Slovenian Beauty - Lake Bled & Ljubljana

 

While travel restrictions with health and safety requirements are still omnipresent, trips within certain countries in Europe are manageable with the right precautions. A two day trip to Slovenia brought us to the picturesque Lake Bled with its famous church island, and the beautiful capital Ljubljana.

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Lake Bled

Our first stop was Lake Bled on the foot of the Karawanks mountain range.

Mountain House

We crossed this wodden house on the hike up to Mala Osojnica, one of the best viewpoints over the lake.

Up

The hike is in fact quite steep - so steep that this staircase was installed near the top.

Mountain Tops

The lake is situated in the Julian Alps range.

Church Tops

The tip of the 53m high tower of the famous church in the lake.

Lake Shores

The colour and clarity of the lake was incredible in the summer light.

Assumption of Mary Church

The famous church on the island in the middle of Lake Bled is a very famous photographic spot.

Views

The ascent to the viewpoint on the southern side of the lake is rewarding.

Trio

Lake Bled, the church island, and the Julian mountains.

Summer Greens

The forest was positively glowing with the greens illuminated by the sun.

Light & Shade

The late afternoon sun shining into the woods.

What's up!

A dragonfly was roaming around a small puddle in the forest.

Baby Frog

The same puddle was also home to this little amphibian - who was surprisingly curious.

Afternoon Rays

The last views of the sun in the forest before it set behind the mountain range.

Layers

Green forests, rocky mointains, blue skies, fluffly clouds - welcome to the Alps.

Waterways

The only way to visit the church is by crossing the lake.

Bled Castle

The castle on the western side seen through some trees on the lake shore.

The Right Way...

... to enjoy the end of a summer day at the lake.

Clarity

Some tree branches under water near the eastern shoreline.

After Sunset

The lake is dotted with patches of water lilies by the shore.

Transport

The traditional transportation to Bled Island is a wooden boat known as a pletna.

Opposite Views

The view over the lake from the other side, looking south from Bled castle.

Cliffs

Looking down from the castle walls.

Bled Castle

The lower courtyard of the oldest castle in Slovenia.

Abandoned

The castle seen with Villa Rikli, an abandoned old house on the shores of the lake.

Villa Rikli

The inside of the building, which is supposed to be renovated and rebuilt. Who can spot the alien like shape on the wall?

Ljubljana

We made it to the capital next, walking along the beautiful promenade of the Ljubljanica river.

Trees

Another defining feature of the city are the skinny tall trees dotted in various places, such as here near St Jakob's church.

Gornji Trg

A row of houses near this famous street in Ljubljana's old town.

St. Nicholas's Cathedral

The roof paintings of the largest church in the city with frescoes by Giuglio Quaglio from the early 18th century.

Window Views

Looking northwards from one of the castle windows, with the pink 17th-century Franciscan church visible at the bottom.

City Panorama

Looking southwards from the castle, you can see St Jakob's church, and on the bottom left the tower of St Florian's church, which - obviously - I tried to visit, but it was unforuntately closed (as Florian's often are).

Slovenian Flag

The country is relatively young, emerging from Yugoslavia in 1991.

Stairs

The double staircase leading up and down the panoramic tower of the castle.

Castle Walls

A couple enjoying the view from the castle walls.

Selfie

My lack of focus skills resulted in this shot.

The Dragon Bridge

The Dragon is the symbol of the city, although the origin of this myth isn't fully clear.

Butchers' Bridge

One of the many bridges attracting tourists in Ljubljana, this one features the all too common padlocks.

Prešeren Square Rain Installation

A sprinker installed 10m above the ground produces a simple but effective focal point for the square, with people enjoying a few refreshing drops in the August sun.

Rainy Portrait

Of course, it also makes for a great Instagram photo, although this girl did ignore her dedicted photographer for this shot.

Instagram Boyfriend

...I'm sure she did get a good photo in the end though.

Raindrops keep falling on my lens...

A boy runs through the rainy installation, illuminated by the afternoon sun.

Ljubljana Rooftops

Anyone knows what this dome is?

Castle Views

The Nebotičnik Skyscraper terrace provides a good 360 degree view of the city.

Shadows

The late sun is the best time for street photography in my view.

Evening Drinks

A view of some of the many promenade restaurants along the river.

Tripe Bridge

Looking towards the 19th-century bridge with 2 adjacent 20th-century footbridges that cross over the Ljubljanica River.

Nice Try

Don't we all wish to be invisible sometimes?

Graffiti with a Heart

Spotted on the Stari Trg street.

Rock 'N' Roll Cat

A vinyl shop in the city centre.

Nightly Walks

A couple walking through the city centre. The city seemed quite young and casual.

Performance

Two women watching a street musician.

Market Scenes

The city has a beautiful market square, which was full of food, produce, and craft stalls on this Friday morning.

Maintenance

Ljubljana is well kept and clean - a pleasant city to walk around.

Bird Attack

Hunger overcomes all fears.

Green Shores

The river walls are covered with greenery, making the city feel quite lush. Definitely recommended for a summer visit.

A Day in Ulm and 768 Steps

Escaping the Dubai summer heat to Germany means there are opportunities to explore my home country, which firstly I didn’t do enough, and secondly is very underrated compared to many of its European neighbors. I’m undoubtedly biased, but particularly the southern part of Germany is full of amazing places to explore. Ulm is one of these places, and its landmark attraction, the tallest church in the world, makes it a must see. Combine that with the chance to meet old friends from Dubai, and it becomes a great day indeed.

Two Germans, and Simon ;)

 

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When the Birds Take Over

One could say this is a consequence of the Coronavirus epidemic, but it also was a Sunday morning.

Ulm Minster

The tallest church in the world at 161.5m.

For now...

...at least until the Sagrada Familia will eventually be completed.

Houses

Some of the houses in Ulm still feature the traditional timbered architecture found in Swabia.

Contrasts

The city is dotted with modern buildings, such as this office and commercial building.

Surroundings

Ulm lies at an interesting geographical location, where the rivers Blau and Iller join the Danube. It was founded in 850, but is now split along the river into Ulm in the state of Baden-Württemberg, and Neu-Ulm (new Ulm) in Bavaria. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Alps.

View from the Top

The 768 stairs take you all the way to the top, with a 360 degrees view - this is the choir side of the church looking east.

On the Roof

Two kids walking on the roof supporting the spire at the top of the main steeple.

Bells

Small windows in the upper main steeple floors allow a view of the bells, some of which date back all the way to the original construction of the church in the 14th century.

Main Square

Looking down the main square from the staircase leading up the minster.

Sanctuary

The view to the east inside the church - which is not in fact a cathedral.

The Choir

Which, due to the change in plans during the construction phases, is much lower than the nave.

Colours

The original stained glass windows produce beautiful light on the ground.

Glass Patterns

The northern side glass windows are slowly being decorated again after the original ones have been destroyed. While not as intricate as the the traditional style, they allow a glimpse of the houses on the outside which produces interesting changing light patterns.

Visitors

At its peak, the church was able to accommodate 20000 people.

Town Hall

The 1370 town hall building and the public libary opened in 2004 to the left.

On the City Walls

You can stroll along the Danube on top of the city walls, with a glimpse of the beautiful houses on the shore.

Fishermen's Quarter

This area with its canals and old houses is definitely one of the prettiest parts of the city.

Schiefes Haus

Aptly named "The Leaning Hotel" and originally built in 1406, this building now houses 11 rooms to stay at.

Berblinger Tower

This recently opened art installation is dedicated to Albrecht Ludwig Berblinger, who in 1811 wanted to show off his gliding plane construction, but in front of many spectators ended up in the Danube when trying to take flight from a podestal at the shores.

Up

The tower is tilted at 10 degrees and can be walked via 88 steel stairs, providing a panoramic view of the river.

Lonely Stand Up Paddler

So it seems - in fact, the river was full of people either exercising or just relaxing in the river.

Variety

Ulm provides stark contrasts of views, with the traditional houses, the gothic church, and modern buildings such as the glass pyramid library.

Danube Shores

The church seen from the Bavarian side of the Danube.

Water Village

The sunny August weather meant the Danube was full of people enjoying their flotation devices...

Model

A small model of the city next to the Minster shows how much the building stands out from its surroundings.

Sunset Rays

While much of the church is under renovation, some parts shine in all their glory.

Facades

More interesting modernist architecture.

Mask, Phone & Cigarettes

Signs of the times.

The Way Back

An underpass towards the train station.