Introduction

Classical Slovene bike trekking trip takes you along most known Slovene historical attractions and many natural points of interest. It can be done individual self guided trip or as a group tour with our guide accompany guests on bike. Suitable for cyclists of average fitness.

Daily programme

Day 1: ARRIVAL TO LJUBLJANA.
Accommodation in 3* hotel.
The Slovene capital: Once settled in to your hotel, you will visit the historic old town and marvel at the ornate, old-world architecture and lovely “fin de siecle” mansions. Then it’s a short walk or ride up to the mighty Ljubljana Castle, perched high on a hill and standing guard over the old town and city centre. From its tower you get a commanding view of Ljubljana’s heart and soul. As the sun goes down you can choose between relaxing with a drink in the many outdoor bars/cafes beside the Ljubljanica River, or take an evening stroll, enjoying the lights and vibrant sounds of the city and its charismatic people. Or perhaps do both!

Day 2: LJUBLJANA - VRHNIKA (40 km; 58 km with a detour).
A nice easy first day across the historic and richly diverse plains surrounding the capital. Accommodation in 4*hotel.
Cycling across the Ljubljansko Barje - As the morning sun begins to rise high in the sky, you will be cycling across an immense 160-square kilometre marshy plain. It 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 take a short walk into the picturesque Iški Vintgar gorge nature reserve, carved deep into a stunning limestone dolomite plateau, and visit the remnants of the world’s highest railway viaduct in Borovnica. Just before arriving in Vrhnika, you can visit the Technical Museum of the Republic of Slovenia housed in Bistra Castle, where you’ll find a great hunting collection and an interesting exhibition of Tito’s cars.

Day 3: VRHNIKA – POSTOJNA (34 km; 44 km with a detour).
A slightly more demanding day over gentle hills, forest roads and a typical karst polje (field). Accommodation in 3* hotel. On this day the roads will take you away from the main tourist routes and off the beaten track. You will experience the real Slovenian countryside as you cycle past the beautiful Slivnica Mountain and the magical disappearing lake of Cerknica, and marvel at the wonders of this vast world of limestone. You can stop for a picnic lunch in the Rakov Škocjan nature reserve, where the Rak River has carved out a stunning gorge containing some of nature’s most incredible landscape formations, including two natural bridges.

Day 4: POSTOJNA – ŠTANJEL (45 km; 55 km with a detour).
An easy route, one long descent with some hills afterwards. Accommodation in 2* country inn.
Visit world famous Postojna caves. So far nearly 30 million tourists have visited this stunningly beautiful underground cave formation, carved deep into the heart of the limestone hills. This is the most extensive cave system in Slovenia, covering a total of 21 kilometres. The 1½ hour tour will take you through a fairytale world full of large and colourful stalactites and stalagmites, not forgetting the unique “human fish”, a mysterious creature that lives in dark pools inside the caves. You can also take a short detour to the impenetrable fortress of Predjama castle, wedged tight into a crevasse halfway up a 123-metre cliff-face protruding dramatically into the surrounding basin. The last Slovene knight once owned it. Learn about his romantic destiny.

Day 5: DAY OFF IN ŠTANJEL OR ROUND TRIP (36 km).
Day of rest.  Choose from a day of no Cycling, or a short trip to neighbouring villages.
Spend the day in a typical karst village  Štanjel in the heart of vineyard country, where you will see a museum of well-kept traditional houses built entirely from the surrounding limestone. The nearby region was once host to the WWI Battle of Isonzo; visit the many touching monuments here. You will also visit a local artist and painter. Try the food in the local hotel: delicious karst ham (pršut) and tasty wine from one of the many nearby domestic cellars. Enjoy the great vistas from Štanjel village, a nice picnic area in a special garden, and a visit to the lovely Štanjel Castle.

Day 6: ŠTANJEL – LIPICA (31 km).
Mostly flat with just one long, but steady uphill climb. Accommodation in 3* 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 horses whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have earned them a worldwide reputation. The history of the Lipica horses is closely linked to the Vienna riding school. Take a tour in a traditional carriage, watch them perform and visit them close up in their stables. This will be a day to remember. If you have the time for a couple of side-trips, you can also visit the unusual but very interesting “War Museum” set in the village tower of Lokev, and the breathtaking Škočjan Caves; not as large as Postojna but equally, if not more fascinating.

Day 7: LIPICA – TRIESTE – KOPER (50 / 55 km).
Long downhill ride from the high karst plateau to Trieste. Accommodation in 3* hotel.
For your last day you take a slight diversion into the Italian town of Trieste - once an important port with its worldly flair and wonderful atmosphere. Visit the castle, cathedral and Piazza Unita central square. Trieste was once part of Slovenia whilst under the rule of the Austrian monarchy. Relax with a cappuccino in the many old-fashioned cafes. The tour ends at Slovenia’s port town, Koper, the largest ‘island’ town on the Slovenian Adriatic coast, and, time-permitting, you can cycle along the coastal path and visit the gorgeous Venetian architecture in the little harbour village of Piran. Alternatively you can skip Trieste altogether and spend all your time on this small, but beautiful and diverse strip of Slovenian coast.Long downhill from Carst high plateau to Koper.
From 2010 there are two optional trips:
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.

Day 8: END OF TRIP.
An easy return trip is possible by train to Ljubljana. Additional nights may be booked in Koper.

Pricing

Price per person: 690 EUR (minimum 6 persons, maximum 16) (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 liquor and cheese).
• A welcome drink and a visit of Helia representative on the arrival evening.
• Extra with group tour: a licensed English speaking guide who follows the group in a van.

Supplements:

• Half board 80 EUR.
• Single room 110 EUR.
• Bike rental 75 EUR per week (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.

To book additional nights in Koper or Ljubljana please 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.

Gallery