Water-sport Activities in Slovenia
Kayaking, Rafting, Pedalos, Hydrospeed and Boat trips
All of these are available, minutes from both the Farmhouse and the Retreat at some of Slovenia's most famous stretches of water.
There are hundreds of ways to mess around in boats at both Bled and Bohinj. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent with or without instructors to help you improve your paddling. Pedalos and rowing boats are available to hire and provide a bit more room to hold a bottle of wine and a picnic and of course there are the traditional Bled style buses, ferrying people back and forth from the shore to the island church. Cheek clenching excitement is easily found on the nearby Bohinjka river where Life Trek and many others organise rafting, kayaking and hydrospeed (white water body boarding).
For truly world class river rapid however, the Soca, ten minutes from the Retreat, is the place to be. Firmly established now as the most beautiful white water sports river in Europe, the Soca is heaven for the people who flock there in the Spring to enjoy the crystal clear melt water coming down from the Alps above. Several local companies in villages throughout the valley can offer just about every river sport you can think of. Just pop your head into any of the offices up and down the valley to book, but be aware that the season ends at the start of Autumn.
Fly Fishing
The Soca is well known in the fishing world for being one of the best places in the world to catch the elusive marble trout, so much so that we have had a film crew stay in the Retreat while shooting a documentary.
If you don't manage to catch one of the elusive marble trout you may find yourself holding onto, or losing: brown trout, crossbreed trout, Slovenian grayling, rainbow trout, chub or Italian barbel.
For people staying in the Farmhouse, the superb fly fishing is slightly less famous but also excellent and even closer to your door. A short walk down to the bottom of the village takes you to the Sava Bohinjka, home to the brown trout, rainbow trout, grayling and the danubian salmon. Peaceful, beautiful and five minutes from your bed. Not half bad.
If you're looking for a guide Rok Luštrik (www.lustrik.com) provides an excellent service, prompting one of our guests to say it was the best day's fishing he'd ever had. If you prefer to do things on your own, the following websites have all the information you need on permits and places to fish.
www.impel-bohinj.si
www.flyfishing.si
Swimming
Although it can seem crazy in the cold and grey of the UK, it's perfectly possible to swim in a lake just as easily as you can by the sea. From May through to September don't be surprised to see heads bobbing up out of the water or down onto a towel in either Bled and Bohinj lake.
Indoors you can head to the Aquapark at Bohinjska Bistrica. Fifteen minutes drive from the Farmhouse, it's more like a water filled playground than a swimming pool with jets, slides and a mini climbing wall hanging out over the the water. For those of us still ten years old at heart, this is the best idea anyone has ever had. Downstairs, for those who are ten years old at heart but a bit sleepy, is a wellness centre offering all kinds of pampering goodies.
See more information about the aquapark at their website here.