Crossroads of Adriatic Day 15

May 14, 2007 - Monday - Free Day in Ljubljana-Optional Lake Bled Tour

We had breakfast in our hotel - a marvelous selection again today, probably the best on our whole tour! I talked to a group of military men from Colorado who were here for a two week training with the Slovenian government. They were commenting on the luxury of their temporary "barracks"!

Today was our optional trip to Lake Bled. Almost our entire group chose to go! Ecio picked us up at 8:30 and we started out of town. Tammy gave us a running commentary on the parks, local buildings, and recreation facilities we saw along the way. She also gave us an over-view of our day.

This was Monday, the beginning of the new week so people were lined up in front of the bank, going to work, and to school. Many ride bicycles and there are designated bike paths along the streets. The altitude here in the capital city is about 1000 feet.

The traffic jams going into the city were incredible, reminding us of Austin, Texas! Most people who work in the city choose to live in the country. Slovenians by nature are outdoorsy people and prefer to live in the open spaces. It is about half the cost of living in the city - no wonder so many ride bikes!

We arrived in the picturesque resort area of Lake Bled, 1,600 feet altitude, a new town incorporated in 1960, but Bled recently celebrated the 1,000th year of its founding. Its natural beauty and healing waters have been attracting pilgrims for centuries.

It is difficult to envision a more picture-postcard setting than Bled's 17th-century church perched on an islet in the middle of the lake and its 800-year-old castle clinging to a rocky cliff, all against a backdrop of the majestic Julian Alps.

Our first adventure was a ride on the emerald lake by pletna boat, the locals' version of a gondola, to reach the island church, St. Mary of the Assumption. The church has been destroyed by several earthquakes but rebuilt to its splendor today.

Many newly married couples travel by boat to this church and to insure a good marriage, the groom carries the bride up the 99 steps to the top of the hill. Then they go into the church and ring the bell three times, making a wish!

To prove several points, I put Gennie on my back and carried her up some of the steep steps. There were a group of Japanese tourists who were taking pictures and clapping for the crazy Americans!!! Whew! The temperature was now 72° and 52% humidity.

We went inside the lovely little church and took turns ringing the "wishing bell" at the 15th-century belfry and making wishes that are guaranteed to come true. We spent a delightful hour exploring the island and enjoying the ambience and serenity of Lake Bled.

We crossed the lake by way of our "alpine gondola" again. At 10:35 we were back on the bus and drove the perimeter of the lake and up the hill to the castle. Ecio took the bus as far as we could go and then we got out and walked the remainder of the way up the steep cobblestone incline.

We climbed to the top of the fortress built originally in 1004. For 800 years the Bishops of Brixen lived here in this fortified retreat. Now there is a museum, small cafes, a winery, and a chapel with frescoes that are remarkably well preserved.

I took the temperature again at the castle and it was 75° and the humidity was 55%. While I was working with my Kestrel 3000 weather station, a man from Slovenia asked about it. I told him about the features and where to get it on the internet. I talked to him for about 15 minutes, proving once again that "Gadget Guys" are all over the world.

We met Tammy and the group at 11:40, as our next stop was at the city of Bled where we had free time. We chose to walk around the lake side and take a few photos of the ducks, fish, and swans. We saw lots of flowers and even a snake! While I was doing some close-up photography, Gennie was looking for four-leaf clovers - she found 4!

If one believes in superstition, we are covered for the day; the hike up the church steps, ringing the wishing bell, and finding four-leaf clovers!

Our next stop was Radovljica, where we visited a historical gingerbread bakery. We watched the elaborate process and then had a delicious typical Slovenian lunch; sausage, potatoes, and sauerkraut with apple ice cream served in a large hollowed-out apple for dessert!

At 2:00 we waddled back to the bus and headed back to the capital, Ljubljana. The views of these southern, or as Tammy calls them, the "sunny side of the Alps" was spectacular. The quaint villages and mountain views were a memorable end to our tour and last day in the Balkans.

We met the group at one of the hospitality rooms and had a libation and spoke about how great a trip this has been. No one has been late, even once for all 14 days! This must be a record of some kind. We then went outside, by the main square, and had a group picture. As there were so many young people around, we also had fun with them.

We returned to the hotel and had the farewell dinner in one of the hotel's dining rooms. We enjoyed each other's company, spent the evening discussing the highlights of the trip and then said our good byes. Most of us will be leaving together at 5:45 so we will be up at 4:30 and have our luggage out by 5:15.

Grand Hotel Union Executive - - - Meals: B, L, D

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Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos

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Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.

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