> Intro

A definitive must for photographers and those who like mountain scenery, but don’t want to take too much effort to get it. This is NOT a mountain bike tour. It is suitable for cyclists of average fitness, has one pass of 750m / 2500ft (but one has the whole day to do it on a quiet road).

Tour highlights:
•    Stay in a hotel with an exquisite view
•    Ring the "Bell of wishes" on an island church
•    Treat yourself to a famous cream cake
•    Stroll through thundering rapids at Vintgar Gorge
•    Cycle across lovely mountain meadows
•    Take a swim in the crystal clear glacial Lake Bohinj

> Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LAKE BLED 4* hotel (voted best in 2011 by our guests).
Bled is a world famous town on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake. Defined by its distinctive island church and towering alpine mountain backdrop, and the clifftop castle, Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. Visit the island church and marvel at the ornate golden altar and ring the church bell and make a wish, it might come true.

Day 2: BLED – RIBČEV LAZ (20 km + possible side trip 10 km). 4* hotel.
From the high plateau at Pokljuka (12 km) you can marvel at the views as you glide down into the neighbouring Bohinj Valley, the jewel in the heart of the Triglav National Park, until reaching the stunning Lake Bohinj. Cycle around the lake to Savica Waterfall, and then take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view of shimmering alpine scenery.

Day 3: RIBČEV LAZ – ŠKOFJA LOKA (57 km). 3* hotel.
Leaving Bohinj you cycle up 750 m/2400 ft to the Jelovica high plateau. From the top the trail drops off into the Selška Dolina Valley leading to the lush green Škofja Loka hills. The route takes you through a number of historic little villages until you finally arrive in the wonderful town of Škofja Loka, one of the oldest towns in Slovenia, where you can visit the hilltop castle.

Day 4: ŠKOFJA LOKA - PREDDVOR (33 km). 3* pension.
Leaving Škofja Loka you head across the great Sora plain with the majestic peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps as your backdrop, taking you past Kranj, Slovenia’s fourth largest city and host to some interesting gothic architecture. As you continue northeast you’ll come across Brdo Castle, renowned as Slovenia’s most elegant presidential palace. The day ends in Preddvor where your hotel is set close to a small lake.

Day 5: PREDDVOR - BEGUNJE (42 km). 4* hotel.
A ride through history. This route takes you along the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to Radovljica with its beautifully preserved old town and an interesting beekeeping museum. Your route will also take you through the fascinating little village of Kropa where you will find the iron forging museum dedicated to the history of the town’s blacksmith trade. You can even learn how to make your own nail, and ether add it to the current collection of over 100 types, or take it home with you.

Day 6: BEGUNJE –  KRANJSKA GORA (44 km). 3* hotel.
Continuing along the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, you arrive in the historic village of Begunje. As the sun illuminates the mountains your route will take you on a cycling path that goes between the ranges of the Julian Alps and the Karawanke Mountains to Kranjska Gora, a popular alpine town famous for its ski resorts, but also a great base for many summer activities.

Day 7: KRANJSKA GORA – BLED (40 km). 4* hotel.
For your final day you head back into the heart of the Triglav National Park. The route takes you alongside the Sava Dolinka River and into the Krma Valley. You can have lunch in the mountain hut at the foot of Triglav, the mightiest mountain in the Julian Alps. From here you will head through the Radovna Valley between the Pokljuka and Mežakla plateaus to the thundering rapids of the 1.6km Vintgar Gorge.

Day 8: End of the tour.

> Price

Price: 580 EUR per person based on 2 people sharing
(Currency converter here)

price includes:
•    Accommodation in hotels ***/**** in two bedded room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis.
•    Luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person).
•    Information package (one per room).
•    Backup service (hotline) during the trip.
•    Free parking in Bled (not guarded) at Helia office only. Free parking at first hotel (2 km away) at prior request only and on hotel approval.

optional extras:
•    Single room 120 EUR.
•    Half-board 125 EUR. Includes seven dinners. Dinners in Skofja Loka is served in nearby restaurants.
•    Bike rental 75 EUR per week (touring bikes are equipped with lock, pannier, 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 hire starts at 9:00 on day 2 and ends at 18:00 on day 7.
•    Helmet rental 12 EUR per week.
•    Transfers. Ljubljana Airport to Bled – 30 EUR. Klagenfurt Airport to Bled – 45 EUR. All prices per person, 2 persons minimum, one way.
•    Additional nights: *** Hotel in Bled: 49 EUR per person in standard double room, B&B. Single room: 65 EUR. Half board: +15 EUR. **** Hotel in Bled: 75 EUR per person in lake view double room, Single room: 135 EUR Half board: +25 EUR (4-course dinner).

•    single supplement:
120 EUR

Not included: entrance fees, lunches, drinks with meals, saunas and massages in hotels

> Travel options

Getting there...
Starting point of this trip is Bled in NW Slovenia (google maps).
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it.  From the airport you can travel to Bled by bus (change once, takes about 2 hrs) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Bled, 30 EUR per person; one way, two persons minimum.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce Bled on the Villach-Ljubljana mainline, 4 km away from the town center, need to take a bus or call us, we'll give you a lift for free. Other is Bled Jezero on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day. 2 km away from town center, we'll have to give you a lift or, in most cases you can simply walk to first hotel which is 100 meters away.
By car: take exit Lesce on A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke.

... and away
Simple, use one of the above options or - cycle away: consider our cycling trip Best Of Slovenia!

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