Best of Slovenia: Highlights Across the Country From Bled to Piran

4.5/5 (18)
10 nights
28 miles/day
Self guided from EUR € 1275
Bike tour in Slovenia
Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours

Best of Slovenia: Highlights Across the Country From Bled to Piran

4.5/5 (18)

Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours

10 nights
28 miles/day

Self guided from EUR € 1275
Bike tour in Slovenia

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  • Explore the sensational scenery of Slovenia

    This cross-country tour focuses on visiting Slovenia's main attractions and countless natural points of interest, providing a dyanamic and varied exploration of this hidden gem of a country.

    Beginning in Bled, known for its beautiful setting and island church, you'll cycle towards the Bohinj Valley and the Julian Alps. From there, you'll cycle to such sites as the Triglav National Park, the Pokljuka high plateau, the capital city of Ljubljana, vineyards in the Karst region, and the stables of the Lipizaner horses.

    Along the way, you'll discover caves, castles, and quaint alpine villages as you make your way to the coast. Such a combination reveals the best that Slovenia has to offer!

    • Škofja Loka, Slovenia. CC:Grega Pirc
    • Slovenian wine! Marko Dvornik@Flickr
    • Ljubljana is known for its many bridges in Slovenia. Eugene Kuznetsov, Unsplash
    • Slovenian wine country. Matt B@Flickr
    • Ljubljana, Slovenia. Greenvalley Pictures, Unsplash
    • Lake Bled in Slovenia. Tom Mrazek@Flickr
    • Lake Bled, Slovenia. Maria Clara Cavallini@Unsplash
    • The great Bled Castle in Slovenia. CC:Gilad Topaz

    View more photos

    Highlights

    • Bled's island church
    • Triglav National Park
    • Mount Triglav
    • Lake Bohinj
    • Savica Waterfall
    • Quaint alpine villages
    • Ljubljana Castle
    • Postojna Caves
    • Predjama Castle
    • Lipica and the prized Lipizaner horses
    • Postojna Caves (UNESCO monument)
    • Technical Museum of the Republic of Slovenia
    • Trieste and Muggia, gorgeous Italian-style towns
    • Piran, Venetian-style harbor village

    Learn More

    Learn more about self-guided tours.

    Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Ljubljana.

  • Traveler photos

    • Down through the Julian Alps (photo by Ian Fraser)
    • Kitting up after a visit to Predjama Castle (photo by Ian Fraser)
    • Cruising the countryside (photo by Ian Fraser)
    • A serious climb (photo by Ian Fraser)
    • The beginning1 (photo by TheVerns)
    • A shot from the first day.... (photo by TheVerns)
    • Do not miss the side trip to the falls on day 1, but it is a climb by bike and on foot! (photo by TheVerns)
    • A view from our room at our favorite guest house with wine tasting!! (photo by TheVerns)
    • Piran...so beautiful! (photo by TheVerns)
    • Photo 1 (photo by SWTA)
    • Photo 2 (photo by SWTA)
    • Photo 3 (photo by SWTA)
  • Daily program

    Day 1: Arrival in Bled
    You'll arrive in beautiful Bled, a world-famous town on the shores of a gorgeous glacial lake. Defined by its unique island church sitting proudly in the middle of this immense body of clear water, Bled is one of Slovenia's most popular tourist attractions. As well as admiring the towering mountains, you'll be in awe of the castle perched high above the town on an atmospheric clifftop.

    Overnight in Bled.

    Day 2: Bled – Bohinjska Bistrica (Bohinj Valley) (17 miles/27 km or 26 miles/43 km with side trip to Savica Waterfall)
    Today you'll be taken by bus up to the high plateau at Pokljuka. From here, you can marvel at the stunning views all around you before gliding down into the neighboring Bohinj Valley, the jewel in the crown of Triglav National Park.

    You'll cycle through many charming alpine villages scattered around the valley until you reach the small settlement of Ribčev Laz (Fisherman’s Pass), lying next to the stunning Lake Bohinj. Wedged in the corner of the valley, Bohinj is the largest and deepest lake in the national park, surrounded by exquisite mountain peaks. The view across the lake from the bridge at Ribčev Laz is unrivaled.

    Cycle along the southern side of the lake to Savica Waterfall, the source of the Sava Bohinjka River, to discover a Slovenian natural wonder. Then, take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view over the Bohinj Valley and Mount Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps.

    Explore the atmospheric forests surrounding the lake before spending the evening in one of the cozy village pubs, perhaps trying the local honey brandy.

    Overnight in Bohinjska Bistrica (Bohinj).

    Day 3: Ribčev Laz (Bohinj) – Skofja Loka (31 miles/49 km)
    Leaving Ribčev Laz and Bohinj, you'll cycle to the blissful village of Bohinjska Bistrica, which has a postcard-perfect backdrop. From here, it's a 750 m climb to the Jelovica high plateau (a 'help out' lift to the top of the mountain pass is available at an extra cost of €30 per person, payable upon arrival with reservation required 2 days ahead). From the top, the route takes you through deep forest, down into the Selška Dolina Valley, which leads to the Škofja Loka Hills.

    The first stop in the valley is the little alpine village of Sorica, set among the low green hills. This was the birthplace of the famouse Slovene painter Ivan Grohar, whose statue greets you as you ride into the village. If you fancy it, visit his gallery, where you'll find a limited collection of his work.

    The next stop is the historic iron-smelting town of Železniki, home to the remains of an old blast furnace dating from 1826. Take a break in one of the charming village inns along the way and try the tantalizing trout dishes.

    Finally, you'll arrive in the wonderful town of Škofja Loka, one of the oldest towns in Slovenia. If you're not too tired, take a cycle up to the castle on the hill overlooking town, then spend the rest of the evening soaking up the atmosphere in the old medieval streets.

    Overnight in Škofja Loka.

    Day 4: Skofja Loka – Ljubljana (19 miles/31 km)
    Today's the day you'll visit the magnificent Slovenian capital - Ljubljana. You'll visit the historic Old Town, admire the ornate, old-world architecture, and marvel at the 'fin de siecle' mansions. Then it's a short walk or ride up to the colossal Ljubljana Castle, perched high on the hill and standing guard over Old Town and the city center. From the tower, enjoy an unbeatable view over Slovenia's capital.

    As the sun sets over the castle and towers, choose between a relaxing drink in the many outdoor bars and cafes sidling the Ljubljanica River or an evening stroll, enjoying the city's twinkling lights and vibrant sounds. Or do both!

    Overnight in Ljubljana.

    Day 5: Ljubljana – Vrhnika (24 miles/39 km)
    As the morning sun rises in the sky, you'll ride across an immense 160 square km marshy plain. The Ljubljansko Barje was once a great lake until it dried up 6000 years ago, leaving behind an incredibly diverse landscape that is now home to some of Europe's rarest forms of bird, plant, and insect life.

    Along the way, visit the remnants of the world’s highest railway viaduct in Borovnica.

    Just before arriving in Vrhnika, you can visit the Technical Museum of the Republic of Slovenia housed in Bistra Castle, where you’ll find a great hunting collection and an interesting exhibition of president Tito’s cars.

    Overnight in Vrhnika.

    Day 6: Vrhnika – Postojna (20 miles/32 km or 27 miles/44 km with side trip to nature reserve Rakov Skocjan)
    A slightly more demanding day over gentle hills, forest roads, and a typical Carst polje (field). On this day, the roads will take you away from the main tourist routes and off the beaten track. You can stop for a picnic lunch in the Rakov Škocjan Nature Reserve, where the Rak River has carved out a stunning gorge containing some of nature’s most incredible landscape formations, including two natural bridges.

    Nearly 30 million tourists have experienced the underground Postojna cave formation with is beautifully carved into the depths of limestone. stretching a whopping 13 miles (21 km), this is considered the most extensive system of caves within the country. On this tour, you will visit the pools of water within the caves and see the mysterious "human fish" and a world filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

    Overnight in Postojna.

    Day 7: Postojna – Stanjel Area (26 miles/42 km) optional side trip to Predjama Castle(4 miles/6km)
    You can also take a short detour to the impenetrable fortress of Predjama Castle, wedged tightly into a crevasse halfway up a 123 m cliff face protruding dramatically into the surrounding basin. Here lived a vivacious and daring knight named Erasmus who kept a whole army at bay using the secret passageways in the Predjama Caves to sneak out for supplies, including freshly picked cherries, which he threw at his adversaries to taunt them. Take a tour and learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down.

    Overnight in Stanjel Area.

    Day 8: Stanjel Area – Lipica – Divača (30 miles/48 km)
    The first stop today is the lovely botanical garden in Sežana. Then, you'll cycle on to the stud farm of Lipica where you'll meet the beautiful thoroughbred Lipizaner horses whose glistening white coats and graceful dancing moves have earned them a worldwide reputation. Their history is closely linked to the riding school in Vienna! Take a tour in a traditional carriage, watch the horses perform, and visit them up close in their stables on a day to remember.

    If you have time for a couple of side trips, you can also visit the unusual but very interesting War Museum set in the village tower of Lokev.

    Overnight in Divača.

    Day 9: Divača – Muggia (24 miles/38 km)
    If you skipped the Postojna Caves, this morning gives you the opportunity to visit the Škocjan Caves. These karst caves are no less interesting (they are a UNESCO natural monument!) but far less frequented.

    You can take a slight diversion into the Italian-style town of Trieste - once an important port with its worldly flair and wonderful atmosphere. Take a city transport boat that connects Trieste with the outskirts at Muggia where your hotel awaits. Visit the castle, cathedral, and Piazza Unita central square in Trieste, which was once part of Slovenia whilst under the rule of the Austrian monarchy. Relax with a cappuccino in the many old-fashioned cafes that grace this atmospheric town.

    The day trip ends in the town of Muggia. After a day's cycling, it's time to enjoy gelato in the old town center or relax on the beach!

    Overnight in Muggia.

    Day 10: Muggia – Piran (23 miles/37 km or 30 miles/48 km with side trip to salt pans Seca)
    Cycle along the coastal path on a new cycle path that follows the former railway line, enjoying splendid vistas of the Slovene coast and Trieste Bay. A coffee stop in the fashionable resort of Portorož is a must. The trip ends in the gorgeous Venetian-style harbor village of Piran.

    Overnight in Piran.

    Day 11: Departure from Piran
    Don't want the adventure to end? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Ljubljana.

    Surface and terrain

    This tour takes you from the Julian Alps to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. This portion is primarily downhill towards Bohinj with one big hill (a lift is available). From there, the route is downhill all the way to Postojna, where there is a slight uphill climb. From Stanjel, you'll continue cycling downhill to the coast.

    Waytype: 80% country roads, 13% cycleways, 7% main road (city approach sections)
    Surface: 95% asphalt and paved, 5% unpaved
    Average daily elevation gains: 328 ft/100 m - 1640 ft/ 500 m.


    Hotels

    These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

    Bled: Hotel Lovec

    Bohinjska Bistric: Bohinj Eco Hotel

    Skofja Loka: Minihotel

    Ljubljana: M Hotel

    Vrhnika: Hotel Mantova

    Postojna: Hotel KRAS

    Stanjel: Hiša posebne sorte

    Divaca: Hotel Malovec

    Muggia: Hotel San Rocco

    Piran: Hotel Piran

    Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.


    How to get there

    Tour start
    Nearest airport: Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Nearest train station: Bled, Slovenia

    Bled has two main stations, Lesce-Bled station (located 2 miles/4 km south of Bled) and Bled Jezero.

    It is best to take a taxi to Bled from Ljubljana airport. If you wish to use public transportation, you will first need to travel to Ljubljana or Kranj and take a local bus to Bled. Ljubljana airport has no train connection to the Bled.

    Tour end
    Nearest airport: Trieste, Italy; Pula, Croatia; or Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Nearest train station: Koper, Slovenia (there is no train service to Piran)

    Private transfers are bookable. See Dates & Prices for options.

    Tips for getting to and from your tour.


    Best of Slovenia

     Tour Photos Dates & Prices 

  • Dates

    Daily: Mar 23-Oct 12, 2024.

    Low season: Mar 23, 2024 - May 3, 2024, Sep 21, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024

    High season: May 4, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024

    Prices

    Tour package

    Low Season High Season
    Per person, double occupancy €1275 €1325
    Single use room (1 person/1 room) €1690 €1760
    Solo Traveler (1 person in party with single use room) €1885 €1935

    Bike Rentals

    Touring bike, 21-speed €150
    Electrically assisted bike €330
    Helmet €18

    Extra Nights

    Bled Bohinj Ljubljana Ljubljana (Upgrade Historic Centre) Štanjel Muggia Piran
    Per person, double occupancy €105 €80 €95 €110 €65 €70 €95
    Single room (1 person/1 room) €170 €125 €150 €190 €90 €100 €145

    Transfer

    Klagenfurt Airport to Bled (per vehicle/per way, 1-3 persons) €190
    Lesce Bled Railway Station to Bled (per vehicle/per way, 1-3 persons) €20
    Ljubljana Airport to Bled (per vehicle/per way, 1-3 persons)

    €80

    Ljubljana City to Bled (per vehicle/per way, 1-3 persons) €110
    Villach to Bled (per vehicle/per way, 1-3 persons) €150
    Trieste Airport to Bled (per vehicle/per way, 1-3 persons) €240
    Piran to Ljubljana Airport (per vehicle/per way, 1-3 persons) €210
    Piran to Ljubljana Downtown(per vehicle/per way, 1-3 persons) €190
    Piran to Trieste Downtown (per vehicle/per way, 1-3 persons) €90
    Piran to Trieste Airport (per vehicle/per way, 1-3 persons) €145

    Discounts

    Child, ages 0-1 sharing room with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) 100%
    Child, ages 2-5 sharing room with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) 50%
    Child, ages 6-12 sharing room with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) 30%
    Third person, ages 13 and over sharing room with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) 10%

    Last minute bookings: Please note all bookings within 21 days of the start date will be assessed a surcharge of 10% on the total tour cost as last minute bookings require additional labor hours to confirm in a timely fashion.

    Included services

    • 10 nights accommodation in 3-and 4-star hotels and guesthouses with en suite
    • Breakfasts
    • Luggage transfer between hotels (one piece per person max 23 kg/50 lbs; Additional pieces are €60 per piece, payable upon tour)
    • Navigational app* (including roadbook, corresponding maps, tourist recommendations)
    • Service hotline available during the trip in case of problems or questions
    • GPS data (available for download to your personal GPS device)
    • Personal welcome meeting and bike fitting upon arrival

    NOTE: on Day 3 there is a lift to the Jelovica high plateau that is not included in the tour. It costs €30 per person and is payable upon arrival to the lift. It does need to be reserved at least 2 days ahead.

    *printed information package including route notes and corresponding maps available for €30, reserved in advance


    Bike rentals

    Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:

    • Classic touring bike, 24-speed
    • Electrically assisted bike*

    *Electrically assisted bikes require a cash deposit of €100 upon arrival. Deposit is returned at end of tour.

    More about electrically-assisted bikes >

    All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:

    • Lock
    • One pannier
    • Set of allen keys, spare tube, and basic puncture repair set

    Bikes are insured for general damage up to €10; bikes are not insured against theft.

    Pedals:
    The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

    Helmets:
    Helmets are available to be rented for €18. We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own helmet.


    Tour Company


    Best of Slovenia

     Daily program Route Map 

  • Route Map

    Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.


    Best of Slovenia

     Dates & Prices Tour Reviews 

    • Barbara 6 months ago

      Beautiful country with lots to see and do

      Slovenia ranks as one of my favorite countries to cycle. Friendly, hard working people. Roads are in great condition ( minus a few construction zones due to recent flooding), and the routes offered are interesting and varied. From high mountain vistas and zigzagging descents to flat bike trails along the sea, each day brought a new adventure to the senses. We enjoyed getting off the bikes to explore caves, castles, waterfalls, and towns. Most of us opted to cycle and climb the first day to the high plateau of Pokljuka. It actually seemed like an easier climb than the second day to the high plateau of Jelovica. Two people used the shuttle the first day and were not particularly pleased at where they were let off on the route. Had they known better, they would have also cycled to Pokljuka with us. (they were on electric bikes).

      The hotels were good. Regardless of the size of rooms, the beds were comfortable and the breakfasts were bountiful and varied. The hotel in Ljubljana was a 45 minute walk to the city center, but it allows one to see the sites and restaurants along the way. We downloaded the maps on our devices and they were adequate for navigation. It was helpful to have 3 navigators in our group of 8 people.

      Bikes that we used were hybrid ones. They were a definite plus with all the climbing involved with this tour. Sometimes, the small towns we entered had short ascents of 10-12% grade, so it was helpful to have the low gears to pop into. There were a few problems with the bikes. One of the hybrids was not in good condition for riding and was replaced before we started our tour. It was helpful to have the bikes at the hotel the night before ( Day 1) so we could adjust and test ride the bikes. The one electric bike had a problem the first day while riding the hills. It was discovered that a sensory cable was not connected after going to a local bike shop to have it looked at after the second day of riding.

      Bike Tours, the company, there were some problems with communication regarding bike choices. There were problems with obtaining the bikes that were unnecessarily stressful. Overall, they were good enough to use, and eventually the issues were resolved. Also, I'm not a big fan of putting a 75% deposit down 9 months before the tour date which is unusual from the other 6 self guided tours that I've done. Make sure to read the fine print regarding the tour. Extra luggage other than one piece is charged extra. Also, we opted to find our own transport options to and from airports/towns, which were cheaper than what is offered. Staying a night in Kranj after our arrival from Ljubljana airport, before going the next day to Bled, worked out wonderfully.

      Discovering the Best of Slovenia was a treat. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is adventurous and curious. The food, the culture, the people, and the sites were incredible!  SHOW MORE 

      What was the date of your tour?
      Sept 2023
      How many tours have you completed?
      many
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • john saunders 6 months ago

      Interesting and friendly country, beautiful countryside

      This was a very good trip to explore and see various parts of the country. Overall, the trail markings were good. Good use of smaller roads with less traffic, but some roads were Busy with no shoulder and cars appearing to drive too fast. Accommodations were well-placed, except for Ljubljana Where the hotel was placed too far from the historic District where you would prefer to spend most of your time there. It was over 30 minute walk from the historic district. The bikes were durable, and we experienced no mechanical problems, but they were of a low quality, heavy, and not suited to some of the climbing that was required. We opted to purchase the route and map booklet for 30 euros which was poor quality and not useful or worth the money spent. Most of the important information was already provided in the materials. The Maps were useless in that you could not read road names, or city names because the font was too small and the poor print quality. On our last day in Piran, We had confirmed with bike tours, that we could schedule a late day transport back to Ljubljana so that we could spend a full day in Piran but apparently the local operator, Helia, only transports at 9 AM. Bike tours did a good job of arranging alternative late day transportation for us, but the Helia Representative was rude and unaccommodating And refused to discuss the matter.

      Again, as to the bikes, which were basically “city bikes”, where the mileage each day is 25 to 35 miles, we believe most people would prefer better quality bikes, and we certainly saw other tour operators in the country that were utilizing higher quality bikes that were not electrically assisted. We would recommend that better quality bikes be offered or at least an upgrade to a higher quality bike that is not electric assisted.

      What was the date of your tour?
      September 2023
      How many tours have you completed?
      20
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 2/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 3/5 Tour documents
      • 3/5 Local tour company services
      • 2/5 Route selection
    • Jo Christofferson 7 months ago

      ?

      Great trip. It was our first self-guided and it went well. We enjoyed the freedom of this type of trip.

      What was the date of your tour?
      Aug 2023
      How many tours have you completed?
      6
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 2/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • Carey 9 months ago

      Exploring Slovenia by bike

      This was our 5th self-guided cycling trip, and a great way to see Slovenia. The route was great and highlighted the different areas of the country, from the alps to the adriatic. There are some hills which can be challenging in the heat, but very manageable with some training. Most of the roads were fairly low traffic; even on the busier roads Slovenians seemed to be pretty courteous to cyclists. There were some gravel roads which were manageable. Note that there is some conflicting information about whether you'll receive a paper copy of the route directions - you won't unless you've requested this for a fee. And there was also supposed to be one odometer included per couple - there wasn't. So I strongly suggest having a phone with a data plan so that you can follow the GPS instructions. These were fairly easy to follow, but in some cases the app had trouble finding the route so having access to google maps, etc was handy.

      Hotels were good for the most part with some being really great; a couple were only adequate, but that is likely due to what is available in the specific town. Included breakfasts were all fabulous. We arranged to spend an extra day in Ljubljana after day 3, which was a great idea. We also added extra days in Piran which we were happy with. For lunches and other stops during the riding day, there are recommendations that appear on the app. However, these don't seem to be in any order for each day, so it's probably worth while to take a look at them all before you set out for the day to see what they're recommending and where.

      Overall a really great vacation! Biketours.com was great to work with for booking, and although we had no issues needing local support, we were happy with the planning and the bikes were perfectly adequate.

      What was the date of your tour?
      June 2023
      How many tours have you completed?
      5
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 2/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Harry Dobrowolski 10 months ago

      Best of Slovenia

      11 days was perfect to enjoy the beautiful bike tour of Best of Slovenia. Food and Hotels had been outstanding. It’s worth to book hotel upgrades. Standard rooms are very small.

      What was the date of your tour?
      May/June 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      more than 20
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 3/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • Audrey Block November 7, 2022

      Great way to experience Slovenia

      Overall, we really enjoyed the trip. Hotels were nice with the exception of one, which was so-so. Route was interesting and showed off the beauty of the country. Beware -- one should be in good shape and expect to face a few steep hills, some on gravel backroads. Most of the roads were low traffic but even on busier roads Slovenians are courteous to cyclists.

      What was the date of your tour?
      September 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      6-8
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat harder
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 3/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • Ben August 3, 2022

      Great trip through Slovenia

      The best way to visit and get to know a new country

    • Barbara G May 8, 2019

      Best of Slovania

      How many tours have you completed?
      Many- now using electric bikes
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Purple Sneakers September 9, 2018

      Slovenia is wonderful!

      an excellent tour around western slovenia, though too little time in Ljubljana which deserves more than a full day. by the same token the tour could lingered in the mountains as well, which are breathtaking. an extra day would enhance the tour enormously. on the other hand, Hela Tours are the worst. our bikes were not properly fitted; required a bike shop on the second day to adjust the derailleur, the brakes, add air to the tires and adjust the seat post and handlebars. the description for the route was in general adequate, but there were far too many wrong turns or simply bewilderment, indecipherable language. a GPS would have eliminated these nuisances.

      What was the date of your tour?
      july 2018
      How many tours have you completed?
      numerous
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists
      Do you recommend this tour?
      No
      • 3/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 1/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 2/5 Ease of navigation
      • 2/5 Tour documents
      • 1/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • Breno Ok June 24, 2018

      Great Tour to the Best of Slovenia

      It was really beyond my expectations. Surely one of the best self-ride bike tour I have ever had.
      Staff was great from the time we started talking until the last minute of the tour. Even in an event of a cancelled flight they managed the situation and rearranged the transfer to Bled with no extras.
      Bike worked very well and was in perfect conditions. I opted to get the MTB bike and this proved to be the right thing for this tour. Hybrid ones may work fine as well.
      Scenary is awesome. Each day a highlight to tell. Terrain was not a big issue, except for the second day, with a 12-km hard climb. But if you are in good condition you can try it. Other than that I found the entire tour easily rideable.
      Hotels are very good on average. One or another was slightly below the expectation. Breakfast was also great. I did not booked other meals because I wanted some free choice along the way.
      Roads are in good condition. Some of them has considerable traffic, but I felt a nice respect from drivers. Just assume caution and stay focused on the way. Others were so tranquil and peaceful with jaw-dropping views.
      Cue cards were accurate but there are some tricky parts. Not a big issue though. They can also send gps files so that you can load them to your device if you have one. Just ask in advance.
      Luggage transfer was on time everyday. It was really handy.
      All in all, great tour where you will definitely glimpse the best of Slovenia.

      What was the date of your tour?
      June 2018
      How many tours have you completed?
      1
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
      • 4/5 Guides (if applicable)
    • psteckler October 22, 2017

      Good sampler for western Slovenia

      No one told me about the cows. On the riding first day, in a rural area, I encountered a trio of cows blocking the road. I wasn't sure about the protocol for dealing with them, but we all managed to get by one another without any injuries.

      I really lucked out with the weather. I started in mid-October, and every day ended in sunshine. There was no rain at all. For the first few days, most mornings were chilly and overcast, sometimes even foggy. By the end of the ride, I got full days of sunshine. Don't expect this weather every October!

      For the most part, I liked the route. The climb on the second riding day would have been a nice challenge on my road bike; on the rented touring bike, it was pretty hard, and I had to walk much of it. The Helia truck came by and offered me a lift, but I was determined to get to the top under my own power. There were some gravel sections, and a couple of stretches along busy roads that were unpleasant. Much of the route was on lightly-traveled roads, and many roads were nearly-vacant farm or forest roads. With a couple of exceptions, the drivers gave me a wide berth.

      The rented bike was predictably sturdy and heavy. I had no mechanical issues during the ride, other than a squeaky back brake.

      The accommodation was very good, for the most part. Yes, I found a cockroach in one room; that gives me a story to tell. The electricity went out at Hotel Tartini in Piran on the final morning, but breakfast was already prepared; another story to tell. The hotel staff was very helpful everywhere. The breakfasts were all good, perhaps too good. Too bad I don't like to ride after eating a lot.

      There were some confusing bits in the cue sheets, and I got lost a couple of times. I've written to Helia about the issues I found. For the most part, the cue sheets were adequate. Asking locals and Google Maps set me straight.

      I flew in and out of Ljubljana. To get to Bled at the start, and back from Piran at the end, I used ordinary commercial bus services, which worked well.

      I really enjoyed Slovenia, and hope to visit again to see more of the country.

      What was the date of your tour?
      9 October 2017
      How many tours have you completed?
      Over 20
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Chris 77 September 16, 2017

      Best of Slovenia

      Of all our European tours, the route and scenery was the best - Slovenia really is a hidden gem. Some of the hotels are just average - one great - Hisa Posebne Sorte. Try to have the tour company not book their fall back hotel, Vila Bojana in Bled for you. But this is not an experience to miss.

      What was the date of your tour?
      Sept 4 to 14
      How many tours have you completed?
      Many
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 3/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Ian Fraser August 29, 2017

      Slovenian Bike Tour

      It was an absolutely fabulous bike tour. The country is varied and beautiful. The bike tour we were on "Best of Slovenia" took us through all sorts of different landscapes from the Alps to the Adriatic. Quite fantastic.

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 2017
      How many tours have you completed?
      2
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • Down through the Julian Alps (photo by Ian Fraser)
      • Kitting up after a visit to Predjama Castle (photo by Ian Fraser)
      • Cruising the countryside (photo by Ian Fraser)
      • A serious climb (photo by Ian Fraser)
      • 4/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • TriaT July 10, 2017

      Hillier than described

      This was our third family trip booked through Bike Tours Direct. The previous two were in Austria (Danube and Salzburg loop). We have two daughters, age 11 and 13, who are physically fit and mentally strong. This trip, lovely as it was, was too challenging for them. There is some serious climbing required and it should be rated at least a 3. It doesn't necessarily look like much on the profile but with the scale it's very deceptive. After 6 days cycling we needed a rest day so gave in and the bike company helped order a taxi that could take us and the bikes to Lipica. Overall the route took us through some wonderful scenery, starting in the Alps, then the Karst hills, and finally to the Adriatic coast. But most of it was on roads rather than bike paths, often with busy traffic. We're experienced road riders but found the Slovenian drivers to be rather aggressive and none of the roads had shoulders.
      We also were a little disappointed in the destinations each night. The trip started in a fantastic place, Lake Bled, and ended in a very different but equally picturesque town, Piran, but too many of the overnights in between were in nondescript towns with little to explore. The distances weren't huge each day so we took our time and ate lunch along the way. Typically we arrived at the hotel around 2pm so had plenty of time to explore the new location but in 3-4 of the locations there was nothing to see, which was a real shame as on a trip like this part of the excitement is getting to the new place each day.
      The hotels were of mixed standards. Some were modern, some very old and tired. Air conditioning seemed to be a challenge in all of them, though sorely needed. Wifi was spotty at best. Bathrooms are universally tiny.
      We did some but not all of the side trips. It was raining at Lake Ribcev so we didn't do the waterfall or swim in the lake, which was a shame. Indoor Aquapark at the Eco Hotel was a godsend, given the rain that afternoon. Predjama Castle is a must. Also the Postojna caves. The Lipica stud farm was lovely, though the show a little underwhelming.
      The food in Slovenia was a pleasant surprise. It's heavily influenced by Italy so every other restaurant offers pizza and pasta, plenty of salads, grilled meat and fish. Local wines were good. And everyone we encountered along the way spoke excellent English.
      If you're looking to explore a new country, this is a great way to sample Slovenia. But the infrastructure and culture geared towards cycling just isn't there yet in the same way that it is in countries like Austria, Germany.
      There were a few times where the directions didn't match the odometer readings and we had to rely on Google maps for cross reference. If you don't have an international data plan on your phone I highly recommend it. Overall though the directions were pretty good. And Helia, the local bike company, was very appreciative of any suggestions for improvement.  SHOW MORE 

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 2017
      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Much harder
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • BikeTours.com staff reply from Jim Johnson July 11, 2017

        Thanks so much for your detailed and thoughtful response! That's one of the many aspects of our clients that we truly treasure: You give feedback not to complain or simply be critical but to improve the experience for future clients. We know that Helia will also take your feedback to heart. For 2018, we will change the tour to a Level 3 and add more information to the "Surface and terrain" part of the tour page.

        Again, thank you for being a part of the BikeTours.com "community!

      • 4/5 Value
      • 3/5 Included meals
      • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 3/5 Hotels or boat
      • 4/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 3/5 Route selection
    • TheVerns June 5, 2017

      Slovenia seems like an undiscovered jewel of a country!

      We chose this tour because we knew that Slovenia was beautiful but we did not expect the country to be so friendly, the food was excellent, the hotels were very comfortable. Bled is like a fairy tale and likely the most famous of the stops it was not our favorite. It truly is difficult in hind-site to pick a favorite but we really loved Piran at the end! Maybe we just needed to see the ocean?

      What was the date of your tour?
      May 15th
      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Families with young kids
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • The beginning1 (photo by TheVerns)
      • A shot from the first day.... (photo by TheVerns)
      • Do not miss the side trip to the falls on day 1, but it is a climb by bike and on foot! (photo by TheVerns)
      • A view from our room at our favorite guest house with wine tasting!! (photo by TheVerns)
      • Piran...so beautiful! (photo by TheVerns)
      • 5/5 Value
      • 3/5 Included meals
      • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • hhhh October 19, 2016

      Slovenia,,Wonderful Country

      Good bikes, maps, reliable drivers, everything we needed...well organized..overall very good, mostly nice hotels a very good value
      two exceptions...
      1 we paid for the A hotels and 2 hotels were particularly bad...
      Vila Andor and M Hotel in lbjuana.
      2 do not get the meal package..they often gave us special menus with lower end meals....you are best just to use restaurants and meals of your choice

      What was the date of your tour?
      october
      How many tours have you completed?
      20
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • BikeTours.com staff reply from Lindsay Nash October 20, 2016

        Hi, thanks very much for sharing your experience! I just wanted to note that this tour only has 3- and 4-star hotels available (no Category A or B options), and it looks like our tour advisors also chatted with you further about this in an e-mail. But, as this local tour operator said, Slovenia is a very small country and staying in small hotels and guesthouses adds to the wonderful experience of the country and its local people. Thank you again for your feedback, and we're happy that overall you had a wonderful experience.
        Kind regards,
        Lindsay

      • 5/5 Value
      • 2/5 Included meals
      • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 3/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Alpskier November 14, 2015

      A Great Trip Across a Great Country

      Loved cycling through Slovenia. Warm, friendly people, terrific accommodations, and spectacular scenery made it very, very special. The ride begins in the majestic Julien Alps and courses its way through verdant farm lands, remote villages, the capital city of Ljubljana, and ends on Adriatic sea at the beautiful & ancient town of Piran. Accommodations were fine, some were truly charming, featuring architecture unique to Slovenia. The meal plan was a bargain and the foods and beers were delicious. The 9 day ride largely followed low-trafficked roads, where drivers were courteous. The well-devised road book made navigation manageable, as the route isn't as clearly marked the way it's done in most of Western Europe. Still, there were no worries at all, even as a solo rider. Surprisingly, English was widely spoken. The route featured rolling hills, none of which were too strenuous, nor was mileage an issue. There were lots of downhills as the trip starts high in the Alps and descends to the sea. The local tour operator was very helpful and the bikes were well maintained. Starting out in the fairy-book town of Lake Bled with its famous island church was a reward in itself. Here's a good tip: It's worth the 15 Euro to have a van bring you to the top of the mountain on the second day. Biking it seemed absurd. The capital city was accessible and having dinner near the famous three bridges confluence still brings a smile to my face as I remember the sea of young people going from bar to bar. It's all good, not to mention one of the great travel bargains in the Biketours universe.

      How many tours have you completed?
      8
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Families with teens, Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • SWTA November 6, 2015

      Slovenia: Europe's hidden gem!

      We did this trip as a family of 4, including a 13 and 15 y/o. We have traveled extensively and we all found Slovenia wonderful. We all agreed this was one of the our best trips ever. Modern enough to be comfortable but still having a lot of old world charm. The hotels were comfortable and we had no trouble finding a good meal. The other positive is that everyone spoke English and we had no language barriers.

      The biking was moderately challenging even as a 2 rated trip. But every day was was really great and different. From the mountains to the sea. We rented the bikes from the base company - Helia - and didn't have any equipment failures!

      How many tours have you completed?
      2
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Families with teens, Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • Photo 1 (photo by SWTA)
      • Photo 2 (photo by SWTA)
      • Photo 3 (photo by SWTA)
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection

    Best of Slovenia

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