Business brought me to the calm of the Bled lake in Slovenia. I stayed there for just two days, but had the chance to wander for only a couple of hours. To my amazement, the peace and quiet of that place made me feel I was not at work. If you ever come across a route in the region, make sure to stop by.
Bled is spectacular with its island, which is the single naturally formed island in the country. An invention of the locals are the wooden hand-made boats, which take you from several spots on the banks to the island. Depending on the location where you hop on such a boat, it will take between 10 to 15 minutes for the staff to raw to the island. In that time you can enjoy the view towards the mountains, the cliff topped by Bled castle or the birds swimming by the banks. On top of the island stands the church, widely recognizable from afar. A romantic stroll up the stairs and then down the dusty path reveals scenery like nowhere else.
If such an experience is not physically challenging to you, then climb up the Castle once you are back to mainland. That will surely give you a different perspective and is likely to leave you breathless. Literally.
Finish your one-day adventure with a local cake at any of the coffee bars and have a look at the souvenir shops along the banks. My personal favourite was a shoemaker's lamp - an item I have never seen before. Four spheres are filled with water and when the candle in the middle is lit, they disperse the light evenly. Haven't tried it, but it sounds interesting.
Bled is a must-do for anyone who loves nature and peaceful scenery and it promises a breath of fresh air to those, wanting to escape city life.