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:
Itinerary
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
Inclusions + Details
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
