Hello from Ljubljana, Slovenia. We left home six weeks ago, June 29. It took us nearly a month to get back into our travel groove. It’s a very different lifestyle, and mindset, traveling long term. It most assuredly takes time to adjust from home to being on the road. And, don’t get me started on the challenge of the re-entry mindset once we return to the US. Now that takes some adjusting!
Beginning in Lagos
Our journey in Lagos, the Algarve region, in Portugal. We basically did nothing except take long walks, eat gelato and watch the world pass by. Heaven. From Lagos we hopped a local train to Lisbon a few days before we winged our way to Brussels. Upon arrival we very quickly pulled out our sweaters and rain jackets.
The next five days were spent in the chill and drizzle. Had we known a global heatwave was building up in the weeks ahead of us, we would have more willingly embraced the gray days. Aside from the weather though, we thoroughly enjoyed Brussels and it was a good jumping off point for our eight weeks of riding the rails with Eurail.
Riding the Rails
We traveled from Brussels to Berlin, to Dresden, to Vienna, to Budapest, to Zagreb, and to Ljubliana, which is where we are now. What a journey! We’ve had a grand time of it. Well, except for that little hiccup as we entered Croatia, but all in all it’s been quite the adventure thus far.
I’ve been saying for years if only some brainiac would find a way to construct a transatlantic rail crossing, I’d never fly again. How long do you suppose that would take, to cross the Atlantic by train? It took seven hours flying time, how much longer could it be?! A girl can dream.
Ask anyone who loves train travel and they’ll tell you there is just something so special about riding the rails. Think about the classics such as the Orient Express or the Rocky Mountaineer, or the Danube Express. It’s an era gone by, seeing the world through the window of a train carriage. There’s something so exhilarating when that intense Whoosh! of another train passes by seemingly within arm’s length. It takes my breath away, every time.
Crossing the Border to Slovenia
As we crossed the border from Croatia to Slovenia, the picture perfect scenery beckoned us out of our compartment seats to stand next to the open windows to watch in awe as Slovenia presented itself.
Welcome to Slovenia
You know those Eurail videos that you just drool over because it’s your dream to travel across Europe by train? Well, I have to admit we’re pretty much living the dream. There are days when I have to stop and just be grateful in the moment for where we are. We must have stood at the open train windows for at least an hour, just letting the wind blow through our hair while we pointed out picture perfect spots. Slovenia is green and lush and just so pretty.
Living in Ljubljana
So here we are in Ljubljana. The city is wonderfully charming with beautiful historic architecture and a river flows through it. What more could you ask for? Oh, wait, it has a castle on the hill. And gelato. And dragons.
Before leaving home, we were highly encouraged by our two most favorite people to #1 get to Slovenia on this trip and #2 spend some time just living in Ljubljana and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Just living in Ljubljana. We’re back to taking long walks, exploring the city and eating way too much gelato. Is that possible? Is there such a thing as too much gelato?
Life in Ljubljana
We’ve rented an apartment on the edge of the town center, an easy 5 minute walk to the heart of the city where life is bursting at the seams. Street musicians abound, some better than others, some really quite good. Outdoor cafes line every street and if one wants to just sit and sip for an hour, or two, no one cares. Every day in Ljubljana is market day.
Rows and rows of farm fresh produce and vegetables line the market square, and there are bees aplenty, because you know it’s summer and they like fruit too. And they sting. This, sadly, I know from first hand experience. I can’t remember the last time I was stung by a bee. It was not pleasant.
Bound for Salzburg
When we once again board a train we will be bound for Salzburg, a city we’ve long-wanted to visit. From Salzburg we’ll make our way to Basel, Switzerland; Dijon and Lyon, France; and Seville, Spain. Seville will be our last destination with Eurail. From there we will continue on to Malaga, Spain to meet up with friends.
In the meantime, we’ve got another full week to just live in Ljubljana and possibly explore beyond the city. Without a doubt, we are planning a trip to Lake Bled and the Vintgar Gorge. Or, we may just continue to do nothing but take long walks and eat too much gelato, simply because we can.
Riding the rails along the Sava River in Slovenia
You can find more of our photos from Ljubljana and all of our destinations on our Facebook page and on Instagram.
We were media guests of Eurail.
Instagram Feed
Living in Ljubljana for two weeks must have been fun! I would love to go shopping for fresh vegetables at the market here. We took some pictures – everything looks so delicious. However we are surprised how expensive Ljubljana is. It is actually more expensive than Berlin, where we live. Slovenia is definitely worth more than one trip!
Natascha recently posted…Thoughts on hiking and travelling in the Aosta Valley
Completely agree, we’d love to return to Slovenia and explore a bit more. We shopped for fresh fruit at the farmer’s market, one of the vendors scolded me for touching the fruit and I got stung by a bee. Ha! Ha! Not my best shopping trip, but we were in Ljubliana so it was all good. 🙂
Ljubljana looks beautiful, we’re definitely going to visit in November. In fact, we’ve been out buying our car accessories for driving through Europe this morning (warning triangle, hivis vest, etc) and I’m getting excited to actually leave now! Glad to hear that the trip is going well, so many new places!
Amy recently posted…Life update: Hiking Snowdon, Wales and Weddings
You will love Ljubjana, Amy. I have no doubt. Safe travels while on the road, you’re in for another adventure!
Loved your video of life riding the rails and the photo of you with your head out the window grinning! Looks like you are indeed living the life and I got a serious case of itchy feet just reading this post. Ljubljana sounds like a dream and it moved up several notches on the “must see” list when I saw your photos and read your narrative. I know somewhere in Eastern Europe will be our next destination and I’ll be lobbying hard for Slovenia. So glad you found a city where you could regroup, spend some days walking and soaking in the atmosphere and, most of all, enjoying the gelato!
Anita @ No Particular Place To Go recently posted…Bohemian Rhapsody: Cesky Krumlov
Ljubljana has met all of our expectations and has proven to be a great stopping point and respite for us. Slovenia is lovely, and I believe it is fast coming the darling travel destination.
Sounds like a pretty fun and exciting six weeks. I for one have never heard of Ljublajana! Love the video going down the river and the awesome looking fruit at the market.
Peta
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Ljubljana is lovely and it is a burgeoning tourist destination. It’s the largest city in Slovenia at 280,000 people keeping in mind the whole of Slovenia only has a population of 2 million. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our respite here.
Did you guys get up to much when you were in Lisbon? We’ve got a few days there in December on our way back for a UK visit and haven’t looked too much yet into things to do etc. The only thing is I’m a little worried about the time of year. It’s gunna be well into winter by the time we get there so I’m not sure how much that will effect things.
Hey Matt. We spent 3 days in Lisbon. Most memorable highlights were the tile museum and the coaches museum. The historic core of the city is interesting to explore as well, although I don’t know how the weather will be. I’m placing the link to our post here, I hope you find it helpful and safe travels.
https://www.oneroadatatime.com/lisbon-museu-nacional-do-azulejo12793-2/
Okay. I now have a new place to visit. This looks like just the kind of place I would love. On the list. I gave away the bucket long ago….didn’t hold enough.
You would love Ljubljana, of this I am certain.
Looks ike a wonderful place! The fruit looks amazing. Enjoy!
Be sure to visit Castillo Gibralfaro while in Malaga. It has the best views in the area. It’s a Moorish castle. We have a friend who has lived in Malaga for over a year. He loves it!
If you need anything while you are there let me know. I’ll contact Robert on your behalf.
I love seeing the world through your eyes. 🙂
Julie
Thank you, Julie for the tip about Castillo Gibralfaro and for the offer to contact your friend. And, we enjoy following the adventures of Dick and Julie!
We loved Ljubljana and seeing the dragon bridge brought back great memories. I remember everything was so inexpensive. Hope the weather in Salzburg is nicer for you than it was for us. Loved the city but oh so much rain.
The dragon bridge is great fun, isn’t it? Very interesting background story(ies) about the legend of the dragons. We’re hoping for a few days of sun while in Salzburg, but it looks as if there is rain in the forecast as well. We’re hoping for the best.