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It’s been variously described as the new Prague, Vienna, and even Paris. But the truth is Ljubljana is all of these things – and consequently, a meetings and incentives destination that really does cover all bases.

You want a stately hilltop with a clear emerald-green river winding through the city? You’ve got it. A place you can explore on foot but with enough culture, sights, activities and good old-fashioned fun to be the envy of a city twice its size? Ping! Ljubljana has it in spades – everything is within easy reach; hotels, bars, restaurants, venues.

There are no underground networks to navigate, no expensive cab rides – everything is a mere stroll away. There isn’t even a seedy part of town – though our publisher would probably jump at the challenge to find one.

Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital city and the nation’s political, economic and cultural hub. Home to just 270,000 residents it’s one of the smallest capital cities in Europe. University students make up approximately 20% of the city’s population, giving it a vibrant, knowing energy.

Summers here are warm and sunny and the Mediterranean influence is at its most obvious when café tables spill into the narrow streets of the Old Town and musicians and street entertainers busk on the bridges crossing the Ljubljanica River. Winter is an entirely different matter, but no less atmospheric. Occupying a wide basin between the Alps and the famous limestone Karst, Ljubljana is known for the mists which gather in the valley and often shroud the city during autumn and winter days.

There are no underground networks to navigate, no expensive cab rides – everything is a mere stroll away.

 

Of course, swathes of moody fog can’t take anything away from a city that’s built to impress. Well, it never did San Francisco any harm. But even in November, people still sip coffee al fresco with cafes putting out heating lamps as well as blankets to keep their customers warm.

Arguably the best time to visit is between December and February, when the streets of Ljubljana receive their annual average of 48 days snow cover. When the architecture of Jože Plečnik gets a dusting of ice, that’s when Ljubljana comes into its own…

Architecture
Born in Ljubljana, Plečnik trained in Austria with Otto Wagner while developing the Vienna Secession styles. With a lifelong his commitment to classical architecture, he plied his trade in Vienna, Belgrade, Prague, before returning to his home town to reshape the city along classicist lines after the earthquake of 1895, which, of course explains why Ljubljana displays a strong Austro-Hungarian flavour.

Essentially, Ljubljana is Prague for people who’d rather not get swept up in the tourist crowd. Sharing borders with Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, Slovenia is multi-cultural as well as multi-lingual. Consequently, Ljubljana is a place where everyone feels at home.

Ljubljana’s 12th Century castle dominates the cityscape, presiding from its hill top location above the river Ljubljanica, however the St. Nicholas Cathedral, Dragon Bridge and Plečnik’s own confection, the Triple Bridge, definitely steal the show. The neighboring Prešeren square with the statue of Slovenian greatest poet, France Prešeren is the central location of downtown Ljubljana and a common meeting point. From here, it’s a left turn for Plecnik’s riverside Central Market and the Dragon Bridge, or a short walk to the old town.

In fact, Plecnik’s touch is everywhere. The well-planned pedestrian-friendly city with tree-lined streets to the Greek and Roman inspired architecture ensures every design detail – from chair to chalice, pillar to paving stone and from plant to park bench all reinforce Plecnik’s design influence.

Perhaps Plecnik’s homogeneity has gone some way to inspiring Slovenia’s new wave of architects. People like Sadar + Vuga, OFIS, Enota, and Bevk Perovic are all doing amazing things and achieving international acclaim from their Ljubljana practices. The old man would certainly be proud.

http://www.architravel.com/architravel/city/ljubljana

Details
Downtown Ljubljana is full of hip cafes and high-quality restaurants. You can find local Slovenian food. Alternatively, you can grab yourself a horse burger at the Hot Horse. For traditional Slovenian fare that may be more universally acceptable to visiting palates, Nobel Burek, is the place to sample burek – traditional phyllo pastry pasties filled with mince meat or cheese filling.

Further up the food chain, JB Restaurant is in another league entirely. Chef/Proprietor Janez Bratovž has made it onto San Pellegrino’s World’s Top 100 restaurant list. The menu includes culinary conundrums like Foie Gras with smoked eel and fresh fig jam, and Lonely Planet Guide describes the vibe as “old-world charm, a hybrid Slovenian-Mediterranean-French menu, a top-notch wine list and very stylish decor have made this restaurant one of the most popular in town for a fancy meal”

Less than 30 minutes from Jože Pučnik international airport, Hotel Lev is the best address in town for business travellers. Combining comfort, modernity, and elegance this five star hotel is conveniently located at the heart of the city centre. With 173 luxurious rooms and suites Hotel Lev has meetings amenities, excellent levels of service and a refreshing blend of classic elegance and modern luxury.