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Slovenia - Day 3 - 4

Slovene relationships with family and friends are tended just as carefully as their environment.  It is common to see the cafés filled with locals of all ages catching up with gossip over a cup of coffee (kava).  On any day of the week.  No one is absorbed watching their smart phone; the focus is on the present company.

Kobarid
 

In Kobarid we visited the small, but very well-done museum of the Soca Front and World War I.  Pictures of the common people (locals, soldiers, nurses) from all sides of the war.  Their daily lives, the war strategies/weapons, and the casualties and results of the fighting or succumbing to the elements—over one million died. 

 

Had to stop short of completing the museum tour; just too overwhelmingly horrible.  Medical attention during the war was minimal and the medical advancements we have today for our soldiers were non-existent in the early 1900s.  Those who survived were severely disfigured or suffered internally from chemicals.  Photos showing the injuries were displayed and I can understand why we were asked to refrain from taking pictures.

Smartno



As we leave the Soca River Valley and up over a ridge, we drive to the Italian-looking village of Smartno.  You can easily see Italy in the distance.  Hilly country-side with a dry Mediterranean climate needed for growing great grapes.   

 

A favorite day trip for our guide, Tina, and her husband, Saso, on one of their rare days off work and spent together (they are both guides for Rick Steves Tours).  Pictures will do a better job describing this charming place with cute boutique shops.  And no, I am not waiting for an opportune time to take pictures without tourists.  They simply are not there.  Another plus of this particular tour.

The Karst Region
 

Good people.  Good wine.  Good food.  Set in the wonderful Karst region in Slovenia is the Lisjak Winery owned by Boris Lisjak and his family (photo to the left is Boris and his grandson).  The whole family is involved right down to the grandkids.  And when it is time to harvest the grapes the whole village rallies to pick.  The cabernet sauvignon was so fine I lugged a bottle back home.

 

Our tour group stopped at Boris’ winery and vineyards for his excellent wine and home cooked dinner.  Shared in his lovely family home and wine cellars.  By now our tour group members are becoming close friends and we are having a great time especially with a few glasses of vino.  White wine.  Wred Wine (after a few the extra “w” just happens).  Now, every good story has a special recipe and click here for the Cabbage Soup we loved with dinner.

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