We will be doing the Best of the Adriatic Tour in May. We have booked two nights a the Mescanka apartments (as recommended on the forum). The first night is at the end of a long travel day from the states. We have all day Monday and Tuesday until 3pm to explore the area. We are not big museum people, preferring scenery and small towns. Renting a car for a day trip is an option. Looking for suggestions for sightseeing in or around Ljubljana that’s not on our tour.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
208 posts
You will be tired after your flight. And, there is plenty to do in Ljubljana for a day and a half. Walk up to and around the castle. Check out the downtown and the market. Stroll through a church or two. etc. https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/slovenia/ljubljana. So I would just hang out there.
But, if you feel you must travel, you could check out Lake Bled. Its about 45 minutes away. You can see the castle there, walk around the lake, and take the boat out to the island all in one longish day.
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
We arrived in Ljubljana 2 days before the RS Tour. We enjoyed the downtime before the tour by taking in the charm and vibe of this beautiful city. As previously mentioned lots to do before the tour. We loved staying at Mescanka for 2 nights! One of our favorite sites was the Plecnik House. It was a great introduction to the amazing architecture that Plecnik designed. Our favorite restaurant was Julija. It's a short stroll from Mescanka. We ate there several times. Eating outside was wonderful. Reservations necessary.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
If your tour will already cover Lake Bled later(?), and you want to add a few short day trips to your list by bus or train, put these on your list:
- bus to town of Skofja Loka (about 30 min - regular buses)
- train to town of Radovljica (near Bled) - about 25 min by train I think.
Radovljica is a charming little town with a quirky bee keeping museum.
Skofja Loka is a charming little town.
If you find plenty to do in Ljubljana, which is indeed lovely, just stay there.
Posted by
OP
Rochester NY
36 posts
Thank you all for your terrific advice. We booked a RS guidebook recommended excursion from Ljubljana that goes to Skocjan caves, followed by a wine & prosciutto tasting stop, photostops at Predjama castle and Lipica farm/home of Lipizzaner horses (which we’ve seen perform), and then a coast drive that ends with time to wander medieval Piran. We’ll get back in time to have a relaxing cafe dinner somewhere in Ljubljana. The next day we’ll wander in Ljubljana until our RS tour starts at 4pm. A perfect start to our Adriatic vacation!
Posted by
Novato, CA, USA
13 posts
I will be in Ljubljana about the same amount of time. Curious as to the name of the tour you described that took you to the caves, wine tasting, Lipica, and Piran, etc. in one day - and back in time for dinner.
Thank you.
Posted by
OP
Rochester NY
36 posts
We booked through Roundabout Tours Slovenia: https://www.travelroundabout.com
It’s a full day, leaving 8:30am and returning around 7pm, but that’s a typical tour day for us. They had other options too. I can let you know how it goes. We are doing that tour on May 27, when are you going?