Itinerary

Day 1: BLED 4* hotel
You will start in Bled, a cute little town on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake. Characterized by its unique island church protruding from this immense body of water, backed by the towering Karavanke Alps, and the castle perched high on a cliff standing guard over the town, Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. Take some time on your first day to visit the island church by boat and hike up to the Mala Osojnica viewpoint at the western side of the lake. You won't regret it.

Day 2: BLED – BOHINJSKA BISTRICA
27 km / 43 km with side trip; 4* hotel
Starting on the high plateau at Pokljuka, you'll glide down through alpine villages to Lake Bohinj, the jewel of the Triglav National Park. Encircled by shimmering mountain peaks, Bohinj is the largest and deepest lake in the national park. Visit Savica Waterfall, source of the Sava Bohinjka River and Lake Bohinj, and then take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view into the Bohinj Valley and of Mount Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps.

Day 3: BOHINJSKA BISTRICA – ŠKOFJA LOKA
49 km; 3* hotel
Leaving Bohinjska Bistrica, it’s up 750 m/2400 ft to the Jelovica high plateau (a “help out” lift to the top of the mountain pass is available for this part of the trip at a supplement of 20 EUR per person). From the top the route takes you through a deep forest which soon drops off into a wilderness valley, leading to the lush green Škofja Loka hills. Stop in the historic iron-smelting town of Železniki before arriving in one of Slovenia's oldest and most charming towns, Škofja Loka.

Day 4: ŠKOFJA LOKA – LJUBLJANA
31 km, 4* city hotel
Today you'll ride to Slovenia's Baroque and Modernist capital: Ljubljana. Here you can take a short ride up to the mighty Ljubljana Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the old town. From its tower you get a commanding view of Ljubljana’s heart and soul, and the alpine mountains you have just cycled from. 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 or riverboat ride.

Day 5: LJUBLJANA - VRHNIKA
39 km, 57 km with a side trip; 3* hotel
Today will be a gentle ride across the immense 160-sq km Ljubljana Moors (Ljubljansko Barje). This incredible landscape is home to some of Europe’s rarest forms of bird, plant and insect life. As you cycle through here you won't be able to miss the lovely church sitting atop a hill. This is the church of Saint Ana, which you can cycle up to for the ultimate view across the moors to the Kamnik Alps. Before you arrive at your destination, be sure to visit the Technical Museum in Bistra Castle, where you’ll find an interesting exhibition of Tito’s cars.

Day 6: VRHNIKA – POSTOJNA
32 km, 44 with a side trip, 4* hotel
Today you'll experience the real western countryside as you cycle past the beautiful Slivnica Mountain and the seasonal lake of Cerknica. Stop at Slovenia's oldest landscape park, Rakov Skocjan, for a picnic lunch. This is a stunning limestone gorge containing some of nature’s most interesting landscape formations, including two natural bridges.

Day 7: POSTOJNA – KODRETI / ŠTANJEL
45 km, 3* family guesthouse (agritourism).
Today will start with a visit to the beautiful Postojna caves, the most extensive cave system in Slovenia. You'll walk through a world of large and colourful stalactites and stalagmites, and see the unique “human fish”. Then head to the impenetrable fortress of Predjama Castle, in a crevasse halfway up a 123-metre cliff-face. Once home to a cunning knight, Erasmus kept a whole army at bay by utilizing the caves underneath the castle to sneak out for supplies. Take the tour and learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down.

Day 8: KODRETI / ŠTANJEL – LIPICA – DIVAČA
48 km, 3* hotel
First stop is at the lovely botanical garden in Sežana, then cycle on to the stud farm of Lipica, where you can visit these beautiful thoroughbred Lipizzaner horses whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have made them famous worldwide. Take a tour in a traditional carriage, and visit them up close in their stables. This will be a day to remember. If you have time for a couple of side trips, you can also visit the unusual but very interesting “War Museum” set in a Venetian tower.

Day 9: DIVAČA – MUGGIA
38 km, 4* hotel
If you chose not to see Postojna caves the other day you can visit Škocjan Caves, equally fascinating but without the big crowds; even listed as a UNESCO natural monument! A diversion into the Italian town of Trieste is highly recommended - 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 day ends in Muggia south of Trieste, where you can treat yourself to a gelato in the old town or relax on one of the beaches.

Day 10: MUGGIA – PIRAN
37 km, 48 km with a side trip, 3* old town hotel
For your last day, you'll cycle along the coastal road on a new cycling path following the old railway line. Enjoy great vistas of Slovenia's lovely coastline, and Trieste Bay. A stop in the interesting harbour town of Izola is a must. The trip ends in the gorgeous little Venetian town of Piran, where you can ascend to the church bell tower and watch the sunset over the sprawling red roofs and sparkling blue Adriatic Sea.

Day 11: DEPARTURE. After breakfast your tour ends. However, you can prolong your stay in Piran, take a one-way boat trip or day-cruise to Venice or continue cycling by taking our Croatia Istrian Coastal Tour down to Pula.

Price

Price per person based on two people sharing:

Low season: 14.3. to 8.5. and 19.9. to 10.10.2020: 895 EUR
High season: 9.5. to 18.9.2020: 925 EUR
(Currency converter here)

Price includes:
•    accommodation in country inn and hotels 3*/4* in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
•    luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person, max 20 kgs / 45 lb). Every additional piece 10 EUR, payable on the spot
•    personal welcome meeting and bike fitting upon arrival
•    information pack including text road notes (in plain English) and corresponding maps. One per booking, every additional pack 20 EUR
•    GPS data
•    local tourist and other taxes
•    backup service (hotline) during the trip

Optional extras:
•    eight three-course dinners 180 EUR (no dinner supplements are possible in Škofja Loka and Muggia)
•    single room 220 EUR
•    bike rental 130 EUR classic touring / trekking bikes are equipped with 21 gears, one back, side pannier per bike, one cycling odometer, one lock, one spare inner tube, one set of Allen keys and a basic puncture repair kit per couple / pair of bikes. Every additional day: 15 EUR per bike. Additional odometer 20 EUR, payable on the spot. Bike rental period starts at 9:00 on day two of the tour and ends at 18:00 on day ten
•    electric bike rental 260 EUR
•    “Help out lift” to top of the pass on day three - 20 EUR
•    helmet rental 18 EUR
•    upgrade to 4* city centre hotel in Ljubljana 50 EUR per person, B&B in a double room. Single room supplement 40 EUR. Dinner supplement 15 EUR.
•    day trip by catamaran to Venice from Koper or Piran, Saturdays only - 67 EUR one way and 74 EUR return trip. Also - the daily catamaran service can shorten your trip to Venice, please check the timetables and prices with us!
•    transfers. Ljubljana Airport to Bled – 30 EUR. Klagenfurt Airport to Bled – 70 EUR. Piran to Ljubljana Downtown or Airport – 75 EUR. Piran to Bled – 90 EUR. Piran to Trieste downtown – 40 EUR. Piran to Trieste Airport – 60 EUR. All prices per person, two-person minimum, one way
•    additional nights: 4* hotel in Bled: 79 EUR per person in a double room, single room: 135 EUR, 3-course dinner 25 EUR. 4* hotel in Ljubljana, just outside city centre: 65 EUR per person in standard double room, B&B. Single room: 85 EUR. 3-course dinner 12 EUR. 4* Hotel in Piran 75 EUR per person, single room 105 EUR. 3-course dinner 18 EUR. 
Price excludes: flights, entrance fees, meals not mentioned in itinerary, drinks with meals.

Travel options

Starting point of this trip is Bled in NW Slovenia.

Getting there...
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 two hours) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster - 20 min) 30 EUR per person; one way, two-person minimum.
By bus: Flixbus lines stop at Lake Bled.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce Bled station on the Villach - Ljubljana mainline, 4 km away from town centre, need to take a bus or call us, we'll give you a lift for free. The other is station Bled Jezero on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day. Two km away from town centre, call us and we'll give you a lift.
By car: take exit Lesce on the A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke. Please consult us about parking options.

.... and away
By plane: Trieste airport or Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve them. You can book our transfer: Piran to Ljubljana Downtown or Airport 75 EUR per person; one way, two-person minimum.
By train: Koper railway station is 25 km away from Piran. Trains leave from here to Ljubljana. If you wish to travel onwards to Rijeka (Croatia) you need to change in Pivka, however, only a few trains cross the border! There are no train connections to Italy, you'll need to first travel to Trieste.
By boat: there are boats operating from Piran to Venice and to Trieste and ferries from Poreč to Venice.
By car: if your car is in Ljubljana, you can return there by bus or train. Our transfer costs 55 EUR per person, one way, two-person minimum.

Firsthand experience

We stayed at Hisa Posebne Sorte with our cycle tour of Slovenia (we went with Helia - fantastic by the way). This charming guesthouse is nestled in a tiny village in the heart of wine country, the accommodation is large, comfortable, clean, and every need catered for. The views are outstanding.
What makes this place truly special is two things, firstly, the hospitality truly is outstanding. The hosts have a wonderful personal touch, and we are truly grateful to them. Secondly the restaurant, lovingly handmade, and then the food, exceptional.
In fact, it was so special that we got engaged here! It is a very popular location for weddings, so we may be back. Highly recommend for a weekend away, a relaxing stay, or a wedding!

Thank you Helia for organising the wonderful self-guided trips we did with you in September. Everything was just perfect. The different hotels were interesting, always in lovely locations, always clean and very welcoming. The maps and instructions combined with your stickers on various fences and posts made navigation really easy. After 23 years of cycling on our own, this was the first 'self-guided tour 'we've done and now we are hooked on this way of cycling. Many thanks for all your efforts and help. Rosemary and Colin

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