Next September we'll be driving from the Triglav area to Plitvice. We have 1 1/2 days to make this drive, which should take about 4-5 hours. So far I'm thinking of stopping overnight in the Brezice area to get a taste of another part of Slovenia. Brezice seems to have a great regional museum. Do you have thoughts about worthy stops enroute between Triglav and Plitvice? At that point we will already have seen the caves area and Predjama already. We like history, museums, good food, ethnic music and festivals, experiencing different cultures. Have read the RS and Lonely planet guides, but are interested in your ideas.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5369 posts
Zagreb?.....
Posted by
OP
Columbus, USA
396 posts
I actually did think of Zagreb, but I wasn't sure we could do Zagreb justice in a day or less. Is Zagreb sufficiently different than Ljubliana to make it worthwhile? Zagreb also seems to be a city of quiet pleasures, with not as many interesting sights (for me) as LJU.
Posted by
Washington DC
27047 posts
Zagreb feels very different from Ljubljana. First, it has no river through the historic district. Second, it has a bi-level old quarter. Third, it has more (and arguably better) museums.
t's true that a one-day visit would be short. Also, Zagreb is rather large, with considerable sprawl surrounding the area you'd want to see. I imagine a fair amount of your time would be burned driving through the unattractive sprawl.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Zagreb is indeed very different from Ljubljana. Not better or worse. Different. Some people love one and not the other; some people love both. Personally, I didn't care for Zagreb. Ljubljana is simply more charming with the aforementioned river along with beautiful architecture, bridges, neat buildings, a castle on the hill overlooking the town. Zagreb feels more bland, less vibrant.
Ljubljana does lack some important museums, but then again, so does Zagreb, really. I did enjoy Zagreb's Museum of Naïve Art. The "relationships" museum wasn't there yet when I visited. But museums really aren't the key reason to visit either town.
Posted by
Slovenia
470 posts
Assuming Ljubljana and points northeast will have been covered in the preceding legs of your trip, you could also (as an alternative to Zagreb) visit Novo Mesto, Otocec Castle, Kostanjevica na Krki, Brezice and Mokrice Castle on your way down. Make sure to stop for some trout or venison at Domacija Javornik in the village of Krka, about 30 minutes southeast of Ljubljana. If you won't be stopping in Zagreb, you could also avoid driving past it and instead head south via Novo Mesto and through the rolling hills of the Bela Krajina region on your way to Plitvice. Rastoke are another scenic stop on the drive, just before you reach Plitvice NP.
Posted by
OP
Columbus, USA
396 posts
Thank you for the helpful answers, everyone. I'll take another look at all of these options.
Posted by
OP
Columbus, USA
396 posts
It turns out we will be in the Ljubliana area during this festival: http://www.visitkamnik.com/en/events/top-events/days-national-costumes-and-clothing-heritage It seems like a fantastic opportunity to experience heritage music, dance and costumes. I think we're going to extend a day in Ljubliana so we can attend. Has anyone attended? It looks really cool. Just wanted to add this since part of my initial question about about ethnic music and festivals. P.S. this festival is generally the 2nd weekend in September, and will be over the weekend of September 7-8 in 2019 according to the Kamnik TI office staff.