Rishi was planning to take the entire month of June off for parental leave, so we thought it would be the perfect time to plan our first proper trip with Krishiv. Since this would be our first holiday without the extra support of our parents (unlike our Barcelona trip), we initially wanted to play it safe. Switzerland seemed like the obvious choice. We had already been there twice, so we could simply relax without feeling the need to tick off a long sightseeing list.
While discussing travel plans with our friends, someone casually mentioned Slovenia. We hadn’t really considered it before, but the moment we started looking into it, we were sold. We decided we’d go even if it was just the three of us.
As it turned out, everyone was interested! After a couple of conference calls, flights, accommodations, rental cars (with baby car seats), and everything else were booked. It also ended up feeling like Mallorca Part 2, except this time, the three couples who had travelled together before were now joined by our three little travel buddies.
Day 0 – 2 June 2026
Our adventure began with an evening flight from Amsterdam to Zagreb. Instead of flying directly to Slovenia, we chose Zagreb because the flights were significantly cheaper, and since we were renting a car anyway, the drive into Slovenia wasn’t much of a detour.
Since the flight was in the evening, I worked for the first half of the day before we headed to the airport. By the time we landed in Zagreb, it was already dark. Our first stop was the rental car desk, where we picked up our cars along with the three child seats we had reserved, one for a 1.5-year-old, one for a 10½-month-old, and one for our 6½-month-old, Krishiv. It was pitch dark in the parking lot, so we couldn’t properly inspect the car seats. We simply checked that we had received the correct seat for each child’s age, loaded our luggage into the cars, and hoped everything was in order.
Since it was already late, we had booked an accommodation close to the airport. After settling into our rooms, we called it a night, excited to finally begin our Slovenia road trip the next morning.
Day 1 – 3 June 2026
The real trip began the next morning as we set off from Zagreb, Croatia, towards our accommodation near Lake Bled, Slovenia.
Just as we were about to leave, we discovered that Krishiv’s rental car seat was in terrible condition. It was extremely dirty and even had dried vomit from a previous child still on it. Since he was at the stage where everything went straight into his mouth, there was no way we were going to let him sit in it. We decided to skip using the car seat for that drive, and I held him on my lap instead. (Definitely not ideal, but it felt like the safer option given the state of the seat.)
On the way, we made a quick stop at an Indian grocery store in Ljubljana to stock up on a few ready-to-eat curries. Since our accommodation had a kitchen, we planned to cook simple meals and use the curries whenever we wanted an easy breakfast or dinner after a long day of exploring.
The drive from Zagreb to Bled was absolutely beautiful. As we got closer to Slovenia, the scenery became greener and more mountainous, making us even more excited for the week ahead. Unfortunately, I hardly managed to take any photos because Krishiv had fallen asleep on me for most of the journey, and I didn’t want to disturb him. Sometimes, the best views just have to stay in your memory.
After checking in and settling into our apartment, Vila Savica Bled, our next stop was the supermarket. Since we’d be staying here for the entire week, we wanted to stock up on the essentials rather than eating out for every meal. We picked up a few kitchen staples like onions, garlic, salt and pepper, along with everyday toiletries such as body wash, shampoo and body lotion.
After unpacking our groceries, we headed straight to Lake Bled for an evening walk. We started from Velika Zaka and followed the beautiful wooden boardwalk towards the Bled Panoramic Viewpoint. The viewpoint offers an incredible view of the lake, the iconic island, Bled Castle perched on the cliff, and the surrounding mountains all in one frame. The boardwalk itself, built right along the edge of the lake, made for a lovely and peaceful stroll while we soaked in the scenery.
For dinner, we headed to Pizzeria Rustika after seeing it recommended in countless Bled travel guides and blogs, and it definitely lived up to the hype. We ordered their popular Bella Ciao pizza, topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, salami, onion, pepperoni, and burrata. It was also our first time trying burrata cheese, and we really enjoyed it. The pizza was absolutely massive, so even the two of us couldn’t finish it and ended up packing the leftovers. Towards the end of dinner, Krishiv started getting a little cranky, so I took him out for a walk around the restaurant while everyone else finished their meal.
Day 2 – 4 June 2026
One thing that was very different about this trip compared to our previous vacations was how slowly our mornings started. Gone were the days of rushing out early to make the most of the day. With three little babies in the group, everyone had their own morning routine to follow. Our mornings looked much like they did back home. I would give Krishiv his daily oil massage and get him dressed and ready for the day, while Rishi prepared breakfast for us. After breakfast, we’d pack our diaper bag with all of Krishiv’s essentials before heading out to explore. This became our routine throughout the trip, and honestly, it made travelling with a baby feel much more manageable because we weren’t trying to change everything just because we were on vacation.
Our first stop for the day was Slap Savica, one of Slovenia’s most famous waterfalls. After parking the car, we began the short uphill walk to the waterfall. The trail is well-maintained with wooden steps and winds through a peaceful forest, with glimpses of the surrounding mountains along the way. It was quite chilly at the parking area, so we grabbed our jackets before starting the hike. As we climbed higher, though, the sun came out in full force. Between the direct sunlight and the uphill climb, we quickly started feeling too warm, and those jackets became more of a burden than a blessing! The effort was worth it. Slap Savica is a beautiful emerald-green waterfall that emerges dramatically from a rocky cliff and plunges into a crystal-clear pool below. From the viewing platform, you get a fantastic view of the waterfall tucked away in the lush greenery. On the way up, we also caught glimpses of the stunning blue waters of Lake Bohinj surrounded by the Julian Alps, making the hike just as enjoyable as the destination itself. After enjoying the views from the viewing platform, we walked down the steps leading closer to the waterfall to take a few photos before retracing our route back to the parking lot.
After visiting Slap Savica, we drove towards Lake Bohinj and found the perfect picnic spot on a patch of lush green grass beside the Sava Bohinjka River, which begins its journey from the Savica Waterfall we had just visited. With the crystal-clear river flowing gently beside us, the turquoise waters of Lake Bohinj nearby, and the Julian Alps surrounding us, it was one of those places where you could happily sit for hours doing absolutely nothing. We laid out a simple picnic with chips, juice, drinks, and fresh fruits while soaking in the peaceful scenery. The kids had the best time crawling and playing on the grass. Krishiv was especially fascinated by it; he kept touching, grabbing, and trying to pull out handfuls of grass. He even got to taste a few fruits, making it a fun little picnic for him too.
From there, we walked to one of the shores of Lake Bohinj and spent some time sitting by the water, taking in the views. The area near the lake was not very stroller-friendly, with uneven paths and rocky sections, so instead of exploring too far, we found a comfortable spot and decided to simply enjoy the scenery around us. The view from the shore was beautiful, with the clear blue-green waters of Lake Bohinj stretching out in front of us and the towering Julian Alps creating a dramatic backdrop. The mountains reflected beautifully on the calm surface of the lake, while the sound of the gentle waves and the fresh mountain air made it the perfect place to slow down and relax for a while.
While returning to Bled, we came across an area with several restaurants and decided to stop there for dinner. We chose ARROI, a slightly upscale restaurant that serves both Japanese and Thai cuisine, with separate kitchens and chefs for each cuisine. I initially had my heart set on trying sushi, but once we started looking at the menu, the Thai dishes caught our attention. We ended up ordering a variety of Thai food instead, completely abandoning the sushi plan. The food was delicious; the flavours were rich, fresh, and beautifully presented. Every dish we tried was packed with flavour, and we definitely enjoyed the experience. That said, it was also one of the more expensive meals of our trip. We had ordered quite a lot and ate well, but after seeing the bill, Rishi and I decided that we would skip restaurant dinners for the rest of the trip and make use of the ready-to-eat Indian curries we had bought from Ljubljana. Since our accommodation had a kitchen, it seemed like the perfect way to enjoy comfortable homemade-style meals while keeping things practical.
After dinner, we decided to take a small walk before heading back and realised that we were right near the Lake Bled Promenade. So, we took a stroll along the lakeside and enjoyed the evening views. The promenade offered a different perspective of Lake Bled compared to the viewpoint we visited the previous day. With the lights reflecting on the water, the island sitting peacefully in the middle of the lake, and Bled Castle illuminated on the cliff above, the view felt completely different in the evening. It was a beautiful way to end the day, just walking along the lake, taking in the scenery, and enjoying the calm atmosphere.
Day 3 – 5 June 2026
We started our day with the same routine that had become our rhythm throughout the trip: getting Krishiv ready, getting ourselves ready, having breakfast, and packing the diaper bag with all his essentials before heading out. On the way to our first stop of the day, we had an unexpected encounter. We were randomly asked to pull over by the police, who checked our passports and documents. Thankfully, I had kept all our passports in the diaper bag, so we were able to show everything without any hassle. We couldn’t help but wonder if the stop was truly random or if there was some element of profiling involved, given that we stood out as an Indian family travelling in the area. We obviously can’t know for sure, but it was an uncomfortable and slightly unsettling experience. Thankfully, it was a quick check, and we were soon back on our way to continue exploring Slovenia.
When we arrived at Postojna Cave, we booked tickets for the 2:00 PM tour. Since we had about an hour to spare before our slot, we decided to have lunch at one of the restaurants in the visitor complex. We ordered a poke bowl-style meal along with a slice of Prekmurska gibanica, Slovenia’s famous layered dessert made with poppy seeds, cottage cheese, walnuts, apples, and pastry. It was our first time trying it, and it was a nice way to sample one of the country’s traditional desserts before heading into the caves. After lunch, it was finally time for the experience we had been looking forward to, the Postojna Cave tour.
As we entered Postojna Cave, the adventure began with one of its most unique features, a small electric train that takes visitors deep into the cave system. We folded our strollers, boarded the train, and set off into the darkness. The cave was much darker than Krishiv was used to, and the unfamiliar surroundings initially startled him. But he was also tired from the day, so after a few minutes he fell asleep on Rishi and peacefully slept through almost the entire cave tour. We have visited a few limestone caves before, but this was our first time exploring one by train. The ride itself was an experience, taking us through enormous underground chambers, past towering stalactites and stalagmites, and into parts of the cave that would have taken a long time to reach on foot. After the train ride, we got off and continued the tour with our guide. The cave was absolutely stunning, with massive halls, intricate rock formations, and beautifully lit passages showcasing millions of years of nature’s work. Unfortunately, the tour moved at quite a fast pace. There wasn’t much time to stop, admire the formations, or take photos, and despite trying to keep up, we still found ourselves at the back of the group most of the time. Towards the end of the walking tour, we stopped at the cave’s famous post office, the only post office located inside a cave, where visitors can send postcards with a special postmark. From there, we boarded the train once again for the return journey to the entrance. As soon as we stepped back into daylight, Krishiv woke up, perfectly timing it with his next feed after sleeping through the entire underground adventure.
After leaving Postojna Cave, we drove to Predjama Castle, arriving at around 5 PM. By then, the castle had likely closed for the day, but that didn’t matter to us because we had never planned to go inside. What drew us here was the view from the outside, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Built dramatically into the mouth of a towering cliff, Predjama Castle almost looks as if it is growing out of the rock itself. The combination of the mediaeval castle, the massive cave opening behind it, and the lush green surroundings makes it unlike any other castle we’ve visited. We spent some time admiring the unique setting, taking photos, and appreciating how seamlessly the castle blends into the mountainside. It was one of those places that looks just as impressive in person as it does in photographs.
The drive back to Bled wasn’t quite as smooth as we had hoped. We ended up getting stuck in a long traffic jam, which tested our patience after a full day of sightseeing. Thankfully, once we were through it and back on the open road, the scenery quickly made us forget the delay. The landscape opened up to rolling green fields with towering mountains in the distance, their peaks partially hidden beneath low-hanging clouds. The clouds wrapped around the mountains so beautifully that they almost looked like a painting. We couldn’t help but pause for a moment to admire the view; it instantly lifted our spirits and turned a frustrating drive into a memorable one.
Day 4 – 6 June 2026
We started our morning as usual, getting Krishiv ready, getting ourselves ready, having breakfast, and packing the diaper bag before heading out. This time, though, we made an effort to finish a little earlier than everyone else so we could explore the area around our accommodation. Just across the road was Sončna pot, a quiet residential street lined with charming Alpine-style houses. We took a leisurely stroll through the neighbourhood, admiring the beautifully maintained gardens, colourful flowers, and traditional wooden balconies. Everything was so neat and picturesque that it felt like we were walking through a postcard. It was a peaceful way to start the morning before the day’s sightseeing, and we enjoyed taking our time wandering through the neighbourhood while Krishiv happily looked around from his stroller.
By the time we returned from our morning walk, everyone else was ready to leave, so we loaded our things into the car and were all set to head to Ljubljana. Just then, we realised that Krishiv had a very smelly diaper that definitely couldn’t wait! While everyone else drove off, we headed back to our room for one last diaper change. It was one of those classic “travelling with a baby” moments: you can plan everything perfectly, but babies have their own schedule. Ironically, despite being the first family to get ready that morning, we ended up being the last to leave the accommodation and the last to reach Ljubljana. Once we arrived, we called our friends to find out where they had parked and where they were. After parking our car, we started walking towards them to begin exploring the city together.
Our friends were already at Prešeren Square by the time we reached, busy clicking photos. We met up with them there before taking our own pictures and spending some time soaking in the lively atmosphere. Prešeren Square is the heart of Ljubljana and one of the city’s most vibrant meeting points. The square is dominated by the statue of Slovenia’s greatest poet, France Prešeren, with the beautiful pink façade of the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation providing a striking backdrop. From the square, you can also see the famous Triple Bridge spanning the Ljubljanica River, with cafés, colourful historic buildings, and street performers adding to the charm. It was the perfect place to begin exploring Ljubljana’s Old Town.
Since we were already at Prešeren Square, we walked across the famous Triple Bridge (Tromostovje). Instead of a single bridge, it consists of three elegant stone bridges running side by side, making it one of Ljubljana’s most iconic landmarks. Standing on the bridge, we had beautiful views of the Ljubljanica River flowing through the heart of the city, lined with colourful historic buildings, riverside cafés, and outdoor seating. Boats occasionally passed beneath the bridge while people strolled along the promenade, giving the whole area a lively yet relaxed atmosphere.
From the Triple Bridge, we continued our walk through the charming streets of Ljubljana’s Old Town. Our route took us through some of the city’s most beautiful squares and hidden corners.
We first reached Mestni trg (Town Square), home to the beautiful Robbov Fountain (Robbov vodnjak). The fountain, inspired by Roman fountains, is one of Ljubljana’s most recognisable Baroque monuments and sits beautifully in front of the Town Hall. The square itself is surrounded by elegant historic buildings, giving it a classic old European charm.
From there, we wandered through Stari trg (Old Square), one of the oldest and most picturesque streets in Ljubljana. The narrow cobblestone streets, colourful façades, and small shops and cafés made it a lovely area to simply walk around and take in the atmosphere.
While walking through Stari trg, we spotted Fetiche Patisserie, which immediately caught our attention because of its beautifully decorated display window filled with tempting desserts. We stopped to try their famous Dragon Roll, and it turned out to be as delicious as it looked.
After our dessert stop, we continued walking, but Krishiv soon let us know it was time for his meal. So, our sightseeing plans took a small pause as we started looking for a comfortable place to sit and feed him. While searching for a spot, we crossed Čevljarski Most (Shoemakers’ Bridge). The bridge is another beautiful crossing over the Ljubljanica River, surrounded by historic buildings and offering lovely views along the river. Since we were focused on finding a place to sit at that moment, we didn’t stop for pictures and decided to come back later when we had more time. We eventually reached Novi trg (New Square), where we found a comfortable spot near the river to feed Krishiv. After he was done, we took some time to enjoy the square itself. The open space, the beautiful fountain, and the views of the Ljubljanica River made it a peaceful little break during our walk.
Once everyone was rested and Krishiv was happy, we continued exploring and made our way back towards the Old Town. This time, we stopped at Čevljarski Most (Shoemakers’ Bridge) to actually take photos and enjoy the view properly.
On our way, we also stopped at St. Nicholas Cathedral and admired its beautifully carved entrance doors. The intricate details on the doors were impressive and made for a small but memorable stop while walking through Ljubljana’s historic centre.
After exploring the Old Town, we headed towards Ljubljana Castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the city. Instead of walking uphill, we took the funicular, which was a fun experience in itself and also much easier with a stroller. At the top, we spent some time enjoying the views of Ljubljana from the castle hill. The viewpoint offers a beautiful panorama of the city, with the red rooftops of the Old Town stretching below, the Ljubljanica River winding through the centre, and the surrounding hills and mountains visible in the distance. We didn’t go inside the main castle buildings, but we enjoyed walking around the courtyard and exploring the accessible areas. From the courtyard, we entered one of the castle rooms, where there was a free insect-themed art exhibition. The unique artwork was an unexpected little discovery and added something different to our castle visit. It was a relaxed way to experience Ljubljana Castle, taking in the views, exploring the historic courtyard, and enjoying the little surprises along the way.
After our castle visit, we continued exploring more of Ljubljana on foot and made our way towards Pogačarjev trg. It is a lively square located near the Central Market area of Ljubljana. The area has a wonderful mix of historic architecture, open spaces, and everyday city life. Depending on the day, the square hosts market stalls and local vendors, making it a great place to experience the more local side of Ljubljana beyond just the famous landmarks.
From there, we walked towards Butcher’s Bridge, a modern pedestrian bridge crossing the Ljubljanica River. Unlike the older historic bridges of Ljubljana, this bridge has a more contemporary design and is famous for the thousands of love locks attached to its railings. From the bridge, we enjoyed views of the river, the colourful riverside buildings, and the relaxed atmosphere along the water. While at the bridge, we also spoke to one of the boat operators to check the timings for a river cruise. However, his next boat was taking longer than we expected, and by that point, everyone was getting hungry. We decided to look for another option and thought we would come back for the boat ride later. Eventually, we ended up skipping the boat ride altogether, but walking along the river and exploring the city on foot gave us plenty of beautiful views and memories from Ljubljana.
For lunch, we decided to stop at Pop’s Place, a popular spot in Ljubljana. We ordered their Asian-style chicken wings and the N.Y.C. Double Smash Burger, which was the only non-beef burger option available. Both dishes were really tasty. The chicken wings were flavourful, and the burger was a satisfying meal after a long morning of walking around the city. While we waited for our food to arrive, Krishiv had his own little adventure at the table. He happily sat there playing with napkins and exploring everything within his reach, keeping himself entertained while we enjoyed a much-needed break.
After lunch, we slowly made our way back towards Mestni trg. While passing through Mestni trg, Rishi spotted Vigo Gelateria, and of course, we had to stop for some gelato. He has tried gelato in many places during our travels, but he said the gelato from Vigo was one of the best he had ever tasted. It was the perfect little treat after a long day of walking around the city.
From there, we walked back towards Prešeren Square, passing through the familiar streets and landmarks we had seen earlier in the day. After spending the day discovering Ljubljana’s squares, bridges, riverside paths, and old-town streets, it felt like we had experienced the city at a relaxed pace.
We finally made our way back to our car, said goodbye to Ljubljana, and started our drive back to Bled. And as always, the drive did not disappoint. The roads through Slovenia continued to surprise us with beautiful landscapes, rolling green fields, mountains in the distance, and picture-perfect scenery along the way. Even a simple drive back felt like another opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Slovenia.
Since we still had some time before preparing dinner, we decided to go for another little walk and explore the area around our accommodation. Unlike our morning walk, where we specifically explored the neighbourhood streets, this time we simply wandered around without a fixed route and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings. With the long summer days in June, it was still bright outside, making it the perfect time for a relaxed stroll after a full day of exploring Ljubljana. We walked through the quiet roads, enjoying the views of the surrounding mountains and the charming houses around us. It was a simple walk, but after a busy day of sightseeing, it was a nice way to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the place we were staying.
As we reached back near our accommodation, we noticed a road sign across the street that caught our attention. It was the street we had explored during our morning walk, and the sign revealed that it had been awarded the title of “Najlepša ulica v letu” (“The Most Beautiful Street of the Year”) by the local tourism association, Turistično društvo Bled, in multiple years (2005, 2009, 2010, and 2012). It was such a pleasant surprise to discover that the beautiful street we had casually walked through earlier that morning had actually been recognised for its charm. It made us appreciate that little corner of Bled even more.
Day 5 – 7 June 2026
We started our day as usual, getting Krishiv ready, getting ourselves ready, having breakfast, and packing the diaper bag before heading out. Today’s destination was Bovec and the Soča Valley. While planning the route, we decided to drive there via Italy instead of taking the more direct Vršič Pass, which is famous for its 50 hairpin bends. Since I get motion sickness quite easily, and we were travelling with a six-month-old baby, spending hours on a winding mountain road didn’t seem like the best idea. The slightly longer route through Italy felt like the more sensible choice. As always, the drive itself turned out to be one of the highlights of the day. We drove past towering mountains, lush green valleys, and charming little villages, with breathtaking scenery almost the entire way. It was one of those drives where you constantly find yourself looking out of the window, admiring the landscape.
When we finally reached Bovec, we realised that the town itself wasn’t really our destination. It was more of a convenient base from which to explore different parts of the Soča Valley, rather than a place with major attractions in the centre. As we sat in the parking lot deciding where to head next, Krishiv made the decision for us; it was time for a diaper change! The parking area was simply an open space with no facilities nearby, so we improvised. We spread our changing mat over a low brick wall and changed his very smelly diaper right there. It was definitely the strangest place we had changed a diaper so far! Thankfully, we spotted a rubbish bin nearby, which meant we didn’t have to carry the poopy diaper around in the car while searching for somewhere to throw it away.
Our first stop of the day was Slap Virje, a beautiful hidden waterfall near Bovec. After parking the car, we started walking downhill along the trail that leads to the waterfall. As we continued walking, I started questioning whether the walk would really be worth it. The path kept going downhill, the weather was getting warmer, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that we would have to climb all the way back up afterwards. Thankfully, much of the trail was shaded by trees, so we were protected from the direct summer sun, making the walk much more comfortable. But the moment Slap Virje came into view, all those doubts disappeared. Tucked away in the middle of lush greenery, the waterfall looked absolutely magical. The water cascaded gently down the rocks into a crystal-clear turquoise pool, surrounded by moss-covered stones and dense forest. The peaceful setting, the sound of flowing water, and the untouched natural beauty made the effort of getting there completely worth it. We spent some time enjoying the view and taking in the calm atmosphere before starting our walk back uphill. It was one of those places where the journey felt challenging at the time, but the destination made every step worth it.
After Slap Virje, we drove to the place we had travelled all this way to see: Great Soča Gorge (Velika Korita Soče). And it was completely worth the hype. When we reached the gorge, the first thing that caught our attention was the incredible colour of the Soča River. The crystal-clear turquoise-green water flowing between the narrow rocky gorge looked almost unreal. The contrast of the vibrant river, the grey rocks, and the lush green forests around it made the entire place feel like a painting. We spent some time walking around, enjoying different views of the gorge and simply sitting by the river. Watching the clear water flow through the rocks, listening to the sound of the river, and taking in the peaceful surroundings made it one of the most memorable stops of our trip. After driving all the way from Bled to explore the Soča Valley, standing there by the famous Soča River, we felt that the journey had truly been worth it.
As we continued driving through the Soča Valley towards our next stop, we noticed another beautiful stretch of the Soča River and couldn’t resist pulling over. We walked down to the riverbank to get a closer look and soon realised that it was one of the starting points for Soča River rafting. The river was just as mesmerising here as it had been at the gorge. Its crystal-clear turquoise water flowed gently through the valley, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains in the distance. It was easy to see why the Soča River is so popular, not just for its stunning beauty but also for adventure activities like rafting and kayaking. We spent a few minutes simply enjoying the view by the river and watching the peaceful surroundings. However, by this point in the day, the summer sun was getting quite strong, so after soaking in the scenery for a little while, we decided to continue to our next stop.
Our next stop was Slap Boka, one of the most famous waterfalls in the Soča Valley. After parking the car, we started towards the trail, only to be greeted by a long staircase climbing up the hillside. By this point, we were already quite tired from the day’s walking, and the summer sun was strong. After seeing the steep climb ahead, we decided that we had done enough waterfall hiking for one day. We had already seen the beautiful Slap Virje that morning, so we were happy to skip another uphill climb rather than exhaust ourselves even more. We didn’t get to see Slap Boka up close, but even from the beginning of the trail, we could catch a small glimpse of the waterfall in the distance. The waterfall drops dramatically down the rocky mountainside, surrounded by dense green forest and the towering landscape of the Soča Valley. Even that little glimpse was enough to give us an idea of how impressive it must look from closer up.
Finally, we drove to our last stop of the day, Lake Jasna in Kranjska Gora. After a long day of exploring the Soča Valley, it was the perfect place to slow down and relax. We took a leisurely walk around the lake, stopping along the way to admire the scenery and click some pictures. The lake was surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Julian Alps, with the clear water reflecting the mountains and blue sky. The combination of the turquoise lake, green surroundings, and towering mountains made the whole setting incredibly picturesque. As we walked around, we noticed a beautiful river flowing alongside the lake. We made our way over and found a spot by the river where we could simply sit and relax. The river ran gently over the smooth rocks, with the clear water winding through the lush green surroundings and the towering mountain peaks rising dramatically behind it. After such a packed day, it felt wonderful to just sit there, listen to the sound of the flowing water, and admire the view. We spent some peaceful time by the river before finally heading back to Bled, ending what had been a long but incredibly scenic day.
Day 6 – 8 June 2026
Since the previous day had been quite intense, we decided to have a more relaxed start to the day. We followed our usual morning routine: getting Krishiv ready, getting ourselves ready, having breakfast, and packing the diaper bag before heading out. Since this was our last full day in Slovenia, we wanted to keep the day closer to home and dedicate it to exploring and enjoying Bled at a slower pace.
Once we were ready, we headed to the Lake Bled Promenade and waited for everyone else to arrive. While we waited, we took the opportunity to click a few pictures and enjoy the view around us. The promenade runs right along the edge of the lake, giving beautiful views across the clear blue-green water towards Bled Island, with its little church, while the surrounding mountains and Bled Castle added to the picture-perfect scenery. It was a lovely spot to simply stand around and take in the views while waiting for the rest of the group.
When everyone arrived, we booked an Alpine boat to Bled Island and set off across Lake Bled. It was such a lovely way to experience the lake, especially with all three families together. As the boat moved across the calm water, we got a completely different perspective of Bled. The famous Bled Island with its little church slowly came into view, while Bled Castle stood high on the rocky cliff behind us. The surrounding Julian Alps made the scenery even more dramatic, with the mountains rising beyond the lake and the greenery surrounding the shoreline. Of course, travelling with a six-month-old meant the sightseeing didn’t happen entirely uninterrupted. I had to feed Krishiv both ways on the boat ride! So while everyone else was enjoying the views, I was also enjoying a very different kind of boating experience, feeding a baby while crossing Lake Bled. Despite the little interruption, it was a lovely experience. Being out on the water, surrounded by the mountains and beautiful views of Bled, felt completely different from seeing the lake from the shore.
Once we reached Bled Island, we climbed up the steps towards the church and explored the island on foot. The climb gave us a closer look at the church and the charming little courtyard surrounding it. We decided not to go inside, though, as there was an entry fee and, after seeing so many beautiful churches during our travels, we didn’t feel the need to pay just to see the interior. It was quite hot that day, so we stopped at the little café/cafeteria in the courtyard next to the church and treated ourselves to some gelato. It was exactly what we needed after the climb! We then made our way back down to where our boat was tied up and sat by the water for a while. From the island, Lake Bled looked completely different compared to the views we’d had from the promenade. We could see the lake stretching out around us, with the green mountains and Bled Castle rising in the distance. Sitting there by the water, with the boats coming and going and the mountains surrounding the lake, was probably one of the nicest ways to simply take in Bled.
After coming back from Bled Island, we stopped at Bowl Bar for a quick lunch. We ordered one bowl and shared it between us, which turned out to be a simple and budget-friendly way to fill our stomachs without spending too much time on lunch.
Our next stop was Straža Bled, one of the most popular spots in Bled for summer activities. The highlight here is the 520-metre-long summer toboggan track, which winds down the hillside. To reach the top, we took the chair lift, which itself gave us beautiful views as we climbed higher above Bled. Since we couldn’t all go on the toboggan together with the babies, we decided to divide and conquer. Rishi and Shikher went first, while I stayed with Krishiv and sat near the café by the entrance with Sree and Liana. As the guys came towards the end of the track, I tried to capture some photos and videos of them on their way down. Once they returned, we handed the babies over to their dads—and it was finally the mommies’ turn! Sree and I took the chair lift up together and got to enjoy yet another beautiful view of Lake Bled from above. The view from Straža was absolutely stunning. From the top, we could see almost the entire Lake Bled spread out below us, with the island and its church sitting in the middle and Bled Castle perched on its rocky hill. Beyond the lake, the surrounding mountains and the green Jelovica plateau stretched into the distance, with Stol Mountain visible further away. After already seeing Bled from the shore and from the boat, this was yet another completely different perspective of the lake. We took plenty of pictures of each other with the beautiful view behind us before getting onto our toboggans for the descent. And then came my biggest challenge: I was terrified of going downhill! I took the descent at what was probably the slowest speed possible, carefully making my way down while everyone else seemed to be enjoying the thrill. By the time I reached the bottom, everyone laughed and told me that I could have gone at least a little faster.
Finally, we drove to Radovljica Old Town, a charming little historic centre with colourful buildings, quiet streets, and a lovely village-like atmosphere. After a day filled with activities, it was nice to simply wander around at a slower pace and enjoy the quaint surroundings.
We stopped at Kavarna & Slaščičarna Vidic, where we sat down for some tea, a sandwich, and their famous cream cake—our little taste of the Bled-style cream cake. While we enjoyed our food, Krishiv happily sat and played on Rishi’s lap. Of course, when the cake arrived, he also had to get involved and tried a little bit of the cream from the top. It was lovely to just sit there, enjoy our dessert, and take in the relaxed atmosphere of the town centre. After spending so many days sightseeing and moving from one place to another, having a little time to sit together and enjoy the moment felt just as nice as exploring another attraction.
Before heading back to Bled, we also sat for a while and enjoyed the beautiful view from the parking area. The valley stretched out below us, with the green landscape and surrounding mountains creating a peaceful backdrop. We stayed there for a little while, having some meaningful conversations and simply enjoying the view before finally heading back.
Day 7 – 9 June 2026
This was our return day. We packed our bags, said goodbye to the beautiful view from our window one last time, and started our drive back to Zagreb Airport.
After returning the rental cars, we headed into the airport and had lunch at the lounge before boarding our flight back to Amsterdam. And just like that, our little Slovenia adventure came to an end, with a car full of luggage, a six-month-old baby, and a week full of beautiful memories to take home with us.
