If this city works for its people and fits their character, it's at least in part thanks to Jože Plečnik. Rick: So, Yugoslavia was good for bad workers. These days, Piran's walls are inviting rather than defensive, and the town is simply an enjoyable place in which to relax. We will take the small boats named “pletna” across the lake to the church on the island. Sašo: We are almost halfway through. Rick: In four months? After relaxing at Lake Bled, we loop through the Julian Alps and the historic Soča River Valley. Plus you'll get all this, too. On top, catch your breath by enjoying views of Piran and nearly the entire Slovenian coastline. The social system was good… Rick: That's your worst? Rick: Whoa. That's because the architect recognized that Ljubljana is located midway between Venice and Vienna, and the city itself was — and still is — a bridge between the Italian and Germanic worlds. The most dramatic cave to tour is Škocjan. Rick: Today, are you happier with or without Tito and Yugoslavia? Thanks for joining us. From its prosperous capital of Ljubljana, we enjoy the mountain resort of Lake Bled, venture into the Julian Alps for natural thrills mixed with WWI history, go spelunking in a gigantic cave, and swim with Slavs in a charming Adriatic port. Gorazd: It's good, yeah. Rick: And a single bed — was he never married? Vendor: Pol kilo. Locals still build their pletnas by hand with larch wood from a design passed down from father to son for centuries. Locals claim that you're not a true Slovene until you've climbed Triglav. Crowded onto the tip of its peninsula, Piran can't grow. Tina's having us over for dinner to meet her family. Rick: Gorazd, you grew up with Tito. Apparently the other three people had an early flight and did not want to wait for the 9AM ferry so … He was famous by that hat. This special episode is a sonnet to travel - an introspective love story, set in Europe, that vividly celebrates the rewards of exploring our world and the joy that awaits those who travel. As with most towns on the Adriatic, it was long ruled by nearby Venice, and retains its Venetian flavor. Get ready for the open house tour of a lifetime as Rick Steves guides us through this French region's most evocative castles and palaces. see our FAQ. But the Soča Front was 60 miles wide, and many of the defenses were more crude and remote. He left such a strong mark, not only in Vienna and Prague, but definitely in Ljubljana, because all the land accesses and river accesses are designed by Plečnik. In 1916, an avalanche thundered down the mountainside, killing hundreds of these workers. While there's little reason to go inside, the castle makes an ideal spot for a scenic drink — and a great capper for our visit to the Karst region. Also enjoying dramatic lake views are handsome villas, mostly from the 19th century. Rick took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his father, a piano importer. Many Adriatic towns are overwhelmed by tourists and concrete, but Piran has kept itself charming and in remarkably good repair while holding the tourist sprawl at bay. On summer Saturdays, a steady procession of brides and grooms, cheered on by their entourages, heads for the island. Rick: In Slovene? Condition is "Pre-owned". Trenches were carved into ice and rock instead of mud, and many ill-equipped conscripts froze to death. And guests can use Tito's personal desk for something I bet he never imagined: sending an email. Rick: Dober dan. (18:20), Do-over for my Poland trip - adding a little countryside. Rick: So his bed right next to his work table. See the Travel Details above for recommendations highlighted in bold, excerpted from Rick's guidebooks. This is our living room. When Tito ran Yugoslavia, he huddled with foreign dignitaries — from Indira Gandhi and Nikita Khrushchev to Kim Il Sung — right here. Half a kilo — it's just right. Little Slovenia is the least visited and most underrated of Europe's alpine countries. Rick: I find this propaganda so stirring. But it's by far the country's largest city, cultural capital, and a charming place to kick off any Slovenian trip. Vendor: Pol kilo. He left such a strong mark, not only in Vienna and Prague, but definitely in Ljubljana, because all the land accesses and river accesses are designed by Plečnik. Thanks for joining us. The Kluže Fort keeps vigil over the narrowest part of the valley, which leads from Italy, through Slovenia, toward Austria. For good or bad workers, the wage was all the same. It is, with only about a quarter-million people. The road switchbacks down into the valley of the Soča River. Mostar and the stay in the Historic Bay's house was a great travel experience. Rick: Anže. We will be on schedule when we need to be on schedule. While Grandma and Grandpa take care of him, Tina and Sašo are giving us a peek at their apartment. In the 15th century, the Italians had a fort here to defend against the Ottomans. You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling to Croatia and Slovenia. Ptuj Charming-if-sleepy historic town topped by a castle. In this unpredictable climate, hay is hung on the rack to stay dry. During most of the 20th century, Yugoslavia was on the other side of what was called the "Iron Curtain." Rick: This is great! Uh-oh, little Anže's more interested in bedtime than us. Little Slovenia is the least visited and most underrated of Europe's alpine countries. Day 05: Tuesday, June 1 – Bled. The traffic-free harborfront — lined with Slovenes enjoying fresh seafood — is made-to-order for a stroll. In the center of this region is Mount Triglav, Slovenia's symbol and tallest mountain. A local superstition claims that if you ring this bell three times, your wish will come true. Create custom playlists with more than 400 educational clips featuring the best of European history, art, culture, and experiences (plus topics beyond Europe) . The statue of France Prešeren, Slovenia's greatest poet, reminds locals that their language and culture are both distinct and worthy of pride. Ljubljana's single best activity is simply strolling the riverfront promenade and sitting in an outdoor café watching the stylish Slovenes strut their stuff. English descriptions are sparse in its dull interior, but for most, the views of the place alone are worth the drive. In Slovenia, so small and so laced with modern freeways, virtually every sight is within an hour or two of the capital city. This northwestern corner of Slovenia — within yodeling distance of both Austria and Italy — is crowned by the Julian Alps. Exploring the Slovenian countryside, you get the feeling that things work. The film about the bridge was a good tip. Rick: You wouldn't know, looking up here. We were never inside the Warsaw Pact. Mostar and the Bay of Kotor were Highlights of our trip. Our first stop is the country's top alpine resort: Lake Bled. Crews stroke rhythmically through glassy waters, merging natural and human grace. This time it's beaches, caves, and Alps and enjoying a little cultural workout in Slovenia. We'll enjoy the playful architecture and lively café culture of its capital city, row to a church-capped island, explore the Julian Alps, descend into a grand, underground canyon, and sunbathe with Slavs on the tiny but inviting Slovenian coast. Dec 22, 2014 - Slovenia & Croatia Itinerary: Where to Go in Slovenia and Croatia by Rick Steves | ricksteves.com Gorazd: Good for bad workers, yes. In this minisode, we each share our favorite travel movies.Join Us! In this land of stout hill towns and rugged farmers, grapes for the full-bodied local red wine thrive in the iron-rich soil. Gorazd: No, no. Slovenia was one of six republics united to make Yugoslavia — a country that existed basically from just after World War I until the 1990s. Piran clusters around its showpiece square, Piazza Tartini. Rick: "Three hundred hairy bears"? It's a world where a thousand evil Wizard of Oz monkeys could comfortably fly in formation. Bled is the rowing capital of Slovenia. After a lifetime of exploring Europe - and inspiring Americans to see Europe as the springboard for world exploration - Rick Steves shares his reasons why. Centuries of rule from Vienna under the German-speaking Habsburgs seems to have both inspired an appreciation of the good life and strengthened the local spirit. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Slovenia. As if turning its back on its hard-fought history, the city playfully straddles its sleepy river. The riverfront market is a hive of activity, where big-city Slovenes enjoy buying directly from the farmer. During one winter alone, some 60,000 soldiers were killed by avalanches. Above Grandma and Grandpa's! Lake Bled retains an aura of the Romantic Age. Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. In this tiny country, it seems like everybody knows each other. Terms of Service | Privacy, Lake Bled, Slovenia: Exploring a Dictator's Villa, Slovenia: Julian Alps and Soča River Valley. When you come in, you don't realize how much is here. ▲▲▲ Lake Bled Photogenic lake resort huddled in the foothills of the Julian Alps, with a church-topped island, cliff-hanging castle, lakefront walkway, tasty desserts, and appealing side-trips. I read the section in my Rick Steves travel book about the Julian Alps (named for Julius Ceasar) which are in the NW part of Slovenia. Rick: And his heritage lives on today as the people enjoy his city. But we can also be really laid back, relaxed, mellow about certain things. But behind the gate, in his garden, the creative world of Plečnik opens up. Guides tell the story as, drip by drip, stalactites grow from spaghetti-thin strands to mighty sequoia-like stone pillars. It’s great that Switzerland has become it’s own tour and we can’t wait to go but a twelve day Best of Slovenia and we’re there. Tito and his Partisan Army booted the Nazis without Soviet help. But if you look all around, you will see there are many, many personal objects…his glasses, or — for example — his hat. Natalija: Absolutely. Rick: Half kilo. Tina: Very typical. Sašo: That's the usual thing around here. These wines, from the northeast, are considered some of the country's best. Still furnished with unique, Plečnik-designed furniture, one-of-a-kind inventions, and favorite souvenirs from his travels, the house paints an unusually intimate portrait of an artist. Fancy facades and whimsical bridges ornament daily life with a Slovenian twist. This modest but world-class museum offers a haunting look at the tragedy of the Soča Front. Terms of Service | Privacy, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro: Recommended Itinerary, Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in Slovenia, Croatia, Slovenia & Bosnia-Herzegovina: Recommended Books and Movies, Go Underground to Shine a Light on Europe’s Past, Beautiful Bled’s Scenic Lakeshores (and Cakes Galore), Eastern Adriatic 101: Croatia, Slovenia, and Beyond, Lake Bled: Exploring Slovenia’s Romantic Alpine Retreat, Ljubljana: An Underrated Gem in the Heart of Europe, European Impressions of America Škocjan offers fantastical cave formations and a spectacularly vast canyon with a raging underground river. It looks just like a loft. Rick Steves (ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. As home of the country's main university, youthful Ljubljana is busy with students. No rips or stains. There's been a castle here for nearly a thousand years. Bag measures about 17” long and 12” wide. The house of Ljubljana's favorite son is on an unassuming street. There's no keel, so the skilled oarsmen work hard to steer the flat-bottomed boat with each stroke. Edmonds resident Rick Steves writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. These Alps, with their craggy limestone ridges, bring to mind Italy's Dolomites just over the border. By the 16th century, Predjama had become a castle for hunting more than for defense — explaining its current ­picturesque-but-impractical design. Prolific Plečnik essentially remodeled his hometown with his distinctive classical-meets-modern style. Rick: Thank you. This lively market area in the Old Town — with produce, clothing, and souvenirs — is best in the morning, especially on Saturdays. Sašo: Anže. Rick: Yes, they look good. It was all over Eastern Europe, and if you look at the picture, you can see the proud workers, you know, carrying their tools. “Slovenia — for my money, the most underrated country in Europe”. The defenses included a web of tunnels that went all the way to the tops of the mountains. Rick: What would you tell me? Now, I still can't get over that, because — I've got to say — in America, there is a stigma about people in their 30s still with their mom and dad, raising their kids upstairs. Rick: Sašo. When to Go to Croatia and Slovenia At the height of the tourist season, Split, Croatia, is jammed with daytime cruise ship visitors. Be warned: Everyone I've met who's visited Slovenia wishes they'd allotted more time for this endearing, underrated land. You can see them with shovels. The decadent kremšnita artfully sandwiches layers of cream and vanilla custard between sheets of delicate crust. But the big name in local architecture and urban planning is Jože Plečnik. Well how about a tour. Here in what was Tito's ballroom, a mural survives, telling of WWII heroics. Afterwards you will enjoy the view of the lake from the top of Bled castle.On to Lake Bohinj where a cable car will take us to the top of Mt. ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Ladder rungs fixed to the cliff face (across the road from the fort) allowed soldiers to quickly get up to the mountaintop. I'm Rick Steves. It has been a frantic week here at the Rick Steves’ Europe home office in Edmonds, Washington. Tiny, overlooked Slovenia is one of Europe's most unexpectedly charming destinations. This version dates from the 16th century. Bad things about Yugoslavia was maybe because there was no good stimulation for good workers. While the two families live separately, they share lots of dinners. Like Gaudí shaped Barcelona and Bernini shaped Rome, Plečnik shaped Ljubljana. Dates & length Places Filters. This is quite a surprise. While the valley is a favorite for nature-lovers today, it has its dark side. Sašo: Alright, and this is the little kid's room… These scales allow buyers to immediately double-check the arithmetic…just in case. At the crest of the 5,000-foot-high pass, there's snow even in late May — and a commanding view. He lived in the early 20th century, studied in Vienna, made his name in Prague, and had the greatest impact right here, in his hometown. In fact, the town's officially bilingual: Slovene and Italian. Ninety-nine steps lead from the dock up to the summit — and the Church of the Assumption. The art in the Lady of the Rocks church was special, the one Euro tour a bargain and the guide refused a tip. The most romantic route to the island is to cruise on one of the distinctive pletna boats (catch one at several spots around the lake — most convenient from in front of Grand Hotel Toplice or just below Hotel Park, replaced by enclosed electric boats in winter — unless the lake freezes). ▲ Piran Slovenia's adorable Adriatic resort town — a Back Door gem. The "Third Way," we called it, and it was a lot different — like, we could travel, we had free-market economy, and there were jobs for everybody. This little Russian chapel, built where the final victim was found, offers today's visitors a chance to pay their respects to those who made this scenic drive possible. The Soča continues to cut its way deeper and deeper into this gorge. Tina: These are my mom and dad. Nearby, wedged into another Karst-region cave, is Predjama — one of Europe's most photogenic castles. Vendor: Yes. ▲▲ Julian Alps Cut-glass peaks easily conquered by a twisty and scenic mountain road over the Vršič Pass, ending in the tranquil Soča River Valley, with the fine WWI museum in Kobarid. The experience builds and builds as you go into ever-more-impressive grottoes, until you reach the truly colossal final cavern and its thundering river. Rick: Pol kilo. Ljubljana remains a treasure trove of engaging architecture. Tina: Yeah, this is a very typical socialist realism propaganda. A colorful mix of work and pleasure boats fill today's harbor. The main attraction is a guided two-mile hike through the caves. But year-round it teems with Croatian locals living life to the fullest. Rick Steves Classroom Europe® is a free online video library for teachers, students, and parents. As Yugoslavia broke up into separate countries in the 1990s, Slovenia became independent after a 11-day war. Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia. Rick: And…? Natalija: That is the most important. How do you say "half-kilo"? As an 18-year-old, Rick began traveling on … With this guide, you'll explore charming towns and undiscovered natural wonders. Natalija: So, this is Plečnik's room, where he worked, and he slept here. Five hundred years later, during World War I, Austrians used it to keep Italians out of their territory. Rick: Pol kilo… This is your farm? Rick’s Best Two-Week Croatia/Slovenia Trip (by Car) Day 1: Arrive at Ljubljana's airport, go to Lake Bled (sleep in Lake Bled) Day 2: Relax at Lake Bled (sleep in Lake Bled) Day 3: Pick up car, drive through Julian Alps, end in Ljubljana (sleep in Ljubljana) Day 4: Ljubljana (sleep in Ljubljana) Inside Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more in Croatia and Slovenia, with side trips to Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Sašo: Yeah, ha ha ha. Rick: So, how was communism in Yugoslavia different from all the communism we think about with the USSR? This is where we spend rainy afternoons. All the bridges are crowded, you know. The "side trips" Rick recommended "made" our trip. I hope you've enjoyed Slovenia. Tiny Slovenia — with just two million people — is one of Europe's most unexpectedly delightful destinations. This time, it's beaches, caves, and Alps — enjoying a cultural workout…in Slovenia. Strolling the three miles around the lake, visitors enjoy ever-changing views. Rick: So, Plečnik is very important to the Slovenian people. They quickly took this valley, driving Austro-Hungarian troops high into these mountains — from where the Austro-Hungarians fended off 10 bloody and uphill Italian offensives. The market's picturesque colonnade is designed to link the town and the river. Today, the square is enjoyed by visitors and locals of all generations — savoring the good life where the Slavic world, the Alps, and the Mediterranean all come together. A museum in the town of Kobarid tells the story of the Soča Front, and humanizes the suffering of this horrific but almost forgotten corner of World War I. There are very few barriers, so you are in direct contact with the world of the architect. Some farmers still use wooden carts to bring veggies in from their garden patches. The cave finally widens, sunlight pours in, and visitors emerge — like lost creatures seeking daylight — into a lush canyon. Sašo: Built-in babysitters. Are you nostalgic about Yugoslavia? Sašo: …or "300 hairy bears." It was built during World War I by 10,000 Russian prisoners of war. And how does that affect your culture? The Austro-Hungarians knew if their enemies could break through this front, it was a straight shot to their capital, Vienna. Over time, shoppers develop friendships with their favorite producers. With over a million casualties, it was nicknamed the "Valley of the Cemeteries.". All the bridges are crowded, you know. Rick Steves takes a cultural voyage through this charming, former Yugoslavian country, starting at its lively capital then heading toward the Julian Alps and to the Slovenian … Tina: Here we are. A short drive south takes us into a totally different landscape: Slovenia's Karst region — a high, fertile, and windblown plateau. Sašo: We are punctual when we need to be punctual. Rick Steves Travel Talks 16,344 views 17:25 Piazza Armerina, Sicily: Villa Romana del Casale - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide - Travel Bite - Duration: 2:55. 57 Slovenia holiday packages with 82 reviews View Map. Sašo: Yes. By Rick Steves and Cameron Hewitt Not nostalgic, because now we live better than in former Yugoslavia. We booked an 8AM departure but found out on arrival that was changed to 6:30AM. Rick: So, Plečnik is very important to the Slovenian people. The main square was once a protected harbor…until it began to stink so bad, they had to fill it in. Over the centuries, different castles were built here, and they gradually moved out to the mouth of the cave. Located where the Germanic, Mediterranean, and Slavic worlds come together, Slovenia has a unique appeal. After breakfast enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bled. Stroll atop the walls that encircle romantic Dubrovnik, wander through the Roman ruins in the heart of bustling Split, and set sail to the islands of Korcula and Hvar on the glimmering Adriatic. But one thing that's constant is the warmth and hospitality of its people. Just above town, a somber memorial to the Italian attackers was built in the stern Fascist style under Mussolini. This special episode is a sonnet to travel - an introspective love story, set in Europe, that vividly celebrates the rewards of exploring our world and the joy that awaits those who travel. The castle is striking, as are the views from the castle. About Rick Steves Guidebook author and travel TV host Rick Steves is America's most respected authority on European travel. Rick: Tito had some magic ability to bring it together. Chiseled into the wall, the scant remains of century-old trails evoke the early days of tourism here. Natalija: Absolutely. see our FAQ. Vastly outgunned, they fought back valiantly, eventually defeating the German invaders. Then they flip over the cart to turn it into a sales stand. Sašo: It doesn't show from the outside, does it? While no motorized boats disturb the tranquility of Lake Bled, it does have its human-powered speed boats. The mouth of the cave provided a strategic place for some feudal lord to stick his fortified manor house. ▲ The Karst Windblown limestone plateau with world-class caves (Škocjan and Postojna), the Lipizzaner Stallion stud farm at Lipica, and the dramatically situated Predjama Castle. The room is soon going to be shared by another baby, which is due in four and a half months. 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