We stopped in Ljubljana on a whim on our way home from the Advent in Zagreb Christmas Market. The snow had lightly began to fall, it was misty and foggy, and it was freezing outside! We considered just driving right on by, and oh, how glad I am that we stopped! The Ljubljana Christmas Market, known as the Ljubljana Festive Fair, is the prettiest Christmas Market we have been to. Dressed up in Christmas lights, Ljubljana is turned into a magical winter scene.
Set up along the banks of the Ljubjanica River, the wooden stalls are decorated with Christmas ornaments and the scents of pastries, roasted chestnuts, and hot mulled wine (called kuhano vino in Slovene) filled the air. Angels passed out little bags of sugar cookies as we walked hand-in-hand along the river bank. Vendors sell an assortment of unique Christmas gifts. One of our best finds at a Christmas Market was a vendor selling Nepalese wool coats, hats, and gloves. Tim bought a wool winter coat that has certainly kept him warm in the coldest of places, even Svalbard!
The Good Fairy granting wishes
In Mestni Trg Square in front of the Town Hall, The Good Fairy fulfills the wishes of anyone young or old, big or small that approaches her!
It is a lively atmosphere with children’s choirs putting on concerts and a band getting the crowd dancing! An ice skating rink in Kongresni Trg Square adds to the winter charm.
Know Before You Go
- The Ljubljana Christmas Market is open daily December 3, 2012 – January 2, 2013 from 10am – 10pm
- The Good Fairy grants wishes December 14 – December 23 from 5pm – 9pm daily
- The ice skating rink is open December 3, 2012 – January 1, 2013 from 9am – 10pm daily; free admission from 9am – 12pm daily; skate rental €3
Jennifer Dombrowski
Jennifer Dombrowski is a location independent globe trotter and bases herself in Prata di Pordenone, Italy. She works as a social media and innovation strategist in higher education and is a regular contributor on johnnyjet.com. Her website, jdombstravels.com, is the 2012 Destinology Travel Bloggy Best Newcomer award winner. Google+
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We’re Jennifer and Tim and we love traveling! We are just one ordinary couple who have found that travel brought us closer together, taught us patience, the art of compromise, and how to truly appreciate the diversity of this extraordinary world. So far, we've visited 37 countries, lived in the United States and Italy, and Tim has lived in Korea. And we do it all while both holding down full time jobs. 
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2 comments
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Robyn Itule
December 20, 2012 at 5:41 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Leaving the train station in Florence, Italy Billy Itule and I saw a train headed to Ljubljana and we said to ourselves, "I wonder what we would find if we just hopped on that train…" Thanks for sharing some pictures of what we might have experienced!
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Jdomb's Travels Reply:
December 21st, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Ljubljana is a beautiful city any time of the year! Next time you both find yourselves in this part of the world, it is definitely worth a visit!
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Andrea
December 23, 2012 at 4:42 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Oooh – this is nice! I love Ljubljana and the atmosphere there must be wonderful during the holidays. Certainly looks gorgeous!
Andrea recently posted..Merry Christmas From London
[Reply]
Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
December 26th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Definitely visit during the holidays if you have the opportunity, Andrea! It is beautiful with all the lights!
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