For Easter break we drove to Slovenia, to enjoy a long weekend.  Slovenia will join the EU in January 2005, and is the most prosperous of the former Yugoslavian states.  It became independent from Yugoslavia in 1991.  Slovenia is culturally very close with the Austro-Hungarian empire (Roman Catholic, many Austrian ancestors, etc.) and has a very pleasant setting in the northern Baltic area, at the extreme eastern edge of the Alps.

Lake Bled, Slovenia.  We stayed in Marshal Tito's summer palace, a very Stalin-esque ediface complete with large socialist painting.  The two remarkable monuments were the small island and church, and the castle on the cliff above the lake.
Lublyana, capital of Slovenia.  We found this city charming and would be eager to visit again.  The University is in the old city, next to the Philharmonic, and the river runs through the middle.
Wonderful old Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) elements, untouched by time (and in need of restoration).
Prejamski Grad (castle), in the hills of Slovenia.  This castle originated in the 1100's and was occupied until 1920.  The most famous resident was a Knight in 1500 and withstood a siege for over a year, sneaking out through the 10 miles (!!) of caves underneath the castle to bring in food.  We hiked part of the cave system with lanterns, climbing rickety old stairs and pathes through great vaulted caverns.