Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is the capital and largest city in Slovenia. The Dragon City, which straddles the Ljubljanica River, survived Roman, Habsburg, and Yugoslavian rule to lead the mountainous country into independence. Slovenia has become the Green Heart of Europe, while Ljubljana is one of the greenest capitals on the continent. This charming city is home to less than 300,000 people. It's a university town, a tech center, and an artist's haven. The Old Town is full of Baroque buildings with red-tiled roofs, detailed bridges, and lively squares. Cafes with terrace seating line the river, which is used by kayakers and sightseeing boats. New hotels, restaurants, and wine bars keep popping up in this car-free area. While Ljubljana Castle stands on a hill overlooking it all. The compact city is a central base for adventures all over the small country. But best of all: Ljubljana still feels like an under-the-radar destination. Go fall in love with this enchanting city before everyone else catches on. This detailed guide includes: Places: neighborhoods Stay: hotels Eat: cafés, pizzerias, restaurants Drink: lounges, wine bars Shop: antique markets, toy stores Do: bridges, castles, cathedrals, churches, city models, fountains, funiculars, monuments, parks, puppet museums, rivers, sculptures, squares, statues