Slovenia & Istria Cycling Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Bled
You will arrive in Bled, the lakeside town known for its island church and clifftop castle. If time allows, you can walk up to the castle for views over the Alps and try the local cream cake by the lake. Overnight in a 3★/4★ hotel in Bled.

Day 2: Bled – Bohinjska Bistrica (47 km; +580/−560 m)
You will ride out through Bohinjska Bela and follow the emerald Sava Bohinjka river into the Bohinj Valley. You will continue to Lake Bohinj, the jewel of Triglav National Park, and loop back through the upper valley. A direct route of 28 km to Bohinjska Bistrica is available. Overnight in a 4★ hotel.

Day 3: Bohinjska Bistrica – Škofja Loka (49 km; +900/−1,050 m)
You will climb to the Jelovica plateau, then descend through forest into the Selška Valley, past Sorica and Železniki to medieval Škofja Loka. Option: a transfer to the top of the Sorica pass (€30 per person) saves 12 km and 700 m of climbing. Overnight in a 3★ hotel.

Day 4: Škofja Loka – Ljubljana (31 km; +170/−240 m)
A short ride will bring you into Ljubljana. You can explore the old town, ride up to the castle and spend the evening in the riverside cafés along the Ljubljanica. Overnight in a 4★ hotel.

Day 5: Ljubljana – Vrhnika (41 km; +150/−160 m)
You will enjoy an easy day across the Ljubljansko Barje marsh plain, home to rare birds and plants, passing the remains of the Borovnica viaduct and Bistra Castle. Overnight in a 4★ hotel.

Day 6: Vrhnika – Postojna (43 km; +760/−510 m)
You will ride off the beaten track towards Postojna, with an optional detour to Predjama Castle, wedged into a 123 m cliff face. Overnight in a 4★ hotel.

Day 7: Postojna – Štanjel area (32 km; +240/−630 m)
You will visit the Postojna Cave, then descend into the first vineyards of the Vipava region. Overnight in a 3★/4★ guesthouse.

Day 8: Štanjel – Lipica – Divača (50 km; +630/−360 m)
You will visit the Sežana botanical garden and the Lipica stud farm, home of the white Lipizzaner horses. Overnight in a 3★ hotel.

Day 9: Divača – Muggia (38 km; +280/−700 m)
You can visit the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves before riding to Muggia, south of Trieste in Italy. In the afternoon you can take a boat to Trieste or relax on the beach. Overnight in a 4★ hotel.

Day 10: Muggia – Piran (35 km; +230/−240 m)
You will follow the coastal cycle path along a former railway line over the Bay of Trieste to the Venetian harbour town of Piran. With an optional side trip the stage is 46 km. Overnight in a 4★ hotel.

Day 11: Piran – Umag (38 km; +250/−250 m)
You will ride past the vast Sečovlje salt pans and cross the border into Croatian Istria, continuing over gentle hills to the walled Roman town of Umag. Overnight in a 4★ hotel.

Day 12: Umag – Poreč (43 km; +340/−340 m)
You will ride over low hills to medieval Novigrad, one of Istria's top gourmet stops, then on to Poreč and its UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica. Overnight in a 3★ hotel.

Day 13: Poreč – loop or beach day (48 km; +400/−400 m, optional)
The day will be yours to choose: an optional loop ride deep into rural Istria, a fish-picnic boat trip, or a day on the beach. Overnight in a 3★ hotel in Poreč.

Day 14: Poreč – Rovinj (45 km; +400/−390 m)
You will ride to Rovinj, crowned by the bell tower of St Euphemia, with a spin out to the Golden Cape nature reserve. Overnight in a 4★ hotel.

Day 15: Rovinj – Pula (43 km; +270/−280 m)
You will head south to Pula, Istria's oldest town, where you can visit the Roman arena or take a boat to the Brijuni islands. Overnight in a 3★ hotel.

Day 16: Departure from Pula
Your tour will end after breakfast. You can travel home or extend your stay in the south of Istria.