2019 April Italy and Slovenia with Jan: Day 4 (Wednesday) Down to the big city, points along the way.

Up and packed, we loaded the car but left it at the hotel to wander down the pedestrian alley to the oldest vine (still in Maribor.) A pleasant walk.

The old vine spans the entire length of the building and the mosaic inside is just as long, to honor it.

Old Vine Mosaic

After our morning wander to say hello to the old vine and goodbye to Maribor, we mounted our trusted steed (okay, got into the Fiat SUV) and drove south west.  Stopping in the hillside town of Ptujska Gora to visit the Basilica of the Patroness Mary (1410.) 

Into the church:

 To say hello to the lady herself.

 Then into the nearby village cafe and a local treat for brunch. She called it 'cheesecake,' but it was not reminiscent of any American style cheesecake. A little sweet. Kind of a baked ricotta pizza. It was tasty.

 Leaving the grounds we noticed the figs sprouting:

Our next destination was the open air museum in Rogatec. Of course when we parked and I caught this view, plans changed. We met the proprietress of this horse facility. She was just lovely - they cater to events and regular lessons for children and others with special needs and rescuing horses. They have an ancient lipizzan in retirement and more newly acquired rescue whom I fell completely in love with. We did go to the open air museum after, so keep scrolling.

This tiger cat's markings, though.

Next door, the reason for our stop, the open air museum:

Making baskets.

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Various forms of drying racks are common here, to this day.

We visited a nearby mansion / gallery called Mansion Strmol:

On the top floor there is the exhibit of various kitchens through history:

We stopped in a random city (can't remember) to try the only advertised vegan restaurant we'd seen. Yes, it was worth the effort - it was good food not a special location, but honestly this is a really meat-based-diet country, and neither Jan nor I eat living creatures. So, made the effort. Enjoyed the food but not so much the little hut-style of the place nor the little outdoor tables where we sat to eat. I didn't even take a picture.

Then we continued to Ljubljana. Checked in to the military prison (more on that later!) ... wanderd over to the dragon bridge, here's the namesake:

Nice walk along the water front. Many people dining. A nearly full moon. 

Dropped in for a light dinner and lovely wine to Jan's fave restaurant here. 

This is the desert menu, just for grins.

 The wines we had - I had the cab, of course. Not terribly expensive( 4E per glass) and really good.One of the best I've had, like ever.

 Jan and her soup. Truflfes - real ones - sliced! on top of the potato soup!

 One of the three main bridges, this one, the sides are a clear lucite or something... you can see through them to the river below. The green light is coming up from the river. This is on of those locks of love things... all the way across the bridge, locks. I wish you could spray something on them and see how many of these lovers have since broken up. LOL. I'm a hateful cynic.

 Just wandering back to the hostel:

 Good night moon.

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