We raved about Croatia, but wait until hear about Ljubljana...

This is the place we are most in danger of not ever leaving. It`s the perfect blend of recreation, art, effeciency, but with a value for leisure time used well.

Over the centuries, Slovenia was occupied by both Italians and Austrians and have managed to embrace the best of both cultures, while maintaining their own identity.

The city is beautiful, and beautifully laid out. There are blocks and blocks of pedestrian (and bicycle) zones in the old city core. The locals used the entire space -so we don`t feel like we`re in an artificial "tourist zone". In the main square we saw a nuit-blanche type dance performance Friday night. On Saturday morning, the same square was filled with toddler-sized tables and chairs, with little ones colouring while parents sipped coffees, and the same stage was playing toddler TV shows.

The river bank is lined with trees that shelter the blocks and blocks of cafes where everyone sits and lingers over coffee, tea, drinks and conversation.

Here are a few pictures - more to follow. It`s so hard to capture it all in any one description.