The Julian Alps in Pictures

Posted on 23. Mar, 2010 by in Destinations, Europe, Photos

This is probably going to make me sound like a travel agent, but Slovenia is like a tiny best of Europe package deal. At the center you have, Ljubljana, the cutest city ever. Head South and you can absorb Balkan culture and strange Karst landscapes. Go west towards the Adriatic and you might as well be in Italy. Finally, head up north to the Julian Alps and it’s pretty much little Austria.

I’d never seen any portion of the Alps before, and the first thing I noticed hopping off the bus was the air. That clean crisp Alpine air was like nothing I’d every breathed before. I don’t usually go around thinking about air, but the crystal quality is amazing, like champagne.

Bled

Bled is really the premier attraction in Slovenia. It lives up to the hype. It’s a town for big busloads of tourists yes; but Bled is stunning.

Surrounded by snowy mountains, Bled is centered on a glassy postcard perfect lake. In the center is perched a miniature island church. To get to it you can take a touristy boat taxi, but I recommend hiring a rowboat from one of the many shore side companies. It requires a bit of muscle but it’s a beautiful and invigorating ride (If you can, do what I did and get a strong Englishman to row you around).

On the far end of the lake is Bled Castle. Perched on an absolutely massive crag of rock, it is everything an imposing mountain fortress should be.

The hike up is…challenging (luckily I’d sharpened my fortress invading skills a few weeks earlier). But the castle at the top is pleasant with a neat museum and an intriguing wine cellar (where you can bottle your own wine for a fee). The view is spectacular of course.

Vintgar Gorge

Just a small corner of Triglav National Park, the gorge is only a couple miles from Bled. We decided to walk there one day and the rich green fields, alpine farms and cows that looked like they wandered of a cream cheese box.

It was significantly cooler down in the narrow gorge. A hundred year old wooden walkway winds through gorge, cutting across velvety green rushing rapids.

I often say that I’m a city girl, but I can’t think of anything better than the crisp clarity that comes with being high in the mountains. And the air of course, my god that air.

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19 Responses to “The Julian Alps in Pictures”

  1. Abhi

    23. Mar, 2010

    Wow! Just Wow! :)
    .-= Abhi´s last blog ..Why you should not travel the way a travel-writer would suggest. =-.

    Reply to this comment

  2. ayngelina

    23. Mar, 2010

    You don’t really hear much about Slovenia in Canada but it looks beautiful.
    .-= ayngelina´s last blog ..My Trio of Travel Secrets =-.

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      23. Mar, 2010

      I had never given it any thought at all until I began planning my visit to Bosnia. It’s a hidden gem but it’s definitely becoming more popular.

      Reply to this comment

  3. Marko

    23. Mar, 2010

    Slovenia is beautiful, and has wonderful nature…
    .-= Marko´s last blog ..Scandinavia Cruise =-.

    Reply to this comment

  4. Gray

    23. Mar, 2010

    That is a beautiful place. Look at the color of the water in the gorge! Wow. I love how the dock has been carved out to accommodate the rowboats.
    .-= Gray´s last blog ..Freestyle Dining on NCL’s Epic: Perfect for Solos? =-.

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    • Steph

      23. Mar, 2010

      I couldn’t get over how clean, colorful and clear the water was all over the Balkans. don’t see that in the US too often.

      Reply to this comment

  5. George

    23. Mar, 2010

    The lake in Bohinj is amazing, and almost no tourists when I was there in June.

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      23. Mar, 2010

      I didn’t make it to Bohinj but I’ve heard good things as well.

      Reply to this comment

  6. Nancy

    23. Mar, 2010

    I LOVE Slovenia. Bled is one of all-time favorite places I’ve traveled to. Gorgeous pics!
    .-= Nancy´s last blog ..The La Quinta Escape: My Favorite Pet Travel Memory =-.

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  7. @annajura

    23. Mar, 2010

    Ah! I love Slovenia – one of my favourite countries in Europe.

    That wooden walkway clinging to the rockface is so beautiful! Thanks for bringing back the memories Steph.

    Reply to this comment

  8. Ashley

    23. Mar, 2010

    I want to go to Slovenia so badddddly. Hopefully I’ll be able to take a former Yugoslavia trip sometime soon

    Reply to this comment

  9. Joel

    23. Mar, 2010

    Those are some beautiful pictures! I may have to swing by there – the castle alone seems like it’s worth the miles of pedaling! :)
    .-= Joel´s last blog ..7 Ways My Trip Already Kicks Ass =-.

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  10. Anil

    24. Mar, 2010

    In the mountains the air is sharp, almost like an additional kiss of life to push one along.

    The pictures are beautiful. A stunning place no doubt. I liked the cuts in the jetty to anchor boats.
    .-= Anil´s last blog ..Nashik Chivda =-.

    Reply to this comment

  11. Allison

    24. Mar, 2010

    Hm…now I wanna go there – it looks beautiful!

    Reply to this comment

  12. Sasha

    24. Mar, 2010

    Oh Slovenia, so beautiful how i miss ye, although sadly i was only there for a few days!!! N Lake Bled i was only there for a few minutes!!! Your gorgeous pics are reminding me that it must feature on my itinerary next year!!! :)

    Reply to this comment

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