Secrets of Slovenia Cycling
Secrets of Slovenia Cycling
Secrets of Slovenia Cycling
8 Days Starting in Bled and ending in Koper
Visiting: Bled, Lake Bled, Lipica, Koper
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C07SN
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, Kosher, Jain, Halal
Tour Overview
From the turquoise waters of Lake Bled and the white peaks of Julian Alps to the emerald Soca river and green Karst vineyard, finishing at the blue Adriatic Sea. Cycle through traditional villages around Lake Bled before taking a scenic railway journey to Avce from where you'll reach Goriška Brda, the 'Tuscany' of Slovenia.
Explore the local vines and wines before discovering the Karst region and visiting the hilltop village of Štanjel, a medieval stonemason settlement with narrow, stone alleys that wind among the buildings built on terraces and the UNESCO-listed Škocjan caves. Next stop is Lipica, home of the original Lipizzaner horses with the stud farm dating from 1580 to the time of the Hapsburg. It is possible to join a guided tour to see the horses before cycling on to the edge of the border with Italy for views out to the coast towards Trieste in Italy and your destination. the city of Koper. A scenic path takes you along the Parenzana railway line to Koper from where you cycle on to Piran - looking back to the distant mountains gives you a great feeling of achievement.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Bled
Location: Bled
The tour starts in Bled.
Day 2 : Lake Bled Circular Cycle
Location: Lake Bled
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycle along the shore of Lake Bled and then through the traditional Slovenian villages of Mlino, Selo and Lancovo. Continue along the clear waters of the river Sava to the medieval town of Radovljica. Continue to the picturesque village of Begunje, famous as the birthplace of Slavko Avsenik, the legend of Slovenian folk music before returning to Bled.
Day 3 : Lake Bled (Avce) To Smartno
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
An early start today with a scenic train journey along one of the most picturesque railway lines in the area with 28 tunnels, five galleries and 68 bridges. Your cycle route starts in Avče and soon you'll be joining a newly built cycle path, following the emerald crystal clear Soča river to the sun-kissed wine country, Goriška Brda. The local wines and culinary delights will help you get your strength back after a lovely trip.
Day 4 : At Smartno
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
You'll spend the day exploring the Brda wine growing region. Following the so-called 'peach' route you will be cycling through the charming landscape covered with vineyards, orchards and olive groves. Cycling through small hilltop villages and past renaissance manors will tempt you for lunch with a view.
Day 5 : Smartno (Stanjel) To Lpica
Location: Lipica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast. we take you (45 min transfer) to the village of Štanjel. Štanjel is a place of countless unique stories, where you'll become acquainted with stonemason Karst architecture. This region is the home of Teran ruby wine and tasty air-dried Karst prosciutto. Your destination for today is Lipica - home of the famous Lipizzaner white horses. Extend your day by cycling to the Škocjan caves, considered to be one of the most beautiful underground gems and a UNESCO World heritage site. A shorter cycle is also available.
Day 6 : Lipica To Koper
Location: Koper
Meals Included: Breakfast
Before you set off, take the opportunity of a guided tour of Lipica Stud farm, a unique green estate home to the white Lipizzaner horses. Once you set off cycling the scenery changes as you leave the Karst region behind and the view opens up to the Adriatic sea. You'll head into Italy for a short time today and join the famous Parenzana coastal trail which runs on the former narrow-gauge between the Italian city Trieste and Poreč in Croatia. Your final two nights are spent on the coast in the medieval town of Koper, linked to the Venetian republic until the end of the 18th Century.
Day 7 : At Koper
Location: Koper
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Parenzana trail runs along the coast, takes a turn among vineyards and partly runs through tunnels. It will take you through Portorož, a lively tourist town with sandy beach, to Piran. This worldly town, which developed under the influence of Venice, is considered to be one of the most authentic and most photogenic towns on the Adriatic coast. Return to Koper.
Day 8 : Leave Koper
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends after breakfast in Koper.
What's Included
-
All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meals
-
GPS route directions and maps
-
Headwater navigation app
-
High Quality Bikes
-
Luggage transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
-
Visas and vaccinations
-
Travel insurance
-
Single supplements
Food
All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meals.
Slovenia’s cuisine reflects its rich heritage. Neighbours Austria, Italy and Hungary influence most dishes on the menu. In the mountains, Austrian style salamis (klobasa) prevail. You’ll often find them seasoning the hearty soups served in the Alpine huts. Kruha juha is the best - you get to eat the bowl too as it’s made out of bread! The Hungarian influence is seen in the spicy meat dishes. Pleskavica (steak with herbs and paprika) is a good one to try. On the coast, you’ll find Italian fayre, like rizota (risotto) with fresh mussels or zkilofri (Slovenian ravioli). And if you are still hungry, indulge yourself in a slice of potica (a creamy Swiss roll with walnuts).
Slovenia has been making wine since pre-Roman times, and boasts the oldest vine in the world, that has grown for four centuries. In the Vipava Valley, the stone villages are full of velbani hrami (vaulted wine cellars) where you can taste Teran (a heavy red best drunk with the local prsut or ham) or Rebula (a dry, crisp white). In the mountains look out for the bewildering variety of schnapps made from wormwood, blueberries, honey and even pine needles!
Accommodation
The places where you will stay vary from a large lakeside property in Bled, to a renovated homestead in Smartno, and the Maestoso Hotel in Lipica, where you'll find the Lippizaner stud farm.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes a scenic train journey along picturesque railway lines, cycling routes through Slovenian landscapes, and a 45-minute transfer to the village of Štanjel. Luggage transfers between hotels are also provided.
Check out our Q&As
-
What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
During the tour, you will stay in a variety of accommodations, including a large lakeside property in Bled, a renovated homestead in Smartno, and the Maestoso Hotel in Lipica, which is near the Lipizzaner stud farm.
-
Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour package includes all continental breakfasts and one evening meal. You will have the opportunity to explore local cuisine influenced by Austria, Italy, and Hungary.
-
What kind of cycling routes will I experience on this tour?
You will cycle along scenic routes including the shore of Lake Bled, traditional Slovenian villages, the emerald Soča river, and the Parenzana coastal trail. The routes vary from picturesque countryside to coastal trails with views of the Adriatic Sea.
-
Is there any luggage support provided during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfers between hotels are included in the tour package, allowing you to cycle without the burden of carrying your luggage.
-
What is the highlight of the visit to Lipica?
In Lipica, you will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Lipica Stud farm, which is home to the famous white Lipizzaner horses.
-
Will I have the chance to explore any UNESCO World Heritage sites?
Yes, you can extend your cycling day to visit the Škocjan caves, which are considered one of the most beautiful underground gems and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Saturday - Saturday
Apr 12, 2025 - Apr 19, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Apr 16, 2025 - Apr 23, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Apr 19, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Apr 23, 2025 - Apr 30, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Apr 26, 2025 - May 03, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Apr 30, 2025 - May 07, 2025Saturday - Saturday
May 03, 2025 - May 10, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
May 07, 2025 - May 14, 2025Saturday - Saturday
May 10, 2025 - May 17, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
May 14, 2025 - May 21, 2025Saturday - Saturday
May 17, 2025 - May 24, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
May 21, 2025 - May 28, 2025Saturday - Saturday
May 24, 2025 - May 31, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
May 28, 2025 - Jun 04, 2025Saturday - Saturday
May 31, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Jun 04, 2025 - Jun 11, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jun 07, 2025 - Jun 14, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Jun 11, 2025 - Jun 18, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Jun 18, 2025 - Jun 25, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jun 21, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Jun 25, 2025 - Jul 02, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 02, 2025 - Jul 09, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 09, 2025 - Jul 16, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 16, 2025 - Jul 23, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 23, 2025 - Jul 30, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jul 26, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 30, 2025 - Aug 06, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Aug 02, 2025 - Aug 09, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 06, 2025 - Aug 13, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 13, 2025 - Aug 20, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 20, 2025 - Aug 27, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 27, 2025 - Sep 03, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Aug 30, 2025 - Sep 06, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 03, 2025 - Sep 10, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 10, 2025 - Sep 17, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 24, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 24, 2025 - Oct 01, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Oct 01, 2025 - Oct 08, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Oct 08, 2025 - Oct 15, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.