Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Well at last, a train service that includes all of the carriages, leaves on time to an undisputed destination. Thank you OEBB rail.
After leaving Salzburg in a light shower of snow, we travelled south to Villach, close to the Italian and Slovenian borders. As we approached the northern side of the Julian Alps, the country was blanketed with snow, so much so that the landscape was either dark black in shadow or brilliant white with snow. It looked surreal, every thing in monochrome. Then through a very long tunnel and out into Slovenia, where the countryside was clearly in the grip of the Mediterranean climate. Not a sign of snow, clear blue skies, lush green pastures. After coming from Prague with its -6C temps and snow, then into Germany and Austria, Slovenia seemed like a whole new world, or at least in the grip of a season other than winter. The contrast could not have been greater.
A short ride from the train to our hotel in Bled, and we were once again ready to start to explore our latest home with a 30min walk around the edge of the lake into the main town of Bled and its small Christmas market.
Day 2 and another magnificent sunrise over the lake, made even more enjoyable because it wasn’t until 7:00am. Then we were on our way to the Pokljuka Plateau ski fields and at 1300m there was plenty of snow. When we arrived, there was a biathlon race underway, cross country skiing and target shooting. Then it was the turn of the cross country skiers, with child racers through to adults.
Watching all that fitness and energy on display, we opted for the sensible option of a short walk in the snow through the forest, which was a great way to spend an hour or two before going back to the hotel in time for another great evening meal.
Day 3 and it was a walk around the western edge of the lake, interrupted with a boat ride out to the island, finishing up at the Christmas market in the town for a slice of the famous Bled Cream Cake. After all that effort it only seemed right to get a taxi back to the hotel rather than face the long and steep walk up the hill. After all, tonight we will be celebrating Christmas, Slovenian style, so we need to conserve our energy.
Another day and another sunrise. Even though Jean and I spent some time in the summer riding through the hills and towns that surround Bled and thought we had seen all there was to see, being here in winter was just as impressive. The avenues of Linden trees, devoid of leaves look black and menacing, and then around the corner there is a vibrant green field with the uniquely Slovenian hay rack or kozelec standing proud. The whole scene surrounded by the snow capped peaks of the Julian Alps to complete the picture. We didn’t need snow on the ground in the town to know that it was winter, despite reports that daytime temps were almost in double figures, it certainly didn’t feel like it.
Sadly, we are leaving this most peaceful and beautiful place with its crystal clear air and blue skies and heading to Ljubljana for a few more days of what I expect will be more Christmas markets and perhaps a little department store exploration, if only to find somewhere to get warm.
- comments