Lake Bled, an image of paradise 🏝️

#aprilblooms Tiny Slovenia is one of Europe's most unexpectedly charming destinations, with spectacular natural beauty and a fascinating recent history — yet much of it is still far off many tourists' path. One of its brightest gems is a romantic getaway that once entertained emperors and presidents: Lake Bled. Nestled up against the northeast side of the rugged Julian Alps, just south of the Austrian border, Lake Bled is almost certainly the most photogenic, relaxing spot in Slovenia. The picture-perfect lake laps up against a tiny church-topped island and sheer cliffs that lead to an improbably perched medieval castle. 📷 👣The four-mile path that rings the lake is a popular route for a stroll. At a leisurely pace, the path takes about an hour and a half on foot, but I'd allow more for snapping photos of the ever-changing views. 🏝️No visit to Lake Bled is complete without a trip to its steeple-capped island, where the pretty Church of the Assumption, atop the tiny island's summit. The most romantic route to the island is on one of the lake's unique flat-bottomed pletna boats. #travel #naturalwonders #solvenia #europe