Hotel Heritage, Ljubljana
Set in a 16th-century townhouse, this boutique 4-star hotel is our newest find here with an excellent location, chic lobby bar, and an informal restaurant set in an atrium.
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 in Ljubljana, you will have 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, 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 Vršič Pass, we’re there for you with assistance. But don’t miss the unending descent down the Soča Valley that follows the serpentine Soča River towards Italy. In Friuli, Italy, you will ride through vineyards and orchards, and in UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cividale del Friuli, 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.
Only Great Explorations:
- Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences
- A ride you will never forget: from Vršič Pass to Bovec
- Order off the menu at restaurants you won’t find in guidebooks
- Distinctive, charming hotels too small for larger groups
- We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises
Slovenia & Italy Biking
Ljubljana
Ljubljana
Day 1
Bled
Bled
Day 2+3
Bovec
Bovec
Day 4
Cividale
Cividale
Day 5+6+7
Venice
Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Extension: Day 7+8
Trip Inclusions
What’s Included
- Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guide(s)
- Support vehicle
- 6 nights hotels
- All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and all dinners but 1
- Entrance fees for selected tastings, historical sites and museums
- GPS routes and maps
- All baggage transportation
- All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off
- Wine tasting in Cividale del Friuli
What's Not Included
- Bike rental
Particulars
Departure Dates
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| May 5-11 | May 4-10 |
| May 19-25 | May 18-24 |
| Jun 2-8 | Jun 1-7 |
| Jun 16-22 | Jun 15-21 |
| Sep 8-14 | Sep 7-13 |
| Sep 22-28 | Sep 21-27 |
| Oct 6-12 | Oct 5-11 |
| Oct 20-26 | Oct 19-25 |
Custom trips are also available and can start any date, call or email for details.
Trip Size
4-16 participants
Total Days
7 days / 6 nights
Arrive/Depart
Ljubljana / Cividale del Friuli
Activity Level
Moderate
30-55 km daily (20-40 miles)
Van supported
Terrain
Slovenia is moderately hilly and there is the opportunity to challenge yourself on two mountain passes. Cividale del Friuli, Italy is less so.
Cost
Land Cost
US $3,950
Includes 6B/2L/5D
Single Supplement
US $1,000
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US $320
Racing Bikes: US $420
E-Bikes*: US $480
Post-trip Extension in Venice
US $695
Single Supplement: US $295
Includes 2 nights hotel with breakfast daily and a 1/2 day guided walking tour.
*E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. Rental rates include delivery to the first hotel and pick-up from the last hotel. 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. Due to cancellations and waiting lists, trip availability fluctuates daily. If you have any questions or would like to confirm space on this trip before making your reservation, please contact us at info@great-explorations.com or by telephone at 604.730.1247.
Getting There
You can fly into Venice, Italy or directly into Ljubljana, Slovenia and back out of Venice. If flying into Venice, it takes approximately 2 hrs by bus to reach Ljubljana.
1
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, before dinner at the acclaimed Gostilna na Gradu, situated in the castle above town; it will be the first of many memorable meals.
2
Day 2
Bled
Bike lanes depart right from the centre out of town, so if ever there was a city to ride from, this is it. You will be soon be out in the countryside and enjoying the dramatic scenery of Slovenia. Lunch is in the medieval village of Skofa Loka, with its castle and restored historical centre. We’ll 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 to choose between this evening.
Distance: 40 km; elevation gain: 620 m or 71 km; elevation gain: 1,460 m*
3
Day 3
Bled
Ride through Triglav National Park to Lake Bohinj, quite possibly even more beautiful than Lake Bled. There is an optional hike to the Savica Waterfall, which at 60 m is one of the most impressive sights in the Julian Alps. On our return ride circling Lake Bled, we’ll stop at one of the beaches or at the rowing centre, where world-class rowers train. Before settling into our hotel for the evening, we’ll visit the castle above town.
Distance: 43 up to 84 km; elevation gain: 445 up to 1,610 m*
4
Day 4
Bovec
Leaving Bled, we’ll ride to Kranjska Gora where we’ll enjoy lunch at the recommended gostilna. If you wish to get a lift up and over Vršič Pass (at 1,611 m), we have a shuttle option for you and you can enjoy the long descent into the Soča 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 Soča River below, and Triglav National Park all around, this dramatically situated village is one of the adventure centres of the country. Rafting is possible, either on the afternoon you arrive or next morning.
Distance: 41 up to 81 km; elevation gain: 480 up to 1,700 m*
5
Day 5
Cividale del Friuli
From Bovec, we’ll ride south towards Italy, but not so fast. We recommend having lunch at Cormons before continuing on to Cividale del Friuli. Arriving to Cividale del Friuli, we’ll 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.
Distance: 48 km; elevation gain: 725 m or 91 km; elevation gain: 2,005 m*
6
Day 6
Cividale del Friuli
For our last day in Cividale del 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. We’ll finish the trip with a well-deserved dinner at Enoteca de Feo, an intimate wine bar and restaurant where “the music is jazz, the service professional, and the food impeccable” as touted by Frommers. Over a glass of local wine, raise a toast to an incredible journey and memories that will last a lifetime.
Distance: 47 km; elevation gain: 350 m or 67 km; elevation gain: 980 m*
7
Day 7
Depart
After breakfast, depart at your leisure. Trains for Venice depart frequently, from Cividale del Friuli connect through Udine (travel time to Venice is 1 hr 50 min).
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
Grand Hotel Toplice*, Bled
Overlooking the waters of Lake Bled, this 5-star hotel combines timeless elegance with a spectacular setting. Ideally located for exploring Bled, the hotel is just steps from the town’s restaurants and attractions.
*Closed until September 2027; Rikli Balance Hotel will be used in the interim.
Hotel Sanje Ob Soči, Bovec
Hotel Sanje Ob Soči is a luxurious boutique hotel in Bovec, Slovenia, offering refined accommodations, exquisite local cuisine, and breathtaking views of the Kanin Mountains.
Locanda Al Castello, Cividale del Friuli
This 4-star castle hotel is located just outside of Cividale del Friuli, with tremendous views over the countryside. There is a wellness center and excellent restaurant on site. This is our first choice because of the proximity to Cividale del Friuli and all its riches.
Tour Reviews
Excellent guides. Great group of participants. Very professional guides They knew there material and was always willing to help.
Veronika and Grega in combination with
the beautiful, charming and unique Slovenia and Italy countryside made the trip just amazing.
“The scenery was spectacular. Loved Slovenia! The rides for the first 4 days all challenging. Hotel in Bled was our favorite, location superb. Breakfast awesome. Ljubljana castle meal was good. Maps & route instructions were all good. Much harder rides on consecutive days was more difficult than we expected. Only 2 easy days. Van and guides were awesome. We of course love Veronika, and will ask for her again. Dimitri was also a nice guy.”
“The trip was consistently good! Hotel in Lubjana excellent location, excellent breakfast. Hotel in Cividale was beautiful. The WW1 museum was very, very good. Meals were all good.”
“Loved cycling the Julian Alps. Our guide was terrific with a deep knowledge of the area. He was very attentive to all members of our group, their fitness level and amazing when first aid was required in one instance. Gorgeous mountain towns. Extremely clean. The Slovenian people were courteous and welcoming to us.”
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