Day 30 - Postonja to Ljubljana - Oh The Places You'll Go - 2025

May 10, 2025

Day 30 - Postonja to Ljubljana

Disneyland to Middle Europe

Our day started at the very touristy Postojna caves. Very nice, but generally not our cup of tea, however we’re keen on experiencing the full ‘tourism’ spectrum, so today was part of that.

As mentioned in the last post, we doubled down on the capital T tourism by staying at the hotel right at the caves, and it was all fine. Nice hotel, basic dinner and breakfast options and very convenient to catch the first cave tour of the day - which we did.

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There was a kid’s playground in front of the hotel with a little replica of the trains we’d take into the caves (the replica isn’t that much smaller actually).

Someone was dying to play on the train, but unfortunately it was already occupied!

Start of the day in the touristy Postojna caves. Beautiful day for a bike ride.

The cave experience was quite good. Given the size of the cave system (huge - over 30 km’s of mapped and developed passages) and the need to keep track of people, it was fairly regimented, but still a great experience

We have hundreds of pics, but we’ll spare you. Here’s a few of some of the things that we thought were the most interesting or unique. There were many huge caverns (think 60 - 100 m high) but with the lighting it was all but impossible to get pictures that could capture them. Close ups of the weird and wonderful stuff worked better.

Endless stalactite (or are they stalagmites ?) columns they go from floor to ceiling, but did they grow down, or up?

Fan like stalactites growing from rock fractures

Like icicles- this vault was apparently called ‘the spaghetti room’ - but more like icicles to me

After the cave tour, it was back to what we now consider ‘classic Slovenian bike touring’. Our next destination was the capital Ljubljana, which was only about 60 km’s away on a scenic route we mapped out through rural farms and forests.

The weather had taken a turn for the good too as we had full sun and blue skies, and temperatures in the high teens and low 20’s. Perfect cycling weather.

The first 10 km’s of the ride were on bike routes or very quiet secondary roads beside the main Autoroute leading to Ljubljana. After this we had about 5 km of riding on another secondary road that had enough traffic on it that it boardered on being uncomfortable, but after this we turned north towards Ljubljana and we were back to the ‘normal’ Slovenian cycling that we’ve become accustomed too: smooth roads, hills with good gradients, a moderate number of other bikers, and the odd car every few minutes.

We had one good climb of about 350 m that took us to 900m elevation, and then a nice long downhill into Ljubljana. Our first glimpse of this lovely small city was fantastic. Green fields, hills and the Julian Alps rising just west of the city. Beautiful !

Quite a few of these riding companions today

Lots of ‘yard decorations’ - some a bit more elaborate than others

Halfway there. Great roads and very little traffic.

Rolling hills for a few km’s before the main decent into Ljubljana

You didn’t have to guess who was ahead on the climb and got this shot

Great downhill and these guys caught us right near the end. Luka (on right) and Boštjan from Ljubljana and very avid cyclists, both road and mountain. Had a great chat about this that and everything, and then they sped off and we lumbered away.

We can start to see some of the outlying villages surrounding Ljubljana

I loved this pic from Split, and I think I like Ljubljana more, so I’m giving it an update and a re-run. No duck stores spotted here yet (and maybe that’s why we love it more??)

The ride into the city was a piece of cake with dedicated bike paths directly into the heart of the very beautiful old town. Our funky little (but very nice) hotel, Art Hotel, was very centrally located in a small square just a few blocks from the river. After we had our great recovery beverages in the small courtyard at the hotel and got ourselves cleaned up, we were ready for a short exploration of this beautiful place …. and to find dinner.

Jill Gelineau made this comment a couple of days ago in her current journal:

‘Many of you know from your own trips to Europe that they eat local, ALL THE TIME. While that is wonderful for many reasons it does result in some monotony on the food front. ‘

We were feeling exactly the same one month and a bit into our trip, so we were looking for something a little different. Monsuier M had two Asian focused recommendations here in Ljubljana, both within 300 m of us. Our first choice turned out to closed for a private function so we settled on choice 2 - Shushimama, and it definitely was not a second choice place.

Extremely good sushi, sashimi, tempura and a few veggie sides, washed down with a great Slovenian white all while sitting outside on a quiet and elegant pedestrian street. A perfect end to another great day in Slovenia.

Grilled asparagus with bonito flakes plus salmon and asparagus with yuzu

ending with very good light and crispy shrimp and chicken tempura and wakame.

Our early dinner left us enough time for a wander around part of the old town to take in the street scenes.

There seemed to be a few ‘stag night’ groups out there- all local, none of the ‘fly in from Birmingham/Hamburg/Pilsn’ stuff. Good natured and pretty tame.

When they open up tomorrow I’m coming back.I’m sure I’ll find that treasured 3rd album by Lojze Slak.

We’ve noticed that most dogs here are very well trained. This gent was doing some great work with this young Doberman. The pup stayed focused on him (with the aid of a few treats) and ignored the many people walking by.

Lovely little squares everywhere in this place

… and quite a few dragon motif iron work sculptures.

SOTD

Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks

….‘cause it was

‘And I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazing on a sunny afternoon‘

Today's ride: 61 km (38 miles)
Total: 1,467 km (911 miles)

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Betsy EvansI know what you mean about the food. I had a poke bowl last night in France. Sacrilege? Perhaps. But it tasted great to me.
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1 month ago

Lyle McLeodTo Betsy EvansYeah, overall we’re pretty lucky living in Canada where there’s a wide range of cuisines to choose from (in most places). It wasn’t always like that but it’s sure changed for the better over the last few decades. You can eat quite well in Revy and we do alright in Canmore too.
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1 month ago