> Intro

This classic Slovene bike trekking trip takes you through Slovenia's most famous historical attractions and many natural points of interest. It can be done individually as a self guided trip or as a group tour with our guide. Suitable for cyclists of average fitness.

Cycling tour highlights:
•    Trip starts at the famous "Triple Bridge" in Ljubljana
•    Visit Postojna or Škocjan caves, see the famous Lipizzaner horses
•    Relax with a capuccino in the spectacular Trieste Piazza Unita
•    Stay on a vineyard, sip typical Teran wine
•    Small individual hotels, great food

This trip is also available a a guided group tour, check here.

 

> Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LJUBLJANA.
Visit the historic old town, take a ride up to the mighty Ljubljana Castle, perched high on a hill overlooking the centre. As the sun goes down you can relax with a meal and drinks in one of the many riverside restaurants, or at Nebotičnik, the highest building in Ljubljana and offering a panoramic view of the city.

Day 2: LJUBLJANA - VRHNIKA (40 km; 58 km with a detour). 4* hotel.
Today you cycle across an immense 160-square kilometer marshy plain. The Ljubljansko Barje was once a great lake until it dried up 6000 years ago, leaving behind an incredibly diverse landscape that is now home to some of Europe’s rarest forms of bird, plant and insect life. Along the way you can visit the remnants of the world’s highest railway viaduct in Borovnica.

Day 3: VRHNIKA – POSTOJNA (34 km (44 with a detour)). 3* hotel.
Today you will experience the beauty of the Slovenian karst countryside as you cycle past the beautiful Slivnica Mountain and the magical disappearing lakes of Cerknica and Planina, and marvel at the wonders of this vast world of limestone. You can have a picnic in the Rakov Škocjan nature reserve, where the Rak River has carved out a stunning gorge containing two natural bridges.

Day 4: POSTOJNA – ŠTANJEL (45 km; 55 km with a detour).
In the town of Postojna you can visit the beautiful underground Postojna caves and are whisked into a world of limestone caverns and giant stalactites and stalagmites. You can also visit the impenetrable fortress of Predjama castle and learn about Erasmus, who kept a whole army at bay by utilizing the secret of the Predjama Caves. Learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down.

Day 5: ŠTANJEL ROUND TRIP (30 km).        
Choose from a day of no cycling, or a short trip to neighboring villages.
Spend the day in a typical Karst village in the heart of vineyard country, where you will see a museum of well-kept traditional houses built entirely from the surrounding limestone. Visit a local painter and artist and try the local food: delicious Karst ham (pršut) and tasty wine from one of the many nearby domestic cellars and visit the lovely Štanjel Castle.

Day 6: ŠTANJEL – LIPICA – DIVAČA (47 km).
Mostly flat with just one long, but steady uphill climb. 4* hotel.
First stop is at the lovely botanical garden in Sežana, then it’s on to the stud farm of Lipica, where you can visit these beautiful thoroughbred Lipizaner horses whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have earned them a worldwide reputation.

Day 7: DIVAČA – LIPICA – TRIESTE – KOPER (60 km). 3* hotel.
There are two optional trips:
Tour A. Route through Slovenia – 60 km, descent into the valley of Hrastovlje, where a well-known church featuring an interesting “death dance” fresco can be visited. This variant goes through quiet countryside. 
Tour B. Route through Italy (55 km) and the lively port of Trieste. Long downhill ride from the high Karst plateau to Trieste. 3* hotel.
If you skipped Postojna caves – this morning you can visit Škocjan Caves – no less interesting but far less frequented. For your last day you take a slight diversion into the Italian town of Trieste. Visit the castle, cathedral and Piazza Unita central square. The tour ends at Slovenia’s port town, Koper, the largest ‘island’ town on the Slovenian Adriatic coast, and you can cycle along the coastal path and visit the gorgeous Venetian architecture in the little harbour village of Piran.

Day 8: DEPARTURE FROM KOPER.

An easy return trip is possible by train to Ljubljana. Additional nights may be booked in Koper.

> Price

Price per person: 590 EUR per person based on 2 persons sharing
(Currency converter here)

price includes:
•    Accommodation in hotels ***/**** and country inn in two bedded room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis.
•    Luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person)
•    Information package including road book and corresponding maps (one per booking party)
•    Free entry to swimming pools in Koper hotel (pools are in partner's hotel)
•    Wine tasting in Hruševica (2 sorts of wine, wine liqueur and cheese)
•    Backup service (hotline) during the trip

optional extras:
•    Single room 110 EUR.
•    Half board 125 EUR (includes 7 dinners in hotel or nearby restaurant).
•    Bike rental 75 EUR (hybrid touring bikes are equipped with 21 gears, cycling meter, lock, one pannier, one spare tube, set of Allen keys and basic puncture repair set. Price includes delivery and pick up). Every additional day: 15 EUR per bike. Bike rental period starts 9:00 day 2 of the tour (on the day clients leave Ljubljana) and ends on the evening of their arrival in Koper – 18:00 of day 7.
•    Helmet rental 12 EUR per week.
•    Transfers. Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana downtown – 25 EUR. Koper to Ljubljana Airport – 60 EUR. Koper to Trieste downtown - 35 EUR. Koper to Trieste Airport - 65 EUR. All prices per person, 2 persons minimum, one way.
•    Additional nights: *** Hotel in Ljubljana: 62 EUR per person in standard double room, BB. Single room: 75 EUR. Half board: +12 EUR. *** Hotel in Koper: 62 EUR per person in standard double room, BB. 69 EUR per person in superior double room, BB. Single room: + 19 EUR. Half board: +15 EUR.

> Travel options

Getting there...
Starting point of this trip is Ljubljana, Slovenian capital (google maps).
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it.  From the airport you can travel to Ljubljana by mini van shuttles, by bus or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana Downtown 25 EUR per person; one way, two persons minimum
By train: Ljubljana is the main railway hub of Slovenia, well served from all sides. Our standard first hotel is 2 km away, you'll need to take a taxi
By car: city of Ljubljana is very centrally located in Slovenia and all our motorways go through it

.... and away
By plane: closest airport is Trieste, 50 km NW (served by Ryanair to many destinations). We can best arrange you a transfer, price is 60 EUR per person, two persons minimum. Next is Ljubljana (LJU). You can return to Ljubljana by bus, train or our transfer, price is 60 EUR per person, two persons minimum
By train: Koper railway station is 1 km away from hotel. Trains leave from here to Ljubljana. If you wish to travel onwards to Rijeka (Croatia) you need to change in Pivka, however, only few trains cross the border! There are no train connections to Italy, you'll need to travel first to Trieste
By boat: there are ferries operation to Greece and seasonal sailings along Slovene coast to Croatia
By car: if your car is in Ljubljana, you can return there by bus or train. Our transfer costs 45 EUR per person, one way, two persons minimum

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