Secrets of Slovenia Cycling
Secrets of Slovenia Cycling
Secrets of Slovenia Cycling
8 Days Starting in Bled, Slovenia and ending in Koper, Slovenia
Visiting: Bled, Lake Bled, Goriška Brda, Brda, Lipica, Koper
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C07SN
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, Kosher, Jain, Halal
Interests:
Activities:
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
Accommodation Name: hotel
The tour starts in Bled.
Day 2 : Lake Bled Circular Cycle
Location: Lake Bled
Accommodation Name: hotel
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
Location: Goriška Brda
Accommodation Name: renovated homestead
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
Location: Brda
Accommodation Name: renovated homestead
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
Accommodation Name: Maestoso Hotel
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
Accommodation Name: hotel
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
Accommodation Name: hotel
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
Location: Koper
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends after breakfast in Koper.
What's Included
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All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meal
The tour includes all continental breakfasts and one evening meal.
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GPS route directions and maps
GPS route directions and maps are provided for the tour.
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Headwater navigation app
Access to the Headwater navigation app is included.
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High Quality Bikes
High quality bikes are provided for the cycling tour.
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Luggage transfers between hotels
Luggage transfers between hotels are included in the tour.
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Scenic train journey
The tour includes a scenic train journey along picturesque railway lines.
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45-minute transfer to the village of Štanjel
A 45-minute transfer to the village of Štanjel is included.
What's Not Included
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Visas and vaccinations
Visas and vaccinations are not included in the tour package.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not provided and must be arranged separately.
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Single supplements
Single supplements are not included and may incur additional costs.
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.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is included in the tour?
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.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect 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.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes all continental breakfasts and one evening meal.
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What cycling routes will we take during the tour?
You will cycle along the shore of Lake Bled, through traditional Slovenian villages, and along the river Sava to Radovljica. You'll also cycle through the Brda wine region, along the Soča river, and on the Parenzana coastal trail.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour?
Highlights include the turquoise Lake Bled, the emerald Soča river, the Julian Alps, the Goriška Brda wine region, the medieval settlement of Stanjel, the UNESCO Škocjan caves, and the Venetian coastal towns of Koper and Piran.
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What is unique about the Lipica stop on the tour?
Lipica is home to the famous Lipizzaner white horses, and you can take a guided tour of the Lipica Stud farm, a unique green estate.
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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