ONE DAY IN
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Slovenia was one of the most beautiful places I have visited in Europe. Unfortunately, it was also where I was most unlucky. On the bus ride from Budapest to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, I managed to lose my wallet – which contained my passport, ID, and bank cards. I didn’t realise my wallet was missing until after we had gotten off the bus and I went to buy lunch, and by the time I realised, the bus was gone.
The next few days were very stressful, as I tried to deal with the fallout from losing such vital belongings. I made contact with the bus company, the local police, and UK Visas and Immigration in an attempt to replace my UK working holiday visa I had obtained – which was in my passport. I was meant to be heading to the UK in a few days time.
And so began my two month long period of being stranded in Europe without any formal identification, and very little money.
Anyway, back to Slovenia; aside from my personal distress, I loved my time there. Our arrival in Lake Bled felt like stepping into a postcard just as the sun began to dip behind the mountains. We checked into a cosy local Airbnb, only about a 10-minute walk from the lake.
Though it was already evening, we couldn’t resist heading down for a quick glimpse of the lake. The water shimmered in the dusk light, calm and still, with Bled Island floating dreamily in the centre. It was a short stroll, but it set the mood beautifully. After our walk, we treated ourselves to a little something sweet at a nearby café. The best part? Our cake was delivered to us by a robot. Yes, an actual little rolling robot with our desserts tucked neatly inside.
The next morning, I woke up early while the rest of the group slept in and headed out on a solo wander. The air was crisp and quiet, and the walk down to the lake was bathed in golden light. I climbed up toward Bled Castle and looped around it, enjoying sweeping views over the lake and rooftops below. It was one of those mornings that felt suspended in time — cool air, light breeze, and uninterrupted stillness.
The rest of my day was less romantic and more logistical: researching how to fast-track a new passport and replace my visa (not the ideal admin to tackle in such a beautiful place, but necessary all the same). Still, even never ending paperwork feels slightly easier with alpine air and the lake just a stone’s throw away.
One thing I didn’t manage to fit into my visit was a trip out to Bled Island, the charming little isle in the middle of the lake crowned by the iconic Church of the Assumption. Traditionally, visitors ring the church bell to make a wish—a lovely ritual I’d love to experience next time. You can reach the island by taking a traditional wooden pletna boat or renting a rowboat for a more private adventure. Although I only admired it from the shore, it looked absolutely magical, and it’s definitely on my list if I manage to return one day.
That evening, I rejoined the girls for our last dinner in Bled. We found a cosy spot for one last meal together, soaking in the atmosphere, chatting over wine, and reflecting on the dreamy slice of Slovenia we’d shared. A quiet ending to a scenic, sweet chapter of our trip.