It’s Spring And Lake Bled Is Finally Getting Green Again

Spring is an absolutely wonderful time to visit Lake Bled because it is truly a time when everything starts to come to life! The snow is melting, the grass is getting green again, the flowers are blooming and the sun shines brighter and warmer. There is so much fun, excitement and beauty surrounding you when you visit Lake Bled in the Spring. If you are on the fence about visiting this spring, we hope that these two wonderful photos of Lake Bled from the Mala Osojnica viewpoint will convince you to make the trip!

View of Lake Bled in Slovenia in spring from Mala Osojnica Viewpoint
Lake Bled in the beginning of spring, when nature comes alive and the sun shines brighter and warmer. (photo taken on April 26th, 2023 by Randy Lavorante)

View of Lake Bled in spring from Mala Osojnica Viewpoint
The most remarkable view of Lake Bled is from the Mala Osojnica viewpoint. (photo taken on April 26th, 2023 by Randy Lavorante)

Slovenia listed on National Geographic’s list of ‘25 breathtaking places and experiences for 2023′

Slovenia has made its way to a list of top international spots to visit next year. It was listed on National Geographic’s “25 breathtaking places and experiences for 2023,″ which was released on Wednesday. Slovenia was among the few from Europe to make the list.

Aerial view of Lake Bled with the Church of the Assumption of Mary on the island
Slovenia makes National Geographic’s ‘Best of the World’ list in the ‘Nature’ category. (photo: Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak)

We Slovenians knew it, but it seems the rest of the world is tuning in. National Geographic magazine named Slovenia as one of the best destinations to visit in 2023. “Widely recognized as a leader in sustainable tourism, Slovenia has already cooked up a number of eco-friendly tours under its seven-year-old, countrywide Green Scheme,” the list by National Geographic staff says. “Now it’s added a new item to the menu: the Slovenia Green Gourmet Route. This 11-day, 10-destination food trail is intended specifically for bicyclists.”

Every year, National Geographic makes its annual list of the 25 breathtaking places and experiences to help travelers get a jump on planning for the year ahead. For 2023, National Geographic’s Best of the World is themed around travel destinations and experiences that leverage the benefits of tourism to strengthen their local communities and environments, both natural and built. We are very proud Slovenia made the prestigious 2023 list in the Nature category!

National Geographic’s full article can be found here!

Triglav Lakes valley in Triglav National Park in Slovenia
If you love nature, Triglav National Park is the place for you in Slovenia. (photo: Iztok Medja, Slovenia.info)


Jeruzalem is located in the northeastern part of the country and is known for its scenic vineyards, super good wine and lush hills. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

Aerial view of Slovenian Coast on a clear summer day
Along the Slovenian coast, there are many beautiful towns and also some beautiful beaches to discover. (photo: Drazen Stader, Produkcija Studio, Slovenia.info)

Slovenia Scraps All Covid Border Restrictions For All Travellers

From February 19th it is possible to travel to Slovenia from anywhere in the world without showing a Covid vaccine pass or negative test.

Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia
As of February 19th restrictions due to Covid-19 no longer apply when entering Slovenia. This means that the RVT (recovered/vaccinated/tested) condition no longer has to be met on the Slovenian borders and travellers will no longer be ordered to quarantine at home. (photo: Jacob Riglin, Beautiful Destinations, Slovenia.info)

The Slovenian government at an extraordinary meeting on Saturday decided to remove all entry restrictions on February 19th, the same day it also scrapped nearly all of its domestic Covid rules and recommendations.

The lifting of the entry restrictions is a great relief for many travellers, not least for those living and working in Austria and Italy. This decision also reduces the burden on the Slovenian Police Authority, which no longer needs to set aside staff to check Covid-19 certificates at the border.

Slovenia’s Capital Ljubljana Named European Best Destination For 2022

We’re extremely proud to announce that Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana has been crowned European Best Destination 2022 out of more than 400 destinations. It trumped other popular European cities, including London (UK), Rome (Italy) and Vienna (Austria), ​​which finished 7th, 13th and 17th respectively.

Ljubljanica River at Ljubljana Old Town in the capital city of Slovenia
Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana tops the list of 20 European Best Destinations for 2022, picked out of 400 destinations by a special jury based on previous successes. (photo: Blaz Pogacnik, visitljubljana.com)

Travellers from around the world voted for their favourites between January 20th and February 10th. 92% of the votes for Ljubljana came from other countries, mostly from the US, Italy, Germany, Austria and Croatia. No other destination since 2009 has won such a high proportion of the vote from other countries. More than half a million people from 182 countries voted, with 75,642 picking Ljubljana as their favourite.

The Slovenian capital is described as a ‘city for curious and adventurous souls’ and a ‘treasure trove of exciting secrets and natural joys’. It’s being recommended to those who love nature, city break, foodies, culture lovers, Instagrammers, lovers and families.

The complete list of the top 20 European Best Destinations for 2022 includes:
1. Ljubljana (Slovenia)
2. Marbella (Spain)
3. Amiens (France)
4. Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
5. Leuven (Belgium)
6. Oradea (Romania)
7. London (UK)
8. Nijmegen (Netherlands)
9. Lahti Region – Finland)
10. Istanbul (Turkey)
11. Amalfi Coast (Italy)
12. Prague (Czech Republic)
13. Rome (Italy)
14. Bavaria (Germany)
15. Athens (Greece)
16. Clonakilty (Ireland)
17. Vienna (Austria)
18. Lucerne (Switzerland)
19. Graz (Austria)
20. Crete (Greece)

For more information visit europeanbestdestinations.com.

Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia
Ljubljana with its hilltop castle as seen from the Neboticnik skyscraper. (photo: Jacob Riglin, Beautiful Destinations, Slovenia.info)

Triple Bridge across Ljubljanica River and Preseren Square in Ljubljana Old Town
Triple Bridge connects Ljubljana’s historic Old Town on one bank and the modern part of the city on the other. (photo: Dunja Wedam, visitljubljana.com)

Ljubljana Old Town in summer with the hilltop Ljubljana Castle in the background
Ljubljana and its hilltop castle. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

Stari Trg Square in Ljubljana Old Town in the capital city of Slovenia
The cobblestone Stari Trg Square in the heart of Ljubljana’s Old Town. (photo: Blaz Pogacnik, visitljubljana.com)

Urban Electric Train in Ljubljana Old Town, the capital city of Slovenia
The electric train Urban encircles Ljubljana’s Old Town every two hours, four times a day. (photo: Andrej Tarfila, Slovenia.info)

First Snowfall Of The Season In Slovenia

Several centimetres of snow covered sidewalks, roads, and backyards in Slovenia. Even if you’re not a big fan of cold weather, it’s hard not to love a gorgeous snow-covered landscape.

Winter doesn’t officially begin for another couple of weeks, but here in Slovenia, we’ve already had the first big snowstorm – most of the country got about 15 to 40 centimetres of beautiful powdery white snow.

Enjoy these photos of the first snow of the season in Slovenia.

Kranjska Gora in Slovenia during first snowfall of the season
It’s the beginning of December but the charming small alpine village of Kranjska Gora already has almost half a meter of new snow on the ground. (photo: Ida Kristan)

Aerial photo of Bled Island covered with a white blanket of fresh new snow
Amazing aerial photo of the Bled island covered with a white blanket of fresh new snow. (photo: Lara Muhic, imprinti.si)

Pisnica Stream in winter with trees covered in snow
A majority of the snow fell in northwestern Slovenia. (photo: Niko Turk)

Skiing Season Is Starting In Slovenia

Despite some restrictions related to the Covid-19 epidemic, skiing season is starting in Slovenia. Skiers are required to meet the recovered-vaccinated-tested (PCT) condition. Wearing surgical or FFP2 face masks is mandatory in enclosed facilities and also in outdoor facilities if distancing is not ensured. Also, ski lifts must be operated in accordance with recommendations from the National Institute of Public Health.

Krvavec Ski Resort in Slovenia
Krvavec is one of the most popular ski resorts in Slovenia and is best known for being the nearest ski resort to an international airport in Europe. (photo: Iztok Medja, Slovenia.info)

The ski season in Slovenia generally runs from December through to March. Bordering the Austrian and Italian Alps, Slovenia lives and breathes winter sports. Skiing is never going to be a budget holiday, but compared to the big four in the European skiing scene (France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy) Slovenia is a bargain.

Vogel Ski Resort in Bohinj, Slovenia
Vogel is a lovely unspoiled ski resort with some of the most magnificent views in the world. (photo: Iztok Medja, Slovenia.info)

A group of skiers at Kranjska Gora Ski Resort in Slovenia
Kranjska Gora is the most well-known Slovenian ski resort. (photo: Kranjska Gora Tourist Board)

The best places for skiing in Slovenia: Best Ski Resorts In Slovenia

Slovenia Placed 5th On Lonely Planet’s List Of Top 10 Countries To Visit In 2022

Lonely Planet, one of the world’s most renowned travel guide producers, has unveiled its top 10 countries to visit in 2022 with Slovenia named in its top five. Slovenia is described as a green destination, and together with Norway are the only two European countries on the list, which is topped by the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. As they wrote in the travel guide, Slovenia is a mixture of the Balkans, Mediterranean and Alps and offers travelers numerous possibilities of active experiences. Lonely Planet also placed great emphasis on culinary experiences, which Slovenia offers to both local and foreign visitors.

Aerial view of Lake Bled with the Church of the Assumption of Mary on the island
Lonely Planet has again selected ten travel destinations for the year ahead. Among them is Slovenia, the hidden pearl of Central Europe. (photo: Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak)

Lonely Planet, which has been providing inspiring and trustworthy information for travellers since 1973, published its annual Best in Travel list on Thursday, October 28th. This highly anticipated list shares Lonely Planet’s expertise on the most desirable destinations and travel experiences for the next year 2022.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list takes into consideration dozens of recommended destinations from all around the world, from which a shortlist is then selected by the guide’s panel of 5 travel experts and enthusiasts. In the 2022 edition, the top 10 counties are each chosen for their topicality and readiness to welcome visitors in the year ahead, their offering of unique experiences and ‘wow’ factor and additionally their commitment to sustainable practices in tourism. This edition places particular emphasis on the best sustainable travel experiences and reveals how tourists can have a positive impact on the world by providing practical advice on sustainable travel choices and informing readers how they can support local communities and celebrate inclusivity.

According to Lonely Planet’s Vice President of Experience, Tom Hall, the release of Lonely Planet’s annual “hot list” of destinations and travel experiences could not be more timely. “After an enforced hiatus, it’s time to take those long-postponed travel plans off the shelf and make them a reality.” Hall also asserted: “The lists celebrate the world in all its wonderful enticing variety, from the lagoons and forests of the Cook Islands to the waterfalls and mountains of Iceland’s Westfjords, via Auckland’s natural and urban delights.”

The Top 10 Countries category was one of four categories in the list which also included Top 10 Regions, Top 10 Cities and Top 10 Best Value Destinations.

The complete list of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Countries to visit in 2022 includes Cook Islands, Norway, Mauritius, Belize, Slovenia, Anguilla, Oman, Nepal, Malawi and Egypt.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 book is now on sale.

Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia
With a thriving culinary scene, range of outdoor pursuits and highly regarded green credentials, Slovenia has been named 5th in the top 10 countries to visit in 2022, according to world-leading travel publisher Lonely Planet. (photo: Jacob Riglin, Beautiful Destinations, Slovenia.info)

Lake Bled Tops The Guardian’s List Of The Best Half-term Holidays In Europe

The picturesque Lake Bled tops the list of the 10 best half-term holidays in Europe, according to the well-known British newspaper The Guardian.

Autumn panorama at Lake Bled in Slovenia from the Ojstrica hill
Lake Bled in Slovenia is one of the best destinations in Europe to visit in the fall season. (photo: Ales Krivec)

Here’s what The Guardian’s article says about Lake Bled: ‘Slovenia is cooling down in October, but it is a spectacular time to see Lake Bled’s woody fringes burst into flames of colour. Hilltop Bled Castle towers over its northern shore, and children will love the cruise to the fairytale island in the middle of the lake, as well as the Indiana-Jones-style walkway at sheer-sided Bled Gorge’.

The complete list of The Guardian’s top 10 half-term holidays in Europe includes Lake Bled, South-east Sicily, Val de Bagnes in the Swiss Alps, Canal du Midi, Eastern Algarve, Romania, Rhodes, Hamburg, Amsterdam, and Normandy.

The article is available here!

Elevated view of the Bled Island in the middle of Lake Bled in the autumn
Bled Island looks even more picturesque when the colors of the leaves change into warm yellow and orange hues. (photo: Bojan Kolman)

Fall Has Started To Show Its Beautiful Colors At Lake Bled

Despite the warmer temperatures, the fall is here and the nature in the Lake Bled area is changing its colors to the hues of fall with dazzling yellow, orange, red, and brown.

Red flowers and Lake Bled in Slovenia in early fall
Early Fall is a great time to visit Lake Bled, following the departure of the large summer crowds. (photo: Jana Bozic)

Bled Island in Slovenia in early fall
Bled Island is changing its colors from green to yellow and orange. (photo: Jana Bozic)

A restaurant at Lake Bled in Slovenia in early fall
It’s hard to imagine a more romantic place for a launch than at Lake Bled. (photo: Jana Bozic)

Lake Bled in Slovenia in early fall
Lake Bled gets so calm in the fall. (photo: Jana Bozic)

Nature around Lake Bled in Slovenia in early fall
In the early fall trees are beginning to change from green to yellow, orange, red and brown. (photo: Jana Bozic)

Daffodils Are Blooming On The Slopes Of Mt. Golica

Golica is a mountain in the Karavanke range in northwestern Slovenia known for its white daffodils which, every year in May and June, cover parts of the mountain appearing like a white snow-like carpet. This year, the daffodils bloomed quite late thanks to the cold spring and now is the perfect time to see them as within a week or two they will be past their best.

White daffodils on the slopes of Golica with Mount Triglav in the background
Thousands of white daffodils are blooming on the slopes of Mount Golica. (photo taken on June 9th, 2021 by Leon Vidic)

White daffodils on the slopes of Mt. Golica above the town of Jesenice in northwestern Slovenia
The slopes of Mount Golica are again covered in a beautiful white blanket of daffodils. (photo taken on June 9th, 2021 by Leon Vidic)