Bled — Travelrags

The GuardianSep 11, 2026

‘I never imagined such pleasure could be had from the simple sardine’: readers’ favourite foodie experiences in Europe

Your top culinary discoveries, from Bled cake in Slovenia to sardines in Portugal and seafood soup in Spain • Tell us about autumn days out in the UK – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher Last August, the smoky aroma of grilled sardines drifting over the beach in Portimão woke me up from my sunbathing on the beach. Attracted by the aroma of barbecued fish, we found ourselves in the old por…

12 things in this story

Lake BledSightBeautiful alpine scenery
Bled cakeRestaurantSumptuously smooth set custard in mille-feuille pastry
Elsewhere
Sardine festivalFestivalPortimão, PortugalReenactment of fishing boats, concerts, dancing, cooking demos
heimablídniPlaceTórshavn, Faroe IslandsTraditional Faroese food served in a home with locals
Monte PellegrinoSightPalermo, ItalyHiked to the top in 35C heat
panelleBakeryPalermo, ItalyCrispy chickpea-flour fritters served in sesame bread
HaikuRestaurantPalermo, ItalyVegan restaurant with reimagined classics
kepta duonaRestaurantVilnius, LithuaniaDeep-fried rye bread with garlic and cheese
Land & MonkeysCaféParis, FranceBoulangeries/patisseries scattered across the capital
Rosarose BistrotRestaurantBologna, ItalyTables with red-checked cloths set in cobblestone road
Snail Feast of LleidaFestivalLleida, SpainCelebration of the tiny mollusc with music and dancing
Sella RiverPlaceArriondas, SpainThe Sella is a river located in northwest Spain.

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Lonely PlanetAug 6

8 best places to visit in Slovenia in 2026

Fun-size Slovenia – hiding in plain sight – is there waiting for you to walk on Alpine trails, kayak in glacial waterways and visit world-class winemakers.

25 things in this story

Lake BledSightIconic image of a mythical church in turquoise lake.
Bled CastleSightWorth the climb for the views.
Bled IslandSightTiny island with Church of the Assumption.
Church of the AssumptionSightClimb 99 stairs on Bled Island.
Vintgar GorgeTrailBoardwalks and bridges across a 1600m-long ravine.
Elsewhere
Triglav National ParkSightBohinj, SloveniaPark where Lake Bohinj is located.
Lake BohinjSightBohinj, SloveniaSlovenia’s largest natural lake.
Ljubljana CastleSightLjubljana, SloveniaAncient hilltop fortification with preserved medieval rooms.
Old TownNeighborhoodLjubljana, SloveniaAdmire main square and baroque church.
Prešernov TrgSightLjubljana, SloveniaMain square with baroque, salmon-pink church.
Franciscan Church of the AnnunciationPlace of worshipLjubljana, SloveniaBaroque, salmon-pink 17th-century church.
Triple BridgeSightLjubljana, SloveniaBreathtaking bridge by architect Jože Plečnik.
National and University LibrarySightLjubljana, SloveniaInterior by architect Jože Plečnik.
Ljubljanica RiverSightLjubljana, SloveniaMain promenade lined by restaurants and cafes.
Maribor CastleMuseumMaribor, SloveniaHome of the regional museum.
Glavni TrgMarketMaribor, SloveniaMain medieval market square with town hall.
Old Vine HouseSightMaribor, SloveniaWorld's oldest producing vine climbs facade.
PiramidaSightMaribor, Slovenia12th-century castle reached by a 30-minute hike.
Alpine Dairy Farming MuseumMuseumStara Fužina, SloveniaExhibits explain local farm-to-table heritage.
Bohinj RailwayPlaceBohinjska Bistrica, SloveniaScenic train ride from Bohinjska Bistrica to Italy.
Soča RiverSightBovec, SloveniaCrystal-clear turquoise river for water activities.
Exhibition of Slovenian HistoryMuseumLjubljana, Slovenia
Museum of PuppetryMuseumLjubljana, Slovenia
Hiša DenkRestaurantMaribor, Slovenia
Restavracija MakRestaurantMaribor, Slovenia

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AfarJul 29

These 6 National Parks in Europe Have Glacial Lakes, Nearby Chalets, and Way Fewer Tourists

Climbing a 396-step metal staircase bolted to the side of an extinct volcanic crater in Iceland, I thought about how underrated many of Europe’s national parks are. There were no crowds nor viewpoints ...

21 things in this story

Triglav National ParkSightHome to Slovenia's highest summit and deep forests.
Seven Lakes ValleyTrailMulti-day route through valleys and meadows.
Chalet SofijaHotelMountainous getaway with Alps views, infinity pool.
Elsewhere
Snæfellsjökull National ParkSightSnæfellsnes Peninsula, IcelandSnaefellsjokull national park was established in 2001, and it covers about 170 km2 of the westmost tip of the…
Arnarstapi to Hellnar coastal trailTrailSnæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland2-mile hike passing villages, cliffs, and views.
Fosshotel HellnarHotelHellnar, IcelandSet above cliffs with beer-garden and restaurants.
Retezat National ParkSightRetezat Mountains, RomaniaRomania's first national park with glacial lakes.
Bucura Glacier Lake CircuitTrailRetezat Mountains, RomaniaRoute showcasing peaks and Alpine terrain.
Transylvania Log CabinsHotelRetezat Mountains, RomaniaEco-minded lodges with tree-house accommodations.
Białowieża National ParkNature reserveBiałowieża, PolandProtects Europe's largest free-roaming bison population.
Żebra Żubra (Bison's Ribs) TrailTrailBiałowieża, Poland3.4-mile loop through marshes and old-growth forest.
Royal Oaks TrailTrailBiałowieża, PolandShort walk among centuries-old oak trees.
Hotel Żubrówka Spa & WellnessHotelBiałowieża, PolandHas indoor pool and spa, near park entrance.
Skuleskogen National ParkSightHigh Coast, SwedenIt covers 30.62 km2 (11.82 mi2), constituting the eastern part of the Forest of Skule.
SlåttdalsskrevanSightHigh Coast, SwedenDramatic 200-meter-long rock fissure.
FriluftsBynHotelHigh Coast, SwedenVillage with cabins, eateries, and activities.
Durmitor National ParkSightŽabljak, MontenegroLimestone peaks and remote mountain landscapes.
Bobotov Kuk summit trailTrailŽabljak, Montenegro6.3-mile climb to country's highest peak.
Black Lake trailTrailŽabljak, Montenegro2.9-mile loop around an iconic glacial lake.
Tara River CanyonSightŽabljak, MontenegroEurope's deepest gorge, offers white-water rafting.
Casa di Pino EcoLodge HotelHotelŽabljak, MontenegroBoutique, nature-connected base for luxury experience.

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Condé Nast TravelerJul 20

The 20 Most Beautiful Towns in the World for Every Type of Traveler

From fourth-century temple ruins to UNESCO-listed neighborhoods, these quaint getaways prove that bigger isn’t always better.

10 things in this story

Lake BledSightPopular site with emerald waters and castle
Vila BledRestaurantLocated in former president Tito's old mansions
Elsewhere
Luna Volcán, Adventure SPAHotelGöreme, TurkeyRomantic retreat perfect for couples or solo travelers
Islam Khodja complexSightKhiva, UzbekistanTurquoise dome in the old Itchan Kala fortress
Itchan KalaMuseumKhiva, UzbekistanOld fortress with mud-brick architecture
Penglipuran villageNeighborhoodPenglipuran, IndonesiaTraditional village showing ancient Balinese houses
Siwa OasisNeighborhoodSiwa, EgyptDesert oasis with ancient stone castle and fortress tower
ReiterlesmarktMarketRothenburg ob der Tauber, GermanyOne of the best Christmas markets in Germany
Romantik Hotel MarkusturmHotelRothenburg ob der Tauber, GermanyHotel with wood-paneled restaurant and antique-filled rooms
Mandawa KothiHotelMandawa, India

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AfarJul 13

This New 2,000 Mile Hiking Trail Crosses 6 Countries in Europe

It’s not every day that a thru-hiker gets to test a new trail, especially one that is 2,171 miles long and passes through six countries. But that’s exactly what Lauren Roerick, a Canadian ...

8 things in this story

Triglavski National ParkSightlocated in Slovenia, part of the final segment
Elsewhere
Wolf TrailTrailTrieste, Italy2,171 miles from Baltic to Adriatic coast
Hel PeninsulaSightHel, Polandbeginning of the Wolf Trail
Słowiński National ParkSightHel, Polandpassed through in Stage 1 of the Wolf Trail
Ambras CastleMuseumInnsbruck, Austrialocated in Innsbruck
Bergisel Ski JumpSightInnsbruck, AustriaOlympic-grade facility in Innsbruck
Alpine Association of SloveniaPlaceLjubljana, SloveniaPlaninska zveza Slovenije (PZS) je ena največjih in ena najbolj množičnih nevladnih, prostovoljskih organizacij v…
Alpenverein Hut Reservation SystemPlaceMunich, Germany

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National GeographicFeb 10, 2025

Why Slovenia is Europe’s best-kept secret for hikers

Europe has long been a popular vacation destination, be it for a steamy summer vacation or a Christmas market train journey. For hiking enthusiasts, Europe offers a seemingly endless bounty of ...

19 things in this story

Lake BledSightIconic Slovenian destination with short, easy hikes
Triglav National ParkSightSlovenia's only national park, home to challenging routes
TriglavHotelSlovenia's highest peak, a technical hike
Triglavski Dom na KredariciHotelSlovenia's highest mountain lodge for overnight stays
Elsewhere
Camino de SantiagoTrailSantiago de Compostela, SpainLong-distance hiking pilgrimage route
Postojna CaveSightPostojna, SloveniaCave system near Predjama Castle, accessible by train
MadeiraSightFunchal, PortugalIsland known for gentle levada walks
Alpe-Adria TrailTrailVillach, Austria460-mile trail traversing Slovenia, Austria, and Italy
Soča ValleyNeighborhoodBovec, SloveniaFairytale-like forests in the Slovenian section of Alpe-Adria Trail
Skocjanske JameSightDivača, SloveniaUNESCO World Heritage cave system with underground paths
Reka RiverSightDivača, SloveniaRiver crossed by a bridge within Skocjan Caves
Predjama CastleSightPostojna, SloveniaMedieval castle set into a cliff near Postojna Cave
Trail of TrappistsTrailVipava Valley, SloveniaExplores old wine transport routes
Walk of PeaceTrailNova Gorica, Slovenia67-mile stretch with war remnants between Alps and Adriatic
Kobarid Historic TrailTrailKobarid, SloveniaTrail with forests, waterfalls, and WWI bunker remnants
Kobarid MuseumMuseumKobarid, SloveniaWWI-focused museum on the Kobarid Historic Trail
Velika PlaninaSightKamnik, SloveniaMountain plateau with herdsmen huts, accessible by cable car
Rupnik LineSightLjubljana, Slovenia
Soča FrontlineSightBovec, Slovenia

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