Ljubjana and arrival in Austria

Pics of our B&B in Trieste:

We drove into the city and walked around, visiting the major squares, a Roman amphitheater and the local castle and cathedral. The view of the port is super cool with the sky blending into the sea.


After we left Italy we were out of map range - ie our GPS did not cover Eastern Europe which it considered Slovenia part of. Therefore, we actually had to look at road signs (gasp). It took some driving about but we finally found Ljubjana castle. It looks like an old castle from the outside but the inside is completely modernized with a modern restaurant/cafe. There were some nice panoramic views of the city below. We took the funicular down to the city proper and walked around. It was quite pleasant. The area by the river was particularly charming - reminiscent of the canals of Belgium. The churches and squares were ok but nothing spectacular. After about an hour in the city we headed north into Austria. There was fresh fallen snow along the way and it was beautiful.

Views from Ljubjana castle

Ljubjanica river

Ljubjana castle
Here are some pics from the road: (between Ljubjana and Salzburg)


On the way to Salzburg we stopped at a rest stop with a restaurant. We ate there because we were hungry already. They actually had a pretty decent buffet. But the best part was the incredibly clean and awesome bathroom. They actually had ambient music and little chirping bird sounds. Here are some pics: (weird I know)

Trieste

Am staying at a great little B&B in Trieste where the owner recommended a restaurant known for its piggy prowess. We were a little skeptical at first glance but it turned out to be amazing!!

Here's the pork -


Views of canal in Trieste at night:

Pictures from earlier drive down to Trieste - lake/river around Veneto delta and pictures of thawing ice

From Imola to Trieste

We drove along the coast and visited the rivers that form the delta that opens into the Adriatic Sea.  We stopped and visited a little church - Abbey de Pomposa and a little fishing village.  The frost on the trees along the way were super pretty.

(Posting from cell phone - real pictures will come later)

We're now in an adorable little B&B in Trieste after driving down an incredibly narrow windy little road - thank goodness for tiny Italian cars.

Off to the north

We begin our journey today towards the north. The current itinerary takes us north towards Trieste for the night. We will be driving along the northeastern Italian shore which I'm told is particularly pretty. 

That will take us close to the slovenian border and the plan for the next day would be to visit Slovenia and the head up to Austria.