Slovenia

The drive from Zagreb to Ljubljana is less than two hours.  Slovenia uses the Euro currency; Croatia has their own currency, but most merchants appreciate credit cards, so it makes little difference.  We had rented a VW Sportvan with "Blue Motion" technology and GPS.  This was a very fuel-efficient, autobahn-capable, compact vehicle.  The GPS was invaluable in finding some of the small B&B-style accommodations we had reserved for our trip, given that they were located in the narrow streets of old-town neighborhoods.  Crossing the border into Slovenia, we needed to stop and buy a sticker to show we had paid our highway-use fee.  I had made reservations at a boutique hotel on the west side of Ljubljana, convenient to the old central city and also highways to further destinations.

Ljubljana is in a valley with a river running through it and a castle overlooking it.  The castle is surrounded by parkland.  Along the river are many restaurants and ice-cream shops.  The entire country is compact enough that you can get anywhere in Slovenia from the capital within about two hours.  The Alps are at the northern border, and the ocean is a short drive west.  The country is heavily forested; our cave tour guide said she often has bears in her yard.  When it rained one day, we toured a cave (one of many) in the morning, and then, when it cleared in the afternoon, we drove to Lake Bled in the Alps.  We had time to take side trips to Austria (the autobahn there is amazing, long tunnels through mountains, long bridges spanning valleys, use fees required) and to Trieste, Italy.  If you are interested in history, find out how many different countries have claimed Trieste in its past.

Extensive caves are found in southwest Slovenia.  They stretch long distances underground; if your lantern were to go out, you would probably never find your way out.  There are underground lakes; when it rains, the lower tunnels fill up and a roaring sound can be heard as the water flows through the complex of tunnels.

 This is a popular view of Hallstadt, Austria.  Picturesque, between lake and mountains, but very touristy.  We were held up leaving because a head-on auto accident had occurred on the narrow mountain road leading into town.

The river flowing through Ljubljana; many restaurants along its banks.  We took a boat ride through the city.

Chapel on an island in Lake Bled.  A castle overlooks the lake, and mountains surround the valley.  Again, very touristy; you know a place is touristy when you can't find a place to park, or the parking is distant and pricy.

We found Lake Bohinj to be a better place to stop, further up the valley, less crowded, and more walking paths.