Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The word “pohoda” means “relax,”
and that's the whole idea. See p. 610.
The Kurentovanje Festival (Slove-
nia). Each winter in Ptuj, revelers don
crazy masks and take to the streets in
a positively pagan celebration that
once had some bearing on trying to
control the climate. Now it's a spir-
ited reminder that Slovenes love to
party. See p. 680.
Lent Festival (Maribor, Slovenia).
Maribor's quaint waterfront prome-
nade draws an excellent live music
lineup each June, attracting fans and
party animals from all over Europe.
Right near the main venues is the Stara
Trta, apparently the oldest wine-
producing vine in the world. See
p. 649.
Ljubljana Summer Festival (Slove-
nia) goes on for several months, dur-
ing which music, theater, and other
types of performances are staged in
venues around the city, and also on
the streets. Many of the shows are
world-class, and some of the most
memorable happen in the Kri z anke
Summer Theater (Slovenia), a former
monastery converted to an outdoor
venue in the 1950s by Slovenia's top-
rated architect, Joze Ple c nik. See
p. 664.
5 The Best Outdoor Activities
Hiking Rila's Seven Lakes (Rila,
Bulgaria). The most rewarding hike in
the country, this is a moderate 2-day
(or more) hike from Rila Monastery
into Bulgaria's Alps to view the eerily
beautiful Seven Lakes. After the first
day (a fairly strenuous 6-hr. hike) you
reach the Ivan Vazov hut, which you
can use as a base to visit the Seven
Lakes; better still, push on to one of
the Sedemte ezera huts, situated on
the shores of the lowest lakes—if you
can, book the newest, which has the
best facilities. See p. 100.
Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croa-
tia). Plitvice is the country's best-
known natural wonder. You can
choose the difficulty of your explo-
ration, from challenging 8-hour hikes
to shorter treks eased by ferry and tram
rides. Either way, you'll be rewarded
with an infusion of unspoiled nature.
The park's 16 crystal-clear turquoise
lakes and their countless waterfalls
are the marquee attraction and they
put on a great show. You'll be fasci-
nated by the lakes, which flow into
one another and tumble over deposits
of travertine, creating waterfalls that
drop a few feet or plunge as much as
64m (210 ft.). All this beauty is set in
a dense forest accessed via footpaths,
ferries, and fuel-friendly people-
movers. See p. 199.
Taking a Slow Boat Down the Vltava
(Czech Republic). You can see many
of the most striking architectural
landmarks from the low-angle and
low-stress vantage point of a rowboat
you pilot yourself. At night, you can
rent a dinghy with lanterns for a very
romantic ride.
Riding a Faster Boat Down the
Vltava (Czech Republic). For those
not willing to test their navigational
skills or rowing strength in their own
boat, large tour boats offer similar
floating views, many with meals. Be
sure to check the direction of your
voyage to be certain it travels past the
castles and palaces.
Taking a Walk in the Buda Hills
(Hungary). It's hard to believe that
such a large expanse of hilly forest is
right here within the capital city.
There are hiking trails aplenty; every
Budapest native has a favorite. Ask
around.
Hiking in the Hills Outside
Szigliget (Hungary). You can hike
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