This classic Slovene bike trekking trip takes you through Slovenia's most famous historical attractions and many natural points of interest. It can be done individually as a self guided trip or as a group tour with our guide. Suitable for cyclists of average fitness.
Cycling tour highlights:
• Trip starts at the famous "Triple Bridge" in Ljubljana
• Visit Postojna or Škocjan caves, see the famous Lipizzaner horses
• Relax with a capuccino in the spectacular Trieste Piazza Unita
• Stay on a vineyard, sip typical Teran wine
• Small individual hotels, great food
Bicycle tour description Day 1: ARRIVAL TO LJUBLJANA Visit the historic old town, take a ride up to the mighty Ljubljana Castle, perched high on a hill overlooking the centre. As the sun goes down you can relax with a meal and drinks in one of the many riverside restaurants, or at Nebotičnik, the highest building in Ljubljana and offering a panoramic view of the city.
Day 2: LJUBLJANA - VRHNIKA (40 km; 58 km with a detour)
Today you cycle across an immense 160-square kilometer marshy plain. The Ljubljansko Barje was once a great lake until it dried up 6000 years ago, leaving behind an incredibly diverse landscape that is now home to some of Europe’s rarest forms of bird, plant and insect life. Along the way you can visit the remnants of the world’s highest railway viaduct in Borovnica. Overnight in a 4-star hotel.
Day 3: VRHNIKA – POSTOJNA(34 km; 44 km with a detour) Today you will experience the beauty of the Slovenian karst countryside as you cycle past the beautiful Slivnica Mountain and the magical disappearing lakes of Cerknica and Planina, and marvel at the wonders of this vast world of limestone. You can have a picnic in the Rakov Škocjan nature reserve, where the Rak River has carved out a stunning gorge containing two natural bridges. Overnight in a 3-star hotel.
Day 4: POSTOJNA – ŠTANJEL(45 km; 55 km with a detour) In the town of Postojna you can visit the beautiful underground Postojna caves and are whisked into a world of limestone caverns and giant stalagtites and stalagmites. You can also visit the impenetrable fortress of Predjama castle and learn about Erasmus, who kept a whole army at bay by utilizing the secret of the Predjama Caves. Learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down.
Day 5: DAY OFF IN ŠTANJEL OR ROUND TRIP (30 km) Choose from a day of no cycling, or a short trip to neighboring villages.
Spend the day in a typical Karst village in the heart of vineyard country, where you will see a museum of well-kept traditional houses built entirely from the surrounding limestone. Visit a local painter and artist and try the local food: delicious Karst ham (pršut) and tasty wine from one of the many nearby domestic cellars and visit the lovely Štanjel Castle.
Day 6: ŠTANJEL – LIPICA - DIVACA (47 km) Mostly flat with just one long, but steady uphill climb. 4* 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 Lipizaner horses whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have earned them a worldwide reputation.
Day 7: DIVACA - LIPICA – TRIESTE – KOPER(60 km) There are two optional trips: Tour A. Route through Slovenia – 60 km, descent into the valley of Hrastovlje, where a well-known church featuring an interesting “death dance” fresco can be visited. This variant goes through quiet countryside. Tour B. Route through Italy (55 km) and the lively port of Trieste. Long downhill ride from the high Karst plateau to Trieste. 3* hotel.
If you skipped Postojna caves – this morning you can visit Škocjan Caves – no less interesting but far less frequented. For your last day you take a slight diversion into the Italian town of Trieste. Visit the castle, cathedral and Piazza Unita central square. The tour ends at Slovenia’s port town, Koper, the largest ‘island’ town on the Slovenian Adriatic coast, and you can cycle along the coastal path and visit the gorgeous Venetian architecture in the little harbour village of Piran.
Day 8: Departure from Koper and end of tour An easy return trip is possible by train to Ljubljana. Additional nights may be booked in Koper.
-Individual tours between April 7th and October 13th, 2012
- Group tours
starting on Saturdays May 5th, June 2nd, July 7th, August 4th and September 1st, 2012 with a minimum of 6 participants, maximum 16 people
WHAT´S INCLUDED IN THE TRIP:
Individual self-guided bike tours
Euro 590 per person in doble occupany, Euro 110 single supplement
Half-board Euro 125
Bike rental Euro 75
Guided tours
Euro 710 per person in double occupany, Euro 110 single supplement
Half-board Euro 125
Bike rental Euro 75
Days/nights
8 days/7 nights
Included Services
Both tour types: accommodation in the above mentioned 3 & 4-star hotels and country inns in two bedded room with WC and shower, on basis of bed & breakfast.
Luggage transport between the hotels (one piece per person) Additional luggage: next to one piece of luggage, a handbag is free of charge. For every additional item there will be additional surcharge of Euro 5 to be paid locally.
Information package including detailed route description with corresponding maps (one per booking party, maps have to be returned to Helia after trip).
Free entry to swimming pools in Lipica and Koper hotels. Backup service (hotline) during the trip.
Wine tasting in Hruševica (2 sorts of wine, wine liquer and cheese).
Extra with group tour:a licenced English speaking guide who cycles with a group.
Not included Services
Cost before and after tour
Entrance fees
Transfers to and from Trieste (Ryan air) and Ljubljana (Easy jet) airport are available at request.
Supplements
Half-board Euro 125 (includes 7 dinners in hotels).
Single room Euro 110
Bike rental Euro 75 for 6 days (touring bikes are equipped with a lock, pannier and a basic repair set. Price includes delivery and pick up)
Helmet rental Euro 12 per week
Bike insurance: bikes are insured against minor breaks and normal wear. They are not insured against theft
or frame break. Insurance is available against these events at the rate of Euro 2 per bike per day, paid locally.
Discounts children sharing room
Children below 2 years of age (babies till their 2nd birthday): free
Children between 2 and 6 years (children after their 2nd birthday until (and including) their 6th birthday: 50%
discount.
Children between 6 and 12 years (children after their 6th birthday until (and including) their 12th birthday: 30%
discount.
Third adult person on additional bed in a double room: 10% discount.
General information
There is free but unguarded parking lot in the port of Koper. Main hotel in Ljubljana has a free and video controlled parking lot.
How to get there
Getting there...
Starting point of this trip is Ljubljana, Slovenian capital (google maps)
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it. From the airport you can travel to Ljubljana by mini van shuttles, by bus or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana Downtown 25 EUR per person; one way, two persons minimum
By train: Ljubljana is the main railway hub of Slovenia, well served from all sides. Our standard first hotel is 2 km away, you'll need to take a taxi
By car: city of Ljubljana is very centrally located in Slovenia and all our motorways go through it
.... and away By plane: closest airport is Trieste, 50 km NW (served by Ryanair to many destinations). We can best arrange you a transfer, price is 60 EUR per person, two persons minimum. Next is Ljubljana (LJU). You can return to Ljubljana by bus, train or our transfer, price is 60 EUR per person, two persons minimum
By train: Koper railway station is 1 km away from hotel. Trains leave from here to Ljubljana. If you wish to travel onwards to Rijeka (Croatia) you need to change in Pivka, however, only 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 operation to Greece and seasonal sailings along Slovene coast to Croatia By car: if your car is in Ljubljana, you can return there by bus or train. Our transfer costs 45 EUR per person, one way, two persons minimum
Additional nights
3* Hotel in Ljubljana: Euro 62 per person in standard double room, BB. Single room: Euro 75 Half-board:+Euro 12
3* Hotel in Koper: Euro 62 per person in standard double room, BB. Euro 69 per person in superior double
room, BB. Single room: + 19 EUR. Half-board: + Euro 12
Cancellation fees
up to 56 days prior to holiday start date - 20% of total holiday cost
35-55 days prior to holiday start date - 40% of total holiday cost
28-35 days prior to holiday start date - 70% of total holiday cost
1 -27 days prior to holiday start date - 90% of total holiday cost
