city

48 Hours in Ljublana

If you’re lucky, it may take you 48 hours to learn how to pronounce ‘Ljubljana’ from sight. But instead of spending your time hopelessly attempting to pronounce Slovenian city names, let’s get on with the exploring.

Why Visit

Ljubljana is not the most common European city to visit, however it is becoming increasingly popular and it is easy to see why. If you have not considered going, you must. The city is beautiful and vibrant, surrounded with picturesque countryside landscapes. Being slightly alternative you are likely to meet other sociable and adventurous backpackers with whom you can explore the city.

Getting around:

Ljubljana is a relatively small city, so exploring by foot is convenient. Flying into Ljubljana is likely to be the most expensive part of your trip, however if you are stopping by on a tight interrail schedule, a 48 hour stop over in Ljubljana is unmissable.

Where to stay:

Hostelworld offers a large array of accommodation. The hostels with highest ratings generally range from £10 to £20 per night. There are also options to pay more to stay in private rooms or hotels around the city.

A personal recommendation is Vila Vesolova. This hostel provides free breakfast, clean, modern facilities and friendly staff.

The balkanbackpacker.com is also worth looking at to find accommodation for discounted prices if you are visiting Ljubljana as part of a backpacking route around the Balkans.

Time difference:

Ljubljana is one hour ahead of the UK.

Currency:

Euro

Day 1

Head straight over to Preseren Square. Enjoy the renowned baroque-style architecture of the city. The cobbled streets and colourful buildings were largely built throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Free walking tours start in this square – a great way to gain insight to the city, whilst getting to know your way around.

Throughout the morning, wonder around the city to see the sights. There a numerous churches and St Nicholas’ Cathedral. Four bridges – Triple Bridge (the city’s ‘postcard picture’), Cobblers Bridge, Butcher’s Bridge and Dragon Bridge – all interconnect the city over the river, and each bridge has an authentic and aesthetic style. Some say that when a virgin crosses the Dragon bridge, one of the dragon statues waves its tail – so beware. Butcher’s Bridge is ironic in title, as couples often place padlocks along this bridge as a sign of eternal love. If you have the spare change, hop on a boat ride down the river. There is also a busy market on the castle side of the river, perfect for buying souvenirs or further embracing the city’s charm.

On a free walking tour, you will likely visit Congress Square and the University of Ljubljana – famous for offering free tuition to Slovenian citizens. Be sure to visit the 15th century castle. The relaxed atmosphere and views which peak through the trees over the city make the steep uphill journey worthwhile. You can also enter the castle courtyard for free.

The relaxed atmosphere and views which peak through the trees over the city make the steep uphill journey worthwhile.

In the afternoon, take a walk over to the Metelkova city, a hidden away autonomous zone for artists and activists. It has a large array of graffiti art and bars which sell alcohol without a license. The unique atmosphere is perhaps influenced by the fact that it was an old Yugoslavian barracks, now seized by Slovenians who use the area as a creative space. Hundreds of different events are held here every year – on my visit I encountered a Slovenian poetry event…unfortunately my lack of Slovenian language left me at a disadvantage.

In the evening, cheap places to eat and drink are plentiful. Many locals recommended Druga Violina, this was super cheap and gave generous portions of its traditional Slovenian foods. Be sure to try the Ajdova Potica – a local favourite, however it has a somewhat acquired taste.

Day 2

If you do not have longer to spend in Slovenia, then use the second day to journey out of the city to the mystical Lake Bled by train. The train takes a little under two hours (or 40 minutes driving) and allows you to see more breath-taking landscapes. Here you can walk the circumference of the lake or take a dip in the water. You can visit the fairy-tale looking castle on the central island by boat or paddle board. Be sure to try the Slovenian cream cake as an afternoon treat.

You can visit the fairy-tale looking castle on the central island by boat or paddle board.

In the afternoon, there are two options. Take a further 40 minute bus ride to Lake Bohinj. This lake is much less commercialised yet larger than Bled. It is a truly beautiful overlooked by tall mountains but the crystal blue water is near freezing, making for a speedy way to cool down on the hottest days. Lake Bohinj is perfect for active people wanting an afternoon of climbing or cycling among other outdoor pursuits. Alternatively, spend the afternoon walking the boardwalk of Vintgar Gorge, another stunning area of the Slovenian country with rapids and waterfalls overlaid by rainbows on sunny days.

48 hours in Ljubljana and its surrounding beautiful areas makes for a truly alternative city break or an enrichment of your interrail travels. If possible, spend longer than 48 hours here to make the most of your visit to Ljubljana and the Slovenian country.

Students protest against ban on beggars and rough sleeping

Exeter students gathered outside Exeter City Council offices last Monday in protest against the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

With Devon Council having proposed a ban on beggars and rough sleeping, the PSPO would enable police to fine people for sleeping on the street.

An online survey ran by the council aiming to gauge the public’s level of approval of this legislation was made available to Exeter residents online. It includes a question about public approval of the confiscation of homeless people’s bedding, and the forced removal of people deemed threatening to the public.

The PSPO also proposes to prohibit “unauthorised” requests for money in public spaces, as well as public urination, substance abuse and behaviour perceived as potentially “intimidating” in groups of 2 and above.

In the PSPO’s equality impact assessment, the majority of the categories fall under ‘negative’ impact if the proposal was to become an actuality. This includes: “race and ethnicity”, “disability”, “gender”, “areas of deprivation”, and “human rights”.

Exeter council’s equality impact assessment claims that the ‘positive’ effects would only be specific to “health and wellbeing”; the PSPO’s reasoning for it being beneficial to this category is that “the volume of incidents that are occurring, which are having a significant impact on peoples quality of lives.”

The only category which remains ‘neutral’ in terms of impact is “age”. The human rights category falls into both ‘neutral’ and ‘negative’, as the PSPO report that the homeless distress ‘visitors, residents, businesses and their employees.’

Marcel Golten, a member of Socialist Students who attended the protest, told Exeposé: “It was great to see people attending the demonstration to protest against the injustice of this new policy. It is an unashamed attack on the most vulnerable in society, fining them for sleeping on the streets when they have nowhere to go. They have been let down by the council and their inaction over Exeter’s rent crisis. The language used to describe these people is utterly dehumanising, assuming that they are nothing more than an eyesore, when in fact they are human being just like all of us.”

The student protest follows the publication of a report by the organisation The Manifesto Club. The Manifesto club campaigns “against the hyper-regulation of everyday life” and “support free movement…free expression and free association”. Their report revealed that only a minority of councils using PSPOs put the decision to a full vote, which sparked student criticism.

New plans to make Exeter a culture capital

job opportunity is being advertised in Exeter for a Cultural Director, tasked with the role of turning the city into a must-visit city of culture.

Exeter Cultural Partnership, founded in 2010, opened the position which is being hosted by the University of Exeter.

The role asks for an experienced individual that will contribute to a long-term strategy to turn Exeter into a centre of UK culture.

The job advertisement is an aspect of Exeter’s Cultural Action Plan. The Cultural Director will work on a regional, national and international level to communicate, fundraise and explore investment strategies in pursuit of the city’s goal.

The Chairman of the Exeter Cultural Partnership Jay Milling said: “This is a hugely exciting time for our city.

“There is a spirit of positivity and collaboration amongst its cultural organisations which, with strategic leadership, will result in a much richer cultural life for anyone living, working in and visiting Exeter.”

Despite the plans, in 2014, Exeter was voted the seventh most cultural city in the UK according to data collected by the Manchester Evening News. This was in part due to the awarding-winning Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Exeter’s highly recognised arts scene.

Exeter’s top crime spots revealed

A citywide crime map has been released, revealing which areas in Exeter reported the most incidents in July this year.

The interactive online map breaking down total recorded crimes by location showed Mary Arches street to be Exeter’s most crime-prone area.

Mary Arches, which borders Fore Street and is located near the Cathedral, saw 29 incidences recorded in July alone. Little Castle Street, which runs adjacent to the High Street, came a second with 23 crime reports.

A total of 22 crimes took place on student hotspot Sidwell Street, home to burger restaurant Hub Box and popular student cocktail venue Monkey Suit, whilst Prospect Place, North Street and Guinea Street saw 17 and 12 respectively.

July saw 1,114 incidents recorded in total, with 52 under postcode EX4 6JS, a popular second and third-year student accommodation area, which encompasses Pennsylvania Road, Old Tiverton Road, Union Road, Victoria Street, Culverland Road and Springfield Road.

Anti-social behaviour and sexual offences were the most common types of crime listed, with 386 of the former and 204 of the latter.

The data, which was released by the Home Office and can be accessed via the Police.uk website, allows users to search for information on offences in their neighbourhood using their postcode.