Grand Union Garni

Re: information please

by leics

Lovely place, Ljubljana. Going back myself in a couple of weeks (my pages have some info). It is small though, for a capital city, and you will possibly run out of things to do there after a couple of days.

It's not really terribly geared up for tourist accommodation yet; there's a bit of a gap between business-class hotels and hostels. Last time I got a deal at the Grand Union Garni hotel, which was absolutely fine, but this time I'm staying in a 'gostilna'; a sort of pub cum restaurant cum pension. You might like to explore the gostilna options on http://www.ljubljana-tourism.si/en/accommodation/guesthouses_bungalows/default.html

You're probably best to stay fairly central; although not a huge place, it makes it easier to visit places/eat out etc if you are in the city itself (Ljubljana 1). If your husband can bear it, a morning spent at the entirely massive BTC shopping centre(s) on the outskirts of the city is well worth it; loads and loads of shops of all types.

Food is good, with Italian/Austrian and Hungarian influences, and cheaper than the UK (though not hugely). Drinks are about the same really, but both Slovenian beer and wine are a bit cheaper (and very pleasant; I prefer Lasko beer, especially the dark version).

Places worth a visit, depending on what time you have available and what transport you want to use (Slovenia is probably the safest driving place I have ever visited; drivers are very well-behaved): Bled, Ptuj, Piran, various caves in the Karst region, the 'wine roads' around Ptuj/Maribor/Obruz. Look at the VT Ljubljana pages for more info and ideas.

Lovely place altogether; you'll have an excellent time!