Lake Bled
-
Port
Koper, Slovenia
-
Activity Level
Moderate
-
Excursion Type
All
-
Wheelchair Accessible
No
-
Starting At
$169.95
-
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
-
Duration
Approximately 7½ Hours
-
Meals Included
Meals not included
A motor coach transfer along a scenic route brings you to the tiny hamlet of Bled—a resort nestled in unspoiled alpine forest on the picture-postcard lake of the same name. 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. The fairytale surroundings include the snow-capped mountains reflected in the sapphire-blue lake and a castle perched on the side of a cliff.
Cross Lake Bled's crystalline waters aboard a traditional pletna—a gondola-style wooden boat. Take in the stupendous views as you head to Bled Island, sitting in the center of the placid lake and considered sacred for centuries. It is home to a charming Baroque church and a brooding medieval castle that stands high on a cliff on the town’s north shore.
Admire the exterior of the Church of the Assumption, which stands at the top of 99 stairs in Bled Island. According to local tradition, every new husband must carry his new bride up the 99 steps and into the church to ensure a happy life. The present Baroque church dates to 1698 and is a popular destination, even for husbands! Should you wish to visit the inside, you’ll find preserved fragments of frescoes depicting the life of the 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. Locals believe that if you ring the bell twice, your next wish will come true. Go ahead and make a wish to explore Bled on your own—it's likely to be granted. You’ll have two hours of free time to wander about the town or find a spot for lunch (at your own expense).
Notes:
Participants must be able to walk approximately two miles (1½ hours) over cobblestone surfaces, inclines and steps. Climbing 99 stairs is required to visit Bled Island. Entrance fees to the castle and the church are not included; bring local currency if you wish to enter. Travel time is approximately two hours each way.