This time we were going to a place neither of us ever dreamed we would ever visit (have I said that before?). We were headed for Slovenia and who knows where that will lead us!
We made it over to the bus station in Venice and got there a bit early as we still weren't sure if our tickets were actual reservations even though we thought they probably were. We thought it is always better to act on the safe side. We wanted to make sure we were there in time to get an early start on any line ups for the bus that we needed, just in case it was busy.
Talk about nice buses! This was better than flying! We sat up top for all the great views!
As it turned out there were only two other couples waiting. One couple we made friends with and they were from near Sydney, Austrailia doing their retirement holiday. A nice couple, similar age and personalities. They have been to Calgary and skied in Banff and all over out in western Canada. This was good for Barb so she had someone to rescue her from me... for a little adult conversation!
This was one cool looking bus!
I have to say the semi trucks and buses over here in Europe are all very modern looking. This bus as you can see above was a modern double decker. I liked it better than flying, it had a lot more room and we weren't even in First Class (that was down on the main floor). I must add we like the top floor for good views and there were a lot of good views on this trip!
We pulled out around 1130am with one more stop just onto the mainland. There is a long bridge to drive (same one for the train we came in on) between Venice and the mainland.
As we headed north towards Austria my excitement was building. Even though we weren't spending any nights in Austria (we should have) I was excited to see it!
What I didn't know was we were about to drive through some of the famous Alps mountain range and what a site that was! Parts of it reminded me of the Rocky Mountains back home and other parts reminded one of Kimberley and Nelson BC with that Alpine look and feel. Lots of trees, green grass, gorges, bridges and man do they know how to make tunnels over here!
There were a lot of tunnels that we drove through and most if not all were two lanes each direction, so two tunnels each time one for each direction! Huge and sometimes very long this was a treat. Back home our mountainous roads have us up and down great climbs and elevations where here they just burrow big holes through mountains! I was very impressed!
VILLACH, AUSTRIA.
We got to Villach, Austria and had to get off the bus. I would have liked to stay on to enjoy more sights. We got off and went over to the train station and got our tickets for the train to Lake Bled, Slovania which really isn't all that far away. As you may know already many of the countries in Europe are much smaller than we are used to in North America.
We then ventured down the street with all our luggage and found a nice Pastry Shop for a treat and a drink to relax with. Our friends from Austrailia joined us. We sat, laughed and watched the comings and goings here in this sweet little Austrian city. It seemed like much of Europe except with the fact we were into the Alps!
Time to get on the Train and we finally found the right platform, it wasn't very well marked. Away we went off to Slovenia! Who would have thought?
It was a beautiful ride, not much English being spoken around here. It sorta reminds one how far away from home that we really are!
for the Police?
For a minute we thought we had missed which stop to get off at and so did our new found friends from Austrailia but the conductor re-assured us we were ok.
There were two stations for Lake Bled, we were re-assured this was the right one to get off at!
As soon as we got off the train we were met by a nice and who seemed to be trustworthy Taxi Driver. Note it is always best to ask before hand how much it will cost for your destination. In this case he guessed (he's on a fancy meter system) and the price was satisfactory so we all got in and shared the cab to our new homes.
This was one nice cab, not what I was expecting at all. It was a new Mercedes mini van and the meter for the Taxi Fare was a digital read out in his rear view mirror! Pretty high tech we thought as we had never seen that before!
We got to our new home which was a basement suite/apartment in a house in a nice neighbourhood of Lake Bled. The owner's name was Andrea and she was really nice. The accommodations were very suitable and only €45 Euro a night including a separate bedroom and full kitchen plus a living room. It should be noted that the last two nights (of five) we switched to a smaller suite as she had others coming in. We actually liked the little suite better even though it was more of a Bachelor Suite set up it still had a full kitchen.
Lake Bled needs to be seen. The pictures (again this happens) do not do this little Jewel any justice at all. In the background the church bells echo in the Alps. The scenery, the Alpine feel and architecture all add into the experience here. Add in the beautiful little lake, an island with another church and then the castle high above town on the mountain top which is lit up at night.
This is a true walking town. Europeans walk much more than we do anyhow and in places like this one wants to be just like them. Pathways, lakeshore trails, parks, big white Swans, hotels and restaurants. There are also lots of vacation homes and Villas with apartments for rent. From what I could see the real estate prices seemed to be about the same as Calgary but that's is due to the fact this place is a vacation get away in the Alps much like Banff but much nicer and less commercialized!
We spend our days here relaxing, eating local Slovenian food, having coffees and enjoying the sights. In some ways the weather is very much what I would expect Calgary to be right now. I don't know the temperatures but when in the direct sunlight you do not need a jacket. The leaves are changing colours so beautifully and some are falling to the ground. The feeling of fall is in the air and it has reminded me on how much I love this time of year, not too cold and not too hot but very scenic to say the least.
My favorite local Slovenian Restaurant.
You get real Slovenian food here and they are nice people!
was delicious! All at a very nominal price. If you order things like Coca Cola (from the west)
you may have to pay a bit extra!
It has made a come back since and is called "Cockta." Sorry I like Coke better.
tour Boats out on the lake. Ohh... I'm Back to Coca Cola!
The Groom was expected to carry his Bride up all 100 steps to the church!
Using an IPhone camera just doesn't cut it! :(
A little extravagant, it's now a very nice Hotel!
So far in three days I haven't seen any Police?
Gas is cheaper in Austria and Slovenia. We have seen €1.35 Euro per Litre.
I'll volunteer!
Right after this picture the Aflac guy tries to bite Barb when she goes to feed him!
This local band did a very talented job of some of Jim's favorite old tunes!
Most of the younger people (under 50) here speak very good English and the younger they are the more you can expect it. Many of the older ones speak broken English and it's not hard to communicate. A lot of changes have happened in this country since breaking away from Yugoslavia and communism. When I sit and people watch (a favorite hobby) I wonder when I watch the older people about all they have been through, good, bad, hard and easy?
Coming through the Alps on the bus the other day reminded us so much of travelling through the Rocky Mountains, BC and home. It felt good! As we sit here in Lake Bled I feel not so far away.
The economy seems to be quite good here with high real estate prices (like at home) as noted and lots of nice cars coming and going.
If you are ever in this corner of the world, drop by Lake Bled, Slovenia!
We love Central Europe. In 2012 we spent 6 weeks traveling around Czech Republic and Slovakia as well as 5 days in Budapest. We loved it! During that time we hardly ever met people speaking English, we would carry around or English/Czech dictionary and we used it a lot. We plan on visiting Slovenia one day, hopefully sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time there!
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Hi Ruth:
DeleteWe would love to visit those places that you have been too. Yes I will highly recommend Slovenia! The people are friendly & helpful. The younger ones all speak good english too. The food is great, the sites are plentiful & beautiful. The prices are less than many other places we have been to in Europe as well - Bonus! More places to come, stay tuned! Jim
Hii..
ReplyDeleteGreat article which provide the best information about the vacation rental.