Day 01: Arrival in Maribor.
Tour starting point is Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city. The town is located on the bank of the Drava River and is home to one of the country’s few town castles. The castle houses the only Slovene fashion museum, which has an excellent collection of costumes and uniforms, the most prestigious being a military uniform worn by Tito. Our representative will welcome you with a drink and provide you with your itinerary and maps for the trip, and answer any questions you might have. 

Day 02: Maribor – Ptuj (30 km).
Cycling along the Drava River / vineyards and orchards.
Your route will follow the Drava River as it meanders its way southeast across the vineyards and orchards of the Drava Plain and passes through Ptuj, the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Slovenia. Stroll through the streets and soak up the 2000 years of history as you marvel at the rich, elaborate architecture watched over by the incredibly well preserved castle that dates as far back as 69AD. The castle houses a wonderful collection of musical instruments and an exposition on Turkish raids in the 15th century. 

Day 03: Ptuj – Rogaška Slatina (44 km).
First cycling across the flat terrain of the Ptuj plain, then a low pass (200 m).

Pagan shrines and thermal spas. As you leave town in the morning you can stop at the fascinating Mithra Shrines just 1km out. The town of Rogatec is home to a fascinating open-air museum and the Palace Castle Strmol. You can stop for lunch here before cycling on to your destination, Rogaška Slatina. Before you enter town we recommend that you pay a visit to Rogaška Crystal, where you can see firsthand the incredible skill that goes into creating their beautiful glasswork. In this spa town you will find a world of healing in its abundance of natural springs, said to heal everything from a bad stomach to obesity. In the evening pamper yourself in the wonderful world of spas.

Day 04: Rogaška Slatina – Bizeljsko (48 km).
Easy route going through the Sotla River Valley.

The lush green scenery of the Sotla River Valley awaits you today, on the border with Croatia. Vineyards and farmland are dotted over an area of dense forests and rolling hills. You then hop across the border and visit the castle of Poklek Mijana, a beautifully refurbished centuries-old mansion. After a stop in Kumrovec, the birthplace of Tito, you’ll cross back into Slovenia. Tito’s birth house now makes up part of an open-air village museum. (Please note that the section through Croatia is currently only possible for EU and EFTA citizens, others will need to follow a route entirely on Slovene territory, having a chance to visit the Castle of Bizeljsko).

Day 05: Bizeljsko – Mokrice (25 km).
A short cycle brings you back to the plain of the Sava River. On the way to Mokrice Castle, make a stop in the town of Brezice, where another of Slovenia’s few town castles stands. It’s most famous for its grand hall with the best acoustics by far. If you are lucky, you may even catch a musical performance which often takes place there in the summer months. Your final destination of the day is the mighty castle of Mokrice. First mentioned in 1444, it was rebuilt in the 16th century and again in 1941. After World War II it was made into a hotel with restaurants, and in 1988 a golf course was built on the castle grounds. In the same year, English pop band the Pet Shop Boys used this castle to film the video for their single “Heart“.

Day 06: Mokrice – Otočec (48 km).
Across the Sava plain.
Today will be filled with more wonderful attractions as you head along the base of the Gorjanci Hills separating Slovenia with Croatia. You will follow the Krka River back towards its origins in the Krka Valley, stopping at the mighty Kostanjevica Castle, which now houses an important open-air art gallery, and the 2km-long Kostanjevica Cave. Kostanjevica na Krki is Slovenia’s smallest town, and also one of its oldest. Continuing west you’ll come to Pleterje Monastery, set in the peace and tranquillity of a narrow valley surrounded by vineyards and gorgeous green hills. Your journey will end in Otočec, where the spectacular castle sits on a tiny island in the middle of the Krka River.

Day 07: Otočec & surroundings roundtrip (45 km)
Flat at the beginning, hilly at the end.
The final day’s theme is local food and wine. Continuing on along the Krka River, as it weaves its way across the lush green landscape of Southern Slovenia, you’ll pass through villages nestled among an array of vineyards glistening in the sunshine. The local wine “Cvicek” is unique to this region. It’s made from a mix of red and white grapes, and has a relatively low alcohol content, which might help prevent you riding around in circles afterwards! You can sample this wine along with some great local food in a typical village bar. From here you’ll head to a stunning viewpoint above the Krka plain, where you can relax, stretch your muscles and pamper yourself at the Smarjeske Spa before returning to your castle hotel.

Day 08: Departure from Otočec
After breakfast departure from Otočec.

Day 01: Transfer Ljubljana to Bohinj Lake
On arrival in Ljubljana you will be transferred to Bohinj Lake, the largest glacier lake in Slovenia. The lake is two kilometres wide and six kilometres in length. It lies in the centre of the Triglav national park and occupies a dramatic position surrounded by a spectacular mountain ridge. On arrival, you will meet with our representative for a handover of maps, vouchers and bikes. We recommend you take a cycle around the lake or a boat ride. 

Day 02: Free day-Explore the lake & surrounding mountains by bike or on foot
Your main luggage will be transferred to Ljubljana so you will need to repack your gear into your panniers this morning. There are many activities you can choose for today. One option is to walk to Mostnica Gorge, where you will walk above a canyon with an emerald river flowing through. There are some excellent views to the cascades and rapids. The walk passes by meadows and small settlements and then through a beautiful forest. Alternatively you can visit the lake starting with the bridge at Ribcev Laz and the church of St John the Baptist. You can hire a boat, or walk up to the Savica Waterfall at the far end of the lake. For the latter, you will first need to cycle to Ukanc. Overnight Lake Bohinj.

Day 03: Cycle to Bohinjska Bistrica and continue by train to Bled (10km/6mi)
This morning you cycle the quiet route between Lake Bohinj and Bohinjska Bistrica, passing small towns en route and overshadowed by the foothills of the Julian Alps. On arrival in Bohinjska Bistrica, you take a train to Lake Bled. The remainder of the day is free for sightseeing. This lovely alpine town is immersed in natural beauty. It is renowned for its climate, thermal lake waters and the surrounding mountains. It is worth hiring a boat to visit otok island where the eleventh century castle is located, together with the ninth century church. You could cycle around the lake to Mlino where a boat can be hired. If the weather is good it is well worth hiking up to the viewpoint on Osojnica where many of the classic images of Bled Lake and castle are taken.

Day 04: Cycle to the ski resort Kranjska Gora (37km/23.5mi)
The first big cycle of the trip takes you from Bled through the Radovna Valley to the Slovenian ski resort town of Kranjska Gora located near the border with Austria and Italy. The scenery continues to be dramatic as you leave behind Bled and circle around to the northern edge of the range. The majority of the route is uphill with around 340m ascent over the distance, so an early start is recommended. Located in the Upper Sava Valley the pretty ski town is surrounded by mountains. There is a new dedicated scenic cycle route from Mojstrana to Kranjska Gora which will be an option today. Overnight Kranjska Gora.

Day 05: Cycle from Trenta Valley to the town of Bovec (20km/12.5mi)
Today’s cycle begins with a bus transfer to just past the small village of Trenta and therefore bypassing a massive ascent to the Vršic Pass (1611m). The Soca River is regarded by many to be one of the most beautiful in Europe. It flows through narrow gorges and over broad gravel beds. The river’s characteristic turquoise hue and the wild beauty of its rapids and ravines make it a wonderful place to explore. The cycle takes you along a mountain road near to the river, right to the town of Bovec, the adventure capital of the Julian Alps. En route it’s possible to visit the outdoor war museum with its bunkers and relics from WW1 when the area was the frontline between Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies. Tonight’s accommodation is in a small hotel in Bovec.

Day 06: Rafting on the Soca River then cycle to Tolmin (40km/25mi)
After cycling along its banks, today is an opportunity to take in some white water rafting on a section of the Soca river (the best rafting in Slovenia!). At the drop-off point, your bikes will be waiting for you to continue the cycle via Kobarid to Tolmin, located at the confluence of the Soca and Tolminca Rivers. En route, pass by small towns and settlements on the undulating but largely downhill cycle.

Day 07: Cont. through the valley & up to the wine region Brda (40km/25M)
From Tolmin the route ascends above the valley floor to the wine region of Brda, crossing to the other side of the river. En route you pass by the villages of Kanal (with its picturesque bridge), Plave and then ascend sharply to the rolling hills clad with vines of Brda and the lovely town of Dobrovo. In the evening there will be a wine tasting dinner where you have the opportunity to sample the wines of the region.

Day 08: Cycle-Nova Gorica & by train to the UNESCO listed Skocjan Caves 
From Dobrovo, you continue through the region where small vineyards, orchards of cherry trees and quaint villages intermingle in the landscape. Cycle on to the train station at Nova Gorica, where you take the train to Divaca and cycle a further 5km/3mi on mainly flat to slightly undulating roads through the Karst region of Slovenia. Guided visit of the spectacular Skocjan caves which house a deep underground canyon complete with a roaring river and unique limestone formations. Following the visit to the caves, continue cycle (13km/8mi) to nearby Lipica, hometown of the famous Lipizzaner breed of horses. Overnight hotel.

Day 09: Cycle through the countryside to Branik, then train to Ljubljana
From Lipica you continue cycling through the karst region famous for its Teran (rich red wine variety typical of the region) and Prosute (air cured ham). Cycle through typical towns such as Sezana, Tomaj and Stanjel, to the train station at Branik where you board a train to Ljubljana (2hrs 45min) before a final cycle from the station to your hotel.

Day 10: Depart Ljubljana
Transfer to airport for flight back to home.

Day 01: Arrive Ljubljana
Welcome to Slovenia. Known as ‘Europe in Miniature’, tiny Slovenia has a huge heart and a wealth of diversity. Importantly for us there’s also plenty of action for adrenaline junkies, from cycling, hiking and skiing, to canyoning, caving and boating. Ease into things with a welcome meeting & transfer to hotel. The evening is spent at leisure exploring the streets of Ljubljana. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Ljubljana / Lake Bohinj
Head out on an orientation walk around cosmopolitan Ljubljana (pronounced ‘Lyoob-Li-Yana’), the capital of Slovenia. Ljubljana is a city full of style and sophistication, history, monuments, churches, museums and great restaurants. The Old Town consists of three main squares and Baroque houses, and you can visit the Ljubljana Castle, the Town Hall and Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the Triple Bridge, and the open market under the arcade. In the city centre’s Preseren Square you’ll feel like you’ve just walked right into a scene from a beautiful postcard. In the afternoon board a local bus to the quaint lakeside town of Bohinj (approx. 2 hours) which will be our base for the coming week. Lake Bohinj is the largest permanent glacial lake in the country, and the soaring Julian Alps capture a touch of Switzerland. The mountainous backdrop and stunning lake make Bohinj a wonderful place to visit and a delight of Slovenia.

Day 03: Hiking on Mt Vogel
Head out for the first day of activity. Take the cable car to the top of Mt Vogel, located within Triglav National Park. The upper station lies above 1500 metres/4920 feet from where you’ll enjoy a hike along lush trails, looking down to the valley where deep green meets endless blue. Depending on weather conditions, you will head south towards the peak of Sija. After a rest stop at Suha hut, continue through this incredible Alpine scenery along the Bukovska Valley towards the final destination: Ribcev Laz. This is a quaint little village dominated by a 17th-century church with a fresco of St. Christopher on the outside wall. The church, the mountains, a little bridge over Lake Bohinj – it all looks like a wonderful film set.

Day 04: Bled / Lake Bohinj
Today you’ll head to nearby Bled. With dense green mountains, a rocky cliff-top castle, and an emerald-coloured lake – complete with a church on an island smack bang in the middle of it – it’s hard to take a bad photo here. Join the group for an orientation walk through the picturesque town and around its lake (seriously, just try). This scenic 6-kilometre (3.7 mile) walk passes some impressive villas, mostly from the beginning of the 19th-century, including the former residence of Josip Tito. Grajska Plaza (Castle Beach) is found directly underneath the castle, and provides an excellent starting point for your own exploration in the afternoon. Maybe head to the 100-metre (330-foot) high cliff-top castle. Dating from the 11th-century, the views from Old Bled Castle are nothing short of spectacular – take in the lake with the island and the southern foothills of the Alps. Even better views are to be had from Little Osojnica Hill. Or take a Pletna boat ride (a wooden, awning-covered boat rowed by a special oarsman) to the island on Lake Bled – climb up the 99 steps to St Mary’s Church and ring the wishing bell. Return to our base in Bohinj at your own leisure.

Day 05: Rafting on Sava Dolinka River
Pack your swimming gear and towel for a rafting trip on the Sava Dolinka River. It’s a short drive from Bohinj to Piskovca (approx 40 minutes), where you enter the river. A professional river guide will lead the group on a 1.5-hour journey through rapids (graded 2 to 3), gates and pools. You’ll pass alpine scenery, cypress trees, and navigate giant moss-covered boulders all the way down river to Lancovo. There’s time for a swim in the fresh water, then it’s a short drive back to Bohinj from Lancovo. Later, maybe dine on sausages or fresh fish with a side of the local vino. Luckily for you, Slovenia only exports a small amount of their wine, keeping the best local.

Day 06: Lake Bohinj
Still want to be active? Perhaps enjoy an Emerald River Adventure within Triglav National Park, or try your hand at canyoning. Or simply return to Bled and wander around town at your own pace, and take a dip in the lake. Be sure to seek out the famous Bled cream cake, which isn’t hard; nearly every cafe and cake shop in town claims that theirs is the best. Invented in the kitchens of Hotel Park in 1953 by Istvan Lukacevic, chef of the hotel’s confectionery store, more than 10 million kremsnita have been baked at the hotel’s patisserie since its invention. Alternatively head to Vintgar Gorge. It’s an easy daytrip from Bohinj and features a spectacular walk across rapids, waterfalls and pools via an elevated boardwalk that clings to the craggy rock face. The gorge is less than a kilometre in length so doesn’t take long to hike, but the iridescent water has an almost ethereal quality and clearly, you’ll spend a while in this amazing spot taking photos.

Day 07: Biking in the Bohinj Valley
Head out for a morning of biking, on a cycling path that connects the Lower and the Upper Bohinj valley. This tranquil path leads past several natural and cultural sights, you’ll pass old buildings, ancient trees and traditional farms, to the village of Srednja Vas. Next up is the more challenging section that meanders across Senožeta hill to the village of Bohinjska Bistrica. It’s then an easy flat ride back to the lake along a bike path that follows the scenic Sava Bohinjka River. If you haven’t had enough yet there is the option to continue your ride to the waterfall at Slap Savica, a route with more elevation gain. Back in Bohinj, make the most of your last night together as a group and celebrate the end of this active adventure.

Day 08: Lake Bohinj / Ljubljana
After breakfast transfer to Ljubljana. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. 

Day 09: Depart Ljubljana
This trip comes to an end transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Day 01: Start Radovljica
Meet-assist at airport just 20 minutes north east of the capital, Ljubljana & transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. 

Day 02: A day exploring the local area direct from the pension.
After breakfast we enjoy a walk direct from the pension to explore our surroundings. The historic town of Radovljica dates back as far as 1296 sitting on the confluence of the Sava Bohinjka and the Sava Dolinka. The old town is full of traditional inns, galleries, churches and surrounded by the largest medieval moats in the country.The local area is extremely pretty, dotted with small churches, quaint villages, lush forests and a beautiful river. Our leader will decide the exact route depending on the weather, but walking to Lake Bled is our most likely route, a perfect warm up through gentle rolling farm land and pretty villages.

Day 03: Gozd Martuljek – Martuljek Gorge
From the village of Gozd Martuljek, we hike into the Martuljek Gorge, visiting two stunning waterfalls along the route.

Starting at the small village of Gozd Martuljek we are rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the Špik mountain range. One of the most beautiful mountains in the Julian Alps, Mount Špik – 2472m is known at the Slovenian Matterhorn and its pyramid summit dominates the Martuljek range.Leaving the valley our forest trail takes us into Martuljek Gorge, here we slowly start our ascent following the stream, where we arrive at the Lower Fall, cascading down to the valley. The trail snakes its way through the forest where we arrive at our rest stop and enjoy the view. Lipovceva Hut has a lovely setting and is known for its open natural kitchen with delicious home-made mountain soups and juices, made from pine, elderflower and berries. From here we head up to the stunning Higher Falls, passing a monument dedicated to Slovenian climbers. This is a lovely walk into the gorge, suitable in all weathers and offering some fine views of two beautiful waterfalls.

Day 04: A picturesque walk in the Karavanke Mountain Range 
The Karavanke Mountains are the natural and official border between central and Western Europe where Slovenia, Austria and Italy meet. The ranges position has a great effect on Slovenia’s climate – hence the soft south Slovene side in comparison to the harsh northern side in Austria. Here you can also find an abundance of alpine fauna and flora, with over 1200 different plant species, as well as having wonderful views into two naturally contrasting countries. We aim for Golica (1836m), part of the longest ridge in Slovenia (120km) and one of the least travelled trails in the area.

Day 05: Free day 
Optional activities including horse-riding, rafting, visiting Bled or the capital Ljubljana.

Radovljica itself has plenty of possibilities for the rest day. Alternatively, it’s a short bus ride to Lake Bled – here rowing boats and canoes can be hired. Others may wish to take the public bus further into the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Another popular alternative is the Postojna Cave Park, home to one of the largest cave systems in Europe.

Day 06: Hike around the shores of Lake Bohinj or through the Mostnica Gorge
A gentle and scenic hike around the shores of Lake Bohinj or through the Mostnica Gorge (weather dependent).

Today’s walk is flat, but incredibly pretty. This circular walk takes in the whole of the lake and the pretty village of Ribcav Laz with the famous church of St John the Baptist. There are open views all the way to Mt Triglav – Slovenia’s highest mountain and fabulous views of the surrounding mountains. Lake Bohinj is surrounded by a ring of mountains so even though you are in the valley there is plenty to see.An alternative route today takes us through the Mostnica Gorge; this route is more likely if the weather is poor as it is less exposed.

Day 07: A day walking on the Pokljuka Plateau.
The beautiful forested area of Pokljuka, visible from Lake Bled, is stunning. Virtually uninhabited, it is home to alpine cows, rolling pastures, shepherds’ huts, forest trails and some lovely open views of the surrounding peaks. Time stands still on Pokljuka, enabling wild flowers to flourish; the flora and fauna of the high plateau is unique to this area and bird life is abundant. There is a wide variety of trails with many possibilities for the day’s hike. Our guide will determine the route based on the weather and the group’s ability during the week.

Day 08: End Radovljica.
Transfer to airport for flight back to home.