In Southeastern Europe there is a castle standing tall above a city. Raised from the tower, caught high in the breeze, flies a white and green flag. White for peace among people. Green for respecting nature. Its' dragon crest invoking tales of ancient heros overcoming all odds.
This is Ljubljana (Lu-bee-ana). A city rarely named among the "must-see" places of Europe, but time and again making its mark on the world. In 2016 it was named the Greenest City in Europe! (http://www.greenljubljana.com/)
You can add to that the Cleanest City in Europe; that I have visited anyway.
The architect Jože Plečnik envisioned a place where people would gather. Ideas would be shared. Knowledge would be the essence of the city. And so, his bridges and buildings lure one to not just visit Ljubljana, but to experience it. You can also tell alot about a city by the types of shops that are most prolific. Here, there are more bookshops than anything else...including ice cream stands!
Since 2007 the city center has been closed to vehicle traffic. In their absence are thousands of bikes. Many who travel within Slovenia do so by bicycle. And it is small enough to see it all on two wheels. If you are so inclined, I highly recommend www.nomad2000.com. For short term needs, the city offers bike stations all over the place. And, true to its Green roots, your first hour rental any day, every day is free! Perhaps this is a nod to the fact that the oldest wheel ever unearthed was found here.
It is not bohemian. It's Street Art meets Dr. Seuss in the small block of Metalkova. Or step into the otherworldly experience of the repurposed ROG Bike Factory where artists of all mediums are free to experiment, toss aside, reimmagine, and create their hearts desire.
Romance, gallantry, art, architecture, music, food, spirits, sports...all without crowds of tourists, heavy traffic, or overt "western" influence. Not yet, anyway.
Ljubljana. Not just another capital city. A crossroad between then and now.
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