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Unknown Plečnik's work

23/11/2017

It might seem that this will be a post about museum shop. But don't be fooled, what I am sharing with you it is almost unknown Plečnik's work, The ultimate architect of Ljubljana. And you can see it absolutely free.

Since he was a big fan of tradition, it is not difficult to understand that he responded to the request in 1939 to draw the plans for the interior of the shop that was going to sell traditional arts. Its original position was at Kongresni trg Square.

After 2nd World War Lectarija had its highs and lows and was later restored and now has a new permanent address at the Slovene Ethnographic Museum.

And it still kept it's original purpose as it sells handmade traditional products like Idrija lace, wooden and clay products, hand woven goods and hand painted beehive panels among others. There is also some unique jewelry from traditional materials from Slovene designers.

The shop is open the same as Slovene Ethnographic Museum is and you can enter without paying (museum) entrance ticket. Just let people at the counter know where you are going.

Bearlog hostel

8/11/2017

All of you bear lovers, let me present you Bearlog hostel. Don't worry, your love of bears is not relevant for liking this hostel. It is beautifully and stylishly designed and situated in an old house at Kočevje. It is in it's first year, so everything still smells of new.

Kočevje region is totally unknown to 99% of travelers going to Slovenia. Strictly my personal statistic. So in case you are intrigued I am positive you'll have fun. Apart from bears, endless forests, there is even virgin forest protected by UNESCO, many hiking and biking trails etc. you can also uncover the secrets of the Cold War.

And while exploring the unknown Kočevsko, you might need to stay in hostel, the first and for the moment the only one in here.

Deadly Walk

30/10/2017

Let's face it, cemetery has it's own feel, not necessarily pleasant to everyone. But nevertheless, it truly can be a great revelation of understanding the country better. And not to forget a beautiful, peaceful walk through outdoor gallery.

Ljubljana's cemetery, called Žale, is a remarkable piece of work, not only there is a breathtaking Garden of All Saints designed by Jože Plečnik also the rest of the cemetery is special to see.

There are a few possibilities how to see the cemetery, of course you can go there by yourself or self-guided with a book or an app, but the best is to go with a guide. I was surprised how much more did I not only understand, but even how much more did I see. Little details you would never noticed when visiting for the first time.

But be aware, cemetery is endless. Literally! You could spent hours there listening to all the stories. Apart from many Plečnik-connected stories there are historically interesting people buried there, many memorial statues and even cemeteries dedicated to first and /or second world war. And so much more!

Luckily the guide sees visitors limits, so the walk doesn't become deadly.;)

Dugout Canoe, about 2200 years old

16/10/2017

Does it sound amazing that they pulled out of the river beds around 2200 year old dugout canoe? Yes, it does sound amazing, because that is absolutely amazing. They found it a few decades ago but you can't just pull out such an old wooden object. It would be soon destroyed in changed environment.

They managed to do so in 2015 and I got to see it last year, well, one third of it, one day before they dipped it into last stage of conservation process, that lasts for about three years.

When they will finish with conservation processes it is going to be exhibited at Cultural Home Vrhnika. Until then all you can see are pictures.

Canoe is broken twice, but put together it measures approx. 15 meters. For now archaeologist believe that it could be both, of Celts or Roman origin.

Whoever made it used magnificent oak tree, that had been 200 years old and had 1.5 m diameter. And in case you are wondering, yes, those metal clips you see on the photographs are original.

Cviček - the most different of them all...

3/10/2017

If you ever had a glass of wine you should be able to differ Cviček from any other wine. Simply by its colour. It is not white, nor red, not even orange or rosé. It is Cviček.

There are many mean stories about this bright red wine from Dolenjska region (Lower Carniola region) and sometimes they might be close to the truth. But, to show you otherwise, I am presenting Cviček od fare, wine created by House of Wines Frelih (Hisa vina Frelih) that received Award Commended in London. This is the first time Cviček got any sort of recognition outside Slovenia.

Cviček is protected in Slovenia, but when we joined European Union this wine was not recognized as wine because it has low level of alcohol, only about 8%. Now this has changed, Cviček is indeed wine. It is also appreciated by diabetics, since it has low sugar level, which is of course because of low alcohol level.

Still wondering the secret of such bright red? Or unsure if you would see the difference in colour?

I posted two pictures above, left being Cviček and right Modra Frankinja.I think you can spot the difference from far away. And, as you might have guessed, right one consists of only red grapes and left one is made of red and white grapes, which is not very common in the world. But as I told you at the beginning, Cviček is the most different of them all....

Happy landing

28/9/2017

Slovenian smallest international airport is the one on the coast, Aerodrome Portorož. In case you are wandering how small is that, let me tell you it has 11 employee, counting everyone from cleaning personnel to director.

But you are used to small things in Slovenia, aren't you? So this might not come as a surprise to you. How about receiving a welcome drink after you have landed?

When flying directly to the coast, visitors are greeted in a traditional way for this parts of Europe with a shot of home made brandy!

Oldest UNESCO heritage in Slovenia

19/9/2017

One of the most common questions I get from foreign visitors is whether it is more beautiful Postojna Cave or Škocjan Caves.

More than 30 years ago Skocjan Caves were listed under UNESCOs natural heritage and have been, until recently, the only site in Slovenia with such protection.

When visiting Škocjan cave you can choose among three trails. The most known and popular and probably the most essential is Through the underground. This is guided tour with entrance fee. Another option is the Škocjan Education Trail which doesn't take you to the underground but is is absolutely free and almost equally beautiful than the first one.

But of course, the best is to do at least this two. I assure you that the third option is very beautiful as well, but I can't ask you to see all in one day.

Pictures in this post are from the first mentioned option, i.e. from a guided tour to the underground, which, please do keep that in mind, can be challenging for people that are not used to walk much. But it is doable.

,In case you are still wondering which cave to choose, I won't give you an answer. Postojna cave is much older and for that reason quite different from younger Škocjan caves, but both are very impressive.

Besides, there are more than 12000 registered caves at the moment in Slovenia. Why limiting your choice only among the two?

Snežnik castle

8/9/2017

Snežnik castle is one of the cutest Slovenian castles. Not too big, nicely preserved and in an idyllic environment.
And it is one of the few castles in Slovenia that can boast of original furnishings.

Apart from visiting this castle the surrounding offers many options for bikers, hikers, easy walkers, and many other activities. Even just sitting and relaxing in front of the castle can be a meditative experience of its own.

Learn how to make one Slovenian dish

28/8/2017

Making selfies in front of touristic sights is one thing, learning how to make one Slovenian dish is taking your touristic experience on anther level.

Sometimes they have cooking workshops on the events, like it was the one we joined, at Metlika on it's biggest festival, Vinska Vigred.

I don't want to underestimate the difficulty of making belokranjska pogača, salted cake, but I think it accounts for less difficult dishes. As you can find many variations (with cheese, ham ...), we were doing the protected one, that has to have exact number of squares drawn and is only sprinkled with salt and cumin.

There is another little secret that I have been told, belokranjska pogača goes well with wine, not only for the taste, but because it soaks up the wine, thus preventing getting drunk too quickly.

You can get recipe on this page if you feel like trying at home.

From Ljubljana with love

23/8/2017

Social Ljubljana Tour, named romantically - as a lot of things in sLOVEnia- Ljubljana with love, invites you to pay a visit to independent social companies that are part of a local ‘Think Social. Buy Local.’ movement.

While getting to know many stories of today's life in Slovenia and its capital you walk through the beautiful medieval part of Ljubljana and get to eat some food. Food with background, of course.

On this tour you visit two restaurants, one is the Slovenian equivalent to Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant, which trains and employs young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and the other employs people with learning disabilities.

For anyone that loves shopping there will be many opportunities to buy a special gift. Choosing from glamorous garbage, unique gifts made from reused or recycled things and materials, or digging into first thrift store in Slovenia. My favorite? "Plant me" souvenir.

One stop is very important for Slovenians and I am sure you might enjoy it too, that is to sit down and drink a cup of coffee. And yes, the story follows. The owner is all about coffee and has only fair trade or direct trade organic coffee and he is, naturally, roasting coffee himself. But don't worry, there is more. And you'll hear about it there.

Talking about social awareness goes together with sustainability and ecological movement so the tour reveals all about Green Ljubljana, the Green Capital of Europe 2016. Prepare to hear about water, trash, recycling management, shared bike system, so called gentlemen, parks, vegetable market and so on. .

The tour starts at Stari trg street next to the fountain (check the map below) with prior booking. Usually runs at lunch time but can be adopted to the needs of visitors.

Tjaša

After writing a blog in Slovenian language for 10 years I have finally come to my sense and started writing one in English as well.

I'll share with you beautiful places worth visiting in Slovenia and around it. I'll also talk about general things tourist should know and of course I'll write about food, drinks and accommodation, essentials for any visitor.

I am writing about my personal recommendations that are not influenced by any sponsors. But please, don't expect new post every day. ;)

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