Arnold Rikli (1823-1906) discovered Bled by chance, following the advice of some of his friends, who recommended the hidden gem of the Slovenian Alps as a place for him to gather his strength while recovering from a serious illness. Upon his very first visit in 1852, he was fascinated by the freshness of the air, the purity of the lake, the mild alpine climate and the stunning view of the Julian Alps, which restored his vitality. He took advantage of the natural resources here and set up a natural healing institution, in which he treated thousands of patients in later years. During this time, he was developing his own hydropathic methods - natural healing methods, which he trusted more than regular cures and conventional medicine.

Photo: Turizem Bled

In order to improve his well-being, he relied on the natural elements of Bled - air, water, and sun. He advocated plenty of exercise in fresh air, a moderate but quality vegetarian diet, and invigorating sleep. Living Rikli’s way means getting up before sunrise, drinking fresh Bled water on an empty stomach, walking barefoot on a meadow covered with morning dew, enjoying light meals, swimming, sunbathing, as well as plenty of walking and hiking in the fresh alpine air.

The Rikli regeneration room was designed to offer a soothing environment for total relaxation and regeneration. 100% natural materials such as wool and wood are used for comfort, while chromotherapy with red, white, blue and green light has a cleansing, relaxing, harmonising and reinvigorating effect. Some of the Rikli regeneration rooms have moss on the wall to purify the air and contribute to the total regeneration of the body and the spirit.

Rikli’s relaxation park, located in the close vicinity of the Rikli Balance Hotel, is meant for you to slow down the rhythm of life and take a few moments for your well-being. Reduce your stress levels and worries by walking on Rikli’s barefoot path, trade in your everyday problems for nature’s green embrace, hug a tree and restore your health. By practising yoga in the wonderful environment of the park, you will calm your thoughts, relax your body, and regain well-being. You can also relax on the rocking chairs and benches. 

You can try the vegetarian menu according to Arnold Rikli at the Julijana Restaurant in Grand Hotel Toplice, starting on 8 April 2022. In addition to superb dishes made from seasonal vegetables, the menu also features many delicious desserts. 

Rikli’s Day Ritual is a programme for complete relaxation and regeneration of body and mind, modelled after Rikli’s best methods of natural healing. It includes unlimited access to saunas with pools, towels, sheets, tea and water, a selected herbal peeling in the sauna, a healthy meal in the hotel aperitif bar, a spruce tip massage (50 min) based on the essential oils that release from the special spruce tip bundles at high temperatures (tapping the warm spruce tip bundles on the body has a beneficial and relaxing effect), a healthy drink in the relaxation room and a surprise gift.