Culture-and-nature-enriched: Fall in love with the romantic town of Bled

(1) Bled on Winter

Bled is the small idyllic town lying on the east side of Lake Bled. Culturally-enriched and a romantic place, Bled is the perfect getaway from the stress and worries brought by city life.

LOCATION

(2) Map of Slovenia

Bled is a small town located on the east side of the famous Lake Bled in the northwest of Slovenia. It is inside the Upper Carniola near the border of Austria, where a range of can be seen.

The natural features of Bled are a blend of dense forest cut cutting through plateaus. The Alps are normal scenery of the place together with bodies of water particularly lakes.

CLIMATE

The months of June to September offers a moderate temperature in Bled, Slovenia. It is the best time to travel as the climate has a nice average range of 22 to 20 degrees Celsius (max temperature) and 10 to 9 degrees Celsius (minimum temperature) on the course of the months.

Still, you are not being discouraged in traveling on the other remaining months; you just have to prepare on the right clothing and gears, as to avoid discomforts.

That being said, you should take note that winter season starts from January to December with the first month being the driest time of the year. July is the wettest, but rain can start pouring in June until August. Despite being the wettest month, pack light clothing if you plan on traveling in July, as it is also the warmest month of the year.

TRANSPORTATION

Ljubljana airport is located 30 kilometers away from Lake Bled. Once you land in here, you can take a taxi, bus or train towards Lake Bled.

The taxi costs up to 45 to 55 euros, while the bus costs only 7 euros. The train on the other hand will require you to change rides, as there are no direct routes available.

WHAT TO SEE

Lake Bled

(3) Traditional Pletna Boat on Lake Bled

Lake Bled is one of the must-see places in Bled, Slovenia. The tranquil emerald green water is not only good to look at, but also refreshing to swim to. Apart from swimming, fishing is also allowed in Lake Bled. You just have to pay at the tourist office an amount of 20 euros per day. There are also hiking trails available around the lake which ranges in difficulty.

The lake has an estimated depth of 30 meters. It was formed when the Bohinj glacier melts at the last Ice Age.

Bled Island and the Church of the Assumption

(4) Bled island lighted up on winter

The Bled Island is accessible through rowboat or the traditional Pletna boat. This small island cradles the Church of the Assumption, a pre-Romanesque type of chapel boasting a baroque architecture of the 1698. It is still well preserved today with frescoes illustrating the life of the Virgin Mary.

The Wishing Bell installed at the 1500s still gothic church is still present. Legends about the bell is also still alive, saying that the groom who can carry his bride on the 99 steps from the dock towards the church and rang the bell will be blessed with a happy marriage life.

Apart from the main structure, behind the church are guesthouses and the infamous Slavic cemetery dating back to 9 AD.

Babji Zob Caves

(5) Stalactite formations in Babji Zob

Helectites, the spiral stalactites formed in the cave, is a featured rock formation in Babji Zob.

(6) The narrow Iglica Waterfall

The narrow waterfall near Bohinjska Bela and 4 kilometers away from Bled is the narrow Iglica waterfall standing at 18 meters high.

The water cascades over the Permian Limestone and is popular for rock climbing. There is also a steep staircase accessing the top of the waterfall where you can be awarded a view of the area.

Bled Castle

(7) Going up the Bled Castle, you have to climb, marked steep paths for 15 minutes.

The Bled Castle boasts different architectures of different eras gone-by. The main structure is Romanesque, as the tower, ramparts, and parapets enclosed the red-roofed castle. However, the courtyard is a 16th century design with chapel and frescoes (from 1700) of Henry II and Bishop Albuin deliberating about Bled.

Apart from that, the castle also includes a museum and winery run by a monk where you can have a hand in preparing your wine. Down below near the cellar is another shop selling herbs and oils.

When you go in here, make sure you don’t pass up to see an uninterrupted view of the church on the islet on the terrace castle.

The entrance fee is 8 euros for adult and 6 euros for students. It opens up at 7 am until 8 pm, yet it closes early at 6pm during winter.

Cream Cake

(8) Lake Bled Cream Cake

Since you’re already here, be sure to go to any restaurants serving cream cakes. What they have is the original.

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Images:
(1.)http://www.roughguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8-Lake-Bled-Slovenia-84504552-e-1680×1050.jpg
(2.)http://apartma-spec.com/images/foto/location/pic01.jpg
(3.)http://www.bled.si/en/imagelib/full-land/default/slike/kaj-videti/Bled_pletne_grad.jpg
(4.)https://kongresguides.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/bled-otok.jpg
(5.)http://www.bled.si/en/imagelib/full-land/default/slike/kaj-videti/Jama_%20foto%20Bogdan%20Kladnik.jpg
(6.)http://finestayslovenia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/iglica-waterfall-slovenia.jpg
(7.)http://www.bled.si/en/imagelib/full-land/default/slike/o-bledu/Blejski%20grad_3.jpg
(8.)http://slovenia.byaustralasia.com/lyphp-latest/plugins/lythumb.php?src=/documents/slovenia/pictures/gorenjska/sights_and_attracitons/24-2-Bled-Cream-Cake.JPG&w=800&h=600&c=1