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Bled on the map of the most beautiful places in the world

Bled among the 17 best small towns in Europe (Travel + Leisure)

“Picturesque Bled looks like a mythical scene dreamed up by a Grimm brother. Its most prominent feature is an ethereal 17th-century church perched on a tear-shaped island in Lake Bled, which you can get to by boat”, is how the top travel media brand in the world, Travel + Leisure, which is read by more than 16 million travellers every month, describes Bled. The editorial board chose Bled as one of the 17 best small towns in Europe, adding that Bled and its surrounds offer outdoor activities year-round, from hiking mountain trails to rowing on the lake to summer tobogganing down Straža Hill, with amazing views of the water below.

Bled is the best destination for a half-term holiday in Europe (The Guardian)

Considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Bled has been included on The Guardian’s list of ten of the best half-term holidays in Europe. According to The Guardian, “Slovenia is cooling down in October, but it is a spectacular time to see Lake Bled’s woody fringes burst into flames of colour. Hilltop Bled Castle towers over its northern shore, and children will love the cruise to the fairytale island in the middle of the lake, as well as the Indiana-Jones-style walkway at sheer-sided Bled Gorge. Families can stay at River Camping Bled, where simple alpine cottages come with heating, private bathrooms and kitchens. From this rural base, visitors can kayak on the River Sava or cycle the 3km to the lakeshore.”
Foto: Nikola Jurišič, www.slovenia.info

Lake Bled is the most photogenic lake in the world (Lonely Planet)

Lonely Planet, the publisher of tourist guides that are popular all over the world, has named Bled the sixth out of ten destinations that offer unique and unforgettable experiences. The world-famous tourist guide describes Bled as a destination packed with natural beauty, distinguished by a memorable island topped with a church. Lake Bled with its island is even described as the most photogenic lake on the planet, while their special recommendation for Bled is to discover the sustainable local providers of products and services.

Slovenia Green Award for the Destination (Municipality) of Bled

The Green Scheme of Slovenian tourism is designed for systematically promoting the sustainable operation and development of destinations and providers. The Slovenia Green brand is used to communicate concrete, tangible efforts to preserve natural and cultural heritage, clean air and clean water while ensuring that tourism in Slovenia remains sustainable with an increasingly positive impact on the environment and local communities. Bled has been striving for green tourism for a number of years now and is the proud bearer of the gold Slovenia Green symbol. As part of Green Destinations 2019, an international non-governmental project, Bled was ranked second on the list of Europe’s top sustainable destinations. Photo: Jošt Gantar, www.bled.info

20 destinations to visit in 2020 (The Guardian)

British newspaper The Guardian has included Slovenia on a list of 20 destinations to visit if you are looking to enjoy pristine nature and support sustainable tourism. Slovenia is described as a charming country that lends itself to outdoor adventure. Despite the influx of tourists in recent years, it remains focused on protecting the environment. The experiences highlighted as unmissable include cycling around Lake Bled, which is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. 

The lake where you simply have to sit and stare (Daily Mail)

“Walking around Lake Bled, I half-expect to hear Snow White croon to woodland creatures. The air smells like green candyfloss and the grass is splattered with flowers. I knew Bled, in Slovenia, would be lovely (it regularly tops lists of the most beautiful places in the world), but I hadn’t expected it to be quite so Disney-esque,” reported a journalist for the Daily Mail, a popular British news website.

Bled is every bit as lovely in real life (Lonely Planet)

“Yes, it's every bit as lovely in real life. With its bluish-green lake, picture-postcard church on an islet, medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke as backdrops, Bled is Slovenia's most popular resort, drawing everyone from honeymooners lured by the over-the-top romantic setting to backpackers, who come for the hiking, biking, water-sports and canyoning possibilities.” This description of Bled was published in one of the most frequently read travel media, Lonely Planet.

The best view of Lake Bled (Budget Travel)

“Why not get to the good stuff right away? To take in this Slovenian lake's most breathtaking vista, head immediately to Bled Castle, at the edge of a sheer, 460-foot-high cliff. You'll see mountains in every direction—the Julian Alps and the Karavanke range—and below, the Alpine lake and its main attraction, Bled Island, a tiny forested circle that's home to the 17th-century Church of the Assumption,” recommends the Budget Travel website, where Lake Bled ranks among the 12 most beautiful lakes in the world.

Bled is one of the most beautiful places in the world (Vacation Idea)

“If you glimpse Lake Bled in Slovenia from one of the distant mountaintops, you will be convinced that you are seeing some magical, lost fantasy world of dragons and knights: A vivid emerald green lake with a tiny island in the middle with a church perched on its cliff and an ancient medieval castle clinging to its slopes, hugged on all sides by enormous mountains, snow-topped and covered with dark, green, ancient forests.” This picturesque description of Bled was published on Vacation Idea, where the town was included on the list of the 25 most beautiful places in the world.

Bled Castle dominates the scene (Hostelling International)

“Bled Castle dominates the scene overlooking the lake from the top of the cliff, and offers the most beautiful view of the town, lake and island. With its spectacular turreted church sitting on an islet in an emerald-green glacial lake, and surrounded by the highest peaks of the Julian Alps. This setting is so romantic and dramatic, you’ll pinch yourself. Experience the perfect fairy tale in Bled and find inspiration for the most thrilling stories,” they say at Hostelling International, placing Bled at the very top of the list of the most beautiful towns where young tourists can find affordable hostels.

Bled – the birthplace of modern nature healing (BBC)

“Birds chirped in anticipation of dawn, a light breeze set in, and from the forest below, I could hear people making their way along the path I had just left behind – the same one used by health tourists who came to the town of Bled from across Europe more than 150 years ago, thanks to Swiss healer Arnold Rikli,” wrote the BBC journalist in an article about the development of natural healing in Bled.

One of the 25 most beautiful small towns in Europe (CN Traveler)

“There's a reason Lake Bled is one of Slovenia's most popular sites. With its emerald waters, church-dotted islet, views of the Julian Alps, and 12th-century castle on a hill, you won't be short of picture-perfect views. The surrounding town of Bled is just as charming, with candlelit restaurants and traditional wooden rowboats just waiting for visitors,” says the description of Bled posted on the Conde Nast Traveler blog, where the Slovenian town was included on the list of 25 of the most beautiful small towns in Europe.

One of the top 10 places in the world to retire (Forbes)

“Bled is a safe, four-season, picturesque mountain town. I don’t think you’ll ever see a place more aptly described as looking like a fairy tale. It’s like the Disney set from Frozen, and the summer is just as beautiful without the snow,” says the online portal Forbes, ranking Bled among the top 10 places in the world to retire.

One of the top 10 winter destinations on Instagram (Lonely Planet)

“The emerald lake, surrounded by Alpine peaks and with a tiny island and an impressive Gothic church in the middle, has been a landmark of Slovenia since ancient times,” says Lonely Planet, ranking Bled among the top 10 winter destinations on Instagram. Photo: www.slovenia.info, Franci Ferjan

Daytrips in Bled and the surrounding area

  • Romantic picnic on Lake Bled
    Take a row boat out on Lake Bled and enjoy a private picnic in the middle of this beautiful lake in the heart of a pristine natural environment. You can also row to the nearby island and enjoy some breath-taking views. Row boats can be rented in the boat house of the Grand Hotel Toplice. If you decide on the romantic package, the boat rental comes with a picnic basket full of delicious foods.
  • Zipline Dolinka
    Experienced guides will take you to an adrenaline-filled 2–3 hours long trip along the Sava Dolinka river valley, where you will learn about the natural phenomena of this protected natural monument with incredible value, which is also part of Natura 2000. You will cross the valley above the river via 5 ziplines with a total length of 2.4 km. 
  • Educational apiary Kral’ s beehouse
    At the beginning of the Selo village, above the Mulej farm, you can find Kral’s beehouse, an educational apiary with around 50 beehives. In this apiary, with hand-painted panels, queen bees and bee families are reared. The beekeepers will present the life cycle of the Carniolan honey bee, the work at the apiary and the production of honey. 
  • Biking trip: Radovna vally
    This easy cycling route runs through the idyllic Alpine valley of the Radovna River, from the Krnica village to the museum in the Pocar homestead, one of the oldest preserved in the Triglav National Park. We suggest that you stop on the way to see the 500-year-old Gogal linden tree and Napoleon’s stone from the time of the Illyrian provinces, visit the karst source at Lipnik, and jump into the Kreda lake.
  • The lake with the island
    The image of the lake with the island is one of the most typical of Slovenia. The island was once a temple to Živa, the goddess of love. Today, it is the home of the romantic small church of St. Mary Help of Christians with a famous wishing bell dating back to 1943. The island is accessible by traditional “pletnja” boats and rowing boats.
  • Bled Castle
    A steep cliff overhanging Lake Bled is the home of the oldest castle in Slovenia, offering a spectacular view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Throughout the year, the castle courtyard hosts numerous events and visitors can take a tour of the castle printing works and the herbal gallery.
  • A ride in a “pletnja” boat
    There is a rule in Bled: if you have not taken a ride in a “pletnja” boat, you have not visited Bled for real. The “pletnja” is a traditional wooden boat built by locals. It is unique to Bled. Take a seat for a ride to the island and sightseeing from the lake surface.
  • Fiacre coaches
    A fiacre, the traditional Bled horse-drawn carriage, is another custom that has been conveyed from one generation to the next. The carriage drivers are distinguished by traditional livery. They will take you for a ride around the lake or sightseeing in the surrounding area.
  • The Bled Vintgar gorge
    The Vintgar gorge is one of the most famous natural sights near Bled. A 1.6 km footpath leads along the green Radovna River, past its pools, waterfalls and rapids all the way to a 15 m high waterfall. The walk is particularly enjoyable in the hot summer months. Photo: Bled LTO
  • The Straža hill
    Situated southeast of the lake, the Straža Hill is considered an exceptional vantage point. The Bled fitness trail runs through meadows and forest (fitness in nature). A chairlift will take you to the top of Straža. Adrenaline lovers can ride the summer sled track or visit the adventure park.
  • The land of folk tales
    For fairytale fans we recommend a visit to Fairytale Land, where folk narrative is spread through fairytales. This is the home of fairies, the Heathen Maiden, the Goldhorn poachers, the Tree Gnome, the Wild Woman from Babji zob and the Water Man. By telling folk tales, the characters create an unforgettable experience for children.
  • Ojstrica
    Ojstrica is known especially for its magnificent view of Lake Bled and the Sava plain. The most beautiful panoramic photos of Bled are taken here.
  • Triglav National Park
    Named after the highest peak in Slovenia, Triglav, the Triglav National Park stretches across almost the entire Julian Alps. It is an indisputable treasure trove of natural sights: a diverse pristine landscape with mountain peaks, gorges, mountain villages, water sources and rich vegetation.
  • A hot air balloon ride
    In a panoramic ride in a hot air balloon operated by a licensed and experienced pilot, you will cruise over Lake Bled and enjoy an aerial view of the island and the surrounding peaks. Reservations can only be made at one of the hotel receptions.

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