Our Last Day in Slovenia

We had an early start for our excursion, "A Taste of Slovenia". The programme promised a bus, train and boat trip so hoping it didn't turn into "Boats, Trains and Autobuses" we set off at 8am.
The coach took us the short distance to the local train station where we quickly boarded the quaint little train which would transport us through the Julian Alps.

An hour later we arrived at the Mediterranean side of the mountains and the air was noticeably warmer. Another short bus ride and we were at a beautiful, milky, blue-green lake where our paddle steamer was waiting for the next stage of our journey.

With the jovial captain entertaining us with improbable tales and corny jokes we travelled serenely down the dammed river to see the power station, a family of ducks and the single, celibate swan. On the return the captain decided to offer ladies a chance to steer the boat and asked me to demonstrate first.

Back on the bus again we followed the Soca River towards the Adriatic, stopping for lunch at a high vantage point for photo opportunities before pausing at a heritage village for a quick walk around.

Next stop was the largest wine cooperative cellar in Slovenia. The tour wasn't as good as the one I'd seen in Italy but the wine samples were much appreciated, especially since John doesn't drink wine!

Finally we had a long drive back via Italy and now we're packed and ready for an early night as we leave at 5.30 am tomorrow. 😢

Lake Bled: Day 6

Despite a rainy start we set out on public transport to Slovenia's largest natural lake, Bohinj, described by our rep as a really tranquil area in the natonal park.

After only 45 min travelling through the steep wooded valley and villages we arrived at what the bus driver declared was the best place to start. We decided against the cable car ascending into the clouds and opted instead to walk through the campsite and take the boat back down the lake.

We were the only passengers waiting as the boat glided silently into the jetty but the operator explained that he was waiting a few minutes for a party of 50 school children. Of all the boat trips on all the lakes in Europe it had to be the one we were taking!

So we all crammed in and set off listening to a long informative lesson about the lake in fluent Slovenian. At least it kept them quiet! The guide did give us the condensed version in English, by which time we were at our destination and coffee time.

After checking the map I decided that I could walk from Ribcev Laz to Bohinjska Bistrica while John got the bus. A fine plan in principle.

My first problem was finding the path but after three false starts I was on my way, or so I thought! When I came to the first marker I found that I had set off in the wrong direction so had to backtrack adding a good 30 minutes to my trek.

I kept striding out when it struck me that I was on an isolated path with no water, where was my inner girl guide when I needed her? However Slovenia is a country that prides itself on all its water being clean and drinkable and there were water fountains (and a single chemical toilet) along the way.
5.7 miles and a good time later I did reach John who had been entertained chatting to a fellow Brit.

Lake Bled: Day 5

With the weather looking doubtful we had a late start but decided on the Stratz. The entrance was only a short walk along the lakeside but then a steep path and steps to reach the ticket office. The attendant was a little baffled by my ticket request, 2 chair lifts up and one toboggan down!

I was surprised to be clamped in alone but they don't stop so no time to negotiate or dither and taking photos on the way up takes your mind off the scariness.

At the top there's a frame so you can take photos but I found standing in that scary too.

John chose to take a toboggan down and I walked but we timed it so that I could catch a picture of him on the way down.

There was a heavy shower but soon cleared and after lunch I fancied being rowed around the lake and John was er "happy" to oblige.

As usual we finished the day with a well earned ice cream!

Lake Bled, Day 4 or Lubljana Day 2

Today we had arranged a guided tour of Lubljana which was a much quicker and more comfortable journey without all the village stops. When we arrived in the city there was a tour around pointing out some of the sights before we were dropped off for our guided walk.
We had a pleasant young student to lead us through the city pointing out places of interest and explaining the origins of the many bridges.

Our final sight before choosing one of the many pavement cafes for lunch was the castle perched above the city, reached by funicular.

 And a bit of John's humour: " Look we're in Schindler's Lift"

The sun was still shining when we got back to the hotel so we took coffee on the sun terrace and the mountains in the distance, which had been hidden by clouds earlier in the week,  we're much clearer.

Lake Bled; Day 3

Today we set off to catch the local bus to the capital, Lubljana. It was only 20 minutes late and after a trip of 90 minutes we arrived at lunch time.

We managed to find our way to the lively centre and had lunch sitting above the river Lubljanska and ended our day in the capital with a much needed ice cream (more about the sights in tomorrow's edition, the guided tour)

After a long bus journey back we stopped for a much needed beer before dinner. A little bar provided a tantalising glimpse of the lake, sparkling in the evening sunlight.

Lake Bled Day 2

We had to meet the reps for a "Welcome Walkabout" which was quite interesting and informative then we decided to wait for the little train that circumnavigates the lake.

The tickets were hop on, hop off so at the far end of the lake we stopped for a light lunch and I decided to walk the rest of the way back.

Leaving John to get back on the bus I set off for an easy stroll round the path until I was tempted by a sign, Grad, 1. The path led steeply uphill through woods and criss crossed other paths without signs but I plodded hopefully, and sweaty,  on till I reached the Bled castle by the back door.

I didn't go inside  but took the view back to our hotel, the one that looks like a Swiss chalet.

We hoped to finish off the day at the reps quiz but the turnout was so poor that it was cancelled.