After going hiking in the Swiss Alps a few years ago, we have been wanting to do a similar trip. We were able to find the perfect spot in the Julian Alps, in northwestern Slovenia. What made it even better was being able to go with our favorite traveling family, the Ashton’s.
An Initial Look
We were able to find a rental in Lake Bled to use as our ‘home base’ for the week. However, we ended up only going out on a few day trips. Lake Bled definitely had a lot to offer!
Before we made any plans, we decided to stroll around the lake. This really ended up being no small task, as it was larger than it looked. But, in the end, we were glad we scoped it all out, as we found the best places to swim, boat, and avoid the crowds.
‘Stephash’ Children
There were really a lot of swimming areas to choose from, but when we were ready to jump into the water, we knew what little nooks would be great for our own private swimming areas.
‘Stephash’ Family in Lake Bled
Hiking Around Lake Bled
Our first official hike was to Vintgar Gorge inside the Triglavski National Park, which started out quite tame.
Excited Hikers
As we got into the gorge, it really was breathtaking, not to mention much cooler in temperature than outside.
Emma
The trails quickly became small pathways up against the rock walls or thin bridges over the water.
Crystal Clear Water
We made it all the way to the end of the trail to see the waterfall. After we enjoyed a well-deserved ice-lollie break, we turned around and hiked all the way back.
Caleb & Dallin
Girls Take a Respite
The kids were very thankful to see the end of the trail to enjoy a little rest and water.
But, as soon as we mentioned the play area back at the park’s car park, they magically found energy from somewhere!
Time for Play
We got the kids excited about our second hike by telling them we were going on a Geocache hunt (found online for anywhere worldwide). We hadn’t been on one for a long time, so our kids were quite excited; and we were thrilled to introduce it to the Ashton’s!
Getting the GPS Coordinates
There weren’t any hints online telling us if this was a clear-cut trail or not, so we strictly followed the GPS coordinates, even though we were in quite a rugged part for a time.
Blazing Our Own Trail
Eventually we did come out to meet a marked trail and continued to follow it, hoping it would lead to where we needed to be in the end.
Hiking the Marked Trail
With an end-goal, the kids turned into speed hikers and were so disappointed to have to slow down and wait for the adults.
Leading the Way
In the adults’ defense, we had to keep stopping to take pictures of the amazing view!
But, the kids took each challenge as it came and kept on going . . . that Geocache was calling their name!
Taking a Scenic Breather
Staying on Trail
The Ultimate View!!
When we knew we had gotten to the right spot, we still had some searching to find the actual cache.
Not too long into searching and the hidden spot was found.
Digging out the Cache
Opening up the Cache to Reveal the Prizes
I’m not sure why we were so surprised that the Geocache letter was in Slovenian, and not English!
Congratulations (?) Letter
We signed the log book and debated what item in the cache we were going to trade for the little knick-knack we had brought along for just this purpose.
Making the Trade
The last hike we had around the lake was up to Bled Castle, overlooking the lake. We found that if we made dinner reservations at the castle restaurant, admission was free. With the questionable worth of the castle tour, we were more than happy to book a dinner reservation.
Bled Castle
The hike up to the castle wasn’t too bad, although we seemed to go up an innumerable amount of stairs to get there.
Hannah Above the Castle Gate
Caleb & Dallin
‘Pink Ladies’
The view from the castle was definitely beautiful and worth the climb . . . and all the stairs!
Becca & Chris
‘Stephash’ Kids Overlooking Lake Bled
Night-time View of Lake Bled from the Castle
The Castle restaurant dinner was pretty good, but the dessert was amazing! We had heard of the popular Slovenian dessert, ‘cremna rezina’ (cream cake), so we took advantage of having it as many times as we could. However, I think the Castle’s was one of my favorites!
Cream Cake
Speaking of restaurants, our other favorite food in Lake Bled that we had again and again . . . and again, was the pizza from Pizzerija Rustika. After our week holiday, the workers knew us pretty well!
Favorite Pizza Spot
Going to the Island
After doing everything we could around the lake, we were ready to go across and enjoy the actual island we had been photographing for days.
On Our Way
We decided to rent row boats and row ourselves over to the island.
Boat Full o’ Boys
Chris & the Girls
Emma Rowing the Moms Over
When we arrived at the island and had docked our boats, we ran into a wedding photo-shoot. We had just read about the local tradition of the groom having to carry his wife up all 99 steps, during which time the bride has to remain silent. We thought we were going to witness the tradition, but, at least for the photoshoot, they walked up the steps until the groom picked up the bride at the upper few steps.
Wedding Shoot
Kids on Island Steps
Island Church Yard
Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage Church
Shannon, Emma, and I were keen on going inside the church to look around, while the rest of our group was happy to sit outside and wait.
Emma Making a Wish
The biggest “pull” was to get to ring the church bell to make a wish.
Becca
Emma was also interested in going up the clock tower, so we made the ascent up the beautifully decorated steps.
Bell Tower Steps
Clock Tower Stairwell
The view from the clock tower was pretty, but we had already been up higher on our hikes so weren’t too impressed.
Tower View
Of course, seeing our little group enjoying gelato without us, had us hurrying back down the tower steps.
Gelato Break
Lake Bled Water Fun
After continuously being in sight of the water while hiking around and being hot, the kids took their initial plunge fully clothed.
They were a bit surprised to see how cold it was! But, they did dry off pretty quickly as we continued to walk around.
Cold Girls
On all other future outings, the kids made sure to dress in their bathing suits from the get-go, which made our laundry situation pretty easy.
Girls Appropriately Dressed
‘Stephash’ Kids on Deck
Jumping In
Withstanding the Shock of the Cold Water
Contrary to popular belief, I did step away from the camera and enjoy a little bit of the water as well.
Becca Jumping in with Girls
Cold but Refreshing
Cami Relaxing
Chris Relaxing
The dads kept eyeing others paddle-boarding at the lake. So, one evening as we were packing up and heading back home, they stole away from the group to see if they could get in a short rental of paddle-boards. The kids were thrilled, but the older boys were ecstatic!
Boys’ Maiden Float
It turned out to be easier than we thought and everyone was able to have a turn.
Caleb
Emma from a Distance
Hannah
Trevon & Cami with Their Lifeguards
The younger two kids were thrilled that they were able to be included in a ‘big kid’ activity.
Caleb & Cami
One of my favorite memories of that day was when Chris went out on the paddle-board and calmly made his way around our part of the lake. He was just enjoying the peace of being out there on his own . . . and this shot just captures one of the main purposes we go on holiday – to find peace and relaxation, away from the city.
Chris Enjoying the Stillness
Hands down, the ultimate favorite water activity of the week was rafting!
‘Stephash’ Kids
We were able to book a rafting tour last minute, along with a number of other water-goers. Because our group was so large, we had to split between two rafts.
Chris and I got the girls, while the Ashton’s got the boys.
I was a little worried about not having memories of this part of our holiday because we couldn’t bring our cameras with us. Scott and Shannon braved having their iPhone/iPod with them in plastic bags, but I wasn’t that brave. However, we were very pleasantly surprised when the tour company sent a few waterproof cameras out with the tour guides. Better yet, the two tour guides that we had, seemed to have the cameras for the majority of the time. When we got back from our trip down river, the pictures were all burned onto a CD and offered for a small fee. We definitely took them up on it!
Our Tour Guide
Stephenson Boat (+ 2 Netherland women)
Ashton Boat (+ 4 English folk)
Our rafting trip started out pretty calmly . . .
. . . . almost too calmly. It didn’t take too much time until each raft was splashing the others around them.
Hannah Takes a Turn Splashing
Being Splashed
Further down the river, we all stopped and played some games.
For the first game everyone got on the inside of boat, holding their oars up. Then each person took turns and tried to run around the edge of the raft, holding onto the oars without falling in.
Cami’s Turn
The trick was not holding on to the oars, but trying to beat and outsmart the person with the oar so they didn’t knock you over!
Emma’s Turn
Emma ended up in the water quite a bit of the time. It must have had something to do with her sitting right next to the tour guide. He liked to keep things entertaining.
Emma in the Water
. . . . and Again
At one point our whole boat was in the water . . and was it COLD!!
‘Stephash’ Families Overboard
The water did get more choppy and we got to experience a little bit of the ‘rapid’ experience.
About 1/2 way through our trip, we stopped on a sand bar for some fun activities.
Trevon on Shore
The first activity was body surfing. This was definitely something we could all try, but it was FREEZING!!!
Hannah – 1st One Off
Emma
Chris & Cami
Caleb
Becca
After we got over the shock of the cold, the guides asked anyone if they would like to go ‘bridge jumping’. Not too many people jumped at the chance to do it at first, but Hannah was one of the first ones to go up. We were shocked and a little bit nervous for her, but she jumped off, fully committed.
Hannah’s Jump
Hannah’s Plunge
I think that jump really boosted Hannah’s confidence, as she didn’t need to be prompted too much to do a front flip off the edge of the raft later on.
Hannah’s Flip
However, Caleb needed some goading, but he finally consented (so as not to be shown up by his younger sister).
Caleb’s Flip
We had such a great time and would highly recommend doing something similar for any water holidays. We’ll definitely be on the lookout for the opportunity again!
Our Rafting Group
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