JULIAN ALPS, BORA WIND AND SWEET TASTE OF ISTRIAN PENINSULA
Discover landscape beuties from Julian Alps, over Karst to IstriaTOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Discover Slovenia by bike. The varied landscapes of Slovenia with its countless natural beauties make it the ideal choice for a cycling holiday. From the Julian Alps in Kranjska Gora, the Sava River Valley, to the famous Lake Bled, the historic town of Škofja Loka and the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. The second part will take us to western Slovenia. Beautiful villages in the Karst, panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea. For the last ride we will head to the Istrian peninsula.
WHEN TO GO: from May to first half of October.
BICYCLE TYPE: Easy touring
DIFFICULTY: Medium
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL TO SLOVENIA AND THE JULIAN ALPS – KRANJSKA GORA
Arrival in Kranjska Gora. Check in at hotel near ski slopes, mountain bike park and historical centre. Time to rest, individual dinner in the hotel restaurant, famous for its excellent cuisine. Overnight.
DAY 2 – OLD SAVA RAILWAY – TRIGLAV NATIONAL PARK – BLED – RADOVLJICA
Breakfast. We start our journey along the cycle path to the village of Mojstrana. The small town is famous for its Slovenian Mountain Museum. We continue our journey to the Radovna valley, which is in the Triglav National Park. Part of the stage follows a dirt track to the village of Gorje and on to Lake Bled. After a break, there is a short stretch to Radovljica, the city of “honey”. Accommodation and free time. Individual dinner. Overnight.
TOUR DATA: 50 KM, 360 vertical meter in ascent.
DAY 3 – GORENJSKA – ŠKOFJA LOKA- LUBIANA
Breakfast. Today’s tour is a bit more challenging. The route leads us first to Kranj – the old centre of Gorenjska with a beautiful old town centre. Then we continue to the beautiful town of Škofja Loka, the second oldest town in Slovenia, with its characteristic medieval architecture. In the afternoon, we drive to the last part of the tour – Ljubljana. Arrival in Ljubljana and accommodation. In the afternoon, we take a minibus tour of the historic centre of Ljubljana, which is very beautiful, with many excellent architectural sights from different historical periods. Individual dinner in the city centre. Overnight.
TOUR DATA: 56 KM, 340 vertical meter in ascent.
DAY 4 – LJUBLJANA – SLOVENIAN GREEN KARST – VALLEY OF VIPAVA
Breakfast and departure to the Slovenian Green Karst area. In the first part of the cycling route we reach the old town of Vrhnika. A short break, then we continue with a longer climb. Later, we continue slowly towards Rakek and the famous town. Postojna. We visit the largest and most slender cave in the world – “Postojna Cave”. After the visit we continue by bike along the main road, which is not very busy, to Razdrto. We then take a side road and slowly continue our final descent into the beautiful Vipava Valley. The Valley of Fruit, as we Slovenians call it. Arrival in Ajdovščina. Check in at the hotel. Individual dinner. Overnight.
TOUR DATA: 93 km, 710 vertical meter in ascent.
DAY 5 – SLOVENIAN KARST – WHITE HORSES OF LIPIZZA – PROSCIUTTO OF KRAS
Breakfast. Today we have a slightly harder stage, but it will be attractive. On the Karst plateau we will find numerous vineyards, beautiful small villages with characteristic stone houses, places where we will enjoy the taste of air-dried ham, taste the typical red wine of the area called “teran”. Visit the Lipica stables and the famous white Lipizzaner horses. After Lipica, just a short walk and arrival in Lokevo. Accommodation in a local guest house, free time, individual dinner. Overnight.
TOUR DATA: 61 KM, 930 vertical meter in ascent.
DAY 6 – FROM THE MAGIC KRAS TO THE SLOVENIAN ADRIATIC COAST
Breakfast. We say our goodbyes and head to Kozina, and later on we have a long descent from Črni Kal to Koper, the capital city on the Adriatic coast. Here, at the “Istrian promontory”, the first part of the one-day tour ends. (The minivan will be waiting for us at the hotel.) After a break, we’ll cycle along part of the Parenzana cycle route, which is actually an old railway line coming from Trieste and continuing for almost 150 km to Poreč in Croatia. This is an old railway that connected small Istrian towns between 1909 and 1930. We make a stop in Izola and then continue our journey to Portorož – the main centre of summer tourism in Slovenia. Finally, we head to the beautiful town of Piran. We return to Koper by minibus. Individual dinner. Overnight.
TOUR DATA: 79 KM, 860 vertical meter in ascent.
DAY 7 – FREE DAY FOR RELAX (OPTIONAL: CYCLING TOUR TO CROATIAN COAST OF ISTRIA)
Breakfast. After breakfast free day to enjoy the sea and the beach. And if you fancy more cycling, we have an idea! Our minivan will take you to the Croatian border, where a great tour of the Istria peninsula awaits. So we’ll do a coastal ride between Umag, San Lorenzo and Novigrad, take a break, dive into the sea and have lunch. Return to Slovenia by minibus. Last night in Koper. Individual dinner.
ADDITIONAL TOUR DATA: 39 – 45 km, 70 m uphill.
DAY 8 – THE LAST DIVE IN THE SEA – DEPARTURE FOR TRIESTE
After breakfast free time to relax. Depending on the time of return … Luggage (and bicycles) transfer to Kranjska Gora. End of the programme.
PRICE AND SERVICES
TOUR INCLUDES
- minivan assistance for 8+ persons with driver/assistance,
- SloveniaGuide guiding throughout the trip, all road tolls, parking fees, VAT, all transfers
- accommodation in hotels and guesthouses according to the programme, arranged in a double room
- 1 x overnight stay in Kranjska Gora***, double rooms with breakfast
- 1 x overnight in Radovljica / Bled***, double rooms with breakfast
- 1 x overnight stay in Ljubljana*** , double rooms with breakfast
- 1 x overnight stay in Lokev na Krasu ***, double rooms with breakfast
- 1 X overnight stay in Ajdovščina *** , double rooms with breakfast
- 2 x overnight stay in Koper *** , double rooms with breakfast
- 1 entry fee for the “Sweet Hearts” Museum in Radovljica
- tourist tax for 7 nights
- organisation costs
- basic accident insurance
- small gift from the organiser
- VAT
NOT INCLUDED
- entrance fees for visits
- single room supplement for 6 nights
- drinks and personal expenses, additional transfer from arrival airport and departing airport – on request.
PRICE
- on request
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
- min. 6
- max.: 12
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US?
Send us your wishes, desired date of travel, number of participants, difficulty, preferences … and we will prepare a tour tailored to your wishes and needs.
You will spend some exceptional days with us, expirience beautiful parts of our country.
We will make your vacation unforgettable 🙂