Cycling Slovenia & Istria 10 Days

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LJUBLJANA. 4* city hotel.
The Slovene capital: visit the historic old town and the ornate, old-world architecture and lovely “fin de siecle” mansions all sitting in the shadow of the Ljubljana Castle, perched high on a hill and standing guard over the old town and city center. From its tower, you get a commanding view of Ljubljana’s heart and soul. For sunset, visit the Neboticnik historic building and enjoy panoramic views from the top-floor terrace cafe across to the castle, south to the moors and north to the Alps.

Day 2: LJUBLJANA - VRHNIKA 39 km (57 km with a side trip), 3* hotel
Your first cycling day will be a gentle ride across a 160-sq km marshy plain: the Ljubljana Moors (Ljubljansko Barje), home to some of Europe’s rarest forms of bird, plant and insect life. Cycle up to the hilltop church of Saint Ana for the best views all around. Just before arriving in the lively little town of Vrhnika, you can visit the Technical Museum in Bistra Castle and see 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 lake of Cerknica, 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* guesthouse (agritourismo)
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. Here lived a vivacious and daring knight. Erasmus kept a whole army at bay by utilising 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* hotel
First riding 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 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 a lovely Venetian tower.

Day 6: DIVAČA – MUGGIA 38 km, 4* hotel
If you skipped Postojna caves don't fret, 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), 4* old town center hotel
For your next cycling trip you'll bike 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 harbor town of Piran.

Day 8: PIRAN – UMAG 35 km. 3* hotel
If you didn't opt for the side trip the day before, today you will get a second chance as you cycle past the salt-pans of Sečovlje. Get there early enough to catch the beautiful morning light. From here you head across the border to Croatia and into the heart of Istria, across slightly hilly terrain to the village of Umag. Once a Roman colony, within its town walls and across its gated drawbridge lies a town steeped in history. Take a tour through the medieval center and visit the beautiful city tower.

Day 9: UMAG – POREČ 41 km. 3* hotel
Once again you cycle across some low hills to Novigrad (Cittanova), another medieval walled town. As well as its rich history, Novigrad is also renowned as one of Istria’s top gourmet destinations. Your final destination is Poreč, where you can visit the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica, a diverse mix of baroque, Gothic and Romanesque buildings.

Day 10: Departure from Poreč.

Price

Price per person based on two people sharing:

Low season: March 26 to May 6 and September 17 to October 15, 2022: 1.275 EUR
High season: May 7 to September 16, 2022: 1.325 EUR

(Currency converter)

Price includes:
•    Accommodation in hotels 3*/4* and country guesthouses in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
•    Luggage transfer, one piece per person max 20 kg
•    Information pack including route notes and corresponding maps, one per booking
•    Welcome meeting and briefing upon arrival
•    GPS data
•    Local tourist and other taxes
•    Backup service (hotline) during the trip

Optional extras:
•    Single room 325 EUR
•    Upgrade to city historic center 4* hotel 60 EUR
•    Bike rental 190 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 nine.
•    Electric bike 350 EUR
•    Transfers: Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana downtown, Trieste airport to Ljubljana - please ask us  for a favorable quote!

Additional nights:
•   4 * hotel in Ljubljana Middle Ring 75 EUR per person and night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 105 EUR
•   4 * hotel in Ljubljana City historic center 110 EUR per person and night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 180 EUR
•   4*  hotel in Piran old town 80 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, BB. Single room 110 EUR
•   3*  hotel in the center of Poreč at request

Discounts:
•  Children up to 12 years of age, if they share the room with their parents, receive a 30% discount on the basic price
•  Third adult in the room 10% discount on the 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 train: Ljubljana is the main railway hub of Slovenia, well served from all directions. Our standard first hotel is two km away, so you'd best take a taxi.
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 train: Koper railway station is 60 km away from Poreč. 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 to Italy, you'll need to travel first to Trieste.
By boat: there are ferries operating from Poreč to Venice.
By car: if your car is in Ljubljana, you can return there using our transfer - please ask us  for a favorable quote!

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