Slovenia

Our first full day on the ship and there was no rest for the weary. We woke early and met at the buffet for breakfast at 7 AM and then assembled to disembark at 8:00.

Our first port of call was Koper, Slovenia. 

Slovenia is a small but incredibly diverse country in Central Europe, nestled between Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. Its capital, Ljubljana, is known for its green spaces and vibrant cultural scene.

Approximately 2 million people live in Slovenia. Despite its small size, the country is rich in cultural diversity.

The official language is Slovene, but many people also speak English, especially in urban areas.

Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia until it declared independence in 1991. It joined the European Union in 2004.

Known for its well-developed infrastructure and a high standard of living, Slovenia's economy is based on services, industry, and agriculture.

It was here that our group spilt up. Joe, the food connoisseur, took a tour called the best of Piran where he snacked on local specialties and wines and was introduced to cook some of their specialties.

The rest of us took a tour titled Ljubljana City Highlights. 

Our guide was a middle aged lady that spoke pretty decent English but uh had uh a strong uh accent and uh her uh dialogue was uh constantly uh full of uh pauses uh for her to uh say anything. 

She was knowledgeable but her constant use of “uh” between almost every word was tedious. 

We crossed a high bridge that had barriers on both sides. She informed us that  they have seasonal winds that can reach 200 kph and are so dangerous that bridges needed the wind shields to keep cars from blowing off. Many homes have rocks on their roofs to keep them from loosing their roof to the winds.

Cycling is prolific there and hiking is a national pastime. They are a very outdoor oriented people.

They manufacture lots of cars here, and a large percent of the population have bee hives, so honey is a plentiful commodity. 

Their language is similar to the other Slavic languages but there are some stark differences. Such as..

The Slovenian word for ‘too early’ is the Croatian word for ‘pretty young girl’ and their word for ‘tired’ in Croatia means ‘pregnant’.

More recently Slovenia has been well known for something else: the birthplace and homeland of Melania Trump.

Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, is a captivating blend of history and modernity. Nestled along the Ljubljanica River, the city is known for its vibrant cultural scene, lush green spaces, and architectural marvels.

Ljubljana is an ancient town nestled within a modern city, and in the middle of the old city high above the town is Ljubljana Castle. This medieval fortress offers panoramic views. The castle has been repurposed and is used for activities such as festivals, local activities, and even movies.

The Old Town is a charming area with cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and lively cafes. It runs alongside the Ljubljanica River which is lined with trees, restaurants and bars, creating a picturesque setting.

Ljubljana is known for its commitment to sustainability, having been named the European Green Capital in 2016. The city promotes eco-friendly practices and has a car-free city center. 

After the tour we took a break to try some local beef sausages and their regional specialty dessert called Prekmurska gibanica, which is a multilayered cake with fruit and nuts. 

After the tours we arrived back to the ship in time for dinner and then attended the evening concert of Britain’s Got Talent Star Amy Lou. 

It was a mesmerizing and inspiring concert. We were all very glad to learn about her and to have this chance to attend her amazing, and moving, vocal performance.

To bed to bed!

We had yet another early morning the next day. So we made a quick run through the buffet and headed to our staterooms.