Slovenia: Looking for SNOW in Bled

We have been missing snow. The kids have been begging and begging us to take them somewhere with a lot of snow, and even better--somewhere to go skiing. I researched for a long time where we should go. We didn't need anything extravagant and super expert but rather something off the beaten path and low-key family friendly. I read numerous tripadvisor forum posts and articles and searched for good deals on airplane tickets, and then we decided to go to SLOVENIA. 

I'll tell you later about the place where we were skiing, but for now, let's make a stopover in Bled, Slovenia. Strange name, we know, and it's not like it even means anything particular in Slovenian either. 

First, where is Slovenia? It's a small country, bordering Austria, Italy, Hungary and Croatia, part of the EU with the capital of Ljubljana.

We flew into Ljubljana, rented a car and drove north about 25 minutes to Bled. Here is a closer shot. 

In two hours you can cross the whole country. 

So we stopped at Bled having only an hour or two to explore, as we wanted to get to our final destination of Kranjska Gora. 

Disappointment #1--NO SNOW. At this time of year--middle of February--you'd expect at least some amount of snow on the ground in this area. The Lake Bled is supposed to be this magnificent sight with trees covered in snow surrounding it.

This is our picture in front of the lake. 

We did have a great pizza lunch right in town. Since Italy is so close by, there is a lot of Italian influence in Slovenian traditional dishes.

The church near the lake. Had to capture the national flag.

That monastery on the island behind us is one of the main reasons people come to this lake. It is supposed to be a very picturesque sight. Some say this lake is way overrated and touristy and that one should definitely drive another 30 minutes towards the mountains to see a real beauty of a lake--Lake Bohinjsko.

That's the monastery.

The weather was not so wonderful and we didn't want to hike around the lake for an hour, so we decided that we'd just get some pastries and get going.

I got some delicious kremowkas again and these super yummy cookies (salivating as I am writing about this). Oh how much I wish they were available in other places of the world!

So that was our quick stop at Bled. In my honest opinion--we were not impressed. Maybe it's absolutely beautiful in the summertime with green mountains and beautiful water, but it was just all right in snowless February:)

Lyana.