Lake Bled

I started this trip from an island in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea; I'm now finishing it overlooking an island at the feet of the Alps.

To get here, I have travelled by plane, by bus, by coach, by train, by motorboat and by ferry. I've visited 23 towns and cities in 5 different countries. It has been my longest solo trip so far, and an incredibly enjoyable adventure.

Lake Bled is home to the only island in the entire country of Slovenia. Its waters are crystal clear and from a distance look almost turquoise. From atop a nearby cliff, a castle watches over the lake. And on the island itself, the bells of the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria ring out to the nearby towns and resorts. This lake is considered by many to be the most picturesque location in Europe, and I'd struggle to disagree.

The best view is from a lookout point called Mala Osojnica. From this vista, you can see the island, the lake, the castle and, in the background, the Julian Alps. The climb to get up here is absolutely brutal but the view is completely worth it. For a while I even had the viewpoint entirely to myself since I arrived quite early!

It's a very tranquil place to finish the holiday. Its location at the foothills of the Alps places me not too far from my previous trips through Central Europe, so if I had a little longer I could have continued on to meet up with my previous journeys in Vienna.

This would also be a fantastic starting point for a different journey, similar to the one I just completed but down the Eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, through the Balkans and on to Greece. I really enjoyed the seafaring moments of this trip, which felt quite distinct from my previous interrailing holidays and created a real feeling of adventure, so I'm sure another coastal route would be very fun!

However, I don't want to get ahead of myself; right now I don't know where my next trip will take me, but wherever it is I hope it will be just as enjoyable as this one.Meer informatie