No trip to Slovenia is complete without visiting the country’s capital, Ljubljana. For my most recent trip, it was my home base. Not only can you explore the city itself but its central location made it easy for day trips to other parts of the country.
As with the rest of the country, Ljubljana is the perfect mix of old world charm and modern luxury and youthful exuberance. I loved the open-air markets with their great produce, meats, cheeses and other handmade delicacies. The city also boasts one of the oldest philharmonic orchestras in the world and its Academia Philharmonicum dates back to 1701. And what could be better than a castle high on top of a hill?
Yet the city also maintains a youthful vibe. Its university has a student body population of nearly 50,000 students. So it’s not uncommon for Ljubljana to maintain a festive atmosphere with many of its bars and restaurants entertaining revelers until the wee hours of the morning. One favorite nightspot is AS Aparitivo that has both casual and fine dining and also hosts a terrific dance party.
The Ljubljanica River runs through the center of town giving the city its picturesque view. A great evening excursion is to take a boat ride along the river at sunset. The spectacular views of the city at dusk are a real treat and you can view the Ljubljana’s many bridges from the water. These bridges that join the two sides of the city all have their own unique character.
Dragon’s Bridge features Ljubljana’s mascot the dragon. This bridge also has the unflattering name as the Mother in Law Bridge. Whether a mother in law is truly a dragon can be debatable but the name has stuck. Butcher’s Bridge is the bridge of love. Here you will find thousands of locks from couples that have pledged their love and devotion to each other. Then there’s the Three Bridges, which connects the old and new of the city. These bridges are the closest to my favorite shopping destinations, Galerija Emporium.
The Galerija Emporium is a great shopping spot. The store is a boutique type experience carrying both high end and contemporary fashions. Here you will find brands including Armani, Zegna, Bally and Versace along with DKNY, Polo and even Banana Republic. The top floor houses the Desigual shop, a great stop to find funky modern clothes. If you venture up to that level don’t forget to stop in the discount shoe department. With a little patience you can find some excellent bargains fantastic designer labels.
Fashion is not just limited to the stores. For it’s second season, Mercedes Benz has sponsored Slovenian Fashion Week in Ljubljana. This show has given an international platform to designers who would not normally had the opportunity to show their work on an international schedule. I was fortunate to attend the last day of the shows. The next season will be presented October 28th through October 31st.
Ljubljana accommodations are fantastic. For this trip, I stayed at the Hotel Cubo. This boutique hotel features all modern amenities and a to die for complimentary breakfast complete with mimosas. It was worth getting up early to make it to breakfast. Another outstanding boutique hotel is the Vander Urbani Resort.
My trip was sponsored by luxuryslovena.eu. If you’re looking to make the most of a trip to Slovenia contact these guys. They will create an incredible visit.
For this trip, I opted for spring/summer casual looks. Light colors and linen were comfortable and easy to travel and helped me to stay sharp throughout my entire visit.
Details/Shop my look.
Linen Blazer – Armani Collezioni; Linen Slacks – Armani Collezioni; Linen plaid shirt – Gucci (similar); Paisley Shirt – Luca D’Altieri (similar); Chukka boots – Timberland; Sunglasses – Retrosuperfuture
