NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Lakes Bled and Bohinj lie in northwest Slovenia, 28 miles (45 km) from Austria and Italy and 34 miles (55 km) from the capital, Ljubljana
NUMBER OF LAKES Two big lakes and many smaller pools
DAYTIME TEMPERATURES
Jan: 30°F (-1°C); Apr: 52°F (11°C); Jul: 66°F (19°C); Oct: 45°F (7°C)
If you think the Italian lakes are romantic, you’ll love the picture-book prettiness of Slovenia’s glacial lakes. With the majestic Julian Alps as its backdrop, Lake Bled, a vivid turquoise tongue of water ringed by thick forest and stunning snow- streaked mountains, is the must-see here. There are superb views across the lakeshore to a fairy- tale castle of medieval turrets and ramparts. At the center of the lake, a 17th-century “floating” church stands on a tiny island reached by gondola.
It’s a romantic place, and should be coupled with a trip to nearby Lake Bohinj, a body of crystal-clear water overlooked by woodland and jagged peaks.
Practical Information
Getting There and Around International flights arrive at Ljubljana. Trains and buses run from the airport to Triglav National Park, where the lakes are found. The trip by road from the airport takes an hour. An hourly bus service runs between the two lakes, which are 16 miles (25 km) apart.
When to Go Visit in June and July for long days and blissfully few tourists.