From May to October 2006 Adria Airways (www. adriaairways. com) will operate direct flights from Dublin.

Until then try Czech Airlines from Dublin via Prague, Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Air France via Paris. Easyjet has daily departures from London Stansted to Ljubljana.

So what's to see then?

Ljubljana is small by capital city standards but its mix of evocative architecture, romantic walks, excellent museums and galleries and charming shops makes it a vibrant, atmospheric town.

Cobbled streets weave through the old town connecting elegant bridges with ornate art nouveau facades and historic cafes.

The skyline is dominated by Ljubljana Castle, former fortress, medieval castle, and now popular meeting point with unrivalled views of the town. A boat trip along the Ljubljanica reveals more of this growing city while an evening stroll along its leafy banks is the perfect way to walk off a hearty Slovenian meal. Horse medallions, spicy rissoles, fresh fish and cottage cheese are all favourites. The local wine is excellent too, and, like the native beer, wonderfully cheap. Drink and dine in the old town where the pubs buzz and English is widely spoken by the well-educated locals, 50,000 of whom are students.

And accommodation?

Hostel Celica, a converted prison one-mile from the city offers tiny guestrooms, individually redesigned by Slovenian artists.

The cells still feature their iron-bar doors and each unique room can be viewed on www. souhostel. com to help you book your favourite!