i've been wanting to go to ljubljana after i found out about prostoroz, a design studio based in the city, which is a group of 3 young women doing a lot of interesting urban projects. when i finally reached the city after a very long slow train trip all the way from rome via trieste, we didn't find much of their projects because turns out they are all mostly temporary. but it didn't take long for me to fall in love with ljubljana, the city that i've just learnt how to pronounce correctly like 2 days before the trip.
we arrived late at night in the fogginess of winter which made everything looks extra beautiful, although the cold got extra unbearable for me coming from the warmth of rome in the south. the city center was decorated with such particular lighting with this galaxy theme which at first looked really tacky but later i have to say i really enjoyed the quirkiness and the effort of the artist making it look different and less generic. one that i really liked was the one that made the whole street looked like there's a meteor shower (second photo).
aside from the christmas ambiance, the city itself was very much enjoyable. the public space are very well thought and well designed. the streets are comfortable to walk on. the riverfront is well treated as an asset of the city. even the castle which is on the top of the hill, is very well managed. the restoration injected new design to the old structure but both elements from different era works well together. not to mention the coolest modern funicular i've ever seen and been in. plus, i'll always remember i had the best croissant i've ever had (aside from paris obviously) here as my breakfast, which made me swear i wouldn't have one anymore anywhere in italy. in a way with all its quality i'm glad that ljubljana remains as one of the underrated travel destination, which i think makes it more enjoyable to be there.
