Vistas & Wines: Cycling Holiday in Slovenia

Itinerary

Vistas & Wines: Cycling Holiday in Slovenia itinerary.

Day 1: ARRIVAL TO BLED.
To begin with, you can dip your feet in the beautiful glacial Lake Bled. This shimmering body of water is famous for its distinctive island church and the clifftop castle all backed by the beautiful Karavanke Mountains. Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. You can take a stroll around the western side of the lake for some of the best views and photographs, and then have lunch and the locally famous cream cake (Kremšnita) on the eastern side while watching the sunset over the mountains.

Day 2: BLED – BOHINJSKA BISTRICA (↔ 27 km, ↑ 130 m, ↓ 830 m ) +side trip to Savica waterfall (return ↔ 16 km, ↑↓ 200 m )
A short car transfer leaves you on the high plateau at Pokljuka. From here you'll cycle through alpine villages to Lake Bohinj, the jewel of the Triglav National Park. Encircled by tall mountain peaks, Bohinj is the largest and deepest lake in the national park. A side trip takes you to Savica Waterfall - the source of the lake and the Sava Bohinjka River. A cable car runs up to Vogel Mountain, where you can get a spectacular view into the Bohinj Valley and of Mount Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps. (Accommodation in 4* hotel.)

Day 3: BOHINJ – TOLMIN (↔ 55 km, ↑ 1.020 m, ↓ 1.340 m ) or (↔ 30 km, ↑ 200 m, ↓ 510 m if taking train shortcut to Bohinjska Bistrica - Podbrdo).
In the morning you'll have two options. Your route will take you via the Sorica Pass over the Julian Alps, but if you want to save some time and climbing you can take a short train ride through the Bohinj tunnel to Podbrdo. Then you paddle off through a narrow valley and follow the beautiful emerald-green Soča River as it rushes out of the mountains and into the western side of the Julian Alps. Just before reaching your destination you'll have a chance to dive into its supernatural waters or visit the only monument in the world dedicated to military cooks.

Day 4: TOLMIN – ŠMARTNO – SOLKAN (↔ 46 km, ↑ 470 m, ↓ 1.410 m )
You will be car-transferred to Kolovrat Saddle - a million dollar viewpoint high above the Soča Valley. Once the site of heavy fighting during WW1, it's now a very interesting open-air museum. Reaching the first village, Mrs. Josephine, who lives all alone in an intact old-fashioned pub, will be overjoyed to welcome you in her shady garden. Cycling the ridges above two valleys, you'll reach Šmartno v Goriških Brdih, amid an abundance of lush vineyards. A recent and beautifully restored medieval village of narrow streets with Mediterranean houses, you can stretch your legs here, sip cool white wine and chat with locals in an authentic village pub. On the way to your days destination you will cycle a unique “corridor cycling path” that cuts through Italy and see the bridge with largest stone arch in the world! (Accommodation in 3* hotel.)

Day 5: SOLKAN – KARST AREA (↔ 42 km, ↑ 550 m, ↓ 370 m )
After leaving the Brda wine region you'll reach "Southern Berlin". The Iron Curtain once split the town of Gorizia between Italy and Yugoslavia. At the railway station that stands right on the border, one can visit the very interesting Curtain museum. Cycling further along the border you'll come to the smallest military museum in the world - a historic Yugoslav border outpost. Overlooking the border is the ancient Kostanjevica Monastery, where the last French King is buried. Turning inland, you'll soon reach the vineyards of the Karst region where you can sample of the best wines in the beautiful rural setting of his small karst village. (Accommodation in 3* guesthouse.)

Day 6: KARST AREA – LIPICA – DIVAČA (↔ 50 km, ↑ 610 m, ↓ 440 m)
First stop is perhaps at the 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. The history of the Lipica horses is closely linked to the Vienna riding school. Take a tour in a traditional carriage, watch them perform and visit them close up in their stables. If you have the time for a couple of side-trips, you can also visit the unusual but very interesting “War Museum” set in the village tower of Lokev. (Accommodation in 3* hotel.)

Day 7: DIVAČA – MUGGIA (↔ 38 km, ↑ 350 m, ↓ 780 m)
This morning you have the chance to explore the Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO-listed natural monument known for their stunning beauty and tranquility. Next, head to Socerb Castle, where you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Bay of Trieste, the Friulian Plain, and even the Julian Alps. Your day trip concludes in the charming town of Muggia, just south of Trieste. After a day of cycling, unwind with a delicious cappucino in the town's historic center or relax on one of its inviting beaches. If you arrive early, consider a quick bus or boat trip into Trieste, a vibrant Italian city renowned for its rich history, cosmopolitan vibe, and captivating atmosphere. (Accommodation in 4* hotel.)

Day 8: DEPARTURE.