While Koper isn't a large city, a little help can still go a long way when it comes to finding your way around. There aren't many signs that are in English, seeing that the community isn't really geared for toursim. There were several things which…Read More

While Koper isn't a large city, a little help can still go a long way when it comes to finding your way around. There aren't many signs that are in English, seeing that the community isn't really geared for toursim. There were several things which helped to make my stay a great one regardless, and I hope that others may find them to be valuable.

1. If you are arriving at the Koper Port, there is a 'little red train' which you can hop into and get a ride to several of the tourist destinations nearby. This tourist train is actually a modified vehicle which pulls along several open air cars along a set route. Riding on this train is free of charge for visitors, and is definitely a great way to get around on a budget.

2. If you are disembarking a cruise ship in Koper, there is a small information booth just before the exit gate. It's a good idea to stop here first and ask a few questions about the town, just to get an idea of the best ways to spend your day. I got a free map here from the lady at the counter, and it was a vital tool in planning out my time in the town.

3. When I arrived in Europe, the weather was still pretty warm. The night before the cruise started, cold winds blew in and I was caught unprepared. This meant that I needed to do a bit of clothes shopping, but Venice wasn't an ideal place to do so.

On arriving in Koper, I asked a local for a decent place to buy a jacket, and he directed me to a little shopping plaza, about a mile from downtown. I bought my jacket for 12 euros, and it was of a good quality and very comfy. However, while walking around in the main part of Koper, I noticed that the shopping scene was very expensive. Cold weather clothing were being sold, but for over 40 euros! If you need to buy anything other than small trinkets, you should get out of the main city and into the nearby suburbs.

4. The Koper Regional Museum is worth looking into, as it holds detailed information about the history of the town. There was an extensive archaeological collection which I found to be rather interesting. The best part of this attraction, was the fact that it was free on the day when I visited!

Koper proved to be the cheapest destination I visited while in Europe. I found deals everywhere, and the experience wasn't cheapened in the slightest. If anyone is planning to tour Europe, and would prefer to visit some of the less expensive destinations, Koper should be high on the list! Close

After seeing how gorgeous the Adriatic Sea looked from the Old Bell Tower, Jennifer and I decided that we would walk to the harbour to see some of the boats for ourselves. Judging from the distance, we assumed that we had about a 30 minute…Read More

After seeing how gorgeous the Adriatic Sea looked from the Old Bell Tower, Jennifer and I decided that we would walk to the harbour to see some of the boats for ourselves. Judging from the distance, we assumed that we had about a 30 minute walk ahead of us, so we happily set forth. Walking around a new city is an awesome way to meet the locals and see interesting things that you would miss if you were driving instead.

The weather during October was sunny, but the brisk Autumn winds had arrived, so our jackets were buttoned all the way up, and our hands were stuck into our pockets. Being so close to the harbour, the sea breeze didn't help matters but we were determined to see the harbour for ourselves, up close and personal.

We passed through many small parks throughout Koper, and they were well taken care of. The trees were trimmed and there wasn't a speck of garbage in sight. Some of these parks had some interesting stone statues, which simply begged to be photographed. I've always loved the fascination with statues in the Old World, as we don't have as many on our side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Some of these parks were obviously made for children, so entire families were spending the day out. Regardless of the cool temperatures, picnic tables were piled up with goodies while small children played on the swings and slides. Where there weren't parks, it was common to see a group of trees and several benches on the sidewalk for folks who simply want to sit and read or reflect on life.

At this point, we could smell the salt in the air, and soon enough the sea came into view. The harbour in Koper was really pretty and we were apparently allowed to walk on the docks. Many of the small boats that were docked in the harbour were owned by local fishermen, and I could just picture them bringing in the catch of the day.

Regardless of the fact that we were in a harbour and not a beach, the water was crystal clear. The waves were barely rippling the surface and we could actually see fishes swimming between the boats! I've only seen fishes like those on coral reefs before, yet there they were as if the boatyard was their personal playground.

Along the Koper Harbour were several small souvenir shops selling everything from beads and mugs to household magnets to remind you of your visit. I collect magnets, so I browsed through their selection, and finally settled on a magnet of the flag of Slovenia which I got for 2 euros. Jennifer opted for cap which she said her father would love. Ahhh, what started out as a simple walk to Koper Harbour, now ran the risk of becoming a shopping spree.

Such is life when you're on the road. If you don't take photos or buy souvenirs, all you will have are memories which change and fade with time. The stroll to Koper harbour was relaxing, and we had a great time. Close

If you're in the mood for something refreshing to drink while touring in Koper, there are many bars all over the town. For a such as small municipality, the number of watering holes are quite staggering. So of course, if you appreciate a brew or…Read More

If you're in the mood for something refreshing to drink while touring in Koper, there are many bars all over the town. For a such as small municipality, the number of watering holes are quite staggering. So of course, if you appreciate a brew or two, the least you can do is join in! Jennifer and I wandered about the city, after climbing all the way to the top of the Old Bell Tower. All that exercise made us rather parched, so we were looking for a nice little spot to grab a pint of local beer.

The bars in Koper are kicking regardless of the time of day. When we first arrived at the city, it was only after 9 am, and loyal customers were already downing bottles of beer infront of their favourite bars. I guess it's always 5pm somewhere in the world right? Well, Jennifer and I decided that when in Slovenia, do as the Slovenians do, so we grabbed a seat outside of one of the happening local bars and ordered a pint each.

The bartender noticed immediately that we weren't from around there, so he recommended that we try the local beer which was called Lasko. The beer was exceptionally affordable at only 2 euros, reminding us exactly how much cheaper Eastern Europe is compared to Western Europe. The bar was called Istrska Klet Slavcek, which means Istrian Cellar Slovenia in English. The atmosphere was very laid back and casual, with faint music playing inside.

The Lasko beer was very crisp and refreshing, and it was exactly what the doctor ordered. The mug was frosted, and the beer's foam head was quite impressive, taking quite a while to collapse. Needless to say, the pint didn't last too long, but instead of simply ordering a second round, we settled our tab and searched for another spot to grab a drink.

After a while, we came across an apparently nameless bar, but the menu outside caught our attention. Wine and fig appeared to be the specialty there, and we've never tried it before. We agreed to be adventurous, and grabbed a seat on one of the tall stools outside of the bar's window.
We ordered two glasses of the mysterious fig specialty for the same price as the beers: 2 euros each.

While he prepared our drinks, the bartender started to talk to us about the history of the fig and wine drink. He said that the figs are grown in small farms around the town, and they've been drinking the brew for many years. We learned that Koper is actually one of the major wine producing towns within Slovenia, which explained the many grape vines which we saw everywhere.

The fig and wine brew was very sweet, but potent. It didn't have the usual smooth texture, as it was rather syrupy and had small fig seeds inside. I could tell that it was made for the locals, and although I'm not a wine connoisseur, I knew that this was something special. I thanked the bartender for his great service, paid the tab and said farewell.

Jennifer and I loved the local brews within the small town of Koper, Slovenia. Who knew that a destination which we've never heard of a year ago, would give us so many pleasant surprises? For travelers with a penchant for foregin wines and beers, find your way to this dynamic destination!Close

Koper is a small town on the Adriatic Coast of Europe, and it was the first port of call on my Royal Caribbean cruise. Before booking the cruise, I've never heard of this destination before, seeing that it was a very new port for the…Read More

Koper is a small town on the Adriatic Coast of Europe, and it was the first port of call on my Royal Caribbean cruise. Before booking the cruise, I've never heard of this destination before, seeing that it was a very new port for the cruise line. Due to lack of reviews online and, I looked forward to exploring a relatively uncommon part of Eastern Europe.

During my visit, I discovered that Koper is actually a truly picturesque town and this was mainly due to the many town squares which are scattered about a very small area. Many Western European town squares are crowded and extremely commericalized, so it was a breath of fresh air to stumble upon these spaces within a city, which were either bustling with locals or totally deserted.

The first town square in Koper which I saw was small but absolutely packed. Both cruise ship tourists and locals milled about, flitted from shop to shop and flocked to the many bars and cafes which surrounded the square. There was a lively atmosphere, but it was a far cry from being noisy and claustrophobic. The bars were receiving lots of business, as every seating space appeared to be taken, and everyone sipped from oversized mugs of beer.

The architecture in the square was also distinctly Venetian. This didn't come as a big surprise, seeing that Venice is located 'just around the corner'. There was a huge stone fountain in the center which was brilliantly detailed, giving a very medieval look to the area. I could easily picture townsfolk, drawing their water and socializing on a daily basis.

The second square was called Tito Square, home to the Praetorian Palace. This square was much larger than the first, and people seemed to pour in from various alleys. The main feature of this square was the large bell tower which dominated the skyline even from a distance, and willing visitors could climb to the top for what promised to be a stunning view. While in the square, I heard a sound and out of nowhere, a horse and carriage passed by! I was quite stunned, but quickly recovered to snap a photo.

The final square which I came across was found quite by accident. I was simply taking a stroll through the many winding streets when I simply popped into a colourful square. This was obviously a small community square, since the surrounding buildings were all residential homes and it was totally deserted.

All the houses were painted in yellow, pink and other bright colours, providing a stark contrast to the rather monochromatic colour scheme which monopolized the rest of the town. There was even a small water fountain in the middle of the square, of which I snapped several photos.

Koper may not glaringly obvious on the European tourist map, and maybe it's for the best. Most of the charm which this town had, came from the unpretentious atmosphere. I may not have known what to expect when I arrived, but I left feeling more than satisfied. Close