Ever heard of Bratislava? Probably not... But I highly recommend you look into swinging by the next time you're in the neighborhood. (That neighborhood is more commonly known as Central Europe).
This continent is covered in big cities that attract hoards of tourists every year. There are the classics like Paris and Rome, where crowds of visitors swarm around the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or gather below Michaelangelo's "Sistine Chapel." These destinations are definitely worth the trip and should not be missed, but sometimes going to the lesser-known destinations can be just as enriching.
I have been traveling through Europe for going on four weeks now and have loved every minute of it. Our trip started in Prague, one of Europe's hottest tourist destinations, and then went to Vienna, the former capital of the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire (there were a few palaces to say the least). I also squeezed in side trips to Amsterdam and Budapest. It was a whirlwind. All of these cities were incredible, but the time spent there seemed so busy and intense. I needed a break from the enormous museums and tourist traps.
Arriving in Bratislava, Slovakia was a dream.
It still has a tourist presence, but the size of the city kept things manageable. Now in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, we are in one of the Europeans' favorite vacation spots. It is less popular with American tourists because it doesn't have the huge international art galleries or the capital of one of the world's biggest religions, but what it does have is almost better.
Going to a city you have never heard of, with very few expectations, can be the most enjoyable part of your trip. Bratislava and Ljubljana are fabulous cities to relax and enjoy slowly. I don't feel rushed or pressured to see all the major sites because really, you could see them all here in a day if you wanted to. This leaves room to find things you didn't even know existed.
Last weekend in Bratislava, for example, we happened to be there during the city's Roma Festival. We stumbled upon a traditional dance performance by walking down an alley and following the music.
Ljubljana is the small capital city of Slovenia. It was named Europe's greenest city this year and they pride themselves on maintaining this title. I had no idea it even existed until I realized it was one of the destinations on my study abroad trip!
It is home to one of Europe's greatest graphic art museums, currently featuring an exhibit of work from Karel Zelenko. I never would have even known about him or his work if I had not been in Ljubljana.
Karel Zelenko, "Meditation," 1952.
Don't get me wrong: I love the big European cities with endless cultural and entertainment options, but it can be really great to throw in a few smaller towns when planning a big trip like this. They give you time to breathe and reflect on all your travels so far and prepare for the rest of your trip.
On to Croatia and Paris this week -- ciao!
