Enchantment and romance in Ljubljana and Lake Bled

The ex-Yugoslav republic of Slovenia, and in particular its enchanting capital, Ljubljana, has nothing in common with that old-fashioned image of eastern Europe.

It will capture the imagination of any visitor through not only its beauty but also from the warm welcome from the locals.

Ljubljana sits in the heart of this beautifully lush, green country with the looks and atmosphere typical of a pretty French or Italian provincial town, and the fact Slovenia is the first of the nations of the so-called 'New Europe' to have adopted the euro only makes it all the more accessible to those who have not been previously introduced to the delights of the region.

With the Ljubljanica River winding romantically through the city, overlooked by the castle high up on the hillside, and with the Julian Alps providing a backdrop of photogenic perfection to all this, Ljubljana is nothing if not picturesque.

The castle is a short, pleasant walk from the centre of town, and provides stunning views – from the top of the main tower, one third of Slovenia can be viewed in all its glory.

It is not a clubbers' paradise, and thankfully so, for instead the streets of Ljubljana feature plenty of charming cafes and bars that offer fun and cultured nightlife without the prospect of facing droves of beer-laden Brits out for rowdy stag weekends. Cafe Macek in particular, situated right by the river, offers a great range of cool cocktails.

Around an hour's drive away is the town of Bled, nestled in the Slovenian countryside and within easy reach if you are keen to explore more of the country.

If you fancy a walk, the short route up to the Castle Bled is reward holidaymakers by offering captivating views. With the castle perched on the edge of a sheer cliff that overlooks the lake, from here you can gaze at the fairytale-like scenery of the area, with richly forested rolling hills by the water, and the tower of a baroque church peeking over the tree-tops of the tiny isle in the middle of the lake.

Down at the water's edge you might wish to take a peaceful boat ride to the island, or perhaps simply relax by dipping your feet in the crystal clear lake with an ice cream in hand.

Bled offers a great day excursion from the capital city, and with a number of buses running from Ljubljana to the town every day, you do not need to worry about hiring a car. Or if you wish to stay for a night or two in this idyllic setting, you could book a room in the Grand Hotel, located right on the shore of the lake itself.

In short, the Slovenian capital and its surrounding area offer the perfect city break for a chance to relax away from the hustle and bustle of cities in western Europe. If you have not been, you will surely wonder why you never thought of venturing to this charming little country before.

For more information on visiting Ljubljana and Bled see the Slovenia tourist board website.

Rob Hastings