Pearls Of Slovenia

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LAKE BLED 4* hotel
Lake Bled is a beautiful glacial lake made famous by its distinctive island church, towering alpine mountain backdrop and clifftop castle. It's no coincidence that it's one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. You can take a boat out to the island church and ring the church bell and make a wish, it might come true. Head over the western side and hike up to Mala Osojnica for the best view of the lake, castle and Karavanke Mountains.

Day 2: BLED – RIBČEV LAZ
20 km + possible side trip 16 km; 3* hotel
From the high plateau at Pokljuka (12km) you can marvel at the views as you cycle down into the neighboring Bohinj Valley until reaching the stunning Lake Bohinj, a glistening jewel in the heart of the Triglav National Park. Cycle around the lake to Savica Waterfall, and then take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view of the Julian Alps that surround the lake.

Day 3: RIBČEV LAZ – ŠKOFJA LOKA
57 km, 3* hotel
Leaving Bohinj, you cycle 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 an extra cost of 20 EUR per person). From the top the trail drops off into a beautiful wilderness valley leading to the lush green Škofja Loka hills. The cycling route takes you through a number of historic little villages until you finally arrive in one of Slovenia's oldest and most charming towns, Škofja Loka, where you can visit the hilltop castle.

Day 4: ŠKOFJA LOKA - PREDDVOR
33 km, 3* guesthouse
Today you head across the great Sora plain, 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. End the day with your feet up, sipping a drink and admiring the view across Preddvor lake to the majestic peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

Day 5: PREDDVOR - RADOVLJICA / BEGUNJE
38 km / 42 km, 3* antique & modern hotel
A ride through history, taking you along the edge of the Kamnik Alps to the beautifully preserved old town of Radovljica and its interesting beekeeping museum. You'll visit Slovenia's foremost blacksmith town, Kropa where you can tour the iron forging museum and learn how to make your own nail. Then cycle up to the little hilltop village of Jamnik for a classic postcard view of Slovenia: church and mountains. You will spend the night in Begunje, the home of legendary Slovenian Folk musician Slavko Avsenik.

Day 6: RADOVLJICA / BEGUNJE –  KRANJSKA GORA
42 km / 48 km, 3* hotel
On your way out of Begunje you can visit the ruins of Kamen Castle, then your cycling track will take you on a stunning ride between the ranges of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke Mountains to Kranjska Gora, a popular alpine town famous for its ski resorts, but also a great base for many summer activities. Arrive early enough and you can head out to Lake Jasna, on the outskirts of town, for a beautiful sunset over the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps.

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 1.6 km Vintgar Gorge, before riding back to the magical Lake Bled.

Day 8: End of the tour.

Price

Price per person based on two people sharing:
Low season: March 20 to May 8 and September 18 to October 12, 2021: 645 EUR
High season: May 9 to September 17, 2021: 695 EUR

(Currency converter)

Price includes:
•    accommodation in 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 kg / 45 lb)
•    information pack including text road notes (in plain English) and corresponding maps, one per booking
•    GPS data
•    local tourist and other taxes
•    personal welcome meeting, detailed briefing upon arrival and bike handover
•    backup service (hotline) during the trip

Optional extras:
•    single room 120 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 day two of the tour and ends at 18:00 of day seven
•    electric bike 200 EUR
•    helmet rental 12 EUR per week
•    transfers. Ljubljana Airport to Bled, Ljubljana City to Bled, Klagenfurt Airport to Bled - please ask us for a favorable quote!

Additional nights:
•   3* Hotel in Bled 65 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, BB. Single room 120 EUR
•   4* Hotel in Bled 85 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, BB. Single room 140 EUR
•   4* Hotel in Bohinj 65 EUR per person per night, in a standard double room, BB. Single room 80 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

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

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 hrs) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Bled (faster - 20 min)- please ask us for a favorable quote!
By bus: several Flixbus lines stop at Lake Bled.
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce Bled on the Villach-Ljubljana mainline, four km away from the town center, you'll need to take a bus to get to Bled. The other station is Bled Jezero on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day. Two km away from the town center.
By car: take exit Lesce on A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke. Please consult us about parking options.

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

Firsthand experience

A little weird and wonderful...

So you enter and there are a lot of animal trophies but that's from the former owner who was, apparently a Renault (the car). I was shown to my room and, disappointed, went down to ask if I could have a balcony. No problem and no extra cost. I had come from a four hour bike ride (Helia Bike Tours) in the pouring rain. The woman at the desk (shame on me for needing it, spoke perfect English). She told me to get warm and dry and go to the bar for my welcome drink.. Eventually I did. I also picked out a wine from their wonderful local selection to bring to my room. The welcome drink was a gorgeous, warming sherry. Eventually, I made it down to dinner and the guy who chatted with me over my sherry, served me dinner. He was just an adorable human. I loved this place. Like I said, it was kind of weird and wonderfully so!