It turns out Lake Bled in Slovenia has become the must-visit winter destination for Britons looking to escape the cold at home this year.
Experts have crowned it Europe's most stunning winter wonderland city break, and it's easy to see why people are falling in love with this spot.
The numbers tell the story - British searches for European winter city breaks have shot up 116 per cent in just one week. It seems everyone's desperate to swap the UK's wind and rain for something a bit more magical abroad.
This Slovenian gem sits at the top of SIXT's list of Europe's most picturesque winter destinations.
Lake Bled in Slovenia has become the must-visit winter destination for Britons looking to escape the cold at home this year
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Slovenia's tourism scene is absolutely booming right now, the experts explained. Two years ago, it was a hidden gem, but 2023 and 2024 brought record-breaking visitor numbers - and this year is looking even better.
British travellers are particularly keen, with searches for Ljubljana flights jumping an incredible 140 per cent in the past month alone. It has been heavily influenced by social media, as Lake Bled has become a TikTok sensation with more than 15,500 posts already.
Everyone wants their own perfect shot of those famous turquoise waters. The lake's stunning blue colour helped it rank as Europe's third bluest body of water in the analysis.
While it's famous for summer visits, winter brings out a completely different charm at Lake Bled. The lake sometimes freezes solid enough for ice skating, creating a natural rink surrounded by mountains.
For those who love snow sports, there's skiing and snowboarding at nearby Straža Hill. Families can enjoy sledging on the gentler slopes too. The best part? You'll find far fewer tourists during the winter months.
The snowy mountain scenery creates an incredible backdrop for all these activities. It's this mix of natural beauty, blue waters and winter fun that's making Lake Bled such a hit with British travellers this year.
December typically brings the first snowfall, transforming this popular summer spot into something straight out of a storybook. The combination of crystal-clear turquoise water and snow-capped mountains creates the perfect romantic getaway.
Without the summer crowds, couples and families can enjoy peaceful walks around the lake and cosy evenings in traditional Slovenian restaurants. The fairytale atmosphere is exactly what makes winter so special.
TRAVEL INSPIRATION
The lake is a great destination for summer and winter holidays
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Looking for more festive getaways? Jet2 has unveiled festive flights to 11 Christmas market hotspots. The flights and packages are available to book now.
There are more than 250,000 seats now available across over 50 different routes. Holidaymakers can choose from 11 sparkling European destinations, all accessible from 12 UK airport bases.
Holidaymakers can book Berlin, Bratislava, Budapest, Cologne, Copenhagen, Gdansk, Krakow, Malmo, Prague, Tallinn and Vienna. Each destination promises its own unique Christmas market experience, with Tallinn being on offer for the first time this year.