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city profile
Ljubljana - ‘Where the Alps meets the Med’ - W
hen Ljubljana hosts the ABTA Travel Convention this month delegates will discover one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Anyone who likes central European cities such as Prague and Vienna is sure to love the Slovenian capital, says Howard Carr
Presernov Trg Alongside the Ljubljanica River, this elegant square lined by imposing Art Nouveau buildings is to Ljubljana what Trafalgar Square is to London. It’s a place to people watch.
visitljubljana.com
Dragon Bridge Four large statues of dragons, the symbol of Ljubljana, adorn this Art Nouveau bridge in the heart of the city. It dates from the nineteenth century.
visitljubljana.com
Central Market Sample fruit, bread, biscuits, cheese and other local produce at this colourful market located between two squares. Each Wednesday the market becomes organic only.
lpt.si/trznice
With a population of just 283,000 Ljubljana is much smaller than many capitals yet it can point to an impressive array of baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. Tiny Slovenia bills itself as ‘The land where
the Alps meet the Mediterranean’ and its capital refl ects this, with a distinctly central European atmosphere in winter and an al fresco lifestyle in summer. Its compact size makes it ideal for a weekend break, with most major sights within easy walking distance of major hotels. Ljubljana also makes a good add-on to ski holidays in Slovenia’s alpine resorts such as Kranjska Gora, lakes-and-mountain holidays in resorts such as Bled, and beach holidays on the country’s 29 miles of Adriatic coastline. For clients short of time, most of Slovenia is within an easy day trip from Ljubljana. For example, Bled is just a 45-minute drive away.
What’s hot
Pogacarjev Trg, a city square, becomes a foodies’ delight every Friday from mid-March to mid-October when it hosts the Open Kitchen food market. Visitors can sample Slovenian cuisine prepared by local chefs. Another square, Gornji Trg, hosts Artish on the last Saturday of each month, with craft stalls featuring the work of Slovenian artists.
An art market is staged on the Breg embankment of the Ljubljanica River every Saturday in summer.
Dates for the diary
This year marks the 2,000th anniversary of the Roman city of Emona, which stood on the site of the present-day capital. Ljubljana is marking the occasion with a year-long programme of special exhibitions and themed sightseeing tours. Ljubljana’s lively arts scene centres around a
busy calendar of annual events like Drug Godba in May, one of Europe’s top festivals of ethnic and world music; the Ljubljana Festival, with concerts and exhibitions in July and August; and the Animateka festival of animated fi lm in December.
Cool hotels
The new 114-room Four Points by Sheraton Ljubljana Mons (
Fourpointsljubljanamons.com) is the fi rst globally-branded hotel in the capital for 10 years. Several properties ooze central European grandeur, with baroque and Art Nouveau styles. They include the Grand Hotel Union – Executive (
union-hotels.eu/en/grand-hotel-union), Ljubljana’s best-known hotel; the Antiq Palace (antiqpalace. com), a member of Historic Hotels of Europe; and the Allegro (
allegrohotel.si). Boutique properties include the 24-room Nox (
hotelnox.com).
sellingtravel.co.uk
Ljubljana Castle Take the funicular railway to the capital’s most prominent landmark at Castle Hill. The medieval castle offers wondrous
views over the city.
ljubljanskigrad.si
The details
Time zone: GMT +1 Currency: Euro - £1= €1.26 Visas: None required for British passport holders Language: Slovene See:
visitljubljana.com Getting there:
adria.si/en;
easyjet.com;
wizzair.com; com;
united.com; vsfl
yinghub.com
BALKAN HOLIDAYS 0845 130 1114 THREE NIGHTS’ B&B AT THE THREE-STAR
CITY HOTEL IS PRICED AT £555PP, WITH FLIGHTS FROM STANSTED IN OCTOBER. THE DEAL IS BASED ON TWO PEOPLE SHARING A DOUBLE OR TWIN ROOM. THE HOTEL OFFERS FREE BIKE RENTAL FOR GUESTS TO EXPLORE THE CAPITAL.
balkanholidays.co.uk/agents
SAMPLE DEAL
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