Self Guided Cycling Tours

An easy tour, emphasis on the rural countryside, historic monuments castles and thermal springs of eastern Slovenia. Suitable for all cyclists of very average fitness.
Daily programme:
 
Day 1: Arrival in MARIBOR.
Second largest Slovene city, on the Austrian border. Hotel is right in the centre, next to one of the few Slovene “town castles”.
& Maribor castle has an excellent collection of costumes and uniforms put together in only Slovene fashion museum. (Hotel 3*).
 
Day 2:  MARIBOR – PTUJ (38 km).
b Cycling tour goes along river Drava / vineyards and orchards. (Town hotel 4*).
& Ptuj castle has a collection of musical instruments.
C We liked:  at the excellently preserved Ptuj castle. Wine cellar and old streets of the oldest Slovene towns.
 
Day 3: PTUJ - ROGAŠKA SLATINA (44 km).
b First cycling across the Ptuj field (flat), then a low pass (200 m). (Thermal hotel 3*).
& Palace castle Strmol is situated near open air museum of Rogatec. Visit its well preserved "black kitchen" and - why not have lunch there?
C We liked: Gothic church at Ptujska Gora, the healing waters of Rogaška spa.
 
Day 4: ROGAŠKA SLATINA - PODČETRTEK (28 km).
b Easy route going through the Sotla river valley. (Thermal hotel 4* - part of Terme Olimia).
C We liked: glass workshops at Rogaška. Rural countryside along the Croatian border.
 
Day 5: Rest day in PODČETRTEK.
b A day of rest / bathing in the large swimming centre of a hotel complex. (Thermal hotel 4*).
& Short daytrip to Podsreda castle, which houses a rare pharmaceutical collection, set in one of the oldest European pharmacies. Castle Podcetrtek above the hotel.
C We liked: chocolates factory only a mile from the hotel, local beer brewery next to it.
 
Day 6: PODČETRTEK - ČATEŽ (62 km).
b Hilly. (Thermal hotel 3*).
We liked: Castle Brežice – the Slovenian only intact baroque castle – famous for its painted ceiling.
C We liked: another opportunity of hot water bathing in Čatež spas. Champagne cellar Istenič, with wine tasting possibility.
 
Day 7: ČATEŽ - OTOČEC  (42 km).
b Flat, across the Sava field. (Hotel 4* or with supplement Castle hotel Otočec)
& Mighty castle of Kostanjevica open-air gallery, Pleterje monastery.
C We liked: hotel in Otocec - the grand medieval castle with large park on an island - tourist dream.

Day 8: departure from OTOČEC.
 
Price per person: 580 EUR

Price includes:
Accommodation in above mentioned hotels in two-bedded room with WC and shower, on basis of bed & breakfast.

Luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person).

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

Free entry in swimming pools in Terme Olimia and Terme Čatež.

A welcome drink and a visit of Helia representative on the arrival evening.
 
Supplements:
Half board 105 EUR.

Single supplement 120 EUR.

Bike hire 75 EUR per week (Touring bikes are equipped with lock, pannier and basic repair set. Price includes delivery and pick up). Bike rental period starts on day 2 of the tour and ends on the evening of their return to Maribor (day 7).

Helmet rental 12 EUR per week.

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.

Accommodation in castle hotel Otočec 60 EUR.

Transfer back to Maribor: 60 EUR per person (2 persons minimum), needs to be ordered when booking the trip.

 

To book additional nights in Otočec, Maribor or Ljubljana please go here. 
 

Discounts:
Children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents 30%.

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

Not included:
Entrance fees.

There is free guarded parking at first hotel in Maribor.

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.

 

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