The Bled Podcast: Is This the Most Beautiful Place on Earth? brings you the wonders of Bled, Slovenia. Hosted by award-winning presenter Noah Charney, each episode introduces the places, people, foods, history and experiences in and around Lake Bled. It's everything you'll need to know to plan the perfect holiday. Is this the most beautiful place on Earth? There's only one way to find out...
The villas of Bled line the shore and slopes like chapters in a novel and we'll meet some of the most interesting in this episode. Though there are over thirty villas in the broader Bled area, we’ll concentrate on the ones you can see from the lakeside walking route, especially those encountered in a counterclockwise loop starting from the town center and passing Saint Martin’s Church. As you walk, we’ll meet them in the order you’d pass them. For each, I’ll share when it was built (as best as records allow), who commissioned it or made it famous, and what architectural features or anecdotes make it stand out. Plus guest appearances from a historian specializing in villas, Nika Leben, and the owners of two of the villas, Zdravko Rus who owns Hotel Triglav, and Simon Plestenjak, owner of Vila Josephine. So lace up your walking shoes, and join us for this episode.Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
13/10/2025 • 19:44
Today on The Bled Podcast, we're heading out—just for the day. Bled is a gem, no doubt about it, but if you’ve got time for a few side adventures, you’re in for a treat. These are five of the best short day trips from Lake Bled, each under 30 minutes by car, each a little world of its own. We’re talking Bohinj, Pokljuka, Begunje na Gorenjskem, Radovljica, and Kropa. It’s five reasons to extend your stay at Lake Bled—stay for a week and you can see both Bled and all five of these other little beauties. Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
02/10/2025 • 26:34
Lake Bled has just been crowned the most beautiful destination in Europe by Time Out magazine—a title that’s more than just flattering. What does it mean for a place like ours to receive such global recognition? And what might it signal for the future of tourism in Bled? To answer this question we'll look at how similar titles have positively affected tourism. We'll also speak to Elizabeta Skumavc, from the marketing team for Bled Tourism, and British travel writer Laura Coffey. Let’s explore and celebrate this remarkable proclamation!Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
10/09/2025 • 18:54
Everyone’s heard of Lake Bled. But just five minutes away, there’s a village that deserves its own spotlight—especially if you’re a fan of pears. It’s called Zasip, and it’s lovingly nicknamed Prgarija, or “the land of the prga.” This episode is all about Zasip—a village you probably haven’t heard of, but which is famous and fascinating...the perfect addition to your Bled holiday.Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
01/07/2025 • 22:26
If you're listening to a podcast all about Bled, Slovenia then you've probably already heard about the famous cream cake. You'll definitely want to eat a slice or three while you're here. But do you know the story behind it? How many millions of slices have sold? And what other wonderful dishes should you try while in Bled? This episode is all about Bled's culinary specialties--including fine dining and the world's best ice cream!Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
30/05/2025 • 27:27
When I first moved to Slovenia one of the things that surprised me and left a strong positive impression was how engaged Slovenians are with the outdoors. On a sunny Saturday the roads will be lined with cyclists, and mountains filled with happy hikers making their way up to strategically placed mountain huts serving stews, tea, and strudel to reward the efforts. The views of the Alps are magnificent, of course, but there’s a real camaraderie in the team spirit of lots of people spending their precious free time walking trails through the woods. It’s fun, it’s healthy, and in Slovenia it’s a social activity. In this episode of The Bled Podcast we’ll look at the best hikes around Lake Bled, hearing from a park ranger and a mountain guide to get their recommendations. Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
23/04/2025 • 21:09
Bled is clearly a romantic destination, one so beautiful and memorable that it has been the site of countless marriage proposals and honeymoons. Lake Bled's allure continues to grow among couples worldwide. In recent years, it has been recognized as a top honeymoon destination--the third best in European honeymoon according to a recent survey. For today’s episode I asked two locals to recommend their favorite romantic spots--and one of them is the wedding coordinator of Bled Castle.Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
12/03/2025 • 19:12
Ever found yourself in a surreal situation with friends, pizza, and a stunning lake? This special Christmas bonus episode takes you behind the scenes of our epic adventure filming Adventure of a Lifetime, a unique cinematic project showcasing the magic of Bled. Plus, we’re excited to introduce our new book Bledology, a deeper dive into this extraordinary place. Tune in for a fun, festive adventure! Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcast This podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
17/12/2024 • 12:42
Bled is full of surprises, some that fly under the radar, and some that are highly prominent if you know where to look. Did you know, for instance, that one of the world’s best and most unique business schools is right here in Bled? IEDC, or the Bled School of Management, was called by the Financial Times “the school with one of the most beautiful views in the world,” and that is certainly true. It looks out at Lake Bled. But inside? It’s like taking courses in an art gallery—the walls are filled with artworks of the highest quality, and the school even published a book highlighting their collection. To learn more about IEDC-the Bled School of Management, I met with its founder, Danica Purg. She was personally invited to found this school back in 1985, when Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia. The plan was to establish a business school of global quality that would be a shining jewel for Yugoslavia. And so it has remained. Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
16/10/2024 • 35:13
Anze Kopitar is a sure-fire hall of fame ice hockey player, the star of the Los Angeles Kings NHL team since 2006. He led them to two Stanley Cups and is considered one of the greatest hockey players in history. He's also one of Slovenia's most famous citizens--top level athletes are among the best informal ambassadors for tourism. Kopitar has announced that his family will move back home to Bled after his playing career, so you may very well run into his at a cafe or the supermarket in a few years time. But still at the top of his game, we spoke to him after a pre-season practice to talk about his favorite things in Bled, and whether he practices alley-oop ice hockey assists. Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
13/09/2024 • 29:10
A short walk from bustling Bled is a beautiful village with a potentially confusing name. Bohinjska Bela is right next to Bled, but its name contains the word Bohinj, the other magnificent alpine lake that is 15 kilometers away. But Bohinjska Bela is a place that visitors to Bled should explore. You can walk a well-marked trail from Bled to the village, and the village itself is fascinating, as I learned in an in-depth walking tour with a knowledgeable local. From a world-renowned climbing spot to a secret spot for smoked trout, this is your go-to guide to Bohinjska Bela.Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
12/08/2024 • 11:51
Lake Bled has hosted the World Rowing Championships on four occasions. Visitors will inevitably notice the lanes that stretch across the lake, and might even be lucky enough to see a crew team training here. I can’t imagine a more beautiful spot to train and compete. To learn more about the story of how Bled became one of the world's premiere rowing destinations, I spoke to a former rower and gold medalist who trained here daily, Luka Špik. Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
12/07/2024 • 28:26
Drive towards Lake Bled from the highway and you’ll pass a giant golf ball. I’d passed it countless times before I actually visited the golf course associated with it. I was truly amazed when I first saw the Royal Bled Golf Course. It is magnificent, whether or not you’re a golfer. But for golfer’s, it’s on a worldwide bucket list of the most admired and challenging courses on the planet. In this episode, we’ll introduce the Royal Bled Golf Course and speak with the man who best represents it: PGA Professional trainer Daniel Krajlic.Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
13/06/2024 • 20:29
Beekeeping has a long and rich tradition in Slovenia, a country known for its exceptional honey production and beekeeping practices. Slovenian beekeeping techniques date back centuries, and the country is home to the indigenous Carniolan honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica), which is highly valued for its docile nature, hardiness, and excellent honey production. It is, in fact, the second most popular bee on the planet, exported abroad and a favorite of beekeepers the world over. Slovenia has the most beekeepers per capita in the world, and launched the United Nations initiative for World Bee Day, celebrated every May 20. For this episode, I visited the Ambrožič family, which runs a beautiful beekeeping center that welcomes visitors, just a short walk from Lake Bled. Learn all about bees and the tradition of beekeeping, in Bled and throughout Slovenia.Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
14/05/2024 • 31:47
This episode features an extended interview with Virginia diGaetano, a veteran Lonely Planet guidebook writer. Ginger, as her friends call her, spent a lot of time in Bled over the course of several visits while preparing the new Lonely Planet Guide to Slovenia. What did she see and what is the life of a top level travel writer really like? Join us as we find out this plus Ginger's favorite things in and around Bled.Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
12/04/2024 • 29:37
This episode features an exclusive, long-form chat with Janez Fajfar. Fajfar was mayor of Bled for sixteen years and is an almost legendary figure in Bled. He is truly beloved by the locals, and knows more about Bled than anyone. Many of his stories come from his career prior to being mayor, when he ran Vila Bled, the former villa of Tito and later a luxury hotel. What sort of stories does Fajfar have to share? Grab some popcorn and listen in!Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
12/03/2024 • 52:05
When Slovenes have read their own myths and legends, chances are they’ve read a version penned by Dušica Kunaver. She worked for decades as an English teacher, but she’s practically a household name throughout the country thanks to her books of folktales, fairytales, myths and legends. Hundreds of them. She is now in her 80s, but as lucid as ever. In 2023, her book 100 Slovenian Folktales won the prestigious Book of the Year Award. In this episode, Noah spoke with Dušica about Slovenian legends, and she tells her own versions of several linked to Bled.Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
10/02/2024 • 18:13
Could any place be more romantic than Lake Bled? Well, we can kick it up a notch, because that romance is ratcheted up when we ride in a Pletna boat to the island, the church bell tower slowly rising higher with each stroke from the oarsman. In this episode, we’ll explore Blejski Otok, Bled Island. There you’ll find a day’s worth of activities, from visiting the church and belltower to the art gallery next door, then taking a potica baking lesson, a walk around the island, and then, of course, a potica eating session.Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcastThis podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
12/01/2024 • 19:20
In this episode, Noah will walk you through a nicely full day spent entirely within the walls of Bled Castle. From printmaking to wine bottling, from honey tasting to cake sampling, from taking selfies from the battlements to studying the chapel frescoes and exploring the museum (plus lunch in a world class restaurant), there’s so much more to do than you may realize. Heck, we can even get married here. Let’s explore Bled Castle together.Host: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcast This podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
12/12/2023 • 20:27
Welcome to the debut episode of The Bled Podcast: Is This the Most Beautiful Place on Earth? It's the official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board, hosted by Noah Charney. This first episode features Galen Brandt, an American professional story-teller. She tells an amazing story about how she found and fell in love with Lake Bled. Subscribe to get all the future episodes, as we explore Bled and its surroundings--the perfect guide for tourists and locals alike.Guest: Galen BrandtHost: Noah CharneyProducer: Urška Charney👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcast This podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
13/11/2023 • 23:42
👉 Listen to the episodes of The Bled Podcast. Is This The Most Beautiful Place on Earth? The official podcast of the Bled Tourist Board: https://www.bled.si/en/podcast This podcast brings you the wonders of Bled, its people, places, foods, history and experiences. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
10/11/2023 • 01:03
