Slovenia – Places I've Been, Beauty I've Seen

2010- ‘Good things come in small packages’ is the best way I can describe Slovenia, one of the smallest countries in Europe. Slovenia is blessed with pristine beaches, snowcapped mountains, Gothic and Roman architecture and friendly people proud of their traditions.

Encouraged by a friend, I visited Ljubljana, the capital, to experience the culture of her ancestors. Folk music, dance, and the popular Kranjska sausage were at the top of our to–do list. Slovenia values quality of life and sustainability, for this it is called “The Green Piece of Europe”

Magical creatures are part of Slovenia folklore.

Magical creatures are part of Slovenia folklore.
Ljubljanica River, view from outdoor café.

Ljubljanica River, view from outdoor café.
The river flows throughout the Old Town.

The river flows throughout the Old Town.
One of the 20 bridges over the Ljubljanica River.

One of the 20 bridges over the Ljubljanica River.
A sunset reflection, Ljubljanica Canal.

A sunset reflection, Ljubljanica Canal.
Boats allow seeing architecture structures along the river.

Boats allow seeing architecture structures along the river.
Bridge from 1842, pedestrian bridges added in 1929.

Bridge from 1842, pedestrian bridges added in 1929.
Lunch near St. James Church.

Lunch near St. James Church.
Central Market, Ljubljana

Central Market, Ljubljana
Black felt hat and red flower, part of tradition.

Black felt hat and red flower, part of tradition.
In Pogacarjev Square.

In Pogacarjev Square.
Folklore dances performed during summer.

Folklore dances performed during summer.
They danced and sung traditional music.

They danced and sung traditional music.
The dad also painted, Pogacarjev Square.

The dad also painted, Pogacarjev Square.
Bicyclists and pedestrians share streets.

Bicyclists and pedestrians share streets.
A popular way to get around Old Town Ljubljana.

A popular way to get around Old Town Ljubljana.
At a coffee shop by the canal.

At a coffee shop by the canal.
Water always served with coffee 

Water always served with coffee 
The place for “Jota” a traditional stew

The place for “Jota” a traditional stew
A mix of old and new structure in Old Town.

A mix of old and new structure in Old Town.
A former military prison converted to hotel.

A former military prison converted to hotel.
The Railway Station, renovated in 1980.

The Railway Station, renovated in 1980.
Arch Bridge designed by native architect J. Plečnik.

Arch Bridge designed by native architect J. Plečnik.
St Nicholas Cathedral on the background.

St Nicholas Cathedral on the background.
Breakfast near the castle.

Breakfast near the castle.
At a couple blocks from the castle.

At a couple blocks from the castle.
Tables are set early morning.

Tables are set early morning.
A cozy eatery in Old Town.

A cozy eatery in Old Town.
The souvenir shop near Triple Bridge.

The souvenir shop near Triple Bridge.
Ursuline Church has large paintings.

Ursuline Church has large paintings.
Poet France Prešeren Monument, author of ‘Water Man’

Poet France Prešeren Monument, author of ‘Water Man’
Mount St Mary, view from Old Town Ljubljana.

Mount St Mary, view from Old Town Ljubljana.
Ljubljana Castle, its original wooden structure is from the 11th c.

Ljubljana Castle, its original wooden structure is from the 11th c.
Zvezda Park, Ljubljana.

Zvezda Park, Ljubljana.
Corso, is the family run restaurant near the hotel.

Corso, is the family run restaurant near the hotel.
Slovenia protects nature; most of its land is green.

Slovenia protects nature; most of its land is green.
At forty five minutes from Ljubljana.

At forty five minutes from Ljubljana.
At a train stop, by the greenery of Slovenia

At a train stop, by the greenery of Slovenia