Tom & Shirley's Page -- 2007 Slovenia Trip
	We had read that Slovenia was not only friendly and scenic, but also less touristy.   Turns out all were true.   It's indeed a great country to visit.
	Don't let Slovenia's small size deter you because there are plenty of fun things to do and see.   Slovenia has a small coastline on the Adriatic, but we choose to spend our sixteen days touring the interior, from bases in the east, center and west regions of Slovenia.   It may sound like a lot of driving, but to cross the whole country on their modern autobahn takes only a few hours.
	We flew into Klagenfurt, Austria, rented a car there and drove to Ljubljana, an easy drive of maybe an hour and a half.   While based in Ljubljana we stayed for six days at B&B Petra Varl, a cozy place right in Old Town and run by a friendly and helpful young woman.   Ljubljana was actually much larger than we had expected.   It is a very clean city and for the most part graffiti free.   We visited the castles, floated over the city in a balloon and day-tripped to Lipica.   We also made it to the annual Cow Ball (Kravji bal) in Bohinj and it was a blast celebrating the cows coming home with the locals.
	From Ljubljana we headed east to a little village near Fram. We enjoyed our four days at Tourist Farm Stern, a place we can highly recommend.   This was a wonderful base for day trips.   We explored Maribor, Ptu, and the smaller villages that dot this wine-growing region, Jerusalem among them.   This region looked much like Tuscany, only greener.
	For our final five days we were based in Lake Bled at Tourist Farm Mulej.   We were happy to be three-for-three on our accommodations as all met our expectations.   Lake Bled itself is quite touristy, but was a nice base for day trips.   We traveled to the gorgeous Soca River and Valley, exploring little towns and villages.   We visited the WW1 museum in Kobarid, Kropa with its Iron Works Museum and marveled at the spectacular Skocjan Caves, to name just a few of the many things we were able to see and do.
	We really enjoyed Slovenia.  It was a friendly country with much to see and do.   We felt very safe everywhere we were day or night.   Shirley noted Slovenia had the cleanest bathrooms of any country we have visited.
	If anyone wants more detail or info on anything just email us at luvtworoam@yahoo.com
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		Pretty section of the Ljubljana river.		Ljubljana's Triple Bridge at night.		Predjama Castle. Built into the side of a cliff.
		Helping prepare for our great balloon ride.		Ballooning over the Ljubljana Castle.		Local girl in costume at the annual Cow Ball, Bohinj Valley, Slovenia.
		Good ol' USA country dancing was popular at the Cow Ball.		Underground biking an abandoned lead mine under Mount Peca.		We highly recommend Tourist Farm Stern. Exceptionally clean, comfortable, and friendly.
		Barbara, hostess of Tourist Farm Stern, with Mother-in-law, son, and guest.		This farmer spent all day selling produce roadside.		The Slovenia wine region around Jeruzalem reminded us of Tuscany, only greener.
		Drive Slovenia's Julian Alps offers some stunning views and vistas.		But watch out for road hazards.		The Soca River in Slovenia's Triglav Park retains this rare emerald green color its whole length.
		We can also recommend Tourist Farm Mulej in Bled, Slovenia.		Tourist Farm Mulej was also offers clean modern rooms and scenic stay.		These traditional Slovenian hayracks are a dot the landscape.
		A neat suspended wooden walk offers stunning views of Vintgar-Klamm Gorge.		View of the little Lake Bled island church from the nice path that circles the lake.		We found Kropa, an old smelting and iron-forging village, very interesting.
		This Kropa senior was extremely friendly.		My Shirley enjoying a pre-dinner wine.