Celebrating More Than Three Decades

Over three decades – I am simply astounded when contemplating more than a quarter century that has already past. I am now aware that time well spent moves ever so swiftly.

It is with a sense of wonder and profound gratitude I reflect on the time that has passed since I was irrevocably seduced and dared to pursue my fascination with Croatia and the surrounding countries, to be expressed in the creation of Tasteful Croatian Journeys.

As a child of the border between Italy and Croatia, that stretch of land is embedded in my DNA. The story began by venturing on a first journey of adventure and personal exploration followed by learning and understanding. Without a set plan, I just followed my feelings and reveled in the pleasure of discovery, and without intention, fell in love with Croatia.

The cultivation of a little seed of love, adventure, exploration and discovery, blossomed into a delicious network of friends, who became trusted partners in facilitating the realization of unique, luxury travel experiences for our guests. These years of cultivation have produced a bountiful garden of remarkable discoveries, a profoundly meaningful community of warm fellowship and friendships, a vibrant and elegant bouquet of happy memories, and people brought together, across borders and cultures, to share in precious moments of human connection.

I have enjoyed sharing my passion, my heart, and my Italian-Croatian heritage with travelers since 1994, yet, still all these years later, I find myself bursting with pure gusto each time I reflect on, and speak, about my work. Croatia is not simply a destination that I share with some of the most sophisticated travelers of the world, it is my passion.

I delight and celebrate in the knowledge that our hard work is truly a labor of love that culminates in beautiful, transformative, life-time experiences for our traveler. I take great satisfaction in knowing that our efforts and personal investment continue to elevate the success of the business partners we engage to best serve our exceptional travelers.

As I reflect on our past, and contemplate our future, this moment calls for a celebration and a renewal. After more than a quarter of a century of many treasured moments, it is time to fashion a new look for VisitCroatia.com – Tasteful Croatian Journeys. We are proud to introduce our new logo as we embrace the next chapter of exploration and excellence.

Lake Bled: Land of Myth and Legends

 

Amidst a backdrop of bright blue skies and snow-capped mountain peaks, thick evergreen forests open up to reveal a pristine turquoise lake, its mirrored surface broken only by a bevy of swans swimming to shore and the steady oars of wooden rowboats. In the middle of the lake, a quaint church tops a hilly island, the gentle chime of bells echoing from its tower. Nearby on a steep precipice, a medieval castle clings to its rocky perch guarding the scene below.

 

You’d be forgiven for believing you’ve wandered into a fairy tale, but no, this is real life. This is Lake Bled.

 

Here, in northwestern Slovenia, at the foot of the Julian Alps, fantasy meets reality in more ways than one. It is not only the stunning natural beauty of the surroundings that make Lake Bled magical, but also the cloak of legend which blankets the region. Among the many fables and myths associated with Lake Bled, we share below the two most popular.

 

 

 

The Creation of Bled Island

 

There are several folk tales pertaining to the origin of Lake Bled, but the most widely circulated involves dancing fairies…

 

According to legend, the area where Lake Bled now sits was once a lush valley of sweeping grassy meadows, full of soft green grass and inhabited by fairies. In the middle of the pasture was a small hill and a rock where the fairies danced at night. By day, local shepherds grazed their sheep in the valley, which ate the grass around the fairy rock. This angered the fairies, who were afraid that the sheep would eat all of their luscious grass. The irritated fairies told the shepherds to keep the sheep away, warning that if they did not obey, the fairies would build a barrier around the hill so large that no one without wings could reach it. Indignant, the farmers ignored the warning.

 

Not long after, the sheep had eaten nearly all of the grass, leaving nothing but bare earth behind. One night, as the fairies danced, the youngest and most beautiful among them slipped and fell, breaking her leg on the hard ground where the soft green grass once grew. Infuriated, the fairies gathered and called upon the mountain springs and brooks to flood the valley and form a lake. As the water rose, only the hill in the center where the fairies danced was left unsubmerged; an island amidst turquoise waters.

 

The fairy hill of legend is what we now refer to as Bled Island, home to the 17^th century Assumption of Mary Church and reachable only by wooden Pletna, an awning-covered boat rowed by a standing oarsman. The church is home to a magical wishing bell which is the subject of its own fable.

 

The story is called… 

 

 

 

The Legend of the Sunken Bell

 

This folk tale tells of a young widow who lived in Bled Castle. After her husband was killed by bandits and his body thrown in the lake, the young woman was inconsolable. Overcome by grief, she collected all of the gold and silver that she and her husband had and ordered that it be melted down and cast into a bell to commemorate her fallen beloved. She intended that the bell be installed in the chapel on Bled Island where she prayed daily after her husband’s death.

 

However, the bell never arrived at its destination. During its transportation to the island, a storm hit, and a powerful swell overtook the boat, sinking it and its precious cargo to the bottom of the lake. Defeated, the widow sold her remaining belongings and offered the proceeds for the construction of a new church on the island. She left Bled for Rome where she joined a monastery and lived out the rest of her days as a nun.

 

After she passed, the Pope heard of her story and was touched by both her misfortune and her good deeds as a nun. He decided to have a new bell made in her honor and placed in the steeple of the church on Bled Island. It is believed that anyone who rings this blessed bell three times will have their wish granted – a promise which tempts visitors to the island again and again.

 

Those who visit Lake Bled on Christmas Day are privy to a special treat, as every year on December 25^th, the Legend of the Sunken Bell is celebrated in a spectacular light show. Spectators gather around the lake to watch divers recover a bell in a stunning visual performance blending fire and sound, bringing the legend to life. Of course, the bell the divers recover is one made of lights, designed purely for the show. As for the real bell, cast by the young widow sitting at the bottom of the lake, it is said that if you listen closely in the silence of the night, you can still hear it ringing from its watery resting place.

 

 

Interested in exploring Lake Bled’s fairy-tale Christmas Market? Tasteful Croatian Journeys designs custom itineraries exploring some of Central Europe’s most beloved markets. Contact us for more information.

Slovenia: Europe’s Next Winter Sport Hotspot

 

There is no denying that Slovenia has been blessed with extraordinary natural beauty. Situated in the heart of Europe, cradled between the Alps and the Mediterranean, Slovenia is small in size, but plentiful in pristine environment. Its interior is replete with turquoise-green rivers, charming pastel villages, densely wooded forests, vast subterranean caves, and snow-capped mountain peaks.  The world’s first country to be named a green destination, Croatia’s neighbor to the north is truly a paradise for nature lovers.

 

A notable winter sport destination, Slovenia offers a wide variety of activities to excite and entice those seeking an active winter holiday. In recent years, it has been steadily staking its claim as a premier ski destination, offering diverse terrain suitable for beginners and children as well as experienced skiers. The unspoiled beauty of the Julian Alps and warm hospitality of the Slovenian people make it all the more inviting.

 

What makes Slovenia Europe’s next winter hotspot?

Three things: Affordability, Accessibility and Variety.

 

Slovenia serves as a budget-friendly alternative to the lavish ski resorts found elsewhere in Europe such as France, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. With a range of options available, from large amenity-rich resorts to smaller family-friendly slopes, there are plenty of options to satisfy all tastes. Affordable accommodation and lift passes, as well as pistes which are generally uncrowded, add to the appeal. 

 

Many of Slovenia’s small, picturesque ski resorts are not far from major cities and under an hour’s drive from the nearest airport, making them easily accessible for a short getaway. In fact, Slovenia is one of few places where it is possible to escape to a ski slope during your lunch break and still return to town on the same day. In this way, visitors will find it is easy to combine a few days of mountain sports with a longer itinerary of other cultural pursuits.

 

In Alpine and Sub-Alpine Slovenia, outdoor living is a way of life, and therefore the list of winter sport activities on offer is endless. From skiing to ice-climbing and everything in between, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy an active winter holiday in Slovenia!

 

 

 

 

Winter Activities in Slovenia 

 

• Hit the slopes for Alpine Skiing or Snowboarding at one of Slovenia’s scenic ski resorts, where well-maintained ski runs offer spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and valleys of the Julian Alps.

 

• Traverse snow-covered meadows, fields, and forests, while Cross-Country Skiing through Slovenia’s rural countryside.

 

• Experience the thrill of Ice Skating on a frozen Alpine lake surrounded by unspoiled nature, or in an open-air synthetic rink in a charming mountain village.

 

• Listen to the crunch of freshly fallen snow under your feet as you go Snowshoeing through picturesque winter landscapes.

 

• Feeling adventurous? Strap on your crampons and grab a pair of ice axes to try your hand at Ice-Climbing up a frozen waterfall.

 

• Enjoy the pure exhilaration of Sledding down a snowy hill, a fun filled activity for both adults and children alike.

 

• Feel a rush of adrenaline as you are pulled by a team of huskies through a snow-blanketed forest in a Dog Sledding

 

• Bounce over lumps and bumps on a wild Snow Rafting ride down snow-covered slopes.

 

• Explore remote areas and frozen countryside on an action-packed Snowmobiling

 

Interested in experiencing Slovenia’s winter sports first hand? Tasteful Croatian Journeys designs custom itineraries tailored to your specific needs and desires. To make the most of all that Slovenian winter has to offer, combine your active holiday with a visit to the charming Christmas Markets of Ljubljana or Lake Bled. Contact us for more information.