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Lake Bled , Slovenia
WHERE : ST MARY ’ S CHURCH image : GETTY
When conjuring an image of Slovenia ’ s famous Lake Bled , most people picture its island-bound church , St Mary ’ s , surrounded by the summer bloom . Yet in winter it strikes an even more dramatic figure . Only the ice-blue lake is spared a dense coating of snow , as the church ’ s colors only just peek through . Framed by the looming figures of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke mountains , the church has withstood Slovenia ’ s harsh winters for hundreds of years . When the lake freezes over and authorities advise , you can pick up some skates and venture out over the frozen waters . Alternatively , rent some skis and take to the slopes of Straža Hill to enjoy Slovenia ’ s most popular vista .
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