Slovenia: The emerald tour

From the capital to the mediterranean coast

Map

Route

Tour profile / Level 2

Hilly, some short acclivities. For bikers in average shape.

Day 1: Ljubljana

Individual arrival.

Day 2: Ljubljana – Vrhnika, approx. 39 km

A beautiful, easy first day in the historic and varied plains around the capital. First you will pass through a huge, 160 square kilometer swampy plain, known for its diverse flora and fauna. Along the way, you can see the remains of the world’s highest railroad viaduct in Borovnica. In the hot summer months, you can even refresh yourself in a typical Podpec karst lake. Just before Vrhnika, you can visit the Technical Museum of the Republic of Slovenia in Bistra Castle.

Day 3: Vrhnika – Postojna, approx. 32 - 44 km

Hilly day, side roads. A slightly more demanding day over gentle hills, forest roads and a typical Carst polje (field). Accommodation in 4* hotel. On this day the roads will take you away from the main tourist routes and off the beaten track. You will experience the real Slovenian countryside as you cycle past the beautiful Slivnica Mountain and the intermittent lake of Planina, and marvel at the wonders of this vast world of limestone. 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. Optional side trip to nature reserve Rakov Skocjan.

Day 4: Postojna – Štanjel area, approx. 42 - 48 km

Hilly, one long descend afterward. So far nearly 30 million tourists have visited this stunningly beautiful underground Postojna cave formation, carved deep into the heart of the limestone hills. This is the most extensive cave system in Slovenia, covering a total of 21 kilometers. The 1½ hour tour will take you through a fairytale world full of large and colorful stalactites and stalagmites, not forgetting the unique "human fish", a mysterious creature that lives in dark pools inside the caves. You can also take a short detour to the impenetrable fortress of Predjama castle, wedged tight into a crevasse halfway up a 123-meter cliff-face protruding dramatically into the surrounding basin. Here lived a vivacious and daring knight. Erasmus kept a whole army at bay by utilizing the secret of the Predjama Caves to sneak out for supplies, which included freshly picked cherries which he used to throw at his adversaries to taunt them. Take the tour and learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down. Optional side trip to Predjama Castle.

Day 5: Štanjel area – Lipica – Divaca, approx. 48 km

First stop is perhaps at the botanical garden in Sežana, then it’s on to the stud farm of Lipica, where you can visit these beautiful thoroughbred Lipizaner horses whose glistening white coats and gentle, graceful dancing have earned them a worldwide reputation. The history of the Lipica horses is closely linked to the Vienna riding school. Take a tour in a traditional carriage, watch them perform and visit them close up in their stables. This will be a day to remember. If you have the 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.

Day 6: Divaca – Muggia, approx. 38 km

If you skiped Postojna caves – this morning you can visit Škocjan Caves – no less interesting but way less frequented Karst Caves – even listed as UNESCO natural monument! You can take a diversion into the Italian town of Trieste - once an important port with it’s worldly flair and wonderful atmosphere. Visit the castle, cathedral and Piazza Unita central square. Trieste was once part of Slovenia whilst under the rule of the Austrian monarchy. Relax with a cappuccino in the many old-fashioned cafes. The daytrip ends in Muggia - south of Trieste. After days’ cycling it is time to enjoy a gelato in old center of town or relax on one of the beaches.

Day 7: Muggia – Piran, approx. 37 km

Cycling along the coastal road on new cycling path following former railway line. Enjoy great vistas of Slovene coast and Trieste Bay. A coffee stop in fashionable resort of Portorož is a must. The trip ends in the gorgeous Venetia little harbor village of Piran. Optional side trip to saltpans Seca (+11 km).

Day 8: Piran

Individual departure or extension.

Services

  • Accommodation in 3* / 4* hotels and guesthouse in room

  • Daily breakfast

  • Luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person, max. 23 kg)

  • Rental helmet included with bike rental

  • Information package including road book and corresponding maps (electronic per app)

  • GPS-tracks available

  • Backup service (hotline) during the trip

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type

    Extras

    Discount
    no discounts possible
       
    Bicycles & equipment
    21-speed-bike 100
    E-bike 256
       
    Upgrade 1st tour night in Lubljana 4*
    double room 89
    single room 133
       
    Additional night
    Ljubljana 4* (dbl/sgl) 95/150
    Ljubljana 4* historical city (dbl/sgl) 110/190
    Piran 4* (dbl/sgl) 95/145
       
    Transfer 1-3 person, price per transfer, one-way
    airport Ljubljana - Ljubljana Centre 60
    airport Trieste - Ljubljana Centre 180
    Piran - airport Ljubljana 210
    Piran - Ljubljana Centre 190
    Piran - airport Trieste 145
    Piran - Trieste Centre 90
       
    Transfer 4-8 person, price per transfer, one-way
    Airport Ljubljana - Ljubljana Centre 75
    Airport Trieste - Ljubljana Centre 220
    Piran - Airport Ljubljana 260
    Piran - Ljubljana Centre 230
    Piran - Airport Trieste 180
    Piran - Trieste Centre 120

    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Accommodation

    Hotel samples

    You´ll be accomodated in selected 3* - 4* hotels respectively in Stanjel in 2* country inn.


    Ljubljana: M-hotel

    Vrhnika: Hotel Mantova

    Postojna: Hotel Kras

    Stanjel: Hisa Posebne sorte

    Divaca: Hotel Malovec

    Muggia: Marina Hotel Porto San Rocco

    Piran: Hotel Piran 


    Note: Please be informed that these are hotel samples and therefore subject to alteration! Find Your final hotel bookings at Your hotel list after/at booking.

    Bicycle

    Bicycle inclusive panniers

    The following bikes are available for rent:

    • 24-speed-bikes
    • E-bikes

    E-bikes | Elecrical bikes | Pedelecs

    With an E-bike every bike tour is a breeze! If you had few opportunities to cycle over the last weeks or if you are not sure concerning your fitness, but also with physical disabilities, every bike ride is a treat! The shiftable, low noise electric drive of our modern E-bike relieves you of some of the work and increases the pedal force up to 3 times. So you can now book a bike tour together with cyclists who have different fitness level. Acclivity can be handled easily.

    Useful

    Arrival - Parking - Departure

    Arrival by plane

    Airport: Ljubljana (LJU)
    Flights can be booked individually. For details see your final travel documents.

    Arrival by car

    Parking: at the hotel possible for approx. € 10,-/day or approx. 150m public parking (approx. € 3,-/day), no reservation possible, payable locally
    Always enough parking possibilites, reservation therefor not necessary.

    Arrival by train

    Train station: Ljubljana
    The actual timeable and prices you will find via www.bahn.com or www.slo-zeleznice.si.

    Transfer

    See via "dates and prices".


    Additional information

    In Slovenia it is mandatory for children until 15 years to wear helmets. We recommend to bring your own, fitting helmet.

    Videos

    Travel stories

    5,0 of 6 Stars | 7
    Our experience with the Emerald Tour of Slovenia was overall very good. The route was beautiful and the sights along the way well paced and impressive. Our guide was perfect: knowledgeable, rode at a good pace for everyone in the group...J.H. 09/18
    4,4 10.05.2024 | Alan T. Slovenia: The emerald tour

    Too many busy roads

    There were many highlights but the route was mainly road based with some stretches busy and others almost suicidal and this was the off season. The hotels were good, scenery good, weather iffy and once at the coast better cycling. Technical museum, Postogna ...
    • Overall satisfaction 3
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 4
    • Per-Tour information 5
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 5
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 2
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 3
    • Bicycle + equipment 5
    • Price-performance ratio 3
    more
    5,6 19.08.2019 | TIMOTHY D. Slovenia: The emerald tour

    Fantastic trip

    Slovenia is a beautiful country, this was our fifth trip with Rad & Reisen and we thought that in terms of the scenery that we cycled through it was probably the best yet. Hotels were generally of a good standard, in one of them the room was a bit smoky ...
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 5
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 5
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 4
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
    5,3 26.09.2018 | Judith H. Slovenia: The emerald tour

    Cycling Slovenia from capital to coast

    Our experience with the Emerald Tour of Slovenia was overall very good. The route was beautiful and the sights along the way well paced and impressive. Our guide was perfect: knowledgeable, rode at a good pace for everyone in the group, suggested (and ...
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 5
    • Travel documents 5
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 4
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 5
    • Route-character 5
    • Bicycle + equipment 5
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
    4,7 29.08.2018 | Aline I. Slovenia: The emerald tour
    A very enjoyable holiday and a great way to visit Slovenia. We saw lots of incredibly beautiful sights on our trip and met lots of lovely people. The first couple of days were quote tough cycling on gravel paths near main roads but then the route became ...
    • Overall satisfaction 5
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 5
    • Per-Tour information 4
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 5
    • Luggage transport 3
    • Route description 5
    • On-site assistance 4
    • Route-character 4
    • Bicycle + equipment 5
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    load more travel stories

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