Self Guided Cycling Tours

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"Cross country tour" has an emphasis on all main Slovene historical places and many natural points of interest. It is suitable for those with more visiting time and cyclists of average fitness.

 

Daily programme:

 

Day 1: BLED
Individual arrival to Bled and meeting with Helia representatives. Welcome drink, bike delivery and testing. (3* hotel).
 

Day 2: BLED - BOHINJ (19 km).
b (Bus) transfer to Pokljuka high plateau. From here cycling goes by descending down to Bohinj valley, place of unique natural beauty. Cycle through quiet tiny villages in this Alpine valley. (4* hotel).
C We liked: stunning mountain scenery on top of Pokljuka high plateau.

& The Pokljuka high plateau is a peaceful area of deep woods, touching monuments from WW2 and old farm houses!
 

Day 3: BOHINJ – SORICA - ŠKOFJA LOKA (53 km).
b First flat, then a slow climb up to Jelovica High plateau, pass of 750 m / 2400 ft. height difference (we can give you a lift if you wish). A long downhill through a narrow valley follows (3* country hotel).
C We liked: Sorica – tiny little village, set in the heart of hills. It is birthplace of a famous Slovene painter – visit a his gallery. Železniki village with remains of old high furnaces. (Snack idea – great trout in a village inn on the way).
 

Day 4: ŠKOFJA LOKA – LJUBLJANA (32 km).
b Flat - crossing Sora field (3* hotel).
C We liked: The old town centre of Škofja Loka – worth a stroll. See its churches with mysterious relics. Hotel in Ljubljana is very close to the center.

& Main attractions of Ljubljana: Slovene capital, old town centre, and lovely “fin de siecle” mansions. Mighty fortress above the city.

C We liked: relaxing with a drink on the bank of Ljubljanica river. An evening walk, enjoying the lights and the sounds of the city.

 

Day 5: LJUBLJANA - VRHNIKA (40 km; 58 km with a detour).

b Cycling across Ljubljansko Barje, large flatland, former marsh area surrounding the capital; flat. (4* hotel).

& Main attractions: a short walk into Iski Vintgar gorge nature reserve, remains of the world highest railway viaduct in Borovnica, Technical Museum of republic of Slovenia – there’s a great hunting collection and an exhibition on Titos’ cars.  

 

Day 6: VRHNIKA – POSTOJNA (34 km; 44 km with a detour).

b Hilly day, side forest roads. Flat sections cross typical Carst fields. (3* hotel).

& Main attractions: some real Slovenia - away from main tourist routes and off the beaten track.

C We liked: a picnic lunch in the nature reserve Rakov Škocjan - underneath some beautiful landscape forms.

 

Day 7: POSTOJNA – ŠTANJEL (45 km; 55 km with a detour).

b Easy route, one long descend some hills afterwards. (2* country inn).

& Main attractions: Postojna caves - world famous attraction - so far nearly 30 million visitors! Beautiful underground limestone formations, not forgetting to mention the unique “human fish”!

C We liked: a detour possibility to Predjama castle. The last Slovene knight once owned it. Learn about his romantic destiny.

 

Day 8: DAY OFF IN ŠTANJEL OR ROUND TRIP (36 km).

b Day of rest. No biking or a short trip to neighbouring villages.

& Main attractions: Štanjel, village - museum of well kept old houses. Wider area of WWI fights of Isonzo front: different touching monuments. Visit of local artist – painter in a typical Carst village.

C We liked: food in the hotel, delicious Carst ham, and tasty wine from domestic cellar. Great vistas from Štanjel village, nice picnic area in a special garden.

 

Day 9: ŠTANJEL – LIPICA (31 km).

b Mostly flat, one longer, but gradual climb. (3* hotel).

& Botanical garden in Sežana, stud farm of Lipica. Unusual but very interesting “war museum” set in a village tower of Lokev.

C Lipicaner horses - known from Vienna Spanish riding school. Got to see their show, or go for a ride with a carriage.

 

Day 10: LIPICA – TRIESTE – KOPER (50 / 55 km).

b Long downhill from Carst high plateau to Trieste. (3* hotel).

Tour A: Route through Slovenia – 55 km, descend into the valley of Hrastovlje, where a known church featuring an interesting “death dance” fresco can be visited. This variant goes through quiet countryside. 

Tour B: Route through Italy - 50 km and the lively port of Trieste - once an important port with its worldly flair and atmosphere. All world cultures have once left a mark in this city. Visit the castle, cathedral and Piazza Unita central square.

& Main attractions: Trieste - once an important port with its worldly flair and atmosphere. All world cultures have once left a mark in this city. Visit the castle, cathedral and Piazza Unita central square. Koper – an “island” town above Adriatic.

C We liked: cappuccino in Trieste old-fashioned cafes. Alternatively you can skip Trieste and enjoy an afternoon on the beach!

 

Day 11: END OF TRIP.

 

Price per person: 790 EUR (Currency converter here)

 

Price includes:

Accommodation in the above mentioned hotels and country inns in two bedded room with WC and shower, on basis of bed & breakfast.

Luggage transport between the hotels (one piece per person).

Information package including detailed route description (one per booking party).

Free entry to swimming pools in Koper hotel (pools are in partner hotel).

Wine tasting in Hruševica (2 sorts of wine, wine liquer and cheese).

A welcome drink and a visit of Helia representative on the arrival evening.

 

Supplements:

Half board 130 EUR (includes 8 dinners in hotels, dinners in Škofja Loka and Vrhnika are in local inns).

Single room 170 EUR.

Bike rental 105 EUR for 10 days (touring bikes are equipped with a lock, pannier and a basic repair set. Price includes delivery and pick up).

Helmet rental 2 EUR per day.

Personal transfer from Koper to Ljubljana 55 EUR (minimum 2 persons); needs to be ordered when booking the trip.

"Help out" lift on day 3 is 15 EUR per person.

Detailed maps with marked route can be rented locally upon arrival. Rental price is 15 EUR. Clients have to state their credit card details when they get the maps. Maps need to be returned to Helia at the end of the trip.

 

To book additional nights in Koper, Ljubljana or Bled go here.

 

Discounts:

Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents -30% on the basic price.

Third adult person on an extra bed (sharing) in a double  room: -10% on the basic price.

 

Not included:

Entrance fees.

There is free but unguarded parking lot in the port of Koper.

Bike insurance: bikes are insured against minor breaks and normal wear (up to a damage of 10 EUR). They are not insured against theft or frame break. Insurance is available against these events at the rate of 2 EUR per bike per day.

Transfers to and from Trieste (Ryan air) and Ljubljana (Easy jet) airport are available at request.

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