Welcome to the 2025 Writing Retreat
Guest Portal!
Here you'll find all the info you need about our six nights in Bled, Slovenia! Please read through it all, even if it's a topic you're already familiar with--and of course, let us know if you have any questions!
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Health-related travel policies: We will keep you up to date (both here and via email) on the policies and procedures regarding health-related travel policies in Slovenia at the time of our trip. Currently (as of March 2025), there are no testing or vaccination requirements for entry. Regardless, we strongly recommend being up to date on all your vaccinations, including Covid, before international travel. When in doubt, ask your doctor what they advise.
Where and When:
Hotel Park
Bled, Slovenia
June 29 - July 5, 2025
Bled, Slovenia
June 29 - July 5, 2025
6 nights in Bled, Slovenia, at Hotel Park
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Hotel Park
Address: Cesta svobode 15, 4260 Bled, Slovenia Phone: +386 4 579 18 00 On the shores of Lake Bled and surrounded by the Julian Alps, Hotel Park has beautiful lakeview rooms, a delicious breakfast, a great location for walking to shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities, as well as a large indoor pool and sauna with panoramic views of the lake and mountains. Plus, it's the birthplace of the famous Bled Cream Cake!
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Schedule
Your Daily Itinerary will be linked here.
The itinerary will be shared about a month before our retreat.
Our group will have a hotel conference room (also with views of the lake!) to use for our readings, discussions, small-group critiques, etc. Besides structured writing activities, we'll have a group dinner, a trip to a traditional Slovenian bakery, and lots of free time to write, write, write!
The itinerary will be shared about a month before our retreat.
Our group will have a hotel conference room (also with views of the lake!) to use for our readings, discussions, small-group critiques, etc. Besides structured writing activities, we'll have a group dinner, a trip to a traditional Slovenian bakery, and lots of free time to write, write, write!
Writing
You'll have a one-on-one meeting with Julie or Jessica to discuss your writing. Here you can upload a query letter and/or first few pages in advance (you can choose which one, or upload both). You'll also see an option to share your work with the group, if you'd like.
Information and Frequently Asked Questions
Traveling to Slovenia
Must-do items before you go!
- Make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of three months beyond the last day of your stay in Europe.
- Send Liz and Adam your flight itinerary, so they can arrange your private transfers.
Important flight scheduling notes
- Our activities begin on the evening of June 29, 2025. Most of you will be arriving by mid-afternoon, so unless your flight is delayed, you shouldn't miss anything!
- If there are any changes made to your flight itinerary, please share them with us so we can keep track of everyone's arrival.
What should I expect on my flight?
- Arrive at the airport early! Plan to get to the airport a minimum of 2 hours before scheduled take-off, though arriving even 3 hours prior to an international departure is a good idea.
- Most transatlantic flights from the U.S. to Europe will be slated to depart in late afternoon or early evening (U.S. time), with arrival in Europe the following morning (European time).
- Since transatlantic flights are lengthy, most will have comforts and amenities including:
- An entertainment screen is on the back of every seat, from which you can watch a selection of TV shows and movies, play video games, and engage in similar activities.
- Dinner is provided on the flight, typically not long after take-off; after dinner, the cabin lights are dimmed to allow passengers to get some sleep.
- Blankets, pillows, and sleep masks are available.
- Toward the end of the flight, as you are approaching your destination and it is morning in Europe, a light breakfast is served.
- Be sure to get up and move around at least a couple of times during the flight.
- Throughout the flight, if you need a glass of water or something similar, just ask! One of the keys to long-distance travel is to avoid dehydration.
- You will have a layover at a European airport, and then catch a connecting flight to Ljubljana, Slovenia, from there. Some points and tips to keep in mind for your layover:
- You will go through Passport Control as part of your layover (depending on where your layover is, you may have to do so again upon arrival in Slovenia). You'll likely be asked why you're traveling to Europe, how long you're staying, and perhaps a few other questions about your travels, then they'll stamp your passport and you'll be on your way!
- Keep your return flight info handy when you head through Passport Control, as it's possible the passport control agents may ask to see proof of your return flight to the U.S.
- Get a sense of how far it is to the gate for your connecting flight. Depending on the airport’s layout, you might need to go through a Passport Control check to get to your connecting flight’s gate, for example; be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get there for boarding. (If you have a long layover, the gate for your connecting flight may not be assigned right away, so check back every half hour or so on the Departures screens located around the terminal.)
- You’ll feel strange as a result of jet lag, but if you have a layover of a few hours or more, having something to eat and drink (stay hydrated!) can help.
I have a disability or condition that may make getting through airport security more difficult. What should I do?
- Consider reaching out in advance to TSA Cares. TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. You can call (855) 787-2227 when you are 72 hours from your flight, or fill out this form in advance. Read more about it here.
- For help at Ljubljana Airport in Slovenia, you can read more about the services they offer here.
Once my flight arrives in Slovenia, what are my next steps?
- Once you de-plane, follow the signs to the Baggage Claim.
- As you reach the Baggage Claim area, you should see signs or screens at each carousel announcing which flight’s checked baggage will be arriving at that carousel. (That said, Ljubljana Airport has a relatively limited number of flights each day, so it might be obvious where to find your baggage without consulting the signage.)
- There is an ATM if you'd like to get some euros. (More details on money are in a later section.)
- Once you have picked up your checked baggage, proceed to the exit toward the “unsecured” area of the airport. You may find separate doors or lanes for those who do or don’t have items to declare. You won’t have anything to declare upon arrival, so feel free to exit through the “nothing to declare” lane/door (past any security officers -- you’re not required to stop to check in with them, but they can stop folks for spot checks).
How do I find my driver and get to Bled?
- Once you proceed out of the secured baggage area, look for a person holding a sign with your name. This is your driver! You can verify your name, and follow them to their car for your drive to Bled.
- Your driver will have your phone number, so they may call or text you once they arrive at the airport, to let you know they're there. Don't worry if you are still waiting for your bags or not off the plane yet; the driver will give you time to go through those steps.
- If you are delayed an unusual amount for some reason, however, follow the instructions on your personal transfer documents (which Liz and Adam will email to you directly) to contact the driver. Also feel free to let Liz and Adam know, if you'd like.
- The ride from Ljubljana Airport to Hotel Park in Bled typically takes about half an hour.
Getting Acclimated
What's happening on Day 1? The Welcome Reception!
- If you’ve gotten checked into the hotel by early evening, join us for the Welcome Reception at Cafe Park (our hotel's lakeside outdoor cafe), taking place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Have a glass of wine, a cocktail, or a fun and refreshing nonalcoholic drink--and of course, enjoy a slice of the famous Bled Cream Cake, invented right here at Cafe Park!—and begin getting to know your fellow writers. We’d love to see you there!
- If a flight delay prevents you from getting to the hotel before 8 p.m., not to worry -- we’ll save your welcome gift bag for you! More vitally, since you’ll have given us your flight information, we’ll keep track of your flight’s updated status, and will be able to touch base with you upon your arrival.
What's the best way to deal with jet lag?
Slovenia operates on Central European Time, which in the summer is 6 hours ahead of US Eastern time, 7 hours ahead of US Central time, and so on. (For example, if it’s 8:00 a.m. in New York and 7:00 a.m. in Chicago, then it’s 2:00 p.m. in Slovenia.) That time-zone difference brings with it considerable jet lag upon arrival. Consider the following tips to help yourself adjust as smoothly and quickly as possible to the time change:
- Try to sleep on your transatlantic flight; this can be easier said than done, but the more rest you get on your flight, the more your body will already be partially adjusted to your new time zone when you arrive.
- Upon arrival, avoid the temptation to compare the current time in Europe to the time “back home.” Embrace your new European time zone to help your mind and body acclimate to it!
- Perhaps most important, once you arrive in Bled and check into the hotel, stay awake! Avoid the siren song of your hotel bed! If you attempt to take a “short” nap, the next thing you know, you will likely have slept for several hours, throwing your sleep cycle out of sync with European time. On the day of arrival, once you’ve reached the hotel, stay awake until at least the evening hours (aim for 8:00 p.m. or later before retiring), when you can sleep overnight, rather than attempting an afternoon nap.
What should I be prepared for, in terms of a language barrier?
Nearly everyone you’ll meet will speak at least some English, but to stand out as a polite and thoughtful visitor, we suggest trying to use at least a few words of Slovenian.
What basic Slovenian words should I know?
English |
Slovenian |
Hello |
Zdravo or Dober dan |
Thank you |
Hvala |
Yes |
Da |
No |
Ne |
Please |
Prosim |
Do you speak English? |
Govoriš angleško? |
Packing Advice
What are typical airline luggage rules?
- Airlines typically allow one checked bag of up to 50 lbs.
- Additionally, airlines typically allow one small carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse or backpack (these have their own weight and size limits, depending on the airline).
- Keep in mind that these are general guidelines; please check the specific rules for your airline.
- The 3-1-1 liquid rule: in your carry-on, you will only be allowed to bring ONE baggie that is ONE quart (or liter) or smaller in size, containing liquid containers each no bigger than THREE ounces. (There is no liquid restriction for your checked bag.)
I take medication. How should I pack it?
- We recommend keeping your medications in your carry-on bag, in their original bottles. Be sure to know the generic name of your medications, in case you were to lose your medication and need to get more in Slovenia, where the brand names might differ.
- If you take medication that is a liquid in a container larger than three ounces, you must declare it to TSA at the security checkpoint. Read more about that process here.
What is the typical weather?
- The average high temperature in Bled in June and July is around 80 degrees, with average lows in the upper 50s.
What should I consider when packing clothing?
- If you'll want to spend some time in the pool or the lake, don't forget your bathing suit! The lake is cool but swimmable, and there is a beach area about a ten-minute walk from the hotel where you can legally enter the water. (It is not permitted to wade into the lake at all points; we'll provide you with information on legal entry points as part of your itinerary.)
- You may want to pack a sweater or jacket in case of a cool evening.
- We'll have one group dinner at a traditional Slovenian restaurant. There is no dress code; feel free to dress as casually or formally as you would like!
Is there anything else I should know about packing?
- As always, the advice in travel is to pack light, pack light, pack light.
Electronics
Will I be able to use my cell phone while abroad?
- Check with your cell phone provider in advance about their international use. It is likely that your cell phone will not simply work as normal upon your arrival in Europe. Cost and the amount of data provided for international usage vary considerably between providers.
- If your provider makes it prohibitively expensive to use your phone abroad, one option is to buy a European SIM card to use in your phone when you arrive. These can be bought when you arrive, but we find it’s easier to purchase them in advance. You can find them for purchase on sites such as Amazon—just search “European SIM.” In order to use a European SIM, your phone must be unlocked. (Not sure? Ask your provider.)
- Another increasingly popular option is purchasing an e-SIM such as Airalo. Though we haven't personally used them, we have heard good things about their services.
- Do you even want data? It may not be necessary. Wi-fi will be available everywhere in the hotel. You could put your phone in airplane mode and use wi-fi for the duration of the trip. With services like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, you can make calls easily.
What sort of electrical outlets are used in Slovenia?
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Type F outlet plug. Image credit to internationalconfig.com.
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Money
What currency is used in Slovenia?
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What's the best way to get my money exchanged?
- Generally, a better exchange rate is obtained through bank-owned ATMs in Europe rather than a currency-exchange office. While it’s reasonable to bring a modest quantity of US currency with you (to exchange in the event of a bank card problem that requires a day or two to resolve), we do NOT recommend carrying large amounts of US cash in Europe.
- Many businesses in Bled take credit cards, but not all, so it may be advisable to obtain at least a small amount of euros in cash to have on hand once you've arrived. (At businesses that do accept credit cards, Visa and Mastercard are reliable forms of payment; fewer places accept American Express or Discover.)
What else should I know about getting and spending money?
- Before departure, notify your bank(s) that you may be using their debit/credit cards in Slovenia, along with any countries you're planning to visit (including the location of your layover) in order to minimize the chances of a fraud alert being issued by your bank. Nowadays some major banks do not ask you to notify them of travel plans, but many still do.
- Your debit and/or credit cards may charge a Foreign Transaction Fee; check with your bank(s) before departure to learn of their policies and fees for foreign transactions.
- ATMs can be found in airport terminals upon arrival in Ljubljana, and are plentiful in Bled.
- In almost all cases, the price you see listed for purchase (clothes in shops, food in restaurants, etc) includes all taxes; the price listed will be exactly the price you pay!
Health & Safety
How safe is Slovenia?
- While nowhere in the world can promise complete safety, the country of Slovenia has a "Level One" travel advisory from the US State Department, the lowest (most safe) rating.
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower in Europe, even in big cities, than they are in the U.S. While it is always advisable to be aware of your surroundings when traveling in a territory that is foreign to you, typically the main concerns for a traveler will be petty crimes—namely, pickpocketing and scams—and even those are less common in Bled than in larger European cities.
What security measures should I take before leaving the U.S.?
- Before departure, duplicate important documents--such as all bank cards you are bringing and your passport photo page--by emailing yourself photos of these items or by making photocopies to bring with you (to make it easier to cancel or replace items if any are lost).
- You may also enroll in the STEP Program. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
What can I do to stay safe while traveling?
- Be aware of your belongings: wear purses crossbody-style, closed and zippered or latched; never keep wallets, phones, or any other important or valuable items in a back pocket; do not leave items unattended or out of sight in public places.
- Monitor your open drinks in bars/restaurants, and do not accept open drinks from strangers. For your safety and security, it is advisable to avoid becoming overly intoxicated.
- We recommend not carrying all of your cash and cards in one place while you’re out and about; you may choose to leave a debit or credit card secured in your hotel room, for example, in case your wallet or purse is lost.
