SLOVENIA

Slovenia is the green heart of Europe. Almost 60% of its surface is covered by forests and almost 40% of its territory is located in protected areas: it’s a real dream for bike touring lovers and, more generally, for outdoor enthusiasts.

Slovenia is also one of the most committed countries in developing sustainable tourism, proven by many international awards, including the title of Best of Europe 2020.

We cycled a beautiful and easy 10-day ride, with only one challenging stage with elevation gain above 1.000m, but otherwise within everyone’s reach. This gave us a lot of free time to visit places, dive into lakes and rivers, go trekking and taste the local delicacies. Slovenia is truly a green gem, with many cycle paths and little traffic: we absolutely recommend you to visit it by bike. Below you will find our travel tips!

DAY 1: MONFALCONE/VIPAVA VALLEY

By train till Monfalcone, from where we started riding. Overnight stay, dinner and Vipava Valley wine tasting in the beautiful historic Majerija farmhouse in Slappe.

DAY 2: VIPAVA VALLEY/POSTOJNA

Postojna Caves visit (it’s cold bring your jacket or rent a blanket!) and Predjama Castle visit (we took the bus to get to the castle). Overnight stay and dinner at Jama Hotel.

DAY 3: POSTOJNA/LJUBLJANA

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia: it’s a small, romantic town full of history. Very lively. We went up to the castle and then enjoyed a spectacular dinner with tasting menu at Monstera Bistro. Overnight at Hotel Slon.

DAY 4: LJUBLJANA/ECO RESORT VELIKA PLANINA

Went trekking a Velika Planina (you go up with the cable car and then there is a very nice ring of 8km). Dinner and overnight at Slovenia Eco Resort, a very special place surrounded by nature, which offers glamping, wooden huts with bathroom, a restaurant and an educational farm. On the way, treat yourself to a stop in beautiful Kamnik.

DAY 5: ECO RESORT VELIKA PLANINA/RADOVLJICA

Radovljica it is a little gem we fell in love with. Overnight and dinner at lovely Linhart Hotel & Bistro. Don’t miss the Museum of Apiculture and, along the way, the town of Kranj with its statues.

DAY 5: RADOVLJICA/LAKE BOHINJ

Overnight in the beautiful and brand new Hotel Bohinj (amazing breakfast!), dinner at Majerca Restaurant. Must stop for a picture at Lake Bled.

DAY 7: TREKKING SAVICA WATERFALL

To go to Savica waterfall we started walking from the Bohinj campsite, you can get there by bus. On the way back to the campsite, we rented a canoe. Camp Bohinj is always very busy, but it’s in a great place and makes great pizza. Overnight and massage at Hotel Bohinj.

DAY 8: LAKE BOHINJ/KANAL

This is the only hardish day of the tour, but offers spectacular views first on the Triglav Mountain and then, once you reach the Soriska Planina pass at 1.277m, on the Tolmin side. After the ride, relax on the little beach under the Kanal bridge and swim in the Soča River… Superb! On the deck of the bridge you will notice a springboard, because of the famous diving competition that takes place here every year. Overnight at Hotel Kriznic, it’s a little old but cheap.

DAY 9: KANAL/BRAZZANO

Don’t miss the perfect cycle path along the Soča River from Kanal to Solkan, Transalpina Square in Nova Gorica and the Great War Museum in Gorizia. Since we could not find accommodation in the Slovenian part of the collio, we switched to the Italian one. Lunch and overnight at Locanda Orologio (food is amazing). For something really special go to Starred Chef Antonia Klugmann restaurant Argine a Vencò (need to book in advance).