Since being a kid I had dreamt of visiting Lake Bled in Slovenia and when the opportunity finally came, it felt like the perfect excuse for a romantic escape.

We spent a few days there, staying at the Barcelo Hotel which was wonderfully central. Beware that finding its car park is not easy. Ljubljana immediately won us over with its red tiled roofs, cobbled streets and relaxed atmosphere. The river that winds through the city is lined with lively bars and restaurants. It was June, so the city was buzzing with tourists but it never lost its charm. Evenings were particularly magical with people dining outside enjoying the warm air and the vibrant atmosphere. The Dragon Bridge that crosses it is a real highlight. Everything was spotless and beautifully maintained.

St Nicholas Church is particularly impressive, with its gold, ornate altar and the castle perched high on the hill offers stunning views across the city. Slovenia has had a turbulent history, having been invaded by quite a few nations which adds depth to its character. Surprisingly though, there is little influence from its Communist past.

The highlight of the trip was of course Lake Bled about an hour away from the Ljubljana. As we came close to it, the water shimmered a brilliant blue and the Julian mountains made a dramatic backdrop. The medieval Bled Castle clung dramatically to the cliffs. In the middle of the lake sat a tiny island , crowned by the church of the Assumption, reached by a long flight of steps.

We stayed somewhere truly special, Villa Bled once the summer residence of President Tito of former Yogoslavia. It was set right on the edge of the lake and offered magnificent views. Booking requires planning as it’s government owned and only opens reservations for a short time each year. The hotel has been lovingly restored, filled with artwork by Slovenian painters and retains its original 1950s style. We even enjoyed a game of snooker on Tito’s own table.

We had a perfect afternoon when Ade rowed me across the lake to the island. Later that evening, we relaxed on the hotel’s terrace with a glass of Slovenian wine. This was followed by an outstanding three course meal. The hotel also has private bathing access to the lake. This allows you to swim in its crystal clear waters surrounded by lush mountains.

We also explored the extraordinary Skocjan Caves, about an hour and fifteen minutes from Ljubljana. The vast caves are partially explored by train before continuing on foot, revealing an incredible underground world of stalagmites and stalactites.

Top Tips

Enjoy the cellar restaurant at the castle in Ljubljana and sample some Slovenian wines

Visit Vintgar Gorge on the way to Lake Bled. It is carved by the Radovna River. You will wander past waterfalls, pools and rushing rapid. It really is breathtaking

Visit Predjama Castle when you visit the Skkocjan Caves. It is only 9 km away. It is built into a cliff face and is over 800 years old. It is said to be impregnable and even served as a filming location for The Witcher.

|Fly Ryanair into Zagreb, Croatia which is a cost effective way to do all the above. It is only an hour and a half to Ljubljana.