Essence of Slovenia

Day 1:

Arrival at Ljubljana Airport. Transfer by minibus, taxi or train to our base hotel in Bled.

Day 2:

Bled. After breakfast we personally equip you with your bicycle, ensuring a perfect fit for everyone. The day is then yours to explore Bled and the surrounding countryside. Set around an emerald-green lake and framed by soaring, snow-capped mountains, Bled boasts some of the most amazing Alpine scenery in Slovenia. Visit the majestic 16th-century castle, perched high on a cliff, or hire a rowing boat and cross the lake to explore tiny Bled Island.

Day 3:

Bled to Ribcev Laz. You will be offered a lift in our minibus to the plateau at Pokljuka, and from there it’s a relaxing ride down into the Bohinj Valley, taking in the picturepostcard views of forested slopes and lush meadows. As you travel through quaint Alpine villages, you can stop for a traditional Slovenian lunch at a local pub. 20 miles (32km).

Day 4:

Ribcev Laz. Ribcev Laz lies on the eastern shores of beautiful Lake Bohinj in the Triglav National Park. Surrounded by pine forests, mountain meadows and imposing peaks, this unspoilt pocket of Slovenia is ideal for hiking and biking. Take a leisurely walk around the lake’s perimeter, discover the 15th and 16th-century frescoes inside the medieval Church of St John the Baptist, then relax with a glass of Malvazija wine as you soak up views across the lake to Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain.

Day 5:

Ribcev Laz to Kranj. After cycling a short distance to the village of Bohinjska Bistrica, you will be offered a help-out lift to the top of the Jelovica high plateau, before you head east towards Kranj. The route takes you along quiet country lanes, through shady pine forests, tiny villages and rolling green hills, with a jaw-dropping backdrop of dramatic mountain peaks. 28 miles (45km).

Day 6:

Kranj. The historic town of Kranj sits between two Alpine rivers, and has a charming Old Town lined with Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Today, we suggest you take a leisurely ride through the Poljanska Valley to Škofja Loka, a pretty town surrounded by rolling green hills and watched over by an imposing 16th-century castle. Stop for lunch at an authentic gostilna (tavern) and sample some of the delicious local dishes.

Day 7:

Kranj to Ljubljana. Meander through verdant forests and alongside tranquil rivers as you head through the Sava Valley towards the cobbled streets and historic buildings of Slovenia’s vibrant capital city, Ljubljana. Your route will pass through th beautiful Zarica Canyon, an area of spectacular natural beauty. 22 miles (35km).

Day 8:

Ljubljana. Today, we recommend you do as the locals do and use your bike to explore this buzzing, cycle-friendly city. Discover the cobbled streets, Baroque buildings and quirky boutiques of the Old Town, cross the beautiful Triple Bridge, then head up to the magnificent castle for views over the city’s terracotta rooftops. As the sun sets, take advantage of Ljubljana’s alfresco café culture and enjoy a drink on the tree-lined banks of the Ljubljanica River. You may also wish to extend your stay in Ljubljana and take an excursion to the Karst area. From here, you can visit Postojna Cave, a labyrinth of underground tunnels and grottoes covered in stalactites and stalagmites, and Predjama grad, a dramatic 16th-century castle built into a cave mouth.

Day 9:

Today we say “Nasvidenje”. We will transfer you direct from Ljubljana to Ljubljana Airport by train or minibus, and look forward to welcoming you back again next year.