Slovenia, Lake Bled and Surrounding Area

There were three places in Slovenia we were particularly interested in visiting; Piran, Ljubljana, and Lake Bled. With the first two checked off our list, we spent a long, wonderful day touring Lake Bled and the surrounding area.

Ponte Dei Cappuccini Bridge in Škofja Loka

We are not big on tours but sometimes they come in handy for traveling to places otherwise hard to reach without a car. We have found that the mini-van tours, accommodating only eight passengers, can be a fun and easy way to visit places that may otherwise be difficult to get to. It is also a good way to meet travelers from other countries.

We were picked up at our hotel and headed off toward Lake Bled. Our first stop was Škofja Loka; a quaint, castle-topped historical town located at the confluence of the Selska Sora and Poljanska rivers. The town can be traced back as far as 973 AD, and is considered to be the best preserved medieval center in Slovenia.

We headed toward the castle, passing rows of colorful window-box adorned buildings, and up the hill. The castle was originally built to protect the town that used to exist within its walls. It later became the governor's residence.

Radovna River in Vintgar Gorge

The town is worth a stop for a pleasant stroll, a castle visit, and the historical Ponte Dei Cappuccini bridge, a lovely spot to pause and take a few memorable pictures.

We continued on to Vintgar Gorge. This is a very pretty gorge carved from nature by the river Radovna. The whitewater and falls are picture perfect as you wind your way along the river for about a mile. The hike is level on boardwalks and bridges, but it is almost dangerously crowded and can be a bit slippery in spots. Definitely visit here in less busy times to better enjoy the experience. It was far too crowded on a Sunday in September.

Pristine Lake Bohinj

Our next stop was Lake Bohinj. This is a pristine and beautiful alpine lake with views of the Julian Alps. Unlike nearby Lake Bled, this is not a tourist attraction, but a lake for locals to relax and enjoy the day.

The water is crystal clear and there are plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy including: a small village to explore: a waterfall to hike to; and a mountain cable car for enjoying panoramic views from Vogel Mountain. It is the perfect setting to slow down, enjoy a picnic, and take in the lake and incredible views.

View of Lake Bled from the Castle

On to our final stop and the pièce de résistance, Lake Bled. We started well above the lake at the cliff-hanging Bled Castle. There has been some form of castle here for 1000 years. Within the castle grounds are a few fun sites to explore including: an exhibit demonstrating how a Gutenberg printing press works; a small history museum; a pretty chapel; and a wine cellar. The best site though, and the main reason for visiting the castle, is the beautiful view of the lake and surrounding countryside.

With purple mountains as its backdrop, Lake Bled is a fairy tale kind of place with a romantic church-topped island in the middle of a beautiful glistening lake. It is possible to stroll or bike the 3.5-mile promenade around the lake; take a ride to the island in a Pletna boat; or enjoy a meal, a drink or a famous Bled cream cake (kremna rezina) at a lake-front café.

Impressive villas dot the parameter of the lake, including the Hotel Vila Bled, which was once a former residence of Marshal Tito. The hotel's inviting terrace restaurant welcomes visitors to relax with a drink or a bite to eat.

Pletna Boat

For those wanting to explore Bled Island and its church, Pletnas, handmade flat-bottom wooden boats, take tourists from the lake’s shore to the island's dock. Ninety-nine steps lead from the dock to the Baroque Church of the Assumption, and another ninety-one steps lead to the top of the bell tower.

The present church dates from the 17th century when it was once again renovated after a second earthquake damaged the structure. The main altar, with its gold-plated carvings, dates from 1747.

With our tour and visit to Lake Bled now over, we headed back for our last night in Ljubljana. We certainly enjoyed our day traveling to and around the lake, it was all breathtakingly beautiful. If I was to return, I would spend a night in Bled to be able to truly unwind and take advantage of all the lake has to offer.

The next day we were leaving Ljubljana and Slovenia to head to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. To say we loved Slovenia and were sad to leave would be an understatement. We found the countryside to be gorgeous, the towns charming, the people delightful and friendly … there wasn’t a thing we didn’t like. It is an easy, welcoming country to visit and we hope to return someday very soon.