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Into the Alps, roast pork and potatoes, a couple of local cheese dishes and a rolled cinnamon cake

After breakfast we loaded up into three vans to head into the mountains.  Our trip was slightly delayed due to rain but we were still off by 9:00.  I think I mentioned this country is very small which means travel times are relatively short.  We exited the city into the countryside in short order and started our accent into the mountains. The final part of our journey was on gravel roads.  By the time we got to the top, the rain had ended but the meadows were still quite wet and there was a definite chill in the air.   We arrived in the highlands of Velika Planina in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps in time to walk around the grass and rock covered hills before lunch.  This area serves as summer pasture for cows but we were a bit too early to see any since the temperatures were still dipping too low in the evenings.  Low wooden housed dotted the landscape.  Because of the remnants of the rain, a fog covered the landscape obstructing the view of the mountai...

A Day in Ljubljana

 We had until 3:00 to explore the city before officially meeting with our group to start the trip.  I should mention the lovely hotel we’re staying in for two nights before heading to the country.  Hotel Cubo  is just steps from entering the old town with access to a lovely grocery right down the block.  A boutique hotel, the staff is friendly and courteous.  The freshly cooked breakfast offered both hot and cold dishes along with pastries and coffees.  The rooms are modern yet comfortable.  Highly recommend if planning a stay in the city. There are many bridges that cross over into the old town, but the three bridges that descend from Presernov Square appear to be the major crossing point.  The farmers market on the other side provides several blocks of fresh vegetables, fruits, food stands, jewelry and flowers.  Even though this was Friday, there were plenty of people out exploring. We strolled the pedestrian streets and browsed severa...

And So It Begins

 Here I am, finding myself in another country I never knew I needed to visit, all because of photography.  I had expressed a desire to  Ira Block  that I would like to go to Croatia sometime.  Next thing I knew, he had put together a trip to Slovenia, telling me it is just like Croatia only better.  So without even looking on a map I signed up.  As with many of these trips, once I pay my fees I only start looking at where and what we’ll be visiting about a week before liftoff.   Slovenia  is a very mountainous country with just a tip touching the Adriatic Sea.  The capital, Ljubljana (lube-lee-Ana) is small compared to most European capitals, with only around 300,000.  After taking a short stroll the night we got in, it’s very charming with a lovely walking district called Old Town complete with a castle on a hill.   There are plenty of restaurants lining the streets with people dining al fresco in the cool evening air.  T...