As my wife stood shivering on the thin rickety rope bridge clutching her Jimmy Choo handbag to her now wet silk top, I peered over the edge to the 100ft ravine below. The quote made famous by Michael Caine in the Italian Job came to mind “Hang on a minute, I've got an idea”. It then dawned on us that perhaps we were not suitably dressed for the forthcoming trek of the Vintgar Gorge in Slovenian.
Nudging the Alps with Italy to the west, Slovenia is a Country that has a lot to offer and whilst many visitors will head for the Capital Ljubljana, to the north-west of Slovenia, is the lakeside resort of Bled nestling amidst dense pine forests and surrounded by the dramatic snow-capped Julian Alps. A truly breath taking lake attracting thousands of visitors each year and with a short flight from Stanstead, an easy weekend trip.
The first thing that strikes you as you make the 20 min drive from the airport to Lake Bled is the scenery. This must be one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Our hotel like many others had a lake view, although you can choose to stay in one of the lodges or small bed and breakfasts dotted around the lake. There's a good selection of small and friendly restaurants and bars where you can sip on a glass of Slovenia's own beer "Lasko" or enjoy a glass of good locally produced wine.
Lake Bled itself is a large, in fact approximately 6km in circumference. Many visitors explore it by foot along the well laid out path as we did although you can cycle or even take a horse drawn carriage. If you feel slightly more energetic, you can also participate in some serious trekking or ride the bob sleigh set up especially for the summer months. What surprised me the most is that anyone can freely swim in the lake. There's something quite invigorating about swimming in a lake fed by mountain spring water leaving you with a feeling of a sense of tranquillity and peace. This sums up nicely the Slovenia's' very relaxed outlook on life. The lake is overlooked by Bled castle which dates from the 17th Century and is well worth a visit as the castle offers breath-taking views of the lake.
In in the centre of the lake and approached by stone steps leading directly up from the from the lake is Bled Island with a baroque church. You can reach the island on one of the old fashioned Pletna row boats. When you arrive, you may even be lucky see a local wedding taking place and according to local tradition, a husband who can carry his newly married bride up the 99 steps to the church will ensure a happy marriage. With this in mind, I glanced at my wife as we arrived at the foot of the steps. Her glance back, told me we were happy enough!
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