The Bernstein Family
Ptuj
Ptuj (pronouced pa-too-e), located in the eastern portion of the country, is one of the oldest towns in Slovenia. In Roman times the city was known as Poetovia. The city has a compact, well preserved medieval core with one of the largest wine cellars in the country located in tunnels below the streets.
Looking over the city from Ptuj Grad (Castle)
Presernova Ulica
Neo-Gothic Twentieth Century Town Hall
Slomskova Ulica
Ptuj from the Drava River footbridge
Verona
From Vicenza, we took a day trip to Verona, home to Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and boy, do they milk it for all it's worth. By the way, it turns out that "Romeo and Juliet" was first a novel by Luigi Da Porta that Shakespeare put into play form.
Piazza dei Signori
Veronese Street
Piazza Bra
Roman Arena in Piazza Bra
Skofja Loka
Skofja Loka is a small town located 20 miles from Ljubljana. The town is one of the oldest in Slovenia, along with Piran and Ptuj. Although the name means "Bishop's Meadow", Skofja Loka was once known as "Painted Loka" because of all the brightly painted frescoes on the houses of Mestni Trg.
Medieval Capuchin bridge over Selscica River
Looking south on Mestni Trg
Mestni Trg with colorful sixteenth century houses
Skofja Loka from Loka Grad
Vicenza
Before returning to the States, we took the train from Slovenia back to Italy and begin exploring The Veneto - the mainland region around Venice. First stop, Vicenza, the City of Palladio and our second favorite city in the world.
Corso Andrea Palladio
Vicenza Street - Do Rodo
Piazza dei Signori
Basilica Palladiana in Piazza dei Signori
Padua
Our final day on vacation. We spent the day in Padua. It is a very pleasant Italian city. Not one tour group was present which made for a most enjoyable day. The surpise of the day was getting to visit the Scorvegni Chapel, which is normally closed on Mondays. A pleasant end to a wonderful trip.
Piazza della Fruta and Pallazo delle Ragione
Piazza delle Erbe in front of a fifteenth century Palladio loggia
Gatamaleta Statue (starting point of the Renassaince)
Interior of the Scorvegni Chapel