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For lovers of history, fine wine and luxury spas.
An easy tour taking you through the rolling hills, historic sites, castles and thermal springs of eastern Slovenia. Suitable for all cyclists of very average fitness.
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MARIBOR. 4* hotel.Slovenia’s second largest city, Maribor is located beside the Drava River and is home to one of the country’s few town castles. The castle's prime attraction is the unique Slovene fashion museum, which boasts an excellent collection of costumes and uniforms; the most prestigious being a military uniform worn by Tito, the long-serving president of Yugoslavia. You can also take some time out to see the oldest vine in the world in the riverside area of Lent.
DAY 2: MARIBOR – PTUJ (30 KM).
Cycling along the Drava River, vineyards and orchards.
Accommodation in centrally located 4* hotel.
Your cycling route will take you along the Drava River as it flows southeast across the vineyards and orchards of the Drava Plain and passes through Ptuj, the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Slovenia. Soak up the 2000 years of history as you make your way through the rich, ornate architecture guarded by the incredibly well preserved Ptuj castle. The castle dates as far back as 69AD and houses a wonderful collection of musical instruments and an exposition on Turkish raids in the 15th century.
DAY 3: PTUJ - ROGAŠKA SLATINA (43 KM).
An easy ride across the Ptuj plain, then a low pass (200m).
Accommodation in 4* hotel.
To start your day, you can stop at the fascinating Mithra Shrines just 1km outside of town. The town of Rogatec is home to an open-air museum and the Palace Castle Strmol. We recommend having lunch here before cycling on to your ultimate destination, Rogaška Slatina. A visit to Rogaška Crystal, on the outskirts of town, is a must. Here you can see firsthand the skill that goes into crafting their beautiful glassworks. The abundance of natural springs surrounding the town, believed to heal everything from a bad stomach to obesity, has resulted in the town becoming a Mecca for health, relaxation and beauty spas. So spend the evening pampering yourself.
DAY 4: ROGAŠKA SLATINA - BIZELJSKO (48 KM).
Easy route going through the Sotla River Valley.
Accommodation in winemakers villa - 3* guesthouse.
The lush green scenery of the Sotla River Valley awaits you today, on the border with Croatia. Vineyards and farmland are dotted over an area of dense forests and rolling hills. You then hop across the border and visit the castle of Poklek Mijana, a beautifully refurbished centuries-old mansion. After a stop in Kumrovec, the birthplace of Tito, you'll cross back into Slovenia. Tito's birth house now makes up part of an open-air village museum. (Please note that the section through Croatia is currently only possible for EU and EFTA citizens, others will need to follow a route entirely on Slovene territory, having a chance to visit the Castle of Bizeljsko).
DAY 5: BIZELJSKO - MOKRICE (25 KM).
Accommodation in 4* Castle hotel Mokrice.
A short ride brings you to the town of Brezice, where another of Slovenia’s few town castles stands. Its grand hall is renowned for having the best acoustics by far. If you arrive at the right time, you may even catch a summer musical performance. Your final destination of the day is the mighty Mokrice Castle. First mentioned in 1444, it was rebuilt in the 16th century and again in 1941. After World War II it was made into a hotel with restaurants, and in 1988 a golf course was built on the castle grounds. In the same year, English pop band the Pet Shop Boys used this castle to film the video for their single "Heart“.
DAY 6: MOKRICE - OTOČEC (56 KM).
Accommodation in 5* Castle hotel Otočec.
Today, as you head along the base of the Gorjanci Hills separating Slovenia with Croatia, your eyes will be filled with yet more wonderful attractions. You'll cycle beside the Krka River back towards its origins in the Krka Valley, stopping at Kostanjevica na Krki; Slovenia’s smallest town, and also one of its oldest. Visit the open-air art gallery at Kostanjevica Castle, and the 2km-long Kostanjevica Cave. Riding west you’ll come to Pleterje Monastery, set in a tranquil narrow valley surrounded by vineyards and lush green hills. Your journey will end in Otočec, where a spectacular castle sits on a tiny island in the middle of the Krka River. You’ll stay here in the castle, now a luxurious 5* hotel.
DAY 7: OTOČEC & SURROUNDINGS ROUND TRIP (45 KM)
Accommodation in 5* Castle hotel Otočec.
Local food and wine for your last day. Weaving your way along the Krka River, you’ll pass through villages nestled among fertile landscape and glistening vineyards. The local wine “Cvicek” is unique to this region. It’s made from a mix of red and white grapes, and has a relatively low alcohol content, which might help you avoid riding around in circles afterwards! There are many typical village bars along the route where you can sample this wine along with some great local food. From here you’ll head to a stunning viewpoint above the Krka plain, where you can relax, stretch your muscles and pamper yourself at the Smarjeske Spa before returning to your castle hotel.
Day 8: departure from Otočec.
Price
Price per person in a double room 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 4* (three nights), 3* guesthouse (one night), 4* castle hotel (one night) and 5* castle hotel (two nights) in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• Free entrance to Smarjeske Toplice Spa
• Luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person, max 20 kg / 45 lb)
• Personal welcome meeting and bike fitting upon arrival
• Information pack including text road notes (in plain English) and corresponding maps, one per booking
• GPS data
• Local tourist and other taxes
• Backup service (hotline) during the trip
Supplements:
• Single room supplement 135 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 on day seven.
• Electric bike 190 EUR
• Transfers. Ljubljana AP (or downtown) – Maribor; Graz AP to Maribor; Otocec to Maribor; Otocec to Ljubljana downtown, Otocec to Ljubljana Airport, transfers to Zagreb Airport - please ask us for favorable quote!
Additional nights:
• in Maribor in a 4* hotel, 65 EUR per person per night, in a double room, BB. Single room 95 EUR
• in Otočec in a 5* chateau hotel, 100 EUR per person per night, in a double room, BB. Single room 150 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 the city of Maribor in NE SloveniaGetting there...
By plane: closest airport is Graz in Austria, served by Austrian Airlines, KLM (Amsterdam), Easyjet (Berlin), Swiss (Zürich), Turkish (Istanbul) and Lufthansa (Munich). Even Vienna is a good option, it has good train connections. Next is Ljubljana airport (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From the Ljubljana airport you can travel to Maribor by bus (direct buses, takes about three hours) or train (every two hours, takes about two hours) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Maribor - please ask us for favorable quote!
By train: Maribor central railway station is on the Vienna - Ljubljana / Zagreb mainline. You can simply walk to the first hotel which is 400 meters away.
By car: take any Maribor exit from A2 motorway Ljubljana Graz. Your car can be parked at first hotel in a guarded parking lot for the duration of your trip. Parking fee 18 EUR for eight days.
.... and away:
By plane: closest airport is Zagreb, served by all major airlines. Ljubljana airport is a good option too. Several airlines serve it. To get to either, the best option is to book our transfer: Otočec to Ljubljana Airport or to Zagreb Airport - please ask us for favorable quote!
By train: Novo Mesto railway station (10 km away) has many daily trains to Ljubljana.
By car: return transfer back to Maribor is available if you need to pick up your car there.
