Day 3 Balkans Trip

 4/19

Day two in Slovenia had a little bit of everything—some frustration, a lot of beauty, and the kind of moments that remind you why you travel in the first place.

The adventure actually picked up where last night left off, with Tim explaining haven’t taken taken a €120 hit from a cab driver on the ride from the airport to the hotel. Not exactly the welcome you hope for, especially after he’d already missed his connection into Ljubljana and endured an unexpected 11-hour layover in Amsterdam.

This morning, though, things turned around. We woke up to a relaxed and genuinely good breakfast at Hotel Cubo—a clean, modern spot right in the city that set a much better tone for the day. From there, we decided to get out of town and headed for Lake Bled.  About an hour out of town. 

We took a bus both ways, which turned out to be a great call. The ride itself was part of the experience, rolling through the Slovenian countryside—green fields, alpine villages, and distant peaks that start to hint at the Julian Alps. It’s the kind of scenery that doesn’t need exaggeration.

Once we arrived, Bled delivered exactly what it promises. In the middle of the lake sits Bled Island, home to the iconic Church of the Assumption. The structure dates back centuries and has that classic European look—stone, a tall bell tower, and a staircase leading up from the water that feels almost ceremonial.

Getting out there are the traditional wooden boats known as Pletna boats. These are hand-rowed by standing oarsmen and have been part of life on the lake for generations—sort of a cross between a gondola and a water taxi, but with a distinctly Slovenian identity. Watching them glide across the water adds to the whole postcard feel of the place.

Above it all, perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the lake, is Bled Castle. It’s one of those views that makes you stop mid-conversation—just a castle hanging over a lake like something out of a movie set.

We spent the afternoon walking the entire perimeter of the lake at an easy pace. Along the way, we passed fishermen quietly working for carp, rowing crews slicing through the water in racing shells, and plenty of spots where the light hits just right and you feel like you should probably just sit for a while.

At one point we stopped for a simple lunch—pizza and the famous local dessert, Bled cream cake. The cream cake lived up to the hype—light, rich, and exactly what you want after a long walk.

After bussing back to Ljubljana, we wrapped up the night with dinner at a local spot in the city—nothing fancy, just good food and a chance to wind down. Second night of the trip, and it’s catching up to all of us. Between the travel, the walking, and the fresh air, we’re ready to hit the rack.

Tomorrow, we’re back on the move—transit bus heading south into Croatia for the next leg of the adventure