Experience the culture of Bled through autumn colours, tastes and smells
Everywhere you look you see green – Lake Bled is emerald green, green are the forests and parks that surround it, and green is the island that is nestled at its centre. But as a gentle mist rolls in over the lake in the mornings, the colours of summer slowly begin to blend with those of autumn. The emerald green colour of the lake diminishes. And the trees gradually take on their autumn colours. A fresh aroma is already spreading through the forests, bringing an autumnal serenity that makes fairy-tale creatures seem almost real as you walk among the knotted and gnarled trees.
© Jošt Gantar
Filling homes are the smells of just-picked fruits and medicinal herbs, some of which will be used to complement dishes and drinks, not least home-made brandy. Lighter meals will be replaced by heartier dishes, such as sumptuous strudel or the ingredient-packed barley mush hotpot. Conversely, there will be a shortage of food in beehives in the autumn, and therefore these are dark times for the male members of the colony (the drones), which the hive will expel as a way of helping the colony get through the winter months.
But winter, a time when we especially look forward to the traditional festivities that add colour to those grey days, can wait a little longer. A rich palette of colours, smells and tastes is on the horizon, inviting inquisitive explorers of culture, tradition and cuisine to Bled this autumn.
Awaken your senses with some of the best experiences in Bled
To help you plan for some unforgettable moments in Bled, we have compiled a list of unique experiences, grouped under the heading Bled Local Selection. Bled Local Selection is a brand that includes a variety of products and experiences that represent Bled stories and are synonymous with authenticity, quality and innovation.
Each experience is represented by a particular taste, smell or colour. We invite you to choose your favourite combination and indulge your senses alongside Bled's storytellers, growers of produce, chefs, herbalists and beekeepers.
1. Bled Cooking Class with a taste of Slovenian tradition
© Boris Pretnar
Colour: Red
Got little or no cooking skills, yet want to prepare a delicious traditional Slovenian dish? Petra and Niko, locals from the picturesque village of Zasip pri Bledu, are here to help. What's more, they'll "spice up" the cooking of rolled dumplings, buckwheat flour pastry pockets and barley mush hotpot by recounting stories and legends from the Bled area. You will cook with local ingredients and taste Slovenian wines. And you can even make vegetarian versions of traditionally meat dishes.
More information about the Bled Cooking Class can be found here.
Reservations: bledcookingclass@gmail.com or 041 78 75 93.
2. Experience the scent of honey in the company of a Bled beekeeper and some busy bees
© Boris Pretnar
Colour: Yellow
Did you know that breathing in air from a beehive has a beneficial effect on human well-being? During your visit to the Kralov čebelnjak apiary in the village of Selo pri Bledu, you will not only learn about the relaxing effects of beekeeping but also about the colourful life of bees, and you can taste their many different products: from different types of honey, to gingerbread, and honey liqueur. The painted boards that adorn the front of the hives – panjske končnice – depict local stories and Slovenian customs.
For more information about the Beekeeping Experience, please click here.
Reservations: ambrozicdanijela@gmail.com or 041 22 74 07.
3. The Garden of Flavours and Experiences – through the fragrance of herbs
© Boris Pretnar
Colour: Green
Have you ever walked barefoot among herbs? A true herbal wellness experience awaits you at the Garden of Flavours and Experiences in the village of Zgornje Gorje near Bled, lovingly cultivated by a local woman, Mateja, with her love for the land and for self-sufficiency. A soothing stroll through the fragrant herbal paradise will indulge your senses, while home-made herbal infusions will nourish your body and soul. You will also discover which herbs can help you feel better, with Mateja's recommendations based on your zodiac sign.
For more information about the Garden of Flavours and Experiences, click here.
Reservations: or 031 77 80 96.
4. Demonstration of brandy production on an authentic Bled farm, accompanied by a rich variety of flavours and surprising stories
© Boris Pretnar
Colour: Brown
Did you know that Bled has a tradition of growing small but sweet pears that produce a first-class brandy? On the Tersegvav farm in Zasip, the love of distilling from the so-called “tepka” pears has been passed down from generation to generation. During your visit to the farm, the owners will show you the entire process of making tepka brandy – from the orchard and the distillery, to the authentic black kitchen, and on to the cellar originating from the 18th century, where you will try the home-made tepka pear brandy and liqueurs. The rich flavour of the brandy, enriched with fruit, herbs and honey, will delight even the most demanding of gourmets.
You can get more information about this experience, From the most beautiful “tepka” pear to “Tr’glav” brandy, here.
Reservations: or 04 057 12 17.
5. Preparing and baking potica on Bled Island – the cosy aroma of the holidays
© Boris Pretnar
Colour: Orange
During a visit to the island of Bled, while climbing the 99 steps leading up to the island's church, the eye may linger on a rather unusual tree for this area – the fig tree. Twice a year, its fruit enhances the taste of potica, the Slovenian festive treat made at Potičnica (Potica House) on the island. Add a culinary touch to your visit to Bled Island and take part in making potica cake with local ingredients and handmade kitchen utensils. During the workshop you will also have the opportunity to enjoy potica cake made with various fillings and hear about Slovenian festivals and customs.
More information about the Preparing and baking potica on Bled Island experience can be found here.
Reservations: dobrodosli.welcome@blejskiotok.si or 051 32 05 90.
6. A guided adventure through the Enchanted Forest on Hom, surrounded by fragrant trees and fairy-tale creatures
© Boris Pretnar
Colour: Green
Looking for a suitable setting for some family fun? In the Enchanted Forest, situated on Hom Hill with a view of Bled and its surroundings, both children and adults will have fun solving intriguing challenges and puzzles. You can also listen to folk tales, enjoy fruit snacks and perform “elvish exercises” surrounded by the fragrant forest. As the Enchanted Forest is also home to the mysterious forest fairy, keep an eye out for her as you wander through the forest – she might just appear!
More information on the Guided Adventure through the Enchanted Forest on Hom can be found here.
Reservations: info@malipustolovci.si or 031 37 89 17.
7. An experience that evokes Slovenian holidays, highlighting the flavours and culture of Bled's villages
© Boris Pretnar
Colour: Golden
What do you imagine when you think of holidays? Delicious food, festive costumes, lively music and exuberant dancing no doubt. At Sodar's Homestead, a 500-year-old country manor house in the village of Bodešče pri Bledu, you'll be treated to the colourful Sound of Holidays experience, which evokes the festivities of the 19th century. At the same time you'll be able to experience genuine homeliness and feel like you're part of the family the moment you step through the door. By sampling local food, listening to folk songs and watching traditional dances, you will relive some of the forgotten Slovenian customs and learn about many local cultural specialities.
More information about the Sound of Holidays experience can be found here.
Reservations: andrejribno@gmail.com or 040 33 17 11.
Experience a slice of Bled culture with all your senses
The autumn-themed Bled guided experiences promise a wide range of tastes and smells that will encourage you to discover Bled's cultural landscape in a unique way. All seven experiences explore the cuisine and cultural highlights of Bled, as well as the wider Slovenian cultural heritage.
Experiences particularly suitable for families include the Guided Adventure through the Enchanted Forest on Hom, the Sound of Holidays, the Beekeeping Experience, and the Garden of Flavours and Experiences.
Guided tours are available for small or large groups. For more information, availability and prices, please contact the provider of your chosen experience.
This year, add an additional touch of magic to your autumn in Bled!
For those who need a little incentive, we are offering seasonal discount, which you can claim HERE.
Turizem Bled
