Secrets of Slovenia Self-Guided Cycling

Arrive at your 4 star hotel on the promenade of Lake Bled. Enjoy some of the hotel facilities before heading into Bled for dinner.

Today's ride takes you on a circular route from Bled passing through pretty Slovene villages. There is an optional detour to visit Grad Kamen Castle. The route then brings you back into Bled along the shores of the Lake.

An early start today with a scenic train journey along one of the most picturesque railway lines in the area with 28 tunnels, five galleries and 68 bridges. Your cycle route starts in Kanal and soon you'll be joining a newly built cycle path, following the emerald crystal clear Soča river to the sun-kissed wine country, Goriška Brda. The local wines and culinary delights will help you get your strength back after a lovely trip.

You'll spend the day exploring the Brda wine growing region. Following the so-called 'peach' route you will be cycling through the charming landscape covered with vineyards, orchards and olive groves. Cycling through small hilltop villages and past renaissance manors will tempt you for lunch with a view.

After breakfast, we take you (45 min transfer) to the village of Štanjel. Štanjel is a place of countless unique stories, where you'll become acquainted with stonemason Karst architecture. This region is the home of Teran ruby wine and tasty air-dried Karst prosciutto. Your destination for today is Lipica - home of the famous Lipizzaner white horses. Extend your day by cycling to the Škocjan caves, considered to be one of the most beautiful underground gems and a UNESCO World heritage site.

Before you set off, take the opportunity of a guided tour of Lipica Stud farm, a unique green estate home to the white Lipizzaner horses. Once you set off cycling the scenery changes as you leave the Karst region behind and the view opens up to the Adriatic sea. You'll head into Italy for a short time today and join the famous Parenzana coastal trail which runs on the former narrow-gauge between the Italian city Trieste and Poreč in Croatia. Your final two nights are spent on the coast in the medieval town of Koper, linked to the Venetian republic until the end of the 18th Century.

The Parenzana trail runs along the coast, takes a turn among vineyards and partly runs through tunnels. It will take you through Portorož, a lively tourist town with sandy beach, to Piran. This worldly town, which developed under the influence of Venice, is considered to be one of the most authentic and most photogenic towns on the Adriatic coast. Return to Koper.

The tour ends after breakfast in Koper.