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Slovenia

Imagine strolling through the town square, surrounded by old European architecture, the aroma of roasted chestnuts swirling through the air. You cross over the river on one of the many stone pedestrian bridges to enter the "new" section of the city and come upon local street markets, lively restaurants serving hearty fare and a mix of trendy and boutique shops. This is the typical experience of a visitor to Ljubljana, Slovenia. Located approximately 2 ½ hours from the Italian border, and it has all of the charm and character that one would picture of an Eastern European city. Much of Ljubljana's "old town" is a pedestrian zone which makes it very accessible and easy to walk around. The Ljubljanica River runs through the center of the old town, with bridges linking the two sides throughout the city (the bridges, incidentally are separated into pedestrian only and those for vehicles). The city is a fantastic place to blend into the local life and really get a feel for the country's culture. The people are friendly and many, especially in the hotels and restaurants speak English relatively well.