Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and largest city. It’s known for its university population and green spaces, including expansive Tivoli Park. The curving Ljubljanica River, lined in outdoor cafes, divides the city’s old town from its commercial hub. The old town is a blend of Baroque, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau buildings, watched over by a medieval castle. During antiquity, a Roman city called Emona stood in the area. Beautiful bronze doors grace the architecturally stunning St. Nicholas Church. The town was a very pleasant place to walk and enjoy the historic ambiance.
Bled, a Slovenian resort town in the foothills of the Julian Alps, is set along the glacial Lake Bled. On a cliff overlooking the lake is the 11th-century Bled Castle, which houses a museum, chapel and printing press. Atop a small island in the lake’s center is the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria, with its steep staircase and bell tower.
Bled has long been a bucket list location. I’d seen many photos of the lake with the Pilgrimage Church and wanted to try my hand at a photo. Although I rode a Pletna (flat bottom boat with a single rower who stand up at the stern) to the island at sunset, the island and church were silhouettes and the sky lacked color. Perhaps I will need to return! My favorite side trip was to Predjama Castle and the Postonja Caves. While impressed with the cave which required a 3-mile underground train to reach the best caverns (do not miss this!) the photos came out flat so I haven’t posted any. But my favorite photo of this trip is the photo of the castle built into a cave.
