Zagreb to Ljubljana

Today, we rented a small van and drove to Ljubljana, Slovenia to stay for two nights in the Vander Urbani Resort! Well, not so fast - it was quite the excursion.

Our 1 1/2 hour planned journey that was to begin at 10am this morning was delayed by 45 minutes.  Our rental car was to be delivered to our hotel at 10:00.  We were in the lobby, checked out and waiting for him at 9:30.  We were told it was to be the same guy that picked us up at the airport so we were watching for him. We finally went outside to wait and eventually called the company. They said he was inside waiting but was told we had checked out already.  We must have passed each other three times but though he was wearing a bag with the company’s name on it, he had it turned toward him and not facing out.  

After signing all the paperwork and getting started we used Google Maps on our phone for directions.  This became a very funny experience.  First of all, David was getting used to driving the car and Gerry was trying to pronounce Zagreb street names which Myra and Deborah were trying to locate.  This was a futile exercise.  While Google Maps gave us street names to turn on, the highway signs pointed toward town names.  We could never find the street names.  After missing a few turns we got back on track and headed to Ljubljana.

Our first stop was at a gas station before crossing the border into Slovenia to buy a Vignette- a sticker you pay approximately 15 euros for that you place on your windshield to cover the cost of all tolls.  Croatia has tolls that you stop and pay at toll booths, Slovenia uses vignettes. If we were to reach the border without obtaining a Vignette the fine for driving on Slovenian toll roads without one  would be over 300 euros.  

We gassed up but only after major confusion on how to use the pump.  Hint: just pick up the correct nozzle for the gas (or diesel) you want and start pumping.  You cannot pay at the pump.  

One thing that is important to know is that Croatia is not part of the Schengen region but Slovenia is.  Schengen is made up of 22 European Union countries that have abolished passport and border controls at mutual borders. So, crossing the border was complicated and time consuming.  First, we used our GPS system and pre-printed directions for Ljubljana. We got to the border, David was driving and the guard took his passport saying that this was a border that could be used only by locals.  We had to turn around and only on our way back did he return the passport.  So we circled back and found the main border crossing where we paid a toll to leave Croatia, and got into a very long line of cars to be checked and passports stamped to enter Slovenia.  

We thought we would be in Ljubljana by noon and instead arrived at 2:15. We parked our car in a car park and called the hotel to pick us up in an electric car since we are staying at a hotel inside the pedestrian-only area.  We arrived hungry and had arranged for a walking tour at 3:00!  The weather was a cold 57 degrees and raining.  

Ljubljana is Slovenia's capital and largest city. About 10 years ago, the capital became car-free in the center of the historic district which now celebrates its parks, green spaces, river and outdoor cafes and boutiques.

One of the highlights of the walk was the Cathedral of St. Nicholas which has twin towers and its well known, weather-worn green dome.  The cathedral dates back to the 18^th century.  In 1996, two bronze doors were built to celebrate the late Pope John Paul II’s visit.  One side celebrates 1250 years of Slovenian Christianity, and the other depicts six cardinals with the figure of Christ lying at the front.

  

There are 17 bridges that cross the Ljubljanica River in Ljubljana, most connecting the old town to the newer parts of the city.  Among the most famous are the Triple Bridge that has three walkways, the Dragon Bridge with green dragons on each corner, and the Bucher’s Bridge that has clear panels to see the river below and a sculpture of the running and disemboweled figure of Prometheus (Greek God of Fire) who was being punished for giving the knowledge of fire to mankind.

This is a beautiful European walking city.  We hope to get out and enjoy it more tomorrow. For now, we are warming up, drying off and plan to get a quick dinner at the hotel.