In case you missed it, I'm currently traveling through Europe, exploring hidden corners and must-see spots in Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the UK. I've been posting daily updates from my adventures on Facebook and Twitter, but in case you missed some of those, I've also decided to put together a weekly round-up to update anyone who's interested on what I've been up to for the past 7-ish days.
Here we go with Week 5! (With the days being cumulative.)
Day 29
On Day 29, I began the final leg of my Busabout trip — from Montenegro to Split, Croatia. We made a lunchtime stop in the walled city of Dubrovnik, where an Australian girl and I braved the heat to walk the city walls (SO worth it) and then grabbed some pizza and cold drinks before getting back on the bus. From Dubrovnik, we made our way to Split, where a big group of us had our own farewell dinner and then went out for drinks. Even though I loved my Busabout trip and group, I was pretty excited that this would be my last night in hostels/shared hotel rooms for a while!
Day 30
I allowed myself one free day in Split in my itinerary, and am I ever glad I did! After checking into my posh hotel, I spent the morning/early afternoon exploring the city. I visited Docletian's Palace (including the basement), had lunch near the waterfront, and splurged on some hand-made jewelry. I then retreated indoors during the hottest part of the day, emerging in the evening to climb the bell tower within the palace walls, walk up to a lookout point, and meet up with some new friends for dinner.
Day 31
Day 31 found me traveling via train from Split to Ljubljana, Slovenia. This consisted of 2 trains (the first of which was SUPER nice), and a 3-hour layover in Zagreb. Even though it was a Sunday afternoon, I decided to go out and explore Zagreb anyway. The city felt like a bit of a ghost town, but one museum WAS open — the Museum of Broken Relationships. This may be one of the most interesting museums I've ever been to (more on it later!).
Day 32
My first day in Ljubljana was beautiful — mostly sunny with a cool breeze. It was one of the first days I didn't end up a sweaty mess on this trip! I started the morning off by meeting up with Michael for coffee, then spent the afternoon exploring the city. I went up to Ljubljana castle, and took dozens of photos around the colorful town. I could totally live here, I've decided. In the evening, I met up with Michael and Pete and Dalene for dinner.
Day 33
I headed out to Postojna Caves today, roughly an hour away from Ljubljana. These caves are some of the most impressive I have ever seen — no wonder they are Slovenia's #1 tourist attraction! After the caves, I shared a taxi with some Aussies and went over to Predjama Castle, which was built on the side of a mountain partially inside a cave. It was SO cool-looking. Then it was back to Ljubljana to meet up with Ana from the Slovenian Tourist Board for dinner, which we had at Ljubljana Castle (where I ate cow tongue!).
Day 34
I made my way to Bled on Day 34, which is a small town situated on the banks of a large lake. The lake has a castle on a hilltop and an island in the middle of it — making it look like something straight out of a fairy-tale. I was shown around by Maja of the Bled Tourist Board, and our day consisted of a visit to Bled Castle, a picnic lunch on the lakeshore, taking a pletna boat out to the island, and visiting Vila Bled. I could not have asked for a better introduction to this city. I finished off the night with dinner and a large slice of Bled's famous cream cake! Yum.
Day 35
Day 35 was a day for adventure. I signed up for the highly-rated Emerald River Adventure with 3glav Adventures, and headed off early in the morning with 7 others, bound for Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps. We did a few easy hikes in the morning (including one to the mouth of a river which had us climbing around cliffs like mountain goats), went white water rafting on the Soca River in the afternoon, swam in a waterfall, and then watched the sun set over Lake Bohinj in the evening. It was a seriously epic day, and I can't wait to write more about it!
The Week in Numbers
Each week, I'll try to give you an idea of how I'm traveling, and what things generally cost.
- Number of flights: 0
- Number of trains: 4
- Number of buses: 4
- Number of mini buses: 1
- Number of times it's rained: 2
- Number of times I've nearly passed out from the heat: 2 (climbing things in Dubrovnik and Split)
- Walking the walls in Dubrovnik: $11.50 USD
- Entry to basement of Diocletian's Palace in Split: $5.70 USD adult/$4 USD student
- Entry to Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb: $4 USD adult/$3.25 USD student
- Entry to Ljubljana Castle with funicular: $6 USD (student price)
- Emerald River Adventure (with rafting option): $122.60 USD
- A meal in Bled: $15-$20 USD
*Note: I'm not quoting the price of accommodation, as it's mostly been included so far.
So there you have Week 5 of my European adventure! Come back next week for Week 6's round-up.
If there's anything more you want to know about my weeks, tell me in the comments!
If you missed previous weeks…
*Note: Busabout graciously provided me with a discounted Classic Balkan Trek tour, and the Slovenian and Bled tourist boards helped host me in both Ljubljana and Bled. But all opinions, as always, are entirely my own.
I love this Museum of Broken Relationship, such an original concept and very unique indeed. I like the one on the bicycle and the dog collar or is it a handphone accesory that keeps blinking. I read somewhere there is one such museum in London.
I’m looking forward to writing about that museum, because it’s so unique! I haven’t heard of a similar one in London, but it’s entirely possible! I know they send exhibits out all over the world now.
Were you advised to or did you get any shots for your Balkan trip? I’m considering a port-hopping tour with inland side trips of Croatia and Slovenia. I don’t usually bother with such things (I didn’t get any special shots for Bulgaria or Slovakia but the CDC makes everything sound ridiculously scary).
Nope, I didn’t get any shots, and didn’t really read up on any either. I think the CDC are required to make everything sound ridiculously scary. Lol.
This sounds seriously awesome! I loved Dubrovnik, especially walking the walls. As for the rest, I’d love to see all those places. I love castles, the waterfall looks cool, really all of it (well, except for the cliff climbing stuff) sounds great. More and more, I want to travel through eastern Europe! So glad you’re having fun!
Beautiful. Definitely a part of Europe I have to explore!
Yes, you certainly should!
I fell in love with the photo of Dragon Bridge. Do you have more?
I have lots more of those dragons! They’re so cool. When I eventually do a photo post on Ljubljana, I’ll include more.
Oh your post about Slovenia and Croatia made me want to go back! I’ve been there a few years ago, but can you believe it, I missed the Postojna caves?? How stupid of me, I still regret it! But you’re right, Ljubljana is a beauty 🙂 Keep up the good work, I reallly enjoy ‘travelling with you’ 🙂
I will definitely be back to both Slovenia and Croatia myself someday – I really loved both countries!
The river adventure looks great. I did some rafting on the Soca and the colour the water – a kind of luminous turquoise – was unbelievable. I wondered if there might be some hideous chemical plant upstream, but found that it’s completely natural. I’m amazed that it isn’t better known across Europe.
Yes, the Soca is pretty amazing, isn’t it?
You are living an amazing adventure. Love where you’ve been and how you share the story. I become more intrigued by Europe. And more excited about my own winter journey to Central America.
It certainly has been amazing so far – beyond amazing, really! I’m glad I’m making you more interested in Europe!
It was wonderful to finally meet up with you. Looks like that night shot in Ljubljana turned out real nice 😉 Really love the shot of Bled Castle with the pletna below. Have a super time at the Olympics, until we meet again…..
It was great to finally meet you and Dalene, too!! And yes, even with Michael shaking the bridge I got one good nighttime shot of Ljubljana. 😉