Slovenia & Italy Biking 7 Days

Slovenia and Italy are the perfect pairing of countries to combine into one exhilarating bike tour. What’s to like? Slovenia is bordered by Italy, Hungary, Austria and Croatia and has been influenced in its cuisine, art and culture. The country is small with dramatic scenery, quiet roads to bike and some wonderful hotels. Starting with Ljubljana, the 9 day tour allows for a full day to see the many sites of this city, with its Old World Plazas, baroque churches and dramatic castles. Then Bled, with its wondrous turquoise lake, and island monastery, and divine cycling, some along new dedicated bike paths that wind majestically through bucolic countryside and past aqua-marine lakes. If you need assistance over the Vrsic pass, we’re there for you with assistance. But don’t miss the unending descent down the Soca valley, following the serpentine Soca river towards Italy. In Friuli, Italy, you will ride through vineyards and orchards, and in Unesco World Heritage town of Cividale, you will, as we did, find heaven on earth. Did we mention the food is some of the best in Europe? We’ve got a treasure trove of ‘off-the-beaten path’ restaurants, wine tasting opportunities and other discoveries to share. This will surely become one of our most popular trips –go soon, before the secret is out.

Read more about owner Robbin McKinney’s cycling trip on our blog.

Location

Ljubljana

Day 1

Bled

Day 2+3

Bovec

Bovec, Slovenia

Day 4

Cividale

Cividale del Friuli, Province of Udine, Italy

Day 5+6+7

Cormons

Cormons, Province of Gorizia, Italy

Day 5

What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?

INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP

6 nights hotels
All breakfasts and 1 dinner
Luggage transfers
Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
Detailed route instructions and maps
Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager
Area manager available on call throughout the tour
Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits

Particulars

EVENT DATES

Any start date between May 15 and October 15
Custom trips also available and can start any day. Call or email for details.

TOTAL DAYS

7 days / 6 nights with 5 days of cycling

ARRIVE / DEPART

Ljubljana / Cividale (trains for Venice)

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate+ with challenging options.

TERRAIN

Slovenia is moderately hilly and there is the opportunity to challenge yourself on two mountain passes. Friuli, Italy is less so. See elevation gains in itinerary.

COST

Casual/B&B Accommodation: US $1,850
Single Supplement: US $470

Classic Accommodation: US $2,250
Single Supplement: US $570

Luxe Accommodation: US $2,750
Single Supplement: US $690

Bike Rentals

Hybrid or Racing Bikes: US$280

E-Bikes: US$480

E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.

Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. If you have any questions before making your reservation, please contact us.

Getting There

Your tour begins from Ljubljana, Slovenia. Your trip finishes in Cividale de Friuli and you can reach Venice by train via Udine. We will provide you more information with your confirmation package.

Day 1

Ljubljana

Described as one of Europe’s most livable cities, with pedestrian and bike-friendly streets, and an active cultural scene. Surely one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, but without crowds (yet). We recommend arriving late afternoon in time to walk along the emerald green Ljubljanica River which is lined with vibrant cafes and then have dinner at the acclaimed Gostilna na Gradu, situated in the castle above town ; it will be the first of many memorable meals.

Day 2

Bled

Meet with the area manager for the briefing and bike fitting. Bike lanes depart right from the center out of town so if ever there was a city to ride from, this is it (no transfer needed). You will be soon be out in the countryside and enjoying the dramatic scenery of Slovenia. Lunch in the medieval village of Skofa Loka, with its castle and restored historical center. You will arrive to splendid Lake Bled along a little known bike path. The setting here is nothing short of spectacular. Take a dip, or take one of the pletnas out to the island to visit the monastery. We have several restaurants for you to choose between.
Ride Distance: 40 km, elevation gain 620 m or 71 km, gain 1450 m.*

Day 3

Bled

Ride through Triglav National Park to Lake Bohinj, quite possibly even more beautiful than Lake Bled. Optional hike to the Savica waterfall, which at 60 m is one of the most impressive sights in the Julian Alps. On your return ride circling Lake Bled, stop at one of the beaches or at the rowing center, where world-class rowers train. Visit the castle above town.
Ride Distance: 43 km, elevation gain 445 m or 67 km, gain 740 m or 84 km, gain 1610 m.*

Day 4

Bovec

Leaving Bled, you will ride to Kranska Gora where you can enjoy lunch at a recommended gostilna. If you wish a lift up and over Vrsic Pass (at 1611 m), we have a shuttle option for you and you can enjoy the long descent into the Soca River valley. The afternoon ride to Bovec will surely rate as one of the most spectacular of your life. With the Julian Alps high above, the Soca River below, and Triglav National Park all around, this dramatically situated village is one of the adventure centers of the country. Rafting is possible, either on the afternoon you arrive or next morning.
Ride Distance: 41 km, elevation gain 480 m or 70 km, gain 890 m or 81 km, gain 1700 m.*

Day 5

Cividale/ Cormons

From Bovec, you ride south towards Italy, but not so fast. We recommend having lunch at Hiso Franko before continuing on to Cividale. Arriving to Cividale, you will discover a beautifully intact Unesco World Heritage site. Its central plaza is one of the most beautiful of any Italian city and yet devoid of tourists.
Ride Distance: 48 km, elevation gain 725 m or 43 km, gain 1280 m.*

Day 6

Cividale/ Cormons

For your last day in Friuli, we have designed options that range from flat to hilly. Our favourite ride dips back into Slovenia to wine taste and enjoy those quiet roads that wind through vineyards, past castles and quiet roads, with street-side fruit stalls and wine tasting opportunities abound. Finish your trip with a well-deserved dinner at Orsone, opened by Lidia & Joe Bastian (yes, that Joe Bastian), or at La Subida, in their Michelin starred dining room. As you wash this down with the local wines, toast your journey that will have given you memories to last a life-time.
Ride Distance: 47 km, elevation gain 350 m or 47 km, gain 980 m.*

Day 7

Depart

Trains for Venice depart frequently. From Cividale you connect through Udine (travel time to Venice is 1h50). From either Castle Spessa or La Subida, you will take a short taxi to Cormons and then train to Venice.

*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.

Casual/B&B

Hotel Adora, Ljubljana

The hotel, with just 10 guestrooms, is located in the old square, just beneath the Ljubljana Castle and only a few steps from the city promenade along the banks of the Ljubljanica river.

Randonnee tours offers cycling and hiking trips in the Alpujarras, Spain

Penzion Berc, Bled

This traditional guest house is a renovated rustic farmhouse from 1848 with a homely atmosphere and lovely garden, yet only minutes from the lake.

Martinov Hram, Bovec

This pension is centrally located and with friendly owners. The rooms are spacious and the restaurant is the most popular in town.

Locanda Al Pomo D'Oro, Cividale

This modest 3-star hotel is the best in Cividale historic center and has been managed by the family Picotti since 1938. Guest rooms are small, but the welcome is warm and the location, steps from the central plaza is ideal.

Classic

Hotel Lesar Angel, Ljubljana

This boutique hotel has a prime location in the Old town, not far from Ljubljana Castle. The rooms are spacious and there are comfortable lounge rooms. There is a charming garden to relax in. Free wifi.

Hotel Astoria, Bled

This hotel, with its contemporary design and upscale furnishings is in a class of its own. The wellness centre is superb with Jacuzzi, sauna and massage services available. Air-con, Wifi.

Hotel Mangart, Bovec

Alpine style hotel with all amenities including air-con and wifi. There are beautiful views from the hotel.

Locanda Al Pomo D'Oro, Cividale

Luxe

Antiq Palace Hotel & Spa, Ljubljana

This boutique hotel with just 18 guest rooms is a former aristocratic residence. Located on a quiet street in the historical center (walking distance to the castle), it has been renovated with an inviting décor and lovely salons. A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Grand Hotel Toplice, Bled

This 5-star hotel, is the best in Bled, located directly on the lake walking distance to the restaurants and sites of the city. Air-con, Wifi and LCD. Alternate: Vila Bled. Should you prefer Tito's former villa, this 4-star hotel is also on the lake, but is outside town.

Dobra Vila, Bovec

This 4-star hotel is by far the most luxurious in Bovec; everything about the hotel is superb, including the restaurant, and the warm welcome.

Al Castello Wellness Resort, Cividale

This 4-star castle hotel is located 1.5 km outside of Cividale, with tremendous views over the countryside. There is a wellness center and good restaurant on site. This is our first choice because of the proximity to Cividale and all its attributes. * Note: should you wish to stay at Castello di Spessa or La Subida, in Cormons, these are options (no sur-charge).