ENCHANTED SUMMERLake Bled, Slovenia Summer 2025 |
THREE WONDERFUL VACATIONS. ONE EXTRAORDINARY DESTINATION.
Create. Transform. Discover.
Spend a week, or two, or three at this blue-green jewel of the Julian Alps. With its thousand-year-old castle, its shore lined with charming cafes and shops, and its tiny island containing only a church, a bakery, and a fabulous legend, Lake Bled is the perfect place to step out of regular life and into enchantment.
There's something for everyone in the summer of 2025. Explore the region--with a hike through stunning Vintgar Gorge, a boat trip to Bled island, and a visit to the medieval Old Town of Ljubljana--on Leaping Hound Travel's Signature Tour. Immerse yourself in the written word during the Lake Bled Writing Retreat, a partnership with Manuscript Academy. Let the stunning scenery be your inspiration as you paint and draw during the Lake Bled Art Retreat, a partnership with Mary Telfer Fine Art. Join us for one or all of these incredible experiences!
Writing Retreat with Manuscript Academy:
June 29 - July 5, 2025
Leaping Hound Travel's Signature Tour:
July 6 - 12, 2025
Art Retreat with Mary Telfer Fine Art:
July 13 - 19, 2025
June 29 - July 5, 2025
Leaping Hound Travel's Signature Tour:
July 6 - 12, 2025
Art Retreat with Mary Telfer Fine Art:
July 13 - 19, 2025
Learn more about each week!
(just click on each heading below)
Writing Retreat
June 29 - July 5, 2025
June 29 - July 5, 2025
Write pages while lounging on your balcony with its stunning view of the lake and mountains, discuss plot details with your fellow writers at a charming local cafe, or reflect on your work while strolling along the shore. This retreat will be a relaxing escape where you can immerse yourself in your writing, bond with your fellow writers, and create lifelong memories.
You don't need to be a professional writer, or be working on a particular type of project. Everyone is welcome, from creatives drafting their latest piece of fiction to academics working on a dissertation to first-time writers just exploring the written word.
Literary agent Jessica Sinsheimer and conference organizer, media professional, and writer Julie Kingsley are the creators of the Manuscript Academy, where writers can find the help they need to take their work from good to great. They are experts in creating a warm atmosphere of creativity, a place for you to explore and enrich your writing, no matter what stage you're at or genre you write in.
This writing retreat includes 6 nights in lakeview balcony rooms at Hotel Park--a historic four-star hotel right on the shore of Lake Bled--plus drinks and snacks at group receptions and all breakfasts. Each day will include a discussion, creative exercise, or critique, and will leave you plenty of open-ended time to use best for your creative process. You'll also get a one-on-one consultation to discuss your work with Julie or Jessica. They can look at the beginning of your novel, or your query letter you want to send to agents, or whatever else you'd like to work on.
Step away from the hustle of daily life and have the space and peace to further your craft in this idyllic location.
You don't need to be a professional writer, or be working on a particular type of project. Everyone is welcome, from creatives drafting their latest piece of fiction to academics working on a dissertation to first-time writers just exploring the written word.
Literary agent Jessica Sinsheimer and conference organizer, media professional, and writer Julie Kingsley are the creators of the Manuscript Academy, where writers can find the help they need to take their work from good to great. They are experts in creating a warm atmosphere of creativity, a place for you to explore and enrich your writing, no matter what stage you're at or genre you write in.
This writing retreat includes 6 nights in lakeview balcony rooms at Hotel Park--a historic four-star hotel right on the shore of Lake Bled--plus drinks and snacks at group receptions and all breakfasts. Each day will include a discussion, creative exercise, or critique, and will leave you plenty of open-ended time to use best for your creative process. You'll also get a one-on-one consultation to discuss your work with Julie or Jessica. They can look at the beginning of your novel, or your query letter you want to send to agents, or whatever else you'd like to work on.
Step away from the hustle of daily life and have the space and peace to further your craft in this idyllic location.
Signature Tour
July 6 - 12, 2025
July 6 - 12, 2025
Imagine these scenes: While sitting at a cafe on the shores of the bluest lake you've ever seen, you're served a stunning slice of cream cake, a local delicacy invented at that very spot seventy years before. Another day, a wooden boat carries you to a tiny island where you ring a bell fabled to grant wishes. You sip coffee while gazing down from a castle high on a hillside. A fairytale bridge, complete with dragon sentries, carries you into a quaint old town square. A glimmering river winds through a gorge, leading you to a powerful waterfall.
All that and more is in store for you when you join us for our Signature Tour. This 6-night trip includes lakeview balcony rooms at Hotel Park--a historic four-star hotel right on the shore of Lake Bled--plus excursions and activities like a boat trip to Bled Island, a hike through Vintgar Gorge, coffees with a view at Bled Castle, a day trip to the beautiful medieval city of Ljubljana, and more!
Of course, in addition to the above activities, we'll have a welcome reception (where you can try the famous Bled cream cake!), a group dinner, and a visit to a delicious and impressive bakery to try more local delicacies. And if you've been on one of our group tours before, you know we prioritize unique experiences along with enough free time to truly unwind and to make the trip your own.
Join us for a magical exploration of this incredible place.
All that and more is in store for you when you join us for our Signature Tour. This 6-night trip includes lakeview balcony rooms at Hotel Park--a historic four-star hotel right on the shore of Lake Bled--plus excursions and activities like a boat trip to Bled Island, a hike through Vintgar Gorge, coffees with a view at Bled Castle, a day trip to the beautiful medieval city of Ljubljana, and more!
Of course, in addition to the above activities, we'll have a welcome reception (where you can try the famous Bled cream cake!), a group dinner, and a visit to a delicious and impressive bakery to try more local delicacies. And if you've been on one of our group tours before, you know we prioritize unique experiences along with enough free time to truly unwind and to make the trip your own.
Join us for a magical exploration of this incredible place.
Art Retreat
July 13 - 19, 2025
July 13 - 19, 2025
As soon as you see the blue of the lake and the green of the mountains, you'll know why there is no better place for an art retreat than Lake Bled. Whether you want to spend a long afternoon painting en plein air from the courtyard of Bled Castle, curl up with a sketchpad in front of Hotel Park's floor-to-ceiling lakeside windows, or explore the town and countryside for inspiration, you'll have plenty of opportunity for artistic growth.
Everyone is welcome, from the working artists with years of experience, to people who want to connect with their creativity again, to writers or other non-visual artists looking to try something new!
Mary Telfer is a professional artist and art coach with an MFA and 20+ years of teaching experience. Her classes and online communities are places where artists not only learn new techniques and further their skills, but also feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things in a warm, collaborative environment.
This art retreat includes 6 nights in lakeview balcony rooms at the historic Hotel Park, plus drinks and snacks at group receptions and all breakfasts. Days will include painting exercises, group critiques and discussions, and of course will give you plenty of time for your creative process. A one-on-one critique with Mary is also included--discuss the work you're creating in Bled, or bring photos of pieces you've been working on at home. You'll have the chance to get Mary's warm, thoughtful analysis to help you take your art from frustrating to flourishing.
Step away from the hustle of daily life and have the space and peace to further your craft in this idyllic location.
Everyone is welcome, from the working artists with years of experience, to people who want to connect with their creativity again, to writers or other non-visual artists looking to try something new!
Mary Telfer is a professional artist and art coach with an MFA and 20+ years of teaching experience. Her classes and online communities are places where artists not only learn new techniques and further their skills, but also feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things in a warm, collaborative environment.
This art retreat includes 6 nights in lakeview balcony rooms at the historic Hotel Park, plus drinks and snacks at group receptions and all breakfasts. Days will include painting exercises, group critiques and discussions, and of course will give you plenty of time for your creative process. A one-on-one critique with Mary is also included--discuss the work you're creating in Bled, or bring photos of pieces you've been working on at home. You'll have the chance to get Mary's warm, thoughtful analysis to help you take your art from frustrating to flourishing.
Step away from the hustle of daily life and have the space and peace to further your craft in this idyllic location.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
⛰️ ALL WEEKS INCLUDE...
- Six nights in gorgeous rooms at Hotel Park, with stunning views of Lake Bled right from your balcony
- A delicious breakfast each morning
- Drinks (and cake!) at a welcome reception, and
- Drinks (and cake!) at a farewell reception
- A group dinner at a charming restaurant along the lake shore
- Private transfers between Ljubljana Airport and Hotel Park
- Liz and Adam's guidance, advice, and support both before and during the trip
📖 PLUS, THE WRITING RETREAT INCLUDES...
- A one-on-one meeting with Julie and Jessica of Manuscript Academy to discuss your work
- Daily gatherings with Julie, Jessica, and your fellow writers to brainstorm, socialize, and bond
- A fun and supportive live reading
- Lots of indoor and outdoor spaces to write, write, write! (Spaces both quiet and private, and convivial for collaboration!)
🏰 PLUS, THE SIGNATURE TOUR INCLUDES...
- A visit to Bled Castle, where you can enjoy the breathtaking view, explore the castle's museum, and sip a coffee on the terrace
- A boat ride to Bled Island on a historic Pletna, a flat-bottomed wooden boat that's been used in Slovenia since 1590
- A walk through Vintgar Gorge (a beautiful, easy trail that traces the sparkling blue Radovna River through the mountains)
- A day trip to Ljubljana, where we'll get a fascinating walking tour of its medieval Old Town, and have plenty of free time for exploring
- Delicious treats at a traditional Slovenian bakery, like potica, for example, a delicious Slovenian nut roll
🎨 PLUS, THE ART RETREAT INCLUDES...
- A one-on-one meeting with Mary of Mary Telfer Fine Art to discuss your work (either something new or a piece you've previously done--your choice!)
- Daily activities including painting exercises, group critiques, and discussions
- Get-togethers with Mary and your fellow artists to brainstorm, socialize, and bond
- Lots of beautiful places to paint, sketch, and gather inspiration! (Spaces both quiet and private, and convivial for collaboration!)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare to/from Europe (but we're happy to arrange it for you!)
- Remaining meals not otherwise mentioned
- Incidental expenses
- Mandatory travel insurance
- A travel insurance quote will be provided upon booking, for your convenience. You do not have to purchase that specific plan, but you must purchase some form of travel insurance. We will request that you show proof of travel insurance if you are not purchasing it from the quote provided by Leaping Hound Travel.
Additional info coming soon!
(including registration opening date, price, and more!)
At Leaping Hound Travel we strongly believe in a world that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. We are committed to supporting BIPOC, trans, and queer travelers. We donate a portion of our profits to organizations such as Black Lives Matter, we research the safety and security of potential travel destinations, and we partner with minority-owned businesses whenever possible.