The story of Lake Bled

Long before the first tourists, Lake Bled was an important cult centre in the Bronze Age: gold appliqués from the 13th–12th century BC were found in a deposit on its shore, their embossed decoration thought to represent the solar and lunar years. The lake, of mixed glacial and tectonic origin, is 2,120 metres long and 1,380 metres wide.

A thermal spring partly feeds it, so in midsummer the surface warms to 22–26°C, ideal for swimming. The World Rowing Championships were held here in 1966, 1979, 1989 and 2011. To reach the island, people take a pletna, a hand-made wooden boat that seats 20. In 1740, Maria Theresa of Austria granted 22 local families the exclusive right to ferry pilgrims across, and many of today's oarsmen descend directly from them.

Tradition says it brings luck for a groom to carry his bride up the 99 stone steps to the island church. And before you go, try the local cream pastry: its official recipe dates from 1953.