Cycling Emerald Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LJUBLJANA. 4* hotel close to city centre.
The Slovene capital: visit the historic old town and marvel at the ornate, old-world architecture sitting in the shadow of the 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 the city and surrounding mountains. Enjoy a meal in the old town and then round it off with a beer beside the Ljubljanica River, or on a riverboat ride.

Day 2: LJUBLJANA - VRHNIKA
39 km (57 km with a side trip), 3* hotel
Your first cycling day will be a gentle ride across an immense 160-sq km marshy plain: the Ljubljana Moors (Ljubljansko Barje). The lovely Krim Mountain will dominate your view here. Head up to the hilltop church of Saint Ana for an amazing panoramic view of Slovenia. Just before arriving in the lively little town of Vrhnika, you can visit the Technical Museum, in Bistra Castle, where there's an exhibition of Tito’s cars.

Day 3: VRHNIKA – POSTOJNA
32 km (44 km with a side trip), 4* hotel
Today you'll experience the real Slovenian countryside as you cycle past the beautiful Slivnica Mountain and the magical disappearing lakes of Cerknica and Planina, and marvel at this vast world of limestone. You can stop for a picnic lunch amid some of nature’s most incredible landscape formations, including two natural bridges, at the Rakov Škocjan nature reserve.

Day 4: POSTOJNA – ŠTANJEL / KODRETI
48 km, 3* family guesthouse (agritourism)
Today will start with a visit to the beautiful Postojna caves, the most extensive cave system in Slovenia, through a world of large and colorful stalactites and stalagmites, and 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 vivacious and daring knight. Erasmus kept a whole army at bay by utilizing the Predjama Caves 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 5: ŠTANJEL – LIPICA – DIVAČA
48 km, 3* family hotel
Today you'll cycle to the stud farm of Lipica where you can visit beautiful thoroughbred Lipizzaner horses, whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have earned them a worldwide reputation. Take a tour in a traditional carriage, and visit them close up in their stables. You can also visit the unusual but very interesting “War Museum” set inside an old Venetian tower.

Day 6: DIVAČA – MUGGIA
38 km, 4* hotel
If you missed Postojna caves no worries, this morning you can visit Škocjan Caves; no less interesting but far less frequented. They are even listed as a UNESCO natural monument! You can take a diversion into the Italian town of Trieste - once an important port with its worldly flair and wonderful atmosphere. Visit Miramare Castle, the 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 enjoy a gelato ice cream in the old town.

Day 7: MUGGIA – PIRAN
37 km (+11 km optional side trip to Sečovlje Saltpans), 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 modest, yet lovely coast, and Trieste Bay. A stop in the trendy resort of Portorož is a must. The trip ends in the gorgeous little Venetian harbour town of Piran.

Day 8: DEPARTURE FROM PIRAN. 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: March 20 to May 8 and September 18 to October 12, 2021: 675 EUR
High season: May 9 to September 17, 2021: 695 EUR

(Currency converter)

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

Optional extras:
•    single room 130 EUR
•    upgrade to city historic center 4* hotel 60 EUR
•    bike rental 80 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 of day two of the tour and ends at 18:00 on day seven
•    electric bike 190 EUR
•    helmet rental 12 EUR per week
•    transfers - please ask us for a favorable quote.

Additional nights:
•    4* Hotel in Ljubljana mid-ring 65 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, BB. Single room: 94 EUR
•    4 * hotel in Ljubljana city historic center 80 EUR per person and night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 135 EUR
•    4* Hotel in Piran old town 80 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, BB. Single room: 110 EUR

Discounts:
•   children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents 30% discount on basic price
•   third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price

Travel options

Starting point of this trip is Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. Getting there...
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From the airport you can travel to Ljubljana by minivan shuttles, by bus or book our transfer - Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana Downtown or vice versa - please ask us for a favorable quote.
By bus: several Flixbus lines stop in Ljubljana
By train: Ljubljana is the main railway hub of Slovenia, well served from all directions. Our standard first hotel is two km away.
By car: the city of Ljubljana is centrally located in Slovenia and all motorways go there.

.... and away
By plane: closest airport is Trieste, 50 km NW (served by Ryanair from many origins). We can best arrange you a transfer- please ask us for a favorable quote. Next is Ljubljana (LJU). You can return to Ljubljana by bus, train or our transfer - please ask us for a favorable quote.
By bus: a few Flixbus lines depart from Koper, 18 km from Piran.
By train: Koper railway station is 20 km away from Piran. Trains leave from here to Ljubljana. If you wish to travel onward to Rijeka (Croatia) you need to change in Pivka, however, only a few trains cross the border! There are no train connections into Italy, you'll need to travel first to Trieste.
By boat: check out ferries to Venice. There are also ferries operating to Greece and seasonal sailings along the Slovene coast to Croatia.
By car: if your car is in Ljubljana, you can return there by bus or train. Our transfer - please ask us for a favorable quote.

First hand 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!

Video

Your bike