Day Trip from Ljubljana

We were unable to upload our own photos through this computer, so we are giving you Wikipedia's views, which were the same as ours - just imagine us in the pictures! Wonderfully small all-day tour with an older Canadian couple (wife a child psychiatrist) and young Brazilian couple (both lawyers). Lunch of strong local red wine and proscuitto dried ham and fresh bread. President Bush was not loved by our tour mates or driver. *His visit to Ljubljana today effected street closures.* It is so interesting to hear different nationalities of people communicate with each other in English, which is not native to either communicating party. We are lucky to have accommodations, since all hotels are filled up due to Bush's visit. If asked, I matter of factly, simply, and dispassionately inform the questioner that Obama probably would not win, due to the way the Electoral College votes, per state, would stack up. Then they become very quiet.

Skocjan Caves

Škocjan Caves (Slovene Škocjanske jame; Italian: Grotte di San Canziano) is a system of limestone caves in the Kras (Karst) region in southwestern Slovenia, containing collapsed dolines, about 5 kilometres of underground passages, caves more than 200 metres deep and many waterfalls. This is one of the best-known sites in the world for the study of karstic (limestone) phenomena. Since 1986, Škocjan Caves are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Imagine the Royal Gorge of Colorado INSIDE Carlsbad Caverns of New Mexico!

Piran

Piran is an old Mediterranean town situated at the tip of the Piran peninsula along the Gulf of Piran. The town resembles a large open-air museum, with medieval architecture and a rich cultural heritage. Narrow streets and compact houses give the town its special charm. Piran is the administrative centre of the local area and one of Slovenia's major tourist attractions.
Piran is the birthplace of composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini (born April 8, 1692), who played an important role in shaping its cultural heritage. The town's main square, Tartini Square (Slovenian: Tartinijev trg, Italian: Piazza Tartini), is named after him.

Predjama Castle

Castle was first mentioned in year 1274, then named Luegg, when Aquileian patriarchs built the castle in gothic style. The castle was built under a natural rocky arch high in the stone wall to make access to it difficult. Erasmus, who was the owner of the castle in 15th century, and a renowned robber, later joined king Matthias Corvinus, for which the current caesar ordered Gašper Ravbar to assassinate him. After a long siege of the castle, Erasmus was finally killed in 1484 by being tricked. He was killed by a cannon ball while relieving himself in the unfortified bathroom to the left-most view of the castle.

Lipica (Lipizza) Stud Farm

Lipica is a village in the municipality Sežana, in Slovenia, near the Italian border (Lipizza in Italian). Lipica is one of the main tourist centers of the Kras region. It is the origin of the Lipizzaner horses. The stud farm Lipica was established in 1580 by Charles II, Archduke of Inner Austria (son of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor). Today the stud farm is fully functional and breeds the finest horses for the "High School of Dressage".

We are off by train tomorrow early morning to Split, Croatia, via Zagreb, Croatia for a 4-hour layover, which will give us just enough time to visit Zagreb's city center to have a look around. Once we arrive Split, we will stay for two nights and eat a lot of seafood. Then by bus to Dubrovnik, Croatia for the beach vacation part of our trip for 4 nights. Then onto Belgrade, Serbia via Montenegro. After that, Timsoara, Romania. Beyond there, we are still deciding, but tentatively planning Budapest HU, Graz AU, then Vienna for 3 days prior to returning to home base in Germany. Vienna may be tricky because of the European Cup soccer games being played there then.