An early start yet again. Today, instead of a clear and blue sky, we’re greeted by heavy humidity and 30m visibility. Packing our TWIKE, we shiver with 9°C and the fog getting everything humid within minutes.

Super-humid conditions
Super-humid conditions

 
Thankfully, the drive to the ferry is only 5 minutes – this doesn’t change the fact that we get to the pier 2 minutes too late and have to wait for 45 minutes until the next departure. No problem, since there is a bar just 10m away…serving my favourite poison plus some jam filled croissants – yum!

Breakfast!
Breakfast!

 
Our being the last not to make it onto the last ferry means that we’re in pole position for the next ferry – allowing us to take some moody TWIKE-fog pictures 🙂

We're pole position for the ferry
We’re pole position for the ferry

 
Unlike arriving in Venice yesterday, when we were able to see the town from the sea, today, taking the ferry back to Tronchetto is a rather grey and boring affair… nothing to see.

I own an European Data-SIM for my private endeavours which is permanently in my private laptop.

With this SIM, I connect to the Italian mobile network, stream some music from my server back home and start working on an entry for this blog. As someone who built his first modem from scratch (including PCB layout, etching & all) and started “surfing” BBS’s at 300bps 30 years ago, I always marvel at the speeds I’m getting via today’s mobile networks. With 5G on the horizon, the spectral efficiency achieved is just staggering!

Nothing to see for 45 mins - how about writing an entry?
Nothing to see for 45 mins – how about writing an entry?

 
We get to Tronchetto, cross the causeway without ruining our rims and drive northwards through dense fog.

200 shades of grey
200 shades of grey

 
Suddenly we drive out of the fog and within 50m arrive in a picture perfect day with a deep blue sky and bright sun.

Sun is out - temperatures perfect - complete relaxation
Sun is out – temperatures perfect – complete relaxation

 
We engage cruise control and see the kilometres count down to our first pin on the map for today… The northernmost point of the Mediterranean sea.

Endless straight roads
Endless straight roads

 
But until we get there, we still have some distance to cover – the views stay the same for hours but it’s extremely relaxing.

Beautiful single lane roads
Beautiful single lane roads

 
I captured a few seconds of this drive – just loop the video for an hour and you get our drive today 🙂

Within another hour, we’ve arrived:

The northernmost point of the Mediterranean, Take 2
The northernmost point of the Mediterranean, Take 2

 
TW560 has already been here 3 years ago – It’s the northernmost point which is not private grounds or a port and a very nice place for a quick 20 minute break from our drive.

Beautiful day - we're saying good-bye to the sea
Beautiful day – we’re saying good-bye to the sea

 
After a morning driving along completely flat roads, we’re both looking forward to getting to Slovenia. As soon as you can see hills from Italy, you know where Slovenia starts.

Flatlands...bye-bye!
Flatlands…bye-bye!

 
Hello Slovenia! A completely underrated European country. Beautiful, cultured, friendly … and besides good food they have very drinkable wine! 😉

Welcome to Slovenia
Welcome to Slovenia

 
We drive towards the hills – they turn out to be 1200m high…coming from 0, this is quite a climb!

We're going to cross this mountain range
We’re going to cross this mountain range

 
The higher we climb, the better the views get – as always. With today’s weather, this makes for perfect pictures!

 
Just 100 km later we arrive in Ljubljana and check into our hotel. Our hotel is well prepared for electric mobility: 6x11kW parking spots are available!

After 280km - 13.8kWh flow back into the battery
After 280km – 13.8kWh flow back into the battery

 
We're not the only electric vehicle charging in this garage today!
We’re not the only electric vehicle charging in this garage today!

 
With our charging sorted, we’re ready to explore Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana.

Philosophic graffiti
Philosophic graffiti

 
I’ve already written about this city here. The town is a gem and I completely understand why Slovenians are very proud of it.

Ljubljana old town and castle
Ljubljana old town and castle

 
Towering over the city Ljubljana castle is a must-go place to get one’s bearings and a spectacular view from above!

Up we go
Up we go

 
With our weather being perfect, the views are even better than usual!

Exceptional weather and views from the castle
Exceptional weather and views from the castle

 
Some more quality time with my daughter
Some more quality time with my daughter

 
Ljubljana castle from above.
Ljubljana castle from above.

 
As always when travelling, I like to add some culture and arts to the mix … Ljubljana didn’t disappoint here either. A very interesting exhibition in an architecturally appealing environment.

Developing a sculptural thought...
Developing a sculptural thought…

 
An interesting sculpture exhibition
An interesting sculpture exhibition

 
Later that evening we came across following sign and since we weren’t driving anywhere anymore, were enticed to accept this generous, if dangerous, offer.

Oh my, this is dangerous pricing!
Oh my, this is dangerous pricing!

 
Many G&T’s and some tasty food later we made our way back to our hotel and crossed the lit old part of the town – very nice.

Central square and three bridges at night
Central square and three bridges at night

 
Our hotel wasn’t as fancy as the one last time – no rooftop spa & pool – but with 4 stars you can still get some loving room design – in our case an interesting view of the omnipresent castle of Ljubljana.

Sleeping tight below the castle
Sleeping tight below the castle

 
Another perfect day on our trip is over – tomorrow we will drive across northern Slovenia and cross into Styria via Sveti Duh. Weather is looking like it’s going to stay as perfect as it was today. We stand a good chance to have another perfect day TWIKING across Europe! 🙂

TDST2017 - Day4
TDST2017 – Day4

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