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
World famous town on the shore of a glacial lake. You’ll love the scenery, mighty castle on the rock above the town, little island with a chapel…
We liked: local speciality – the cream cake. Taste the best ones in hotel Park. (3* hotel).

Day 2: BLED – RIBČEV LAZ (35 km)
(Bus) transfer to Pokljuka high plateau. From here you cycle descending down to Bohinj valley, place of unique beauty of nature and tiny villages in Alpine valley. (4* hotel).
We liked: a snack in the local pub.

Day 3: RIBČEV LAZ – ŠKOFJA LOKA  (53 km)
First flat, then a slow climb up to Jelovica High plateau, pass of 750 m / 2400 ft. (3* hotel).
Sorica – tiny little village, set in the heart of hills. Birthplace of a famous Slovene painter – visit a gallery.
We liked: Železniki village with remains of old high furnaces. (Snack idea – great trout in a village inn on the way). Deep forest on the way. If time allows, take a swim in the new pool complex in Bohinjska Bistrica.

Day 4: ŠKOFJA LOKA - PREDDVOR (33 km)
Cycling flatlands, crossing Sora field (2* country inn).
We liked: the old centre of Školfja Loka – worth a stroll. See churches with mysterious relics. Hotel in Preddvor is set nearby a small lake, in summer months a refreshing swim can be taken here before dinner.

Day 5: PREDDVOR - BEGUNJE (45 km)
Easy cycling, slightly hilly. (3* hotel).
Begunje is the home town of the famous Slovene folk music band Avseniki - holders of a few world records in this music art.
We liked: old smithies' village of Kropa with a museum, beekeeping museum in Radovljica. Take your lunch in an old fashioned restaurant next to the castle in Radovljica.

Day 6: RADOVLJICA - KRANJSKA GORA (45 km)
Easy, very slowly climbing (300m / 1000ft) on 40 km. (3* hotel).
kranjska Gora is main Slovene ski resort and fashionable winter place.
We liked: great vistas of Julian Alps, Karawanke range and Stone Alps. The new long distance cycling path. If time allows, a side trip to Planica valley ski jumps can be made.

Day 7: KRANJSKA GORA – BLED (45 km)
Cycling downhill through the Radovna valley to the foot of Mount Triglav. One pas of 150m / 500ft. Triglav National Park, very peaceful area. (3* hotel).
Stunning mountain scenery on the end of the Krma valley, lunch in the mountain hut. The valley is a peaceful area of deep woods, touching monuments from WW2 and old farm houses; one has been transferred into a museum, which was visited by Prince Charles!

Day 8: End of tour



PRICE PER PERSON 550 €

Departure	Departure between dates : 09/04 to 04/10/2008
Days /nights	8days / 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, maps have to be returned to Helia after trip) · A welcome drink and visit of Helia representative on the arrival evening.
Not included Services	Entrance fees. There is free but unguarded parking lot in Bled. Bike insurance: bikes are insured against minor breaks and normal wear (up to a damage of 10 EUR). They are not insured against theft or frame break. Insurance is available against these events at the rate of 1 EUR per bike per day. Transfers to and from Ljubljana (Easy jet) airport are available at request
Discounts	Children between 6 and 12 years when sharing room with parents -30% Third adult person on an extra bed (sharing) in a double room: -10% on the basic price.
Supplements	Half board 110 EUR (includes 7 dinners in hotels. Dinner in Škofja Loka is in a local inn). Single supplement 120 EUR Supplement for 4* hotel accomodation in Bled (first and last night of stay in Bled) 68 EUR for BB, 82 EUR for half board. Bike hire 70 EUR (touring bikes are equipped with a lock, pannier and a basic repair set. Price includes delivery and pick up). Every additional day: 10 EUR per bike. Bike rental period starts on day 2 of the tour (on the day clients leave Bled) and ends on the evening of their arrival back to Bled. Helmet rental 12 EUR.