Road Trip through Slovenia - Part 3
The Lakes Bled & Bohinj: Postcard Motifs with Charm
After Ljubljana, my road trip took me on to Lake Bled. From the capital, it's about an hour's drive before you arrive at this picturesque destination. The visit is absolutely worth it: the lake at the foot of the Alpine foothills looks even more beautiful in real life than in the many photos circulating on the internet. It's no wonder that countless other tourists are here alongside me, strolling around the lake, swimming in it, or visiting the small island in its centre by canoe.
I therefore recommend visiting Bled as early in the day as possible to cleverly avoid the tourist crowds.
One more little tip: Be sure to take a short hike to one of the many elevated viewpoints located around the lake. It's quite steep going up for about 30 minutes, but you are rewarded with an incredibly beautiful view! Since Lake Bled, despite all its beauty, felt a little too touristy to me personally, I set off in the early afternoon to my second accommodation: a holiday apartment on a small farm in the middle of the mountains. I made myself comfortable here for two days and simply enjoyed the view of the wide open spaces and the many mountains.
From Bled to Bohinj
Next, it was on to Lake Bohinj, which is only 30 minutes' drive from Bled. Upon arriving, I first went in search of a place to sleep and found a lovely campsite right on the turquoise water. I pitched my tent here for a few days to enjoy the peace and nature: you can go swimming, hire kayaks or canoes, walk in the forest, and hike in the mountains. Just the thing for all outdoor enthusiasts!
My highlight in the region, by the way, was the hike to Lake Jezero, which sits a little higher up in the mountains. But be warned: the route is quite challenging, as you have to do some climbing in places and work your way along the slope from rung to rung. A basic level of head for heights is therefore essential. Those who prefer not to venture so high will also find great excursion destinations in the valley: the beautiful Savica Waterfall, for example, is easily reached with a short walk and is well worth seeing!
Caves and Castles in the Karst Region
After the beautiful lakes, the journey continued into the Karst region. I stayed there for a few days to visit the famous Predjama Castle and the Postojna Caves.
Predjama Castle, spectacularly embedded in a massive rock face, fascinated me with its history and architecture. Exploring the gloomy corridors and secret rooms, I could vividly imagine, thanks to an audio guide in my ear, what the atmosphere in this imposing fortress must once have been like. A truly captivating visit!
Into the Caves
Even more exciting (or shall we say mystical) was what followed in the Postojna Caves. The enormous and labyrinthine network of stalactites and stalagmites can be explored by a small train and on foot – always with a tour guide, of course. Anyone in the area should not miss this experience: the stunning underground world offers incredible sights, and the tour teaches you a great deal about the caves and the formation of the fascinating scenery.
But even aside from these two popular sightseeing spots, the Karst region to the southwest of the capital is worth a short stay: the region is wonderfully quiet and expansive. That's why I took the opportunity to spend a few days in a sweet little hut in the middle of the wide meadow and simply relax.
