Introduction

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.
Accommodation in 3* hotel. Tour starting point is Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city. The town is located on the bank of the Drava River and is home to one of the country’s few town castles. The castle houses the only Slovene fashion museum, which has an excellent collection of costumes and uniforms, the most prestigious being a military uniform worn by Tito. A Helia representative will welcome you with a drink and provide you with your itinerary and maps for the trip, and answer any questions you might have. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the town’s three main squares, take a walking tour of the city and sampling its wonderfully vibrant nightlife.

Day 2: Maribor – Ptuj (38 km).
Cycling tour goes along river Drava / vineyards and orchards. Accommodation in down town 4* hotel.
Your route will follow the Drava River as it meanders its way southeast across the vineyards and orchards of the Drava Plain and passes through Ptuj, the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Slovenia. Stroll through the streets and soak up the 2000 years of history as you marvel at the rich, elaborate architecture watched over by the incredibly well preserved castle that dates as far back as 69AD. The castle houses a wonderful collection of musical instruments and an exposition on Turkish raids in the 15th century. In the nearby Haloze Hills you can sample the wonderful wines of the region.

Day 3: Ptuj - Rogaška Slatina (44 km).
First cycling flat across the Ptuj field, then a low pass (200 m). Accommodation in  3* hotel.
Pagan shrines and thermal spas: As you leave town in the morning you can stop at the fascinating Mithra Shrines just 1km out. Mithra is the Sun God worshipped under Mithraism, an ancient pagan religion believed to have originated in Persia. The next stop is at Ptujska Gora where you can visit the lovely Gothic church, inside which is one of Slovenia’s most treasured artefacts: a beautiful 15th century carving of the Virgin Mary and the young Jesus sheltering the rich and poor under a cloak held up by angels. The town of Rogatec is home to a fascinating open-air museum and the Palace Castle Strmol. You can stop for lunch here before cycling on to your destination, Rogaška Slatina. Here you will find a world of healing in its abundance of natural springs, said to heal everything from a bad stomach to obesity. In the evening pamper yourself in the wonderful world of spas.

Day 4: Rogaška Slatina - Podčetrtek (28 km).
Easy route going through the Sotla river valley. Accommodation in thermal 4* hotel.
Before you leave town we recommend that you pay a visit to Rogaška Crystal, where you can see first hand the incredible skill that goes into creating their beautiful glass work. Afterwards, take a short cycling trip to the surrounding hills and, if you are feeling fit enough, climb up to Boč, the highest peak, and take in the awesome panoramic view from its viewing tower. The route then takes you through the lush green scenery of the Sotla River Valley, which forms the border with Croatia. It’s an area of dense forests, rolling hills sporadically covered with vineyards and farmland. Finally, you will arrive in the quaint little village of Podčetrtek where you can relax in the evening and have dinner in one of the many vinotekas or restaurants on its outskirts.

Day 5: Rest day in Podčetrtek.
Rest day. Accommodation in thermal 4* hotel.For today you can take a break from long distance cycling and indulge yourself in one of the many activities this region has to offer. Visit the huge Podčetrtek Castle perched on a hilltop to the Northwest of town. The road west winds its way through gorgeous countryside before arriving, a few kilometres later, at the Minorite Monastery near Olimje. The monastery was originally built as a castle, but converted into a monastery by Pauline monks from Croatia. The structure still contains its 17th century pharmacy, the third oldest in Europe. At the rear you will find the fabulous chocolateria. In the shop you can indulge yourself in a delectable array of mouth-watering chocolates, all made in the adjacent factory. Once suitable stuffed, you can spend the rest of the day pampering yourself in Terme Olimia spa resort. If you fancy something a bit more adventurous there are other activities such as horse riding and hot air ballooning, or you can go hiking or cycling in the densely forested Rudnica Hills to the north of town.

Day 6: Podčetrtek - Čatež (62 km).
Flat route, some hills. Accommodation in thermal 3* hotel.
Today your route will take you southwards through rolling hills dotted with vineyards. Your first stop will be at Podsreda Castle, reputed to be Slovenia’s best preserved castle. Views from its windows are outstanding. From here you will cycle towards Bizeljsko where you can visit the Bizeljsko Castle, in which a woman has lived alone with her four children for 20 years. Upstairs is a chapel with wonderful carvings on the ceiling. On the road down, you will see a sign for Lovski Dom. This road takes you up over the vineyards providing stunning panoramic views across the valley. You can also see the Croatian village of Kumrovec, the birthplace of Tito. Down in Bizeljsko you’ll find many vinotekas where you can stop for lunch and also visit the interesting Repnice; caves dug in the sand and used for food and wine storage. You will then pass through the lovely forest of Dobrova, where the last battle for Slovenia’s independence in 1991 was fought, and arrive at Brežice, which sits at the confluence of the Sava and Krka rivers. Its most famous attraction is the baroque castle, the only one of its kind in Slovenia and famous for its ornately painted ceiling. Your day will end in Terme Čatež, where you can soothe the aches and pains of the day.

Day 7: Čatež - Otočec (42 km).
Flat, across the Sava field. Accommodation in 4* hotel  or Castle hotel Otočec (supplement)
Your final day will be filled with more wonderful attractions as you head along the base of the Gorjanci Hills separating Slovenia with Croatia. You will follow the Krka River back towards its origins in the Krka Valley, stopping at the mighty Kostanjevica Castle which now houses an important open-air art gallery. Kostanjevica na Krki is Slovenia’s smallest town, and also one of its oldest. About 1.5kms outside of town along an unsealed road is Kostanjevica Cave. Continuing west you’ll come to Pleterje Monastery, set in the peace and tranquillity of a narrow valley surrounded by vineyards and gorgeous green hills. Your journey will end in Otočec, where the spectacular castle sits on a tiny island in the middle of the Krka River.Mighty castle of Kostanjevica open-air gallery, Pleterje monastery.

Day 8: departure from Otočec.

Pricing

Price per person: 580 EUR (currency converter here)

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.
• 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.

Gallery