The oldest castle in Slovenia as well as the one with arguably the most dramatic location, Bled Castle is yet another iconic feature of this glorious destination. Perched protectively some 130m above the lake, the first written mention of it dates all the way back to 1011, when the German King Henry II ceded it to the Bishops of Brixen. It has seen many changes of ownership since, and has thus become something of a huge mish-mash of architectural styles. The walls are Romanesque, where as the majority of the other buildings making up the castle hail from the Renaissance. The grounds are made up of two courtyards, connected by a staircase.

Aside from the predictably gob-smacking views on offer, the castle also has a number of attractions to entice longer visitors, among them a small museum showing the history of Bled from the beginning of time to the present day, a wine cellar, an old printing press, a castle forge, souvenir shop and a restaurant. The castle is reached via a fairly steep 15-minute climb. Forming the most dramatic of backdrops to the life affirming romance of the lake, Bled Castle is a must-visit.

Go to www.blejski-grad.si/ for further information about visiting.