Lake Bled

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Behold the picture-postcard wonders of Lake Bled, the only lake in Slovenia with an island in the middle. Created by retreating glaciers towards the end of the last Ice Age, Lake Bled is a welcoming destination full of beauty, mystery and ancient legends.

Your full day of adventure begins as you board your comfortable motorcoach. To make your day even more enjoyable, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a camera to capture the magic and dramatic scenery.

From Koper you'll travel along a scenic route to the tiny hamlet of Bled, a lakeside resort nestled in the unspoiled majesty of an Alpine forest. Once you arrive, you'll immediately marvel at the fairy-tale quality of your surroundings: the snow-capped mountains reflected in the sapphire-blue lake and a castle – perched on the side of a cliff, are breathtaking. And sitting in the center of the placid lake is a small island, considered sacred for centuries.

To reach the island, you'll climb aboard a pletna, a charming wooden gondola-style boat. Breathe in the fresh air and soak up the stupendous views as the boat slowly travels the one-mile long and one-mile wide lake.

Once you reach the island, you'll visit the exterior of Church of the Assumption, which stands at the top of 99 stairs. According to local tradition, a husband who can carry his new bride up the steps and into the church will live happily-ever-after. Occupying a site that's been sacred for centuries, an ancient temple dedicated to Živa, the Slavic goddess of love and fertility, once stood in the church's place but was destroyed after the region converted to Christianity in the Middle Ages. An older church built in 1465 soon became a focus of Catholic pilgrimage. The present Baroque church dates to 1698 and remains a popular destination. Inside you'll find preserved fragments of frescoes depicting the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Hanging from a small tower above the nave is the 15th-century Wishing Bell, presented to the church by a pilgrim whose prayers had been answered. It's believed that if you ring the bell two times, your wish will come true.

If you wish is to explore Bled on your own, then your wish has been granted. You'll have two hours of free time to discover the town or find an out-of-the-way spot for a romantic lunch overlooking the magnificent scenery.

At the end of your day, you'll return to port with a camera filled with memories of your lovely day, to be shared with family and friends.

Special Notes:

Guests must be able to walk approximately 2 miles (roughly 1.5 hours) over even and cobblestone surfaces, inclines and steps. 99 stairs need to be climbed to visit Bled Island.

Entrance to the castle is not included. If you would like to visit the interior of the castle, please carry local currency

Time permitting; guests will have approximately 2 hours for independent lunch, shopping and browsing. The drive to/from the pier is approximately 2 hours each way, dependent upon traffic conditions.