Kmetija Pr' Kolenc

Kmetija Pr' Kolenc is a farm in Zgornje Gorje, the district of villages above Bled in Upper Carniola, where the road climbs from the lake toward the Pokljuka plateau and the Vintgar Gorge. The name follows the Slovene custom of calling a farm by a house name, with the prefix Pr' meaning at the home of, so the name tells you that the property belongs to the Kolenc family. Farm names of this kind are common across Gorenjska, and many of the households have worked the same land for generations.

Farm tourism is a strong tradition in Slovenia. Many working farms welcome guests for the night or for a meal, giving visitors a chance to see how rural families live and work and to eat what is grown and made on the spot. In the Gorje district the typical farm keeps cattle, grows hay and vegetables, and often has orchards and a small kitchen garden. Some also keep horses, and horse riding is part of the offer at Pr' Kolenc, which makes it attractive for families with children who want to meet animals. Experience ranges from a short ride on a quiet horse for beginners to longer rides on forest tracks for those with some skill, and instructors are usually on hand to help.

The farm has rooms and apartments for guests, many with views of the meadows and the mountains, and some with a garden or patio. Meals in farm houses of the district are likely to include homemade bread, dairy products, cured meats and seasonal vegetables, and guests often find that breakfast alone is a highlight. As always, details of rooms, meals and activities should be confirmed directly with the farm, since offers change from season to season.

The location is a good base for exploring the Bled area. The lake, with its island and castle, is a short drive away, and the Vintgar Gorge, with its wooden walkways and the Šum waterfall at the end, lies close by in the same district. Lake Kreda and the hills of Gorje offer walks, and the Pokljuka plateau, with its forests, pastures and peat bogs, begins just above the village. Cyclists will find quiet roads and farm tracks, and in winter the plateau offers cross-country skiing.

The farm suits families, couples who want a calm stay, riders and anyone who wants to experience village life near Bled without the crowds. Summer and early autumn are the most popular times, but spring brings blossom and winter brings snow. Booking ahead is wise, particularly in July and August.