Another Epic Detour
Energy levels restored after a few glorious days in Croatia, it was time to crack on! Our next task was to draw a huge letter ‘E’. This required an epic drive through Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. We planned to visit some incredible places along the way including Lake Iseo, Chamonix, Lake Annecy, Octoberfest (Munich), Brussels and Luxembourg City.
The ‘E’…
Despite having a set route, we also wanted to do something spontaneous. The Julian Alps & Lake Bled were nearby and, as a result, posed a very tempting target. Katy and I jumped at the chance to embark on another epic detour…
The detour
We carefully planned the route to Bled. Instead of driving directly there via Ljubljana, Katy mapped us out a picturesque route via the Solkan Bridge. This drive would take us up the Soča Valley and over the Julian Alps.
The Croatian Coast
The Soča Valley
The Solkan Bridge (background)
Lake Bled
View from Bled Castle
Where to start! This place is unbelievable. With its bluish-green lake, picture-postcard island, a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps, Bled is Slovenia’s most popular resort. Visiting in September, we managed to miss the peak crowds and really get the most out of the experience.
Bled Castle
The Castle from below
According to written sources, Bled Castle is Slovenia’s oldest castle. It’s purported to be over 1000 years old and is perched on a cliff edge 130 metres above the lake below. Visiting it couldn’t be easier. Setting off from our camp a couple of kilometres away, we ascended the cliff and paid a small fee to gain access to the castle. Nestled within its spectacular courtyards, there are places to grab a relaxing coffee or snack. Visitors are allowed to roam freely and the views over the lake below are mind-blowing.
In we go…
The ladies enjoying the courtyard
The Castle Cafe
The Church on the Island
Another one of Bled’s main attractions is the Pilgrimage Church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary (Church on the Island). The current church dates back to the end of the 17th century but is decorated with remains of Gothic frescos from around 1470. The church is frequently visited and is a popular wedding destination. This island and church are best viewed from the Southwestern shore (near Camping Bled).
The Castle on the Island
To get to the church, people use a type of traditional wooden boat known as a pletna. No motorboats are allowed on the lake!
The Pletna!
Aside from these two attractions, Bled Town itself and the 5 km walk around the lake perimeter are a must see/do. A particularly beautiful stretch of the shoreline is covered on this wooden walkway at the southern end of the lake.
Walkway – southern shore
Camping
Free-camping spots on and around the lake are few and far between. Predictably, Katy and I planned to have a few beers while exploring and didn’t want to risk being moved on. With this in mind, we chose to camp at ‘Camping Bled’. This modern campsite is the obvious place to stay if you’re looking for convenience. Despite the price (between 20 and 50 euros per night), it was a good decision and allowed us to get the most out of the lake and its surroundings.
View from outside Camping Bled
Talking to locals and regulars, visiting in the low season seems to be the best way to enjoy the lake to it’s full potential. The summer crowds are sometimes a bit overwhelming and can inevitably detract from the experience. All in all, we loved it here. September seemed to be the perfect time to visit. Katy and I plan to return in the future.
After an epic few days, we celebrated Katy’s birthday in true vanlife fashion, got the tyres changed then hit the road. Our next stop was Italy…
