Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ThevastmajorityofSlovenia'sattractionsareconcentratedinthewesternthirdofthecoun-
try: the mountains, the sea, the capital city, and the Karst. East of Ljubljana, the mountains
graduallymergeintoplains,thetownsandcitiesbecomelesscolorful,and“oh,wow!”turns
into “so what?” But there's hope, in the form of Slovenia's oldest town (and winner of the
“funniest name” award): Ptuj (puh-TOOey—the “P” is almost silent; and yes, it really does
sound like someone spitting). This small, sleepy, pleasant town boasts a creaky Old Town
and a hilltop castle packed with museum exhibits. For a big-city complement to Ptuj, drop
intoMaribor—thecountry'ssecondcity,andthedefactocapitalofeasternSlovenia.Expect
some contrasts from the more popular parts of Slovenia. Even in this tiny country, rivalry
rages between cities—and people here in the “02 Zone” (the area-code-derived nickname
that Slovenes use forthis region) have their ownpersonality,dialect, and political priorities.
Planning Your Time
With a week or more in Slovenia and a desire to delve into the less-touristed areas of the
country, Ptuj deserves a short visit. A few hours are enough to feel you've mastered the
town; if you're a restless sightseer, it's tough to fill an entire day here. Begin by touring
the castle, then enjoy a wander through the Old Town and consider Ptuj's other museums,
or relax at the thermal baths across the river. Let your pulse slow and take a mini-vacation
from your vacation. If you can't sit still that long, consider spending a few more hours on a
side-trip into Maribor.
