Hi! Welcome to a new feature on our blog! Due to popular local demand and Kristin's growing reputation as "the travel agent," We are now posting our travel notes for use as guides for the places we love. Kristin puts a lot of love and research into these before we travel, so we have a smooth time during our travels and are able to pack in as much stuff as we comfortably can. These notes aren't exactly up to Michelin guide standards, but hopefully anyone interested in reading them will find a few nuggets not readily available anywhere else. Enjoy!
Travel time by car from Stuttgart to Bled, Slovenia – 5.5 hours plus stops
Last Esso before the Austrian border in Salzburg – Bergen Esso on the A8 in the direction of Munich (you have to exit and make a U-turn to get to it on the way to Slovenia)
Where to stay –
Garni Hotel Berc, Bled, Slovenia
Cost- 70-80 Euros for a double room per night
Free: breakfast, parking, and use of bikes
This hotel has charming interior and spacious rooms that have the feel of Garmisch area hotels. This hotel and Hotel Pension Berc are family run businesses. We highly recommend Hotel Berc!
Location – two minutes walk from the lake
Grand Hotel Toplice, Bled, Slovenia
This is probably the most expensive hotel in the area, and is the only hotel ON the lake.
Location – on the lake
Jezero Hotel, Bohinjsko Jezero, Slovenia
This hotel is on the less touristy Lake Bohinj. The location looked superb! One problem is that because of the lack of tourism, there aren’t many (if any) restaurants or shops in this area.
Where to eat in Bled:
Pizzeria Rustika – cheap Italian style pizza.
Ostarija Peglez’n – a mix of different cuisines. Food and prices are good.
Chili – Note this is NOT “Chilli’s” from the States, but it wants to be. The food was an interesting mix of European-style Mexican, Italian and Slovenian style dishes. Service was excellent!
What to do and see:
Vintgar Gorge, Podhom – this beautiful spot is a 10 minute drive from Bled. The Gorge costs a few Euros per person (parking is free) and features a 45 minute (one way) walk mostly on wooden bridges. Wear good shoes and be prepared for mud!
Savica Waterfall, Bohinjsko Jezero - Follow the signs to the waterfall. The “waterfall walking trail” takes one hour. If you want a shorter walk follow the signs for “Slap Savica” (parking 3 euro). The waterfall costs a few Euros per person. The hike says it takes 20 minutes, but be prepared it is uphill and there are LOTS of stairs. At a slow pace it takes more like 30-45 minutes.
Rent a row boat (10 Euros an hour) or take the ferry boat that looks like a giant gondola (15 Euros per person) to the island in the middle of Lake Bled. There is a charming church there (entry is a few Euros per person). Legend has it that if you make a wish and ring the church bell three times, your wish will come true.
Walk around Lake Bled. There is a nice paved path around the lake. The walk takes about an hour.
Go wine shopping at the grocery store. Slovenia wines are getting more press these days. They are very similar to Italian wines (as they are mostly grown on the border with Italy). We found the wine quality to be high and the price to be low!
Take a trip to Lake Bohinj. It is a 20 minute drive to this lake that is in the heart of the Triglav National forest. Mount Triglav is Slovenia’s highest mountain. This lake is a nice contrast from touristy Bled.
In the summer swimming in Lake Bled is possible.
Go on a hike or picnic! There a plenty of trails in the Triglav National Park.
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