Glimpses of a gem in the Balkans

If you have been wanting to travel to Europe, but off the beaten track of Switzerland, Germany, Italy etc, Eastern Europe is a good choice. It has become accessible and the great cities of Prague and Budapest are beginning to attract Indian tourists. 

If you are looking for a place less visited but with its own unique charm, the quintessentially picturesque city Ljubljana, which is also the capital of Slovenia, is a wonderful option. While there are many ways to reach the place, try for a window seat on the Euro City train from Vienna. 

The six-hour ride through the beautiful Austrian countryside gives way to the awesome landscape of Slovenia. The train enters Slovenia through the town of Maribor and pass through small towns and stations nestled among the mountains. Major stops are Celje where you can see the castle on the mountain top and Lasko, the brewery town. Before the train comes to a halt at Ljubljana main station, you would have caught a grand glimpse of the snowcapped mountains to the East. The city is small, with a population less than 3,00,000 but with a very good infrastructure. 

An industrial hub, Ljubljana also has all the comforts of an European capital – plus one additional charm – everything is ten minutes away at Ljubljana, as the hotel concierge informs you. The central castle surrounded by the river which shares its name with the city and the canal built to defend the city from flooding is a major attraction. 

The walk to the castle top is steep and is worth the struggle as one is rewarded with the most astounding view on the top. The city’s famous cathedrals, museums and opera houses and philharmonic halls are all in the vicinity and so is the lively pub and restaurant scene, one might want to give a shot at night. Slovenian food is worth a try for the mixture of herbs used, so are the local brews — Union and Lasko are the branded beers while there are many more from the micro breweries. 

The place offers delicious varieties of soups and stews as well.The tourist guide says the people are friendly and it is an understatement. One can easily strike up a conversation with the locals. Ljubljana, during summer hosts many festivals. The opera ballet and music scene is lively. The Philharmonic hall dates back to 1701. 

Many famous musicians and orchestras have performed here. You can go for day trips out of Ljubljana and explore the Adriatic coast with its caves or the snow capped Mt. Triglav with its National Park and ski resorts. Even if you have only one day, a visit to Tivoli park would make your travel worth it. This five square km urban marvel is a great place to wander around and rest for a full afternoon. There are souvenirs aplenty for those who want to carry the memory back – from paintings and handicrafts to liquors and gems of the region. — The writer is a travel enthu siast, who has been to more than 30 countries.