Curiosities / Get ready for winter at one of the world’s most beautiful lakes

While Bled is seen by most as the perfect destination for a day trip, this Alpine gem is actually more than just a place straight out of a fairy tale. With enchanting views of Lake Bled, clean mountain air, and plenty of sunshine, it is also extremely beneficial to your health, making it the ideal place to strengthen your body before the coming winter. Nature, physical activity in the fresh Alpine air, relaxation, regeneration and pampering in natural Alpine water, massage therapies and sauna programmes with an Alpine twist, local food with fresh and home-grown ingredients, boutique and authentic experiences, and a safe and sustainable holiday are just what you need in autumn to get ready for winter. And Bled is the perfect choice for all of the above.

Author: m.v.

Date: 10. 10. 2023

Physical activity in the fresh Alpine air

It has been scientifically proven that doing sports boosts the immune system. Exercising is beneficial for the cardiovascular system. It improves blood circulation, which in turn activates immune cells. Another well-known fact is that stress has a negative impact on the immune system, while doing sports helps you overcome stressful situations. As your digestion and metabolism improve, your self-esteem rises, leading to better physical and mental well-being. The happiness hormones that are released while doing sports benefit all the senses. On top of that, physical activity has a rejuvenating effect. In short, the combination of all these positive effects is like winning the lottery. Bled offers plenty of options for activities in the fresh Alpine air!

A walk around the lake

Taking a relaxing walk with views of the lake while being fully aware of your body and of the nature around you is proven to have a soothing and relaxing effect on the nervous system, thus boosting your resilience. Take a walk around one of the world’s most beautiful lakes and bask in the energy of the plants all around you. Trees are known to release phytoncides – volatile organic compounds that destroy microorganisms, improve skin elasticity, detoxify the body, and support the metabolism. Walking in nature also increases the production of endorphins and happiness hormones.

Hiking

The immediate and more distant surroundings of Bled make it a tourist destination that offers abundant opportunities for hiking. As a boutique green destination, Bled is focusing on more demanding visitors looking for varied and active experiences. Visit one of the info points to get a map of the Bled hiking trails. One section of the Juliana, a long-distance hiking trail around the Julian Alps and Triglav National Park, also leads through Bled.

Hiking in Bled and the surrounding area

Cycling

Travelling by bike is the best way to explore a specific region. The Blejski kot valley is highly suitable for cyclists, be they older guests and young families or passionate recreational cyclists. There are no dedicated cycling trails in Bled or the surrounding area, but since traffic is light, most roads are suitable for cycling.

Find out more about cycling in Bled and the surrounding area.

Bled "fit" promenade

The Bled Fitness Promenade, formerly known as the Rikli Trail, starts a few metres before the parking lot beneath Straža and continues through the forest, over a small bridge, and up a set of stone steps all the way to the top of the ski lift. From here, follow the signposts to continue your hike. Straža has as many as six vantage points, all of which offer beautiful views of Bled and its surrounding area in every direction. To enhance your hike, add a workout on the Bled Fitness Promenade or visit the Bled Adventure Park.

Photo: Rok Mučič

Foto: Rok Mučič

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Relaxation with natural Alpine water

Water supports all life on Earth. Its very proximity has a positive effect on physical and mental health. Water has a calming, relaxing effect, helping you to focus on yourself, take a deep breath, and look at life from a different perspective. This allows you to understand what truly matters in life, connect with the primal energy of nature, and surrender to the beauty of life.

The largest swimming pool complex in Gorenjska – Wellness Živa

Živa Wellness boasts the largest swimming pool complex in Gorenjska with six thermal pools and a whirlpool on the top floor where you can relax and enjoy the view of Bled Castle, as well as children’s pools and even an indoor water slide for water fun! Waterpark Živa is the perfect place to get rid of stress and to recharge your batteries with fresh energy.

Find out more about the Wellness Živa swimming pool complex

A swimming pool with unforgettable views of Lake Bled – Spa Park

Visit Spa Park and enjoy a swim in a pool of natural water with a temperature of 33 °C that will soothe you, relax your muscles, and warm you up. After your swimming session, dive in and lose yourself in the panoramic views of Lake Bled that will take your breath away while you relax on the comfortable wooden benches.

Find out more about the Hotel Park swimming pools.

Lake Bled – one of the world’s most beautiful lakes

Lake Bled is widely described as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The best way to experience it is to relax on one of the well-maintained beaches or to take out a boat or paddle board. You can get a ride on one of the traditional “pletna” boats or row to the island yourself. Each option has its own charm and both are worth experiencing! Handmade wooden boats and paddle boards are also available to rent at the reception desks of Hotel Park and the Rikli Balance Hotel.

Foto: Jošt Gantar, STO

Find out more about Lake Bled and its island.

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Pampering the body and spirit with massage, sauna, meditation, and yoga

Autumn is the perfect season to take some time for yourself, calm down, and get in touch with nature. Meditation and yoga help to lower stress hormone levels and regulate blood pressure. If you do them outside in nature, so much the better! Another great way to relax during all seasons is massage, which can boost your immune system in a soothing and pleasant atmosphere. A study conducted at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles has shown that a 45-minute massage increases the number of lymphocytes – the white blood cells that help to protect the body against disease. Saunas, particularly infrared saunas, have a similarly beneficial effect on your health. Since they stimulate circulation, cells are more oxygenated, which enables better blood flow. This means that on the surface of your skin, more toxins are eliminated on a cellular level, promoting cellular health, supporting muscle recovery, and boosting the immune system.

The Arnold Rikli concept at Wellness Živa

Wellness Živa is distinguished by Alpine wellness programmes, massage therapies, and baths based on the concept of the Swiss healer, Arnold Rikli. Rikli wrote, “Our every thought, breath, and heartbeat, our every feeling, conviction, and movement sends energy signals through the body that influence our entire being.” Adopting this thought, Wellness Živa offers a wide range of relaxing massage therapies, baths, body and facial treatments, and saunas. The concept is complemented by the Alpine character of Bled, which is reflected in the use of spruce buds and Carniolan bee honey, which have multiple positive healing effects on the body and soul.

Find out more about the Rikli concept.

Massage therapies using exclusively Slovenian products – Spa Park

Massage enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the four massage rooms named Water, Forest, Lake, and Park. Each of them boasts views of the hotel park, reminding you that you are in the heart of one of the world’s most beautiful places, one which has always been believed to have healing effects. Besides classic massage, you can also enjoy anti-stress and sports massage therapies, aromatherapy, and unique herbal bundle massage.

Find out more about the wellness services at Spa Park.

Saunas with views of Lake Bled – Spa Park

The saunas here are a special experience. Every single sauna at Spa Park – Finnish, Turkish, and infrared –is distinguished by panoramic views of Lake Bled and Bled Castle, as is the outdoor terrace. The saunas also offer a tea corner, a variety of sauna programmes with scrubs and masks, and a drinking fountain to keep everyone hydrated.

Find out more about the Spa Park world of saunas.

Rikli’s Relaxation Park

Rikli’s relaxation park, located in the close vicinity of the Rikli Balance Hotel, is meant for you to slow down the rhythm of life and take a few moments for your well-being. Reduce your stress levels and worries by walking on Rikli’s barefoot path, trade in your everyday problems for nature’s green embrace, hug a tree, and restore your health. By practising yoga in the wonderful environment of the park, you will calm your thoughts, relax your body, and regain well-being.

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Regular hydration, vitamin C, and fresh food

They say that you are what you eat. In these autumn days when your body is getting ready for the cold winter ahead, it is important to consume enough vitamin C – an essential antioxidant that protects your cells from oxidative stress. All the cells in your body need vitamin C to function normally, as it contributes to the production of collagen and to the normal functioning of bones, teeth, cartilage, gums, skin, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is also essential for the absorption of iron and for normal functioning of the nervous system. On top of that, it is highly beneficial for the immune system. Where can you find it? Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, pineapple, blackberries, rosehip, spinach, broccoli, and peppers. Other factors that boost the immune system include fresh and local food processed as little as possible. In the Gorenjska region, there is another important element: honey from the Carniolan honey bee! Wash all this down regularly with natural Alpine water and your immune system will jump for joy.

Fresh and local food at Sava Hotels Bled

At Sava Hotels Bled we swear by ingredients that are gathered on the same day that they are used. This means they contain significantly more vitamins and nutrients, for which your immune system will be more than grateful. Visit any of our bars, cafes, and restaurants to discover authentic flavours that can only be created with local ingredients and traditional methods of preparation. We are the proud recipients of the Michelin Plate award for carefully prepared, quality food with fresh ingredients, as well as the Recommended by Michelin label. Both were awarded to Chef Simon Bertoncelj for his work at Restaurant Julijana at Grand Hotel Toplice.

Honey beverages at the Rikli Balance Hotel

The Gorenjska region is famous for the Carniolan honey bee. The rooms in the recently renovated Rikli Balance Hotel have a common theme of bees and beekeeping, while the hotel is also proud to present honey dishes and honey beverages made with local honey.

Drinking fountain in Hotel Park

A drinking fountain with natural Alpine drinking water greets you in the lobby of Hotel Park and invites you to draw it directly from the tap. In Slovenia we are extremely fortunate to have tap water of outstanding quality. Simply place your water bottle under the tap. Sustainable water bottles are available to buy at reception. You can also get your fill of natural Alpine drinking water from any other tap in Hotel Park. It is a great way to instantly improve your well-being, to boost your health, and to regenerate.

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Restorative sleep

Swiss natural healer Arnold Rikli, the first person to open a nature-themed health resort in Bled, relied on the beneficial effects of the local natural factors of air, water, and sunshine. He advocated plenty of exercise in the fresh air, a moderate but quality vegetarian diet … and restorative sleep. You are sure to get enough of the latter at the renovated Rikli Balance Hotel and at Hotel Park. Surrounded by the soothing elements of nature, from wood to moss, and by the unforgettable views of Lake Bled, you will instantly feel calm and relaxed. After a day spent in the fresh air, all that is left to say is … sweet dreams in one of the world’s most beautiful places!