Breakaway Croatia

It's the capital of Slovenia today--Ljubljana (pronounced lyoob-lee-yah-nah).  Before entering this dragon-laden city with her secret stories and three-pronged bridge, we'll take the upper roads.

Remember that stunning gorge we thought was Tolmin Gorge?  Apparently it's just around the bend at Blejski Vintgar.  Today we shake it up a bit with some dirt roads through a gorgeous valley and end up at the base of the Slovenian Alps in Kranjska Gora.

Castles, churches, memorials and more await us on this leg of the journey, all running along the Sava River.  By evening we'll arrive at Litija, a town of 15,000 where you can buy a slab of cheese before bed.  Campsite: Domacija Paternoster.

We'll trade the energy of Zagreb for suburbs and eventually quiet country roads flowing toward Slovenia.  After the border crossing we'll enjoy rolling climbs, farmlands, and lush views of the Slovenian countryside. Tonight we'll stay with a Warmshowers host or cruise on into Krsko.

The Istrian Peninsula is known for its beaches, coastline, fishing, and old towns.  In Porec we have to visit the Euphasian Basilica, which dates back to the 6th Century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Camp at Camp Meterada or Camp Polidor.

Welcome to Italia!  Once titled the Imperial Free City of Trieste, this Italian town has a rich and battle-ridden history, dating back centuries.  Here you'll find old Roman forums, ampitheater, a Serbian Orthodox Church, and Austro-Hungarian architecture throughout the city befo…