Summer tour of Slovenia’s Lake Bled with castle and boat ride

Lake Bled is the epitome of Alpine tranquillity. On this tour you'll explore this picture-postcard destination – a fairytale scene of emerald-coloured waters and a turreted castle framed against the backdrop of the Julian Alps. Mauro, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Lake Bled sits at the foot of the mountains, and boasts two of Slovenia's treasures - the oldest castle in the land sits on the top of the cliff above the lake, while in the middle of the lake you can't miss Slovenia's only natural island.'Slovenia is easily accessible from Istria, and the journey is certainly worthwhile. The pine-clad slopes, the picturesque chalets and the enchanting, wooded islet with 99 steps leading to St Mary's Chapel are irresistible. Look out for the traditional ‘pletna' boats, crafted from local wood with a flat bottom and usually rowed by a single oarsman. They are a classic sight on Lake Bled and they've been used for centuries to transport visitors to Bled Island and back.First we'll visit medieval Bled Castle, set into a towering cliff face. With its cone-shaped turrets and lofty parapets, it's something special, as is the view over the lake from its perch on a cliff 130 metres above the water. Then it's time to hop into a ‘pletna' boat, to be rowed across to the pretty chapel-crowned island. The chapel is steeped in legend, and locals say that you should make a wish by ringing the ‘wishing bell.' Another tradition states that to marry in the chapel, a groom must carry his bride up all 99 steps.