"Bit of a trading post town........" a Lenti Travel Page by leics

I'm not going to pretend I explored Lenti in any depth at all.....but it was an interesting visit nevertheless.

The town is just over the border from Slovenia (and Austria, come to that), and friends took me there for the shopping.

It seems Lenti experienced a bit of a retail boom in the recent past, because clothes in particular were cheaper there (and there was a wider choice).So a weekend trip over the border for shopping was/is a common activity (there are organised buses too).

But the recession is hitting, we thought. My friend had not vivited for several years,and she felt that choice, quality and price had all deteriorated.

There are certainly plenty of shops still in evidence though, and a daily market too (mostly clothes).

I enjoyed an hour or so exploring the shops and stalls (the majority of which accept payment in euros, at a fair exchange rate) but the fatc that neither of use bought anything other than a t-shirt does speak volumes.

I would have bought some of the rather lovely (and cheap) fleece blankets and bedspreads I saw, but there was no way they would fit in my case!

If you are in the area (Slovenia or Austria )and have a car, it might be worth popping over the border to see what you can find in the way of bargains. Plenty of shoes and bags as well as clothes for women, men and children.

Apart from the area around the shops I only caught the faintest glimpse of the town. I certainly saw some slab-like architecture and apartment blocks but the main shopping street was pleasant enough (I am told it has been 'done up' over the years).

I found this ?war memorial' near the market.

There are also thermal springs in the town, with 8 pools for those who seek'wellness'. The spa is set in gardens which include a palm trees ('offering a Mediterranean artmosphere'.

Lenti also has the remains of a 12th century castle, a 17th century church, a folk museum, a forestry exhibition and a 'forest park'nearby which is famed for its displays of snowdrops.

So there is much more to do than just shopping, and I hope to return to explore more another time.

Some useful info here..

I saw several Trabants too.

:-)