Visiting Lake Bled was a must on my short trip to Slovenia. For six euro, I hopped on a bus right from the city center of the capital, and drove an hour and a half away to this famous lake. Bled made be small, but stunning, in the autumn sunlight, there is plenty to do. 1. Climb up to Bled Castle A 13 minute incline walk from the bus stop and you'll reach the Bled Castle. It is the oldest castle in Slovenia; towering over the green-blue volume of water beneath. At it's mountain top height, you have incredible views of the surrounding landscape and the postcard perfect Bled Island. This castle was worth the entrance fee for the views it provided on its numerous terraces. It's so iconic that stories have been told about the it since the 1600s, inspiring visitors to seek out its beauty. 2. Stroll along the water A pathway wraps around the lake, perfectly for aimlessly strolling in serenity.You'll find benches, swans, shops and cafes, grassy lawns, and the Instagram spot; a red heart to take a picture with! I wandered far on the path, all the way to boats that take you to Bled island. The water front is also the perfect place to unwind and watch the sunset. 3. Take a boat to Bled Island Due to Bled being the most famous resort in Slovenia, there are definitely some tourist traps. While a visit to Bled Island is highly recommended, be prepared to splurge for it; 14 euro. It'll seem outrageous since the boat ride is super short, but there isn't room for haggling. Be prepared to pay in cash. Once there you'll find the Church of the Mother of God, the classic image that comes to mind when one thinks of Bled. Originally, there was a temple on the island; for the pagan goddess of love, Živa. It was replaced, when in 745, the local population converted from paganism to Christianity. But the church does come with a cool tradition for those married in it! It is expected that the groom carry the bride up the 99 steps in front of it. 4. Try Bled cream cake Hotel Park patisserie sits right on the water, with a balcony of seats in the sun. It was here that Ištvan Lukačevič, the former manager, invented the cakes, which have become famous all over Slovenia. In the next 60 years, over 12 million have been sold. The cakes are the perfect combination of crisp and cream; layered perfectly with a crust, vanilla cream thick center, whipped cream topping and an additional crust on top, dusted with powdered sugar. However, I vouch for their chocolate cream cake; the same, but with a layer of chocolate on top and nestled in the middle! It was amazing but super filling. They are bigger than they look. (PC: ThinkSlovenia.com) 5. Take a bus to Vintgar Gorge Four kilometers, and a short bus ride away from Bled, is this extraordinary and magical hike. Walk along 1.6 kilometers of trail, over wooden bridges and waterfalls, trekking to the grand finale; the Šum waterfall. 6. Do a blind wine tasting This wine tasting is actually the same as the one in Ljubljana! They have two different wine cellars they do it in! The package is the same, which you can read about HERE. The only difference is this place takes cash! 7. Go tobogganing While this is only in the summer, it is a must do adrenaline filled activity. It is basically a mountainside slide! Speed down 520 meters of track as you peer out at the glimmering lake in front of you. 8. Try pumpkin seed oil In Italy purchase olive oil, in Slovenia, pumpkin see oil. You'll find little jars of this green delicacy, at a slightly steep price, in many souvenir shops around Bled and the capital city. Due to its popularity you'll also find it on plenty of menu items. I tried two different dishes with this unusual oil in one sitting; one sweet and one savory. For my main course I got these buckwheat dumplings and turkey in a delicious sauce mixed with pumpkin seed oil. I finished with vanilla ice cream topped with pumpkin seed oil. The taste is actually fairly mild, but noticeable, adding and aspect to each dish. (PC: zakistar.com)
9. Shop I rarely add this, because you can shop anywhere, but there was one specific product in Bled that intrigued me and I truly recommend: zakistar flip flops. I have never seen anything like them! These sandals are handmade and you can get engravings on them! The sole is made of pebbles!
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