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Ljubljana Is The Bee's Knees: Discovering the Ljubljana Botanical Garden and more

4/7/2017

 

Ljubljana's Beekeeping Trail gives you a bee's eye view of one of Europe's loveliest cities. And it's the perfect chance to discover the ​Ljubljana Botanical Garden.

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Ljubljana is a sweet travel destination, and not just because it's so lovely to look at and so pleasant to chat with the warm local residents. No, in this case Ljubljana is literally sweet, for it is a city obsessed with honey!

Slovenian honey, coming from the beloved Carniolan honey bee, is a product of protected geographic indication and Slovenians take their honey so seriously that they are the only European country which has special legal protection for their bees.  Beekeeping and bee protection has a long, passionate history in Ljubljana, one that we were able to trace step by step on a guided walk of the Beekeeping Trail. 
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Starting from the grounds of Ljubljana Castle (which in 2016 had its own beekeeping exhibition), we made our way through the gorgeous wooded trails surrounding the castle, once an important point of Slovenian defense and administration. Even if your interests don't extend to bees, it's well worth taking the time to explore the paths around the Castle during your visit - a short glimpse will give you a sense of why Slovenian are so dedicated to protecting their local environment. It is so peaceful up here!
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While we were occasionally treated to breathtaking city views, we were much more captivated by the grapevines clinging to the hills. We knew first hand how delicious Slovenian wine was from our previous night's dinner!

Like many castles or fortifications, the Ljubljana Castle had to be mostly self sufficient in days of old least they be attacked and vital supplies were cut off. And no self respecting fort would be properly prepared without wine, right? But while evidence of a vineyard on the castle slopes dates back to the early 1930s, it ceased to exist for decades until a new project emerged in 2016 to replant the hills with 1050 vines. The project coincides with the celebration of Ljubljana as the 2016 European Green Capital - and gives us an extra reason to return in a few years to sample the results!
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Grapes aren't the only produce once found on the hillside of Ljubljana Castle. The Fleischman's Parsnip also once thrived here - and only here. Named after the person who discovered it, the leaves of Fleischman's Parsnip  differ in several ways from that of the classic garden parsnip which you might have in your backyard or supermarket. Fleischman's Parsnip features double feathery leaves which are segmented differently and much darker than its more common cousin.

Exactly how it developed into its own unique species and how it came to be found only around the Castle remains a botanical and cultural mystery but one thing is for certain - Fleischman's Parsnip no longer exists in the wild. With that in mind, we made our way along the Fleischmann's Parsnip Trail (can be there be a more wonderfully named trail in the world? I think not!) towards its carefully protected new home: The Ljubljana Botanical Garden. Along the way, we passed so many people on bikes and scooters - green living is truly a way of life in Slovenia.
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(Two special parsnip based footnotes: These pictures show the parsnip in the flowering stage, which was all we could observe during our visit so those distinct feathery leaves eluded me! Also, since 2012, efforts have been made to reintroduce the Fleishman's parsnip to the Castle, but my understanding is that the Botanical Garden is still the only public viewing place.)
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It's hard to know who loved the Botanical Gardens more - me or the many bees that happily treat it as a buffet! Like most botanical gardens, it's filled with gorgeous specimens that are a feast for the eyes as well as the nose.  It's the perfect place to explore on a sunny afternoon, discovering local plants and flowers, as well as carefully cultivated specimens from other regions. 
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Leaving the Botanical Gardens and making our way back into the city center along the river, we assumed that by entering a more urban environment the bee's natural habitat would decline but that couldn't be further from the truth. The river and surrounding community was teaming with environmentally friendly life, including families of ducks, stand-up-paddle boarding dogs (and owners), kayaking couples, tiny urban apartment gardens, community gardens, and pedestrian only/ local resident only streets. The bees didn't need to rely exclusively on the Botanical Gardens and the wooded paths around the castle to feel at home!
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No trip to Ljubljana - and no stroll along the beekeeping trail - would be complete without a final stop at the market to pick up some honey, some beeswax candles, and, if you're lucky, see some reproduction painted beehive panels. Local honey and candles are the perfect memento of a great trip and a great tour. 

Gaining this bird's eye - or is that BEE'S EYE - tour of Ljubljana is an incredible experience. This remarkably walkable city is the perfect location to enjoy a mix of urban and rural experiences and to follow in the footsteps of hundreds of years of beekeeping tradition. 

  • Want the scoop on free festivals, museums, and even language classes? The Ljubljana tourism board has some great resources.
  • Learn more about the beekeeping trail tour here.
  • While in Ljubljana, we stayed at Hotel Park, a leader in the city's green hotel movement. If you're looking for a central hotel, Ljubljana has a lot of options but this is our fav. Read reviews about this property here.

​
Heading to Europe soon? These blog posts will help you plan your trip.

Green Travel Dream: Ljubljana's Eco-Friendly Charm.
The Best Way To Learn About Austria's History? A Bike Ride In Vienna.

The Recipe For A Great Time In Prague? Cooking Classes.

​Our visit was facilitated in part by the local tourism board and we thank them for their support. All research, writing, and opinions are our own

Anne link
10/9/2017 10:02:46 am

I really want to visit Slovenia and your comments about the wine are tempting me further. It's pretty neat thinking about a bee trail too

Vanessa
11/9/2017 02:46:44 pm

We really loved the local wine scene and Slovenians are very proud of it.

Megan Jerrard
10/9/2017 08:38:45 pm

Sweet post! (see what I did there :D) I want a bees eye view of Ljubljana!! I had no idea that Slovenians took their honey so seriously that they are the only European country which has special legal protection for their bees. It’s funny, because whenever I’m at a Botanical Gardens I usually don’t pay any attention to the bees, but they are actually quite a beautiful creature when you look closely. Makes sense to take a beekeeping trail tour when it’s got such a deep connection with the culture of the country. Thanks for opening my eyes to a new kind of tourism I hadn’t considered – bees!

Vanessa
11/9/2017 02:48:04 pm

It's really amazing how they don't see tourism as a threat to the bees but rather as a way to protect them and to educate the public further. Green living is seamlessly integrated as a way of life in Slovenia.

Travelling Dany link
11/9/2017 09:55:05 am

Bees scare me a bit, but they are very important for the environment and while I freak out (it's more of an irrational thing) I know they just don't attack you just because they feel like it. From your pictures I see that the place is so quiet and beautiful, so we'd definitely enjoy a stroll down the wooded trails surrounding the castle: they are right to protect their bees... and now I'm curious to taste their delicious honey!

Vanessa
11/9/2017 02:50:28 pm

Curiously, we didn't actually SEE a ton of bees on the bee trail so I actually think it would be great for those who like a little distance from these fuzzy flyers .... they're more likely to be in the meadows and the hillsides than close to the paths themselves so it's win win.

Suruchi link
12/9/2017 11:25:34 am

The place looks so calm and beautiful. The sight of bees scares me out even after knowing that how important they are for environment and honey. I really need to take this tour wand walk on this trail to take out my fear.

Vanessa
12/9/2017 05:35:40 pm

I think that's a great idea and don't worry - the bees don't get too close. They're more interested in the flowers and the meadow.

Tami link
12/9/2017 01:44:00 pm

Clever post on the beekeeping trail of Ljubljana... I'd never heard before that Ljubljana legally protected its bees. I do like a good honey -- this would be a fun way to learn about and explore Ljubljana!

Vanessa
12/9/2017 05:36:22 pm

It's a wonderful way to see the city, even if honey wasn't your favourite food.

Ron Meker link
12/9/2017 02:05:23 pm

This looks so beautiful. Love the views, love the photography, really like the way I thought I'm gonna read something about how to make honey but instead was surprised with a beautiful destination that never came to mind.
Thank you

Vanessa
12/9/2017 05:39:03 pm

I hope you get to Ljubljana soon.

sandy n vyjay
13/9/2017 04:40:47 am

Ljubljana looks so enchanting , what a lovely gem of a place, The Beekeeping trail looks really amazing, The promise of a great experience I am sure. The vineyards look lovely too. Would love to get to this part of the world.

Vanessa
13/9/2017 08:54:42 am

They make really great wine in Slovenia - it's definitely worth a visit.

Archana Singh link
14/9/2017 09:36:01 pm

You know I am so glad to have stumbled upon your blog as I am going to Ljubljana next month. I wasn't going to visit the the Beekeeping trail coz i had no clue that the Slovenian is the only European country which has special legal protection for their bees. I am a huge fan of sustainable tourism and this is perfect for me.

Vanessa
15/9/2017 09:09:04 am

I cannot think of any other country that so seamlessly incorporates sustainability into their every day life than Slovenia.


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