Camping And Travel In The Middle Of A Pandemic — Lockdown Getaway Tips

6 min readNov 24, 2020

The global pandemic has refashioned the way we travel. What can be better than camping right beside the snow-capped mountains and a classic blue lake? There is something truly magical about its color!

Pletna, a gondola style boat, parked by the lake shore (Source: Image by Priyanka)

The greatest benefit of living in Europe is you can travel to a new country by car within hours or even minutes. I had heard a lot about Lake Bled and its scenic locations. As I reached the place, I knew what all the craze was about. I assure you, unlike other touristy places, Slovenia is ‘not’ overrated. The serenity of that region feels refreshingly pure and timeless!

Lake Bled flaunting its Beauty and Serenity (Source: Image by Priyanka)

Lake Bled in Slovenia — A Hiker’s Paradise

A blue alpine lake with a fairytale castle in the ‘Land of the Slavs’ was my post lockdown getaway. It took us 4–5 hours by road from Munich to Bled City. The lake is famous for an island in its center having a 1000 year old church. It is the only island in Slovenia.

Hiking and cycling in the forests here is rather refreshing than exhausting. Follow one of two trail markers — Ojstrica and Osojnica for some of the best views of the lake and the castle from above. We hiked along the 6–7 km of scenic path circulating the lake (about 1–2 hours).

Bled Island Cathedral with the Castle and Julian Alps as the backdrop (Source: Image by Priyanka)

Food

This much activity during the holiday calls for some indulging rewards. The region’s culinary speciality — Cream Cake is a delight for your sweet cravings. I had it at Cafe Park, its place of origin, with a view of the Bled Castle on the top and pletna (gondola like boat) sailing calmly in the lake.

Slovenians love bees, which is evident from their folklore, it depicts a lot of beekeepers. The locals adviced us to buy the best honey in Bohinjska Bistrica.

Pletna costs 20€/hour and you may rent it without prior experience. I fell in love with the Slovenian Food, thanks to the restaurant Ostarija Babji Zob below the hill in Bled city.

The famous Bled Cream Cake with a view (Source: Image by Priyanka)

Trek along a Gorge:

The next day we visited Triglav National Park, which also has the highest peak of the country — Mount Triglav. Lake Bohinj, Mount Vogel, Devil’s Bridge in Stara Fuzina and Voje Valley are some attractions in the region. Look for the Mostnica Waterfall trail. It starts at the Stara Fuzina car park which is 10 minutes drive from Center for Triglav National Park. The Entry costs 3 €.

Starting at Lake Bohinj, we trekked through the clay and marble stone tracks, wooden crossover bridges, crystal clear streams for 2–3 hours. You will get some breathtaking views every few minutes along the trail flaunting the deep cut gorges by the white glacial water rushing downstream.

It rained cats and dogs the day we visited. Our jackets did not save us and we were completely drenched. Car can be a good changing cabin with the sound of cows and their bells as the background music.

Mostnica Gorge (Source: Image by Priyanka)

Travel Tips:

We crossed the whole of Austria to get to Slovenia. Remember to buy Austrian Vignette, Toll Ticket (Zoll in German) and Slovenian Vignette before starting the trip. My friend is an ADAC Member, hence we got a discount on digital vignettes. The Toll opens automatically if you have a digital ticket, you just wait and watch as it makes way for you!
Entering the country by car involves a passport check by the police. They speak English and German at restaurants, hotels and markets.
Rain Ponchos can be really handy if the weather decides to go bad. It rained every 2 hours when we were there in August.
Almost everywhere in Slovenia you need to buy a parking ticket. It costs the differently in different times of the year 0.50c, 1,50€ or 3 € (July to August)
Use of masks is necessary in all public places like restaurants, enquiry offices, payment booths, boats.
Maintain 1,5m distance from people around you. Mandatory. Otherwise be ready for some really strange looks from people even if you unknowingly get too close.
People in Europe are highly discliplined when it comes to following law and order. They form queues everywhere. Even to get pictures at crowded spots.

Camping And Travel In The Middle Of A Pandemic — Lockdown Getaway Tips

Lake Bled in Slovenia — A Hiker’s Paradise

Food

Trek along a Gorge:

Travel Tips:

Written by Rafiifty05