Why is Slovenia Europe’s best-hidden cycling destination? Well,I didn’t expect it. In fact, I had no expectations at all. I like to explore places without having preconceptions and ideas in mind. But, let me tell you, I’m in love with Slovenia now. While you’ve probably heard of Bled Lake and the capital with the impossible name to spell and pronounce, you are probably in the unknown with the rest of the country as I was a week ago. Keep reading to find out
I just got back from my cycling ambassador experience around Slovenia and I’m ready to share with you some tips and tricks about this little country as well as a great cycling itinerary for my fellow bikers.
DAY 1 – Welcome to Slovenia! Europe’s best-hidden cycling destination!
Get to know the capital
| WHEN | WHAT |
| morning | Arrivals to Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana |
| late morning | Explore the city by foot and stop for lunch / late breakfast at Pritličje. One of the best cafes in town (also ideal for digital nomads) |
| 16:00-19:00 | Cycling around Ljubljana with the Moustache Tour guides |
| Dinner | Ljubljana Castle |
| Notes | I will publish a dedicated article about Ljubljana since there is loads to see and explore there and I don’t want this article to be too long! |
DAY 2 – Dolenjska Region – Explore Novo Mesto, the hometown of Tour of Slovenia Race
| WHEN | |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Arrive in Otočec |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Cycling: Otočec – Novo Mesto (7km) |
| 13:30 – 15:00 | Lunch at Don Bobi and tour of the city |
| 15:00 – 17:30 | Cycle Novo Mesto – Kostanjevica na Krki (26.5km) |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Explore the Venice of Slovenia and then relax by SUP-ping down the river along the village |
| 19:30 | Dinner |
| Overnight at | Balnea Hotel, Novo Mesto |
| Notes & more info: | https://www.visitdolenjska.eu/en/ https://www.facebook.com/VisitDolenjska Tweets by Visitdolenjska https://instagram.com/visitdolenjska/ |
DAY 3 – Štajerska Region – North-East of Slovenia
| WHEN | WHAT |
| 8:00 | Depart from Novo Mesto |
| 10:30 | Arrive in Maribor |
| 11:00-15:00 | Tour of the town and lunch at the Hotel Maribor |
| 15:00 – 19:00 | Afternoon at Pohorje Bike Park |
| 20:00 – 22:00 | Dinner at Gostilna pri treh ribnikih |
| Overnight at Ramšak Chateau Vineyard Glamping Resort* | |
| Notes + Info | https://maribor-pohorje.si/best-choice.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/VisitMaribor/ https://www.instagram.com/visitmaribor/ |
| * I will soon publish a dedicated article about the gorgeous Ramšac Chateau – Stay tuned |
DAY 4 – Primorska Region – Mediterranean Slovenia – The coast
| WHEN | WHAT |
| 7:30 | Transfer from Maribor to Piran |
| 10:00 | Arrive in Piran and tour of the city |
| 12:00 -12.30 | Cycle from Piran to Portoroz (3.3km) |
| 12:30 – 15:00 | Lunch at Oštarija Portorož |
| 15:00 | Visit to Fonda Fish Farm |
| 19:00 | Dinner at Hisa Torkla |
| Overnight at Stara šola Korte Guesthouse | |
| Notes + Info | http://www.portoroz.si/en/
https://www.instagram.com/portorozpiran/ |
DAY 5 – Kranjska Gora Region – IMMERSE IN GREEN
A must-try experience for any cycling visitor is the route between Mojstrana and Rateče, which runs along a well-maintained asphalt cycle path past several interesting abandoned railway stations, well worth taking a closer look at.
If for you cycling is synonymous with great exertion, adventure and adrenaline-pumping excitement, you may be the right person to tackle the ascent of the Vršič mountain pass, one of Europe’s most challenging road cycling routes.
You can also choose Bike park. The park offers three different trails – Downhill, Airline and Lunapark – whose names say it all about the styles of riding you can choose from. Featuring a 350-metre vertical drop, several kilometres of trails with varied surfaces, and all kinds of fun obstacles such as bridges, jumps and teeter-totters, the park has something for everyone who can ride a bike.
| WHEN | WHAT |
| 8:00 | Transfer to Kranjska Gora |
| 10:00 | Arrive in Kranjska Gora and pick one of the many cycling routes in the region |
| 17:00 | Chill by Jasna Lake with a book |
| Overnight at Hit Alpinea Kranjska Gora (Ramada Hotel&Suites) | |
| Notes + Info | https://www.kranjska-gora.si/en
https://www.instagram.com/kranjskagora/ https://www.facebook.com/KranjskaGora |
DAY 6 – HIKING or MOUNTAIN BIKING in KRVAVEC
| Timing | Activity |
| 9:00 | Depart from Kranjska Gora to Krvavec Mountain Resort / Bike Park |
| 10:00 – 13:00 | Enjoy and go cycling cray at Krvavec Bike Park |
| 13:00-14:30 | Lunch up at Hotel Krvavec |
| Notes + Info | http://www.tourism-cerklje.si/en
https://www.facebook.com/TICcerkljeNaGorenjskem |
photo credits: Nace Production
Slovenia: Europe’s best-hidden cycling destination
This is probably the first of a series of articles I’m going to write about Slovenia (if I’ll ever find the time LOL). There is so much to see and explore in such a small country and Slovenia is Europe’s best-hidden cycling destination. You can find out more in the links above and by checking the official Tourist Board website which is incredibly well-researched and written. Make sure to drop me a line via the contact form if you have any specific questions or enquiries – I’d be happy to help you plan your trip to Slovenia!
*
I was invited by the Official Tourist Board of Slovenia as the Italian/British Cycling Ambassador 2018 – all opinions above are mine. A special thank you go to Slovenia TO team, Vesna for planning everything incredibly well, Marusa for making sure everyone was happy in such a pressure-filled week, the filming crew and especially Lea, Sašo and Nace for their ability to make me feel comfortable in front of the camera.
