Day 1 in Lake Bled

Welcome to Slovenia! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

Start your trip to Lake Bled by familiarizing yourself with the layout of the town. The main streets are Ljubljanska cesta, Presernova cesta, and Cesta svobode. Walking northwest from the tourist information center to the Lake Bled Promenade, you will encounter the beautiful St. Martin`s Parish Church, located on a hill just above where the promenade begins. St. Martin`s Church, built in 1905, was conceptualized by some of the most gifted architects and artists Slovenia had to offer. Walking along the northern bank of Lake Bled, you will see two high hills on the lake`s southwestern edge: Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica. Climb to the top of Mala Osojnica and enjoy the gorgeous views of Lake Bled and the nearby town. Afterward, walk along the southern edge of the lake and take a pletna to Bled Island (565 feet long and 260 feet wide), and ring the `wishing bell` at the picture-perfect Assumption of Mary Church. If you have time before sundown, take a cable car up Straza for yet another breathtaking view. Return to Bled and choose from two exciting nightlife options: gambling at Casino Bled, or a movie or concert at Bled Festival Hall.

Day 2 in Lake Bled

Wake up early and stroll the grounds of Vila Bled, a lavish resort that was once the summer home of Yugoslavian President Josip Broz Tito. From there, take a car or another type of reliable transportation to view Iglica Falls, to the northwest of Lake Bled and just outside Triglav National Park. For those who are adventure-seekers, consider hiking to the top of Triglav, a triple-capped mountain formation which is the highest point in the whole country.

If you are looking to enjoy a fine summer`s day on the lake or a vibrant winter getaway, Lake Bohinj, the country`s largest lake, is ideal for both scenarios. Nearby is the world-renowned Vogel Ski Resort, which offers trails for all skiers, from novices to experts. Black Lake, to the northwest, is also unique in that it is the lowest-lying of the lakes in the area, called the Triglav Lakes Valley. If you have time, venture further west to Kozjak Waterfall, considered one of the most beautiful waterfall formations in Slovenia.

Day 3 in Lake Bled

Prepare for another day of exploring the great outdoors! Start the morning by touring Grad Kamen, six miles east-northeast of Bled, which has been a fixture in the town of Begunje na Gorenjskem since the thirteenth century. Afterward, travel north of Bled and visit the charming succursal Church of St. Andrew before you head to either Vintgar Gorge, to the north, or Pokljuka Gorge, to the west. Both of these canyons offer splendid views that you won`t soon forget! Return to Triglav National Park one more time to view the twin Pericnik Falls. (The bigger waterfall drops water over 170 feet to the lagoon below!)

Additional Days in Lake Bled

Slovenia is well-known for its extensive underground cave systems. Skocjan Caves, an hour and twenty minutes outside of Lake Bled, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been described as `one of the largest known underground canyons in the world.` If you have time, go to Postojna, an hour south of Bled, and explore the limestone passageways of Postojna Cave. Fun fact about Postojna Cave: it`s home to the world`s only underground post office!

If you are interested in taking an extra day to enjoy the beautiful Slovenian Alps, the resort town of Kranjska Gora is just as beautiful as the myriad picture postcards that have won the hearts of countless travelers the world over. Located 24 miles to the northwest of Bled, near the border with Austria, Kranjska Gora is one of the most popular ski resorts in Slovenia. Sites of interest in and around Kranjska Gora include the Assumption of Mary Church (not to be confused with the church of the same name in Bled), the Kranjska Gora Ski Resort, and Lake Jasna.

Slovenia`s capital, Ljubljana, long overlooked by American travelers in favor of adjacent European capitals like Vienna and Budapest, is now a city on the rise. Visitors only need a few moments to walk the pedestrian-only streets in the city center to feel the old-world historic charm, coupled with the youthful energy exuding from the local university population. Beautiful and vibrant, travelers will quickly learn that Ljubljana has a lot to offer to all who visit. Slovenia`s capital has grown a great deal in the three decades since independence from Yugoslavia. Since then, an emphasis on promoting tourism and improving infrastructure has earned the city accolades on both European and world stages: Ljubljana earned the Tourism for Tomorrow award in 2015, and was named the European Green Capital in 2016. The name Ljubljana is a Slovene word that means `beloved`; once you experience the city`s splendor, you will indeed fall in love. To read a more in-depth itinerary for Ljubljana, click here.

Your Last Day in Lake Bled

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We hope you enjoyed your time in Slovenia`s magnificent Julian Alps!