, by group decision, decided to give ourselves free time to catch our breath and nurse the colds that are being passed around the bus. After morning goodies in the "kitchen" cafe we had "down" time, reading a good book before the sun came out and our fearless leader came up with a great day's program for us.
First stop was at a store selling local foods and wine, where we  learned about truffle hunting with dogs ( no pigs here) and had a taste of the truffles. Lunch at a local restaurant was one of the best on the entire trip - fresh sea bass and wok vegetables for Joan and me. A walk along the promenade followed as we watched various bridal couple having photo ops along the sea wall and in the gardens. Ice cream to end our outing before Joan and I had massages!
All in all, a much needed break in our active tour today.

Overland from Woods and Waterfalls to Sea

Today's travels took us overland, though verdent mountain country to Croatia's most magnificent 114 sqare-mile national park, Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The heart of the park has 16 turquoise lakes linked by a series of waterfalls and cascades. It is divided into upper and lower lakes, 440 ft. of elevation between them. Our rigorous 3 1/2 hour hike took us down stone stairs (220 of them) for a boat ride from one series of lakes and falls to another, then a long hike under and over waterfalls and streams on rugged log walkways for miles, another boat ride to the other side of the lake, more hiking  before we resurfaced  to our bus via a long switchback. It was a cold and damp excursion, though exquisitly beautiful. A lunch of soup, mushroom risotto, trout, and layer cake awaited us.
Siesta time on the bus as we traversed back to the coastal region of Croatia. It was good to see the sun come out and the temperatures rise. As we traveled along the coast Ivana gave us a language lesson - very confusing, as there are many dialects of the Serbo-Croation languages! The coastline is dotted with numerous resort towns looking across at the 1200 islands which flank it. Our destination tonight is the very Italian influenced Mediterranean resort town of Oparija, on a penninsula just south of Triest, Italy. We dined at the Yaght Club on the harbor, after which was a "knock-out learning and discovery" visit to the tasting room of the best chocolateer in Croatia, where we were treated to "chocolate on chocolate", some of which was coffee cups, saucers, and spoons all made of chocolate and served with brandy! Come on! And me without my camera...Oink, Oink!

Taking to the Hills

Oct. 1
Our second night in Zagreb tonight, and let me first state that we need much more time to explore this beautiful city! But today was our planned day trip out into the beautiful rolling hinterland - hills, villages, and castles of Zagore, the northernmost part of Croatia. The sun finally accommodated us today as we rounded the narrow back roads through forest and farm. Our first stop was the village of Kumrovec, a unique open-air museum displaying traditional life a hundred years ago. We learned much more about the pros and cons of the Communist leader, Marshal Tito, former president of Yugoslavia, as this was his birthplace.
Our included lunch was high in the hills, seated by the vinyard of a lovely country restaurant with a castle view. Back down in the valley we visited the town of Samobor, challenging the group to a long nature hike up from the city park through the steep forested hills to the ruins of Samobor Castle, high above the town. Our reward was the town's famous samoborska kremsita,the local custard cake.
Our evening back in the city was the highlight of the Zagrab Experience! Ivana was able to secure tickets for us to the Russian ballet, "La Bayadere" (The Temple Dancer"), performed at the elegent late 19th century Baroque Croatian National Theater. We are sated and sleepy!