Blejski Grad, one of the oldest castles in Slovenia, sits high atop the cliffside. While it is a minor addition in the background of this view dominated by the church and the mountains, it offers a stunning scene from its own windows overlooking the lake and surrounding area. Both the church and castle offer a long and impressive history. The first iteration of the church building is believed to have been built between 900-1100 AD. In the almost thousand years since, the building has been reconstructed three times, with the bell tower seeing even more renovations to preserve its integrity. 

While Lake Bled is the most visited area in Slovenia, more boastful castles can be found in other areas. Predjama Castle is built into a cave system, of which Slovenia has plenty. But amidst the high cliff-tops, the caves diving deep into the earth, the blue lake, and the razor-sharp mountain peaks, Slovenia has another quality—a simpler quality. 

Trees, bushes, grass, and other foliage spread like a blanket across this country. It’s true, a lot of the land area is covered with protected forests. But drive from almost any point and go in almost any direction, and forest or not, green is what will meet your eye, as if all the elves in Iceland came and hand-planted each patch of grass. For someone from “the Evergreen State,” even I had never seen so lush a landscape. This environment makes camping an appealing option, especially along the Soča river valley. The vibrant blue water rushes by at a steady clip while breezes fold and bend the grass that spreads underfoot.