Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Tito's Vila Bled
Before World War II, this villa on Lake Bled was the summer residence for the Yugoslav
royal family. When Tito ran Yugoslavia, the part-Slovene communist leader took over the
place and had it renovated using plans from the architect Jože Ple
č
nik. During his heyday,
Tito entertained international guests here (big shots from the communist and non-aligned
world, from Indira Gandhi to Nikita Khrushchev to Kim Il Sung to Raúl Castro). Since
1984, it's been a classy hotel and restaurant, offering guests grand Lake Bled views and
James Bond ambience. The garden surrounding the villa is filled with exotic trees, brought
here by Tito's guests from distant lands.
The terrace has a restaurant that welcomes visitors to drop in for a meal, a piece of cake,
or just a cup of coffee (reservations smart if you're dining; likely closed Nov-mid-April).
Tito fans might want to splurge for an overnight (standard Db-€195, tel. 04/575-3710,
www.vila-bled.si
). But even if you're not a guest here, the hotel's staff is generally tolerant
of curious tourists poking around the public areas inside.
From the marbled lobby, head upstairs. This is where Tito sympathizers have a nostalgic
opportunity to send an email from his desk, sip tea in his lounge, and gawk at his
Socialist
Realist wall murals.
Those murals, decorating the upper walls of a vast ballroom on the
second floor, are a fascinating peek at the propaganda of the time. Follow the rousing story
of the origins of postwar Yugoslavia, starting on the upper left as you enter: First you see
