My Fairytale Adventure in Bled, Slovenia!

Have you ever been to one of those destinations that look as though they’ve been plucked from the pages of a fairytale? That was my trip to Bled, Slovenia. You get off the bus from Ljubljana and walk down to the lake, with a mist of fog rising from it. Through the wisps of the mist, you can see the steeple of a church in the distance. As the fog dissipates, you realize this church sits serenely on its little island in the middle of the lake. Stunning.

In this newsletter, I’ll share my Bled adventure (which includes cake!), plus some essential travel tips, a look at “slow travel,” some sweet deals, and my review of an eSIM that makes staying connected a breeze!

From the moment I stepped off the bus, I was captivated. With a strong sense of romanticism, it seemed like something straight out of a storybook: clouds rolling over the mountains, Castles perched high on the cliff’s edge, and a tiny church on a small island in the middle of the lake.

• Bled Castle: I spent the day exploring the castle, imagining life within its ancient walls. Perched high on a cliff overlooking the lake, Bled Castle is a millennia-old medieval gem. Inside, I discovered a museum that showcases the castle’s history, a wine cellar where I sampled local vintages, and a café where I enjoyed coffee and a snack accompanied by a breathtaking view.

• Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: To reach this iconic church on the island, I took a “pletna” boat (See image), a traditional wooden vessel unique to Bled. It resembles a rowboat and gondola, with a standing rower propelling the plenta across the tranquil water. The church exemplifies beautiful Baroque architecture, and climbing the bell tower rewarded me with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

• Kremšnita: No trip to Bled is complete without indulging in Kremšnita, a local cream cake rumoured to have originated here. This delectable treat features layers of flaky pastry and creamy custard dusted with powdered sugar. I will NEVER miss an opportunity to eat this cake!

• Foodie Fun: During my first visit, I enjoyed spending time with two of my favourite travel content creators, Daryl and Mindi from 2 Food Trippers, while enjoying Kremšnita. Sharing travel tales and delicious cakes with friends made the experience even sweeter. Watch the video below! 👇🏾

• Drone Dreams: On my second visit, I hiked the lake’s perimeter with Gordana, searching for the perfect spot to launch my drone. The towering trees surrounding the lake made me anxious, but the reward was worth it. Watching the scene unfold on my phone was magical. The drone soared above the treetops, revealing the lake and the island church in all their glory. Again, watch the video below! 👇🏾

It was an unforgettable experience. Since Gordana and I visit her family in Croatia every year, Ljubljana is not far from Zagreb, just like Ljubljana is to Bled. We’ll be back!

• Indulge in Kremšnita: As I mentioned earlier, this traditional Bled cream cake is a must-try! Every cafe in town seems to have its version, and all claim to be the best! This provides the perfect excuse to sample a few and claim you’re “doing research.” 😜

• Explore Vintgar Gorge: Just a short drive from Bled, this stunning gorge offers incredible hiking trails and breathtaking views. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the region’s natural beauty.

• Hike up to Bled Castle (and reward yourself!): The climb up to the castle is a bit steep, so be sure to bring water. It takes about 10-15 minutes (or maybe a bit longer if you’re like me and take a lot of breaks). But the panoramic views from the top are worth the effort. And there is no better way to celebrate reaching the summit than with a well-deserved glass of local wine at the castle cafe.

• Rent a bike: Cycling around the lake is the best way to see all the sights at your own pace. Many rental shops are conveniently located in Bled.

• Hike around the lake: Like a bike ride, you can opt to hike around the lake. It takes about 1.5-2 hours, depending on your pace and how often you stop to take photos. The relatively flat, easy trail offers a variety of stunning perspectives, including plenty of opportunities to capture the perfect shot of the church on the island.

• One trend that perfectly aligns with my Bled experience is slow travel. It’s all about taking time, immersing yourself in the local culture, and connecting with your surroundings. Instead of rushing from one tourist hotspot to another, the idea here is to slow down. Slow travellers prefer to linger, explore hidden gems, and savour the journey. Bled, with its laid-back atmosphere and focus on nature, is the perfect destination for slow travel.

Dreaming of Paris? Round-trip flights to the City of Lights are on sale from various cities in the US and Canada! These deals won’t last long—they’ll disappear in 2 to 3 weeks—and are valid for travel from February through May. Participating airlines include United, Delta, American, Air France, KLM, Aer Lingus, Finnair, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, and Norse Atlantic.

Top 5 US Cities (by lowest price):

1. New York (JFK) – $289

2. New Jersey (EWR) – $335

3. Baltimore (BWI) – $334

4. Miami (MIA) – $430

5. Washington DC (IAD) – $482

Top 5 Canadian Cities (by lowest price):

1. Montreal (YUL) – $604 CAD

2. Calgary (YYC) – $692 CAD

3. Vancouver (YVR) – $709 CAD

4. Toronto (YYZ) – $710 CAD

Jazz up your winter with a trip to New Orleans! Roundtrip flights to the Big Easy are available from many US and Canadian cities. These fares are available for travel from February through May but must be purchased within the next 2-3 weeks. Participating airlines include United, American, Delta, Frontier, Breeze, Silver, Sun Country, Allegiant, and Spirit.

Top 5 US Cities (by lowest price):

1. Houston (IAH) – $49

2. Tampa (TPA) – $55

3. Chicago (ORD) – $65

4. Philadelphia (PHL) – $69

5. Miami (MIA) – $72

Top 3 Canadian Cities (only 3 were provided):

1. Vancouver (YVR) – $420 CAD

2. Toronto (YYZ) – $511 CAD

3. Calgary (YYC) – $524 CAD

Share GET LOST! (The BEST Travel Tales, Tips & Trends)

In today’s hyper-connected world, staying online while travelling is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Reliable internet access is essential for navigating unfamiliar streets, booking last-minute accommodations, and sharing your adventures with friends and family—or social media! 🙄

Remember those frantic searches for local SIM cards upon arrival, often at inflated airport prices? Or the headache of juggling multiple SIMs for different countries (true story: we took 13 flights one summer to different countries!)? Saily has eliminated all of that hassle. It’s incredibly easy to use. Before leaving home, I can download the Saily app, choose a data plan for my destination, and activate it with a few taps. As soon as I land, I’m connected! Sweet!

Click the link above and get 15% off on your next trip!
Get 15% off with the code sailyon

That’s all for this week’s edition!

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to subscribe to GET LOST! for more travel tales, tips, and trends.

Now GET LOST! 😝

Christopher