""You had me at hello............."" Bled by maple_air

Bled Travel Guide: 898 reviews and 1,763 photos

I still couldn't exactly remember how i came to know about this town. Never heard about it before and yet the moment i saw a picture of the islet in the middle of the lake with the little church, which at first i thought was a castle, i just knew that i have to go there.

So we set off early from Ljubljana, hoping to get there earlier so as to be able to do a few things and see a bit more of the place. We were so looking forward to bike rides around the lake, a swim in the lake, or hopping into a horse drawn carriage or maybe a sidetrip as well to Vintgar Gorge, if time permits.

But the gods seemed not on our side that morning. The heavens refused to open up and bask us with its rays of heavenly sunshine, instead it started to rain. But not to bring my hopes down, always the ever optimist, that i am, i was still hoping it would all clear out the moment we reached Bled.

coming out of the rain

We reached Bled and i was scanning the area already for the lake. Since it was not visible from the bus stop. A few meters walk down the road, and then i saw it...i just stood there, and looked at it...no words needed to describe how i felt at that moment.

It rained on and off that day. No bike and no horse drawn carriage rides, nor sidetrips for us. But one unforgettable trip that day, was the pletna ride. It was just me and my bestfriend in that small Pletna surrounded by 50-60+ year old Slovenes. It would have been nice to have a conversation with them but unfortunately we couldn't understand each other's language. We tried though, but somehow a nod and a lot of smiles seemed to suffice that time.

It turned out to be a beautiful day despite the weather. Everyone was so friendly and smiling. I love the smell of the earth after the rain. Here you could smell the lake, the trees, the place and you'd love just to sit beside the lake, like we did, and enjoy the moment. No more words needed to impress me or get my whole attention......."you had me at hello..............you had me at hello"

Do you hear what i hear????

Church of the Assumption

The Bell of Desire, as the tale of Bled goes, was ordered by a young inconsolable lady of the castle, Polyxena von Kreigh, in memory of her husband Hartmann, who was killed by robbers and whose body was thrown into the lake, around the year 1500. It never reached the islet,as it was sunk in the lake during a storm.Sometimes at night a bell ringing from the depth of the lake can still be heard.*

Pros and Cons

Pros:evrything...the place..the people...the Kremna rezina(yum,yum)
Cons:if the fog is too thick, you won't be able to see the islet nor the lake from the castle
In a nutshell:even without ringing the bell...its a wish come true!

Last visit to Bled: Sep 2004
Intro Updated Aug 8, 2011
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Reviews (15)

Bled Islet: Stairway to heaven? Local Customs (3)

These flight of steps, 99 in total, leads up to the Church of Assumption in the islet. During "perfect- time- to-... more travel advice

Ding....dong....there goes my wish Local Customs (3)

This is me being helped by an elderly slovene woman. I was struggling in pulling the rope ( there is a certain... more travel advice

Islet with a view Favorites (4)

We arrived on Bled's islet via the backdoor. After going up a steep flight of steps, this is what awaits for us at the... more travel advice

Till then........... Things to Do (5)

I couldn't stop looking at the islet with its quaint church for one last time up close, as our pletna was on its way... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
My ride to Bled
Been to Bled?
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Travelogues (1)

Written Oct 25, 2004

1 photo

Bled's Millennium Year 2004

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Comments (15)

King_Golo Mar 25, 2007 at 9:55 AM Report Abuse

That church within all the fog looks soooo cool!
Maurizioago Apr 6, 2006 at 3:09 AM Report Abuse

I think I'll go there next week. Ciao!
Martin_S. Jan 23, 2006 at 11:29 PM Report Abuse

I see that you liked the Slovenian country and people as much as we did. Having been back now three times, we plan to return yet AGAIN ^O^
Ben-UK Jan 12, 2006 at 9:45 AM Report Abuse

Very nice page & photos -- I went to Ljubljana a while ago but didn't have time to go to Bled -- hope to do that next time -- thanks for the information.
acemj Jan 8, 2006 at 9:49 AM Report Abuse

I had the same reaction the first time I saw a picture of The Church of the Assumption on the island in the lake. I still haven't been here though! Hope all your wishes came true after pulling that rope!
willy_wonka Aug 17, 2005 at 5:06 PM Report Abuse

what a wonderful page april! i havent been to slovenia yet, but im sure the next time im visiting family in croatia i will go. your homepage was beautiful as well. keep smiling, and beware the camel toes ;-)
OsakaHatter Apr 8, 2005 at 5:34 AM Report Abuse

You've sold me...;) Just as soon as I get back to Europe...
arasnosliw Feb 14, 2005 at 3:00 PM Report Abuse

somehow I too always manage to be wearing flip flops when it rains and I am hiking around. i'm dying to go here as soon as i can!
BeatChick Feb 13, 2005 at 8:36 AM Report Abuse

Awesome, wonderful page, April!! And what a fantastic souvenir from the Gutenburg press!
globetrott Feb 11, 2005 at 3:15 AM Report Abuse

a great page anbout a special place ! ... I hope that also travel-wishes will come true there...