Bled, a Slovenian resort town in the foothills of the Julian Alps, is set along the glacial Lake Bled.

 "Do not despair of life. You have no doubt force enough to overcome your obstacles. Think of the fox prowling through wood and field in a winter night for something to satisfy his hunger. Notwithstanding cold and the hounds and traps, his race survives." -- Henry David Thoreau

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(back to Bled, where the magic of nature never fails to impress its visitors) Surrounded by the snowcapped Julian Alps, Slovenia's Lake Bled is a fairytale landscape that looks particularly beautiful in winter, as the frost on the trees sparkles in the light. Set amidst the snowcapped Julian Alps less than an hour from Ljubljana, the mirror emerald lake is small enough to walk around on foot. The beautiful Church of the Assumption, on an islet, dates from 1698. According to local tradition, one who can ring the bell loudly enough will be granted a wish and a husband who can carry his new bride the 99 steps up from the dock into the church will be ensured a happy marriage. With the waters off limits to motorized craft, the island is reached via pletna boat (a huge gondola type vessel), or by rowboat. Overlooking the lake is Bled Castle. The oldest part of the medieval castle is the Romanesque tower -- though other buildings were built in the Renaissance style during the the 17th century.