Spending time in a Winter Wonderland

Bled is one of the most peaceful places I have ever spent a holiday. This quaint little city was a great place for us to just relax and enjoy the landscape.

Since we were staying in Bled for 5 days, we rented an apartment at Apartment Rus Bled.  This was one of the best apartments we have ever rented. It is the only apartment rented by the Rus family; and is conveniently located in the center of town and walking distance to everything.  Because it was the only apartment and the family lived upstairs, we got a chance to talk with them about a variety of things from places to eat to life in pre- and post-war Slovenia.

During one of our many conversations, we were telling them that we hadn't seen much snow since we moved to Germany. Guess we spoke to soon, because the next morning Bled turned into a beautiful winter wonderland.

The backyard of our rental apartment

From our kitchen window

Front of our rental apartment

Bled Castle & Lake Bled

A boat waiting to take passengers to Bled Island

The ice skating rink with St. Martin's Parish
in the background.

Bled's Post Office

Of course our next conversation with Irena, the matriarch of the family, was about how we had not seen that much snow since we left Chicago! She told us that at least three times a week she walks her dog around the lake, and recommend that we do it. She went on to tell us that it would take us about an hour, and that it would be a great opportunity for us to see more of the city.

Here are a few shots from our walk around Lake Bled before the sun went down.

St. Martin's Parish

Local restaurant on the Lake

Ducks bathing in Lake Bled

Center of Bled in the distance

Bled Castle overlooking Lake Bled

During our walked around the lake, we saw the path where we could walk up to the castle. So guess what was on our agenda for the next day...

Day Trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia

In planning our holiday, we knew we wanted to make Bled as our ultimate destination. Bled is centrally located in the Slovenian Alps, which allowed us to take day trips to other popular cities within Slovenia, as well as other countries.

On the day after Christmas, we spent the afternoon in Ljubljana, which is the capital of Slovenia. Ljubljana is about 45 min. from Bled. Though many of the shops in Ljubljana were closed on the day after Christmas due to a national holiday, we were still able to get a glimpse of this city of bridges, as well as their Christmas market.

Three Bridges

Three Bridges and its cobblestone road

Christmas Market @ Preseren Square

Statue of France Preseren, Slovenia's National Poet &
writer of the country's national anthem

Franciscan Church of the Annunciation

Gluhwein & Castles

After snacking at the Christmas market, we found our way to a historic square in Ljubljana, Congress Square also known as Park Zvezda (Star Park) by the locals. This square was once the site of the medieval Capuchin monastery, and in 1821 it was turned into a park. During the Congress of Ljubljana, the park was often used for ceremonial purposes.

Local art designs in Congress Square aka Star Park

Cafes outside of  Congress Square aka Star Park

A Brazilian restaurant @ Star Park

Christmas Night in Bled, Slovenia

Finally, we made it to Bled, Slovenia! We are trying to see as much as possible in a short amount of time, and at the same time RELAX! I think we pick the right place. Like Innsbruck, when we arrived to Bled on Christmas Day it was late in the evening.

Bled, Slovenia at night

Evening Ice Skating in the City Center 

After a long day of sightseeing and traveling, it was time for a good meal and a great bottle of wine. At the recommendation of our host, we had the most amazing meal at one of the cutest and quaint restaurants in Bled, Ostarija Peglez'n.

The outside of Ostarija Peglez'n

Inside of Ostarija Peglez'n

Our favorite Slovenian Wine

I don't like sharing photos of food, but I do love sharing photos of great bottles of wines.