Version A: 11 Day Tour

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 cycling 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
Days trip 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 biking tour 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 – ŠTANJEL AREA, 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 colorful 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: ŠTANJEL AREA – 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.  We can also assist in arranging transfers to the airport in Trieste or Ljubljana or the train station in Trieste.

Version B: 8 Day Tour

Day 1: BLED 4* hotel.
Arrival in Bled. Your hotel is in a quiet part of town, above the lake. Bled is renowned for its beautiful setting: glacial lake, clifftop castle and a pilgrimage church on an island. Arrive early enough and you can take a boat out to the church and ring the bell of wishes, head up to the castle for a great view across the valley, or take a circular walk around the lake and hike up to Mala Osojnica for the best view of all.

Day 2: BLED – BOHINJSKA BISTRICA 43 km, 4* hotel
Your cycling day starts with a climb up to the high plateau Pokljuka (700m / 2300ft over 12km). From mountain meadows, you will then descend to the stunning Lake Bohinj. Wedged into the corner of this dead end valley, Bohinj is the largest and deepest lake in the Triglav National Park, and it is surrounded by glistening alpine mountain peaks. Cycle around the lake to Savica Waterfall, source of the Sava Bohinjka River, 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 – LJUBLJANA 78 km, 4* hotel
Leaving Bohinj you cycle up 750 m / 2400 ft to the Jelovica high plateau, which then drops off into a lush wilderness valley leading to the Škofja Loka hills. Stop in the historic iron-smelting town of Železniki and one of Slovenia’s oldest and most charming towns, Škofja Loka, before finally arriving in Ljubljana, the Slovene capital. Visit the Ljubljana Castle, perched high on a hill overlooking the old town and city center. From its tower, you get a breathtaking view of Ljubljana’s heart and soul and of the mountains you have just cycled from.

Day 4: LJUBLJANA – VRHNIKA – POSTOJNA 70km + 18km optional side trip, 4* hotel
To start the day, a gentle ride across the beautiful 160-sq km Ljubljana Moors (Ljubljansko Barje), home to some of Europe’s rarest forms of bird, plant and insect life. Head up to the hilltop church of Saint Ana for the best views. Then cycle past the beautiful Slivnica Mountain and the magical disappearing lake of Cerknica. Stop at Rakov Skocjan, Slovenia’s oldest landscape park: a stunning limestone gorge containing two natural bridges.

Day 5: POSTOJNA – ŠTANJEL 34km + 9km side trip, 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 the side of a 123m-cliff. Here lived 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 6 : ŠTANJEL – LIPICA – DIVAČA 42km, 3* family hotel
First 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 see them close up in their stables. You can also visit the unusual but very interesting “War Museum” set in a lovely Venetian tower.

Day 7: DIVAČA – MUGGIA – PIRAN 75km + 19km side trip to Trieste, 4* old town hotel
If you skipped Postojna caves, don’t worry, because this morning you can visit Škocjan Caves – just as interesting but far less crowded. Then, if you like, head into the Italian town of Trieste. Visit the castle, cathedral and Piazza Unita. Stop for a cappuccino or a gelato in the old harbor town of Muggia. There is a new cycling path following the old railway line that runs along the coast. Enjoy great vistas of Slovenia’s modest, yet lovely coastline. A stop in the Slovenian Riviera of Portorož is a must. The trip ends in the gorgeous little Venetian harbor 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. We can also assist in arranging transfers to the airport in Trieste or Ljubljana or the train station in Trieste.