Pearls of Slovenia

A definitive must for photographers and those who like mountain scenery, but don’t want to take too much effort to get it. This is NOT a mountain bike tour. It is suitable for cyclists of average fitness, has one pass of 750m/2500ft but one has the whole day to do it on a quiet road.

Tour description

Day 1: Arrival to Lake Bled
You will arrive in Bled, a world famous town on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake. Defined by its unique island church sitting proudly in the middle of this immense body of water, surrounded by towering alpine mountains, and the castle perched high on a cliff standing guard over the town, Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. One of our Helia representatives will meet you and take you for a welcome drink, deliver your information pack and ensure you have everything you need for your trip. For the rest of the day you can choose between a number of leisure activities in Bled. Visit the island church and marvel at the ornate golden altar and ring the church bell and make a wish, it might come true. Hike up to the castle for a spectacular view of this glacial valley. In the evening try the local speciality – the cream cake – in one of the great little tea shops beside the lake, or sample the many bars and restaurants. Accommodation in 4* hotel (the 4* hotel has been voted by our guests as best overall hotel in 2011!).



Day 2: BLED – RIBČEV LAZ (20 km + possible side trip of 10 km)
Accommodation in 4* hotel. You will be transferred up to the high plateau at Pokljuka (12 km). From here you can marvel at the stunning views before gliding down into the neighbouring Bohinj Valley, the jewel in the heart of the Triglav National Park. You will cycle through the many small alpine villages scattered across the valley until reaching the small settlement of Ribčev Laz (Fisherman’s Pass) lying next to the stunning Lake Bohinj. 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. Explore the forests surrounding the lake before spending the evening in one of the cosy village pubs and trying the local home-made honey brandy.

Day 3: RIBČEV LAZ – ŠKOFJA LOKA  (57 km/36 miles)
Mostly flat with a slow climb up to Jelovica High plateau, pass of 750 m / 2400 ft. Accommodation in 3* hotel.
Leaving Bohinj you cycle to the lovely village of Bohinjska Bistrica, where you can admire the picture-perfect backdrop. Then it’s up 750 m/2400 ft to the Jelovica high plateau (a “help out” lift to top of mountain pass is available for this part of the trip at extra cost of 15 EUR per person).  From the top the route takes you through a deep forest which soon drops off into the Selška Dolina Valley leading to the Škofja Loka hills. The first stop is at the little alpine village of Sorica, set among low green hills. This is the birthplace of the famous Slovene painter,Ivan Grohar. Visit his gallery where you’ll find a limited collection of his work. The next stop is at the historic iron-smelting town of Železniki, where you will find the remains of an old blast furnace dating from 1826. Stop in one of the village inns along the way and try the delicious trout. Finally you arrive in the wonderful town of Škofja Loka, one of the oldest towns in Slovenia. If you are not too tired you can cycle up to the castle on the hill overlooking town. Spend the rest of the evening wandering through the old streets of this historic medieval town.

Day 4: ŠKOFJA LOKA - PREDDVOR (33 km/21 miles)
Cycling across flatlands. Accommodation in 3* pension.
Leaving Škofja Loka you will head across the great Sora plain with the majestic peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps as your backdrop. The route will take you past Kranj, Slovenia’s fourth largest city. Stop for lunch in Glavni Trg, the main square framed by its interesting gothic architecture. As you continue northeast you’ll come across Brdo Castle, renowned as Slovenia’s most elegant presidential palace. The day ends in Preddvor where your hotel is set close to a small lake sitting in the shadow of the beautiful Kamnik-Savinja Alps. If the weather is warm enough, you can take a swim here in the pure, refreshing alpine water before having dinner.

Day 5: PREDDVOR - BEGUNJE (42 km/26 miles)
Mostly flat with a few small hills. Accommodation in 4* hotel.
A ride through history. This route will take you along the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to  Radovljica with its beautifully preserved old town and an interesting beekeeping museum.  Your route will also take you through the fascinating little village of Kropa where you will find the iron forging museum dedicated to the history of the town’s blacksmith trade. You can even learn how to make your own nail, and ether add it to the current collection of over 100 types, or take it home with you. We suggest lunch in small restaurant near the castle in Radovljica.

Day 6: BEGUNJE - KRANJSKA GORA - (44 km/28 miles)
An easy, very slow climb (300m/1000ft) over 40 km. Accommodation in 3* hotel.
This route will take you along the edge of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to the historic village of Begunje. It was in this small settlement where one of Slovenia’s darkest moments took place. Visit the Museum of Hostages and learn how thousands of men, women and children were beaten and executed during the German occupation in WW2. On a lighter note, Begunje is also the hometown of the famous Slavko Avsenik / Oberkrainer band. 2kms down the road are the ruins of Kamen Castle. As the sun illuminates the mountains your route will take you on cycling path that goes between the ranges of the Julian Alps and the Karawanke Mountains to Kranjska Gora, a popular alpine town famous for its ski resorts, but also a great base for many summer activities. Along the way you can take a short side trip to the lookout point for Spik Mountain, regarded as the one of Slovenia’s toughest peaks to climb. If you arrive in plenty of time you can take a ride up to the Planica Valley, location for the world famous ski jumping championships. It’s here that many of the longest jumps have been achieved, including the current world record.

Day 7: KRANJSKA GORA – BLED (40 km/26 miles)
A nice downhill ride with one pass of 150m/500ft. Accommodation in 4* hotel.
For your final day you will head back into the heart of the Triglav National Park. The route takes you alongside the Sava Dolinka River as it cuts its way south to join the Sava Bohinjka, where it becomes the Sava River, the longest in Slovenia. From Mojstrana you will head into the Krma Valley. This lush green valley leads through a peaceful forest littered with WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses, one of which has been adapted into a museum. You can have lunch in the mountain hut at the foot of Triglav, the mightiest mountain in the Julian Alps, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery deep in the heart of this beautiful alpine landscape. From here you will head through the Radovna Valley between the Pokljuka and Mežakla plateaus. As you exit the valley, take a short detour to the stunning 1.6km Vintgar Gorge, carved 150m deep into the mountains by the Radovna River. The gorge was discovered by chance by the town mayor in 1891, who then set to work building walkways to open the gorge up to the public. We recommend you try the trout dinner at the entrance to the gorge before heading into Bled.



Day 8: End of tour

 

Price pp for individual self guided bike tour	Euro 580 per person in double occupancy, Euro 120 single supplement Bike rental: Euro 75
Departure dates 2012	Individual departure dates : April 7th and October 13th, 2012
Days/nights	8 days/7 nights
Included services	Accommodation in the above mentioned hotels in two-bedded room with WC and shower, on a basis of bed & breakfast Luggage transport between the hotels Information package including detailed route description with corresponding maps (one  per booking party) Backup service (hotline) during the trip. Free parking in Bled (not guarded) at the office only. Free parking at first hotel (2 km away) at prior request only and at hotel approval.
Not included services	Cost before and after tour Entrance fees 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 and day. Transfers to and from Ljubljana (Easy jet) airport are available, please see below.
Discounts children sharing room with adults	Children below 2 years of age (babies till their 2nd birthday): free Children between 2 and 6 years (children after their 2ndbirthday until (and including) their 6th birthday): 50% discount on basic price. Children between 6 and 12 years (children after their 6th birthday until (and including) their 12th birthday): 30% discount on basic price. Third adult person on additional bed: 10% discount. This discount only applies to third person (not all persons in the party).
Supplements	Half board Euro 125 (includes 7 dinners in hotels. Dinners in Skofja Loka and Radovljica are served in nearby restaurants Single supplement Euro 120 Bike hire Euro 75 (touring bikes are equipped with a lock, pannier and a basic repair set. Price includes delivery and pick up). Every additional day: Euro 12 per bike. Bike rental period starts at 9 am on day 2 of the tour and ends on the evening of their arrival back to Bled, day 7 at 6 pm Helmet rental Euro 12
Transfers from/to airport/train stations	Getting there... Starting point of this trip is Bled in NW Slovenia google maps). By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it.  From the airport you can travel to Bled by bus (change once, takes about 2 hrs) or book our transfer: Ljubljana Airport to Bled or vv 30 EUR per person; one way, two persons minimum. By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce Bled on mainline Villach Ljubljana, 4 km away from town center, need to take a bus or call us, we'll give you a lift for free. Other is Bled Jezero on sideline Jesenice - Nova Gorica only a few trains a day. 2 km away from town center, we'll have to give you a lift or, in most cases you can simply walk to first hotel which is 100 meters away. By car: take exit Lesce on A1 motorway Ljubljana Karavanke.
Additional nights	3* hotel in Bled: Euro 49 pp in standard double room, B&B. Single room: Euro 65 Half-board: Euro +15 4* hotel in Bled: Euro 75 pp in lake view double room, Single room: Euro 135 Half-board: +Euro 25 (4-course dinner). 3* hotel in Ljubljana: Euro 62 pp in standard double room, B&B. Single room: Euro 75 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