Hotel Astoria

The view from Bled Castle is worth the clamber up through the forest. Its history dates back to 1004 and it was slowly added to over hundreds of years, before suffering damage from an earthquake in 1511. Since then, it's been rebuilt and extended into the beautiful castle we see today - home to a fresco-painted gothic chapel and impressive architecture. Delve into the history of Bled in the museum, see traditional hand printing techniques or visit the castle wine cellar. Make sure to spend plenty of time enjoying the view over the lake. 

Arnold Rikli first brought wellness tourism to Bled - encouraging people to get out into nature, walking, breathing the fresh air, and swimming. Bled's the perfect place for it, with its warm mountain climate, unspoilt nature and pleasant water temperatures. The thermal springs in the north-eastern part of the lake are said to have healing properties and supply the swimming pools of some of the hotels in Bled. You can swim in the lake at the far-western edge - it's the perfect spot, around half way through a walk around the lake starting from Bled town, or you can visit the lido beneath Bled castle, which has slides and areas to relax by the water.

Many of our hotels have excellent wellness facilities, and the Grand Hotel Toplice also benefits from direct lake access from its private lido area. 

The best way to experience Lake Bled is to get in or on the water. Rent a rowing boat or kayak and head out onto the lake, and stand-up paddle boarding is popular too. You can even rent a clear-bottomed kayak or try scuba diving. For a little more adrenaline, the rivers of Sava Bohinjka and Sava Dolinka are popular for rafting, kayaking, or canoeing - eventually, they merge to become the Sava - Slovenia's largest river. You can try canyoning in the gorges too.

The traditional wooden pletna boats have been taking visitors to the island in the middle of the lake for centuries. These boats are operated by standing rowers known as pletnars, who are locals that have inherited their job role. A peaceful glide along the lake will take you to the charming Bled Island - the only island in Slovenia. Count the stairs, and make a wish by pulling the wish-bell.

We are lucky to have access to two beautiful rivers, the Sava Dolinka River, just 5 minutes from Bled or the Soča River with its stunning turquoise colour, which is about two hours away from Bled. For a family-friendly rafting trip on the Sava Dolinka River, please contact your Destination Expert to book. Even better, for a full day out on the water, combine your rafting with canyoning. Both activities run daily at various times, depending on whether you choose one or both activities. Free photos are included for all trips. 

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

When it was first discovered, the Vintgar Gorge was impassable, but you don't have to get wet to visit it - thanks to over 500 metres of bridges and galleries, you can experience what's now one of Slovenia's most important natural attractions. Unique rock formations have been carved by the Radovna River and its waterfalls, pools and rapids - the 13 metres high Šum Waterfall is one of the highlights. There's a moderate self-guided walk from Bled to Vintgar Gorge you can enjoy, with plenty of food stops and mountain huts along the way! 

Hidden in the cliffs of Iglica, above Bohinjska Bela is the 24-metre high Iglica Waterfall - these cliffs are a popular spot for sport climbers. 

Image: (Copyright: Jost Gantar)

The Pokljuka Plateau is a huge area, around 20 kilometres long and almost 20 kilometres wide, with a unique karst landscape, shaped by the Pokljuka glacier and home to many plants and animals. The tradition of Alpine farming continues on the Pokljuka Plateau in summer, and cattle spend sunny days grazing the pastures and living in traditional wooden sheds. Experience a bit of life as it used to be and try some home-made cheese.

Image:  (Copyright: Ales Zdesar Arhiv Javni Forvod)

The area around Ribno is characterised by peaceful villages and old rural houses - the Sava Bohinjka river quietly meanders through. An interesting walk will take you from the Sava Bohinjka river to the Talež Hunting Lodge where you get a great view of Bled and the Karavanke mountains. A little further afield, Radovljica is the Slovenian capital of beekeeping - it's an authentic town, with the charming old centre where buildings have been preserved from the 16th Century. The locals make exceptional chocolate and it's widely known as the culinary centre of the Julian Alps - not to be missed if you love food.

The hill known as Straža Bled, is a hive of activity in the summer, mainly due to the exciting summer toboggan that speeds down the hillside. The way up to Straža isn't too difficult, following a nice path shaded by trees, and the view from the top is worth the climb. If you don't fancy the uphill on foot though, you can relax and enjoy the chairlift ride instead.

Experience a full day of breathtaking mountain scenery and untouched natural beauty on this tour of the Julian Alps. We will head from Kranjska Gora into the Trenta Valley while driving alongside the emerald-green Soča River. There will be several short stops along the way to enjoy the views. After a lunch break in Bovec, we'll continue our journey over the Predil Pass (1,156 m) back to Kranjska Gora, passing by the world-famous ski jump center in Planica. Transportation and a guide are included; however, lunch is not.

Departs: Monday (full day)

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Image: (Copyright: Arhiv Turizem Kranjska Gora Bogomir Košir)

Explore one of Slovenia's most popular attractions: the world-famous Postojna Caves. Take a ride on the 'cave train' to experience one of the largest cave systems in the world. Afterward, visit the enchanting and mysterious Predjama Castle, which boasts a rich history. The tour includes transportation, a guide, and entrance fees.

Departs: Tuesday (3/4 day)

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

A guided insight into one of the youngest capital cities of Europe with plenty of time for sightseeing and shopping. Ljubljana is a vibrant and attractive city, renowned for being one of the greenest in Europe, boasting numerous green spaces and alfresco dining options. Feel the energy of the streets, immerse yourself in the stories and legends, and enjoy the pretty city sights. Transport and guide are included (funicular in Ljubljana is not included).

Departs: Wednesday (3/4 day)

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Image: (Copyright: Matej Kastelic)

Take a scenic local train ride through the mountains and valleys to the charming village by the Soča River. Enjoy a leisurely boat cruise on an emerald blue lake before heading to the Goriška Brda wine region. A delicious lunch will be served at a family-run restaurant with stunning views of the vineyards. Visit one of the country’s largest wine cellars in Dobrovo, explore the fascinating cellars, and indulge in a wine-tasting experience. This full-day trip includes lunch, wine tasting, a guide, and all transport.

Departs: Friday (full day)

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

The longest Zip-line in Europe - traverse 7 times across the Sava Dolinka river and marvel in the protected natural area without disrupting the flora and fauna. All seven zipline trails were carefully chosen so that no trees were cut down or damaged. The cables were placed with the help of the best modern technology, and a drone was used to ensure that the vegetation beneath the ropes suffered no negative impact.

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Image: (Copyright: www.zipline-dolinka.si)