Private only

Slovenia + Italy Bike Tour

Unexpected Europe: Secret Forests and Glacial Lakes

6 days / 5 nights Level: 3Price From: $5,495Collection: Classic

Tour Highlights

  • Cycle or hike up the Vršič Pass, followed by lunch in an Alpine village
  • Go rafting down the crystal clear Soča River
  • Appreciate the lesser-known wines of Slovenia and taste the expression of the terroir’s warm days and terra rossa
  • Explore World War I trenches and vineyards right on the border of Italy
  • Dine on artfully prepared Slovenian produce at Hiša Franco, one of the world’s best restaurants

Eat

A combination of Austrian, Hungarian, Mediterranean, and Balkan cuisines: local sausages, prosciutto, mountain cheeses, pumpkin seed oil, and Prekmurska gibanica (layer cake)

Drink

Rebula and Refosco wines from Brda and variations on international varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

As featured in:
Print Itinerary
  • Day 1

    Welcome to Slovenia

    Your guides will greet you in Ljubljana and transport you to Villa Alice Bled. After a short transfer to Bohinjska Bistrica, we’ll cycle quiet roads and pause for a light lunch of local cheese and other specialties. Continue riding to the glacial Lake Bohinj, where you can climb through calm forests and past a rushing mountain stream to swim in the Aljažev Dom mineral spring. Arriving back at the hotel, we’ll toast the week ahead with Slovenian sparkling wine. We will have dinner at one of Lake Bled’s extraordinary restaurants where the chef will prepare an amazing meal tonight alongside Slovenia’s great red wines.

    Meals: Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Bohinjska Bistrica, Lake Bohinj, Aljažev Dom, Lake Bled
    Accomplished: 14 miles / 23 km, elevation gain: 754 feet / 230 meters
    Accommodations: Vila Bled

  • Day 2

    Around Lake Bled and into the Mountains

    We’ll go for a spin this morning around Lake Bled before following the bike path to Kranjska Gora with fantastic views of the Julian Alps. Here we’ll have two options—take an historical tour by van, stopping at the Russian Prisoner’s Church, and enjoy a short hike around the Vršič Pass, or cycle up Vršič Pass. Either way, you can’t go wrong. After lunch at the village restaurant in the mountains, we’ll descend to the banks of the Soča River. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight in Kobarid.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
    Destinations: Kranjska Gora, Vršič Pass, Soča River, Kobarid
    Accomplished: 29 miles / 47 km, elevation gain: 1,020 feet / 311 meters
    Accommodations: Dobra Vila Bovec

  • Day 3

    Rafting Down the Soča River

    Another type of adventure awaits us today: we’ll be rafting down the sparkling waters of the Soča River, followed by a visit to the Kobariski World War I museum to learn the history of the area. This afternoon, we visit a secluded waterfall, then return to the hotel to relax or stroll the charming fields and forest that surround the property. Tonight is a dining experience you won’t soon forget, as locally grown ingredients steal the show at Hiša Franco, heralded as one of the top restaurants in the world.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Soča River, Drežniške Ravne
    Accomplished: Rafting
    Accommodations: Dobra Vila Bovec

  • Day 4

    Into the Wine Country of the Goriška Brda

    This morning we transfer to Livek and explore trenches which remain from World War I. The beautiful scenery around us accents this historical visit spectacularly. Ride along the wooded mountain ridge on gently undulating roads down towards the Goriška Brda. We’ll enjoy a fantastic picnic lunch prepared by your guide overlooking the vineyards with a view of Italy in the background. The Goriška Hills are home to some of Slovenia’s most delicious wines, which we’ll have the pleasure of sampling. Tonight, we enjoy a memorable dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Livek, Goriška Brda
    Accomplished: 22 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 1,319 feet / 402 meters
    Accommodations: Gredič

  • Day 5

    Across the Border

    We’ll find ourselves among the rolling hills of Italy today. Farm roads crisscross the national borders here, and we’ll journey from one side to the other, tasting wines from both sides as we go. Meet some of the most internationally acclaimed winemakers of recent years. There is much to taste and learn here: discover the unique flavors and structure that Slovenia’s soil gives to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, as well as its native Rebula. This evening, we celebrate the week at a stylish restaurant in Medana with our hosts, the Klinec family.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Goriška Brda
    Accomplished: 21 miles / 34 km, elevation gain: 1,716 feet / 523 meters
    Accommodations: Gredič

  • Day 6

    Goodbye to Slovenia

    Say goodbye to the lovely Brda this morning with a short bike ride through the vineyards before we transfer back to Ljubljana, where your guides will bid you farewell.

    Meals: Breakfast
    Destinations: Goriška Brda
    Accomplished: 11 miles / 18 km, elevation gain: 984 feet / 300 meters

DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.



Arrival Details

Airport City: Ljubljana, Slovenia Pick-Up Location: Antiq Palace Hotel in Ljubljana Pick-Up Time: 9:30 am
Departure Details

Airport City: Ljubljana, Slovenia Drop-Off Location: Ljubljana Drop-Off Time: 12:30 pm
Travelers Take Note

For the hikes on this tour, we strongly recommend bringing hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction (not running shoes or sneakers). Moisture-wicking clothing or daypacks are also recommended, but not required.

Weather by Month

Average Temperature + Precipitation

Average Temperature + Precipitation

 
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
High (°F)
38°
44°
47°
60°
69°
72°
80°
81°
72°
60°
47°
40°
Low (°F)
26°
26°
29°
40°
49°
52°
58°
59°
53°
45°
35°
26°
Rain (in)
125
251
251
251
376
376
376
376
4102
4102
376
251

Accommodations

  • Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
  • Luggage transfers

Meals

  • Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
  • 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
  • Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal

Activities

  • Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
  • Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
  • Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service

Gear

  • Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
  • Bike helmet
  • Complimentary DuVine gear, including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
  • GPS in most destinations

Support

  • Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
  • Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
  • Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
  • Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
NOT INCLUDED:
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Foil

Manufacturer: Scott

Type: Road

SUB Cross 20

Manufacturer: Scott

Type: Cross