FROM TRIGLAV NP TO THE ADRIATIC COAST

TOUR DESCRIPTION

UNFORGETABLE HIKING & BIKING ADVENTURE
Active group guided holiday for active nature lovers! This program combines two trekking & four cycling days, in one of the most beautiful corners in Europe.

To start with the tour in Triglav National Park, means to start in the idyllic images of the pure and intact nature. Your starting point is magnificent Lake Bled in the immediate vicinity of the Triglav National Park, one of the oldest European parks, admired for its dynamic intact and picturesque nature, rich vegetation and numerous endangered animals. Hiking ends in splendid Soča Valley where cyling will start. On two wheels you’ll be exploring charming Slovenian villages, fascinating Karst region with world class attraction Škocjan Caves, cycling through wine rich valleys, even crossing border and spent some time in neighbouring Italy. With no doubt we can write that the start of this cycling & hiking tour is magical and the finish simply glorious. The closure of this active programe, will take you through three Slovenian coastal jewels and seaside towns on the Adriatic Sea. Welcome!

Highllights
Triglav National Park with Lake Bled
Soča Valley – Paradise for active vacation in nature
Italian historical towns Cividale del Friuli and Gradisca D´Isonzo
Oldest settlement in Karst region – Štanjel
Beautiful Škocjan Caves on UNESCO World Heritage List
Romantic Slovenian Adriatic Coastline

TOUR COURSE

Day 1

Individual arrival to Bled.

Lake Bled, famous for its immense natural beauty, together with its surroundings is considered to be one of the most beautiful alpine resorts. It is a perfect start of this unique hike & bike holiday. We recommend you to come a day earlier and book an extra night here as you will love exploring this fabolous place. With its island in the middle of the lake and other natural and cultural sights, Bled will surely amaze you. And do not forget to taste the world wide known Bled cream cake, one of the Symbols of Bled. (Hotel 4*, meal included: dinner).

Day 2

Pokljuka plateau – Mountain hut Dolič (approx. 12,9 km, 1.120 m ascent, 5-6 hours).

Morning transfer to Rudno polje on Pokljuka plateau (1.100 m) where your hike beginns. Pokljuka, high karst plateau is a paradise for everyone who enjoys in outdoor activities. Covered with forests and mountain pastures, one of its appealing points is certainly the cattle, still grazing on many pastures during the summer season. You can even buy sour milk, curd or cheese from the shepherds. The hiking trail is realy beautiful, it starts with walking through rich spruce tree forest, continuing crossing some mountain pastures, and soon beautiful views will be seen, first to the Konjščica and Mt Viševnik then Bohinj valley and the surrounding mountains of Triglav National Park. Lunch break will be in a mountain hut Vodnikov dom on your way to today's destination. From there you will start climbing across Velo polje, another beauiful mountain pasture, towards mountain pass Dolič, below the Triglav peak, where you will be staying the night (2.151 m). (Mountain hut, meals included: breakfast and dinner).

Day 3

Mountain hut Dolič – Zadnjica Valley – trf to Kobarid (aprox. 9,5 km, 50 m ascent, 1.500 m descent, 4-5 hours)

Another beautiful mountain hiking day full of splendid views. Today the hike is easier as you will be mostly descending towards Zadnjica Valley, where the hike ends. Once in the valley, a transfer will take you through fascinating Soča Valley with its emerald river Soča (the most beautiful river in Slovenia) to Kobarid where you will visit the famous Kobarid Museum. Museum is hart breaking, and touching story with unique demonstrations of fights and the life during the WW1, about bloody days next to the River Soča, which were also remembered by the famous Ernest Hemingway and Erwin Rommel. (Hotel 3*, meals included: breakfast and dinner). *For the one's who would like to climb Mt.Triglav (2.864 m) we strongly recommend to book a private mountain guide, we can arrange it (200 € for 1–4 person). The climb will be in early morning, before the group departure. Climb to the top of Mt. Triglav is approx. 3,3 km (one way), 600 m of ascent, approx. 3,5 – 4 hours of round trip.

Day 4

Kobarid – Cividale – Gradisca D´Isonzo (Italy) (approx. 60 km and 340 m ascent).

From this day on you will be cycling. Soon you will cross the border and enter to neighbouring Italy. It is a scenic cycling day, passing pretty little villages and idyllic rural country. Lunch break will be in a cozy village, Cividale del Friuli, on UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011. Set on a picturesque ravine over the river Natisone, this cute town with historical center is still bearing many witnesses of its glorious past. Afternoon cycling is fabolous as well, specialy when you will be, just for a short time, entering into Slovenia again. We can not run this program without visiting Medana, such a charming wine-growing village where you will have the chance to taste some of the high-quality wines that are being produced in Goriška Brda. After the tasting you´ll cross the border one more time as your final destination today is Italian town Gradisca d´Isonzo. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in Italy which was fortified by the Venetians as a bastion against Ottoman raids. (Hotel 4*, meals included: breakfast and dinner).

Day 5

Gradisca D´Isonzo (Italy) – Štanjel – Lipica (57 km and 805 m ascent).

A bit more demanding cycling day but so rewarding! You will be pedaling through old, quite and charming Slovenian villages, passing many vine fields. Views on beautiful landsacpe will help you overcome some climbs to the picturesque village of Štanjel (312 m). It is one of the oldest settlements in the Karst Region, known for its old village centre. Once on top, you will enjoy in splendid views over wine rich Vipava Valley. From Štanjel the cycle route continues through other beautiful small settlements, idyllic villages, vine and fruit fields. Your accomodation is in world famous Lipica, home of Lipizzan horses and the largest stud farm with Lipizzan horses in the world. It is the oldest European stud farm continuously breeding one of the oldest cultural horse breeds. (Hotel 4*, meals included: breakfast and dinner).

Day 6

Lipica – Škocjan Caves – Muggia (Italy) (approx. 45 km and 450 m ascent).

What a day! First you will cycle to the beautiful Škocjan Caves, which have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1986. After visit of these spectacular and amazing caves, cycling continues around the colourful Karst landscape. The villages of Karst are true »food« for the eyes. Full of historical sights and specialties. From the saddle of your bike you will admire original and old stone Karst houses, lush fields and before you will know it, you will be in Italy again. Today we take you to the Bay of Muggia, the only Istrian town remained to Italy. Its picturesque harbour and small squares stir that charming Venetian atmosphere. The common past with the Serenissima Republic of Venice still reveals not only in the architecture, but in dialect, the tradition and culinary speciality as well. (Hotel 4*, meals included: breakfast and dinner). *Photos: Archive: www.park-skocjanske-jame.si, Photographer: Borut Lozej

Day 7

Muggia – Koper – Piran – Strunjan (approx. 42 km and 490 m ascent).

Scenic and lovely cycling stage from Italian to Slovenian coast. First stop will be Koper, town of a hundred suns. This is a picturesque historical Slovenian town. With its own green surroundings is a bridge between the Karst and the Sub-Mediterranean world. From this dynamic and charming city you will be biking along the coast passing through another beautiful and ancient mediterranean town – Izola. The old part of the town is built upon what once used to be an island (Izola in latin »isola« means an island). Fishing tradition is still quite strong and having its own Marina the city remains one of the leading centers of nautical tourism. Before you will arrive to your accomodation, you will pass two more Slovenian coastal gem´s, first lively Portorož with its dynamic and sunny personality and then romantic Piran, one of the loveliest towns along the Adriatic coast. Piran's Old Town is one of the best-preserved historical towns anywhere in the Mediterranean, a true jewel of Venetian Gothic architecture. You will spend some time in beautiful Piran, with its many narrow streets, before cycling the last few kilometres to Strunjan where you will overnight. (Hotel 4*, meals included: breakfast and dinner).

Day 8

Departure or extension. Extra nights on request. (Meals included: breakfast).

**first two hiking days only with day luggage (whatever you carry with you). The rest of your luggage will be delivered to your hotel on Day 3.

PRICE PER PERSON IN A DOUBLE ROOM SHARING

Price per person: 1.045 € (sharing a double room).

Price includes:
6 overnights with breakfast in Hotels 4* with en suite facilities, 1 overnight with breakfast in Mountain Hut (shared beds).
6 dinners in Hotels and 1 dinner in Mountain Hut.
English speaking tour guide.
Quality classic trekking bike Sub Cross 30 with one bike (back) pannier. Bike rent includes Bicycle Repair Tool (puncture kit, spare inner tube, one set of Allen keys, one odometer, pump and one simple lock) – one set for two bikes. Bike rental starts on first cycling day (Day 4) at 8.30 am and ends on Day 7 at 6pm.
All transfers as described in tour programe.
Luggage transfers between the hotels (to Mountain Hut no luggage transfer).
1 wine tasting.
Entrance to Kobarid Museum
Organization and VAT.

Optional supplements:
– single accomodation 145 € (only in hotels, in Mountain Hut shared beds).
– helmet 8 €.
– electric bike 145 € (Scott E Sub Active Unisex plus one bike (back) pannier).
– Airport & city transfers (prices are per person, minimum number two people sharing a transfer):
– Airport Ljubljana – Bled 30 €.
– Ljubljana City – Bled 45 €.
– Klagenfurt airport, Austria – Bled 70 €.
– Villach train station / city – Bled 60 €.
– Strunjan – Airport Ljubljana 60 €.
– Strunjan – Train Station Ljubljana 65 €.
– Strunjan – Airport Trieste 55 €.
– Strunjan – Train Station Trieste 30 €.

Minimum number of participants: 8 people.

What’s not included;
Arrival / departure to / from first / last hotel.
Flight tickets.
Travel insurance.
Tip.
Lunch’s, drinks.
All other expenses that are not mentioned in what’s included description.

Accomodations;
Mixture of 4* and 3* hotels & private guesthouse’s with en suite facilities, 1 Mountain Hut with shared beds.

Category:
Moderate difficulty. For better physical prepared guests. You should be able to hike / trekk for round 6 hours with climbs and descent. Cycling is also moderate with some climbs, mixture of asphalt and gravel road.

Key information;
This guided tour is designed for a smaller group (max 12 pax). We strongly believe that smaller number of guests creates best group dynamic; you’ll get to know people from different backgrounds with a shared interest in travel. One of our local guides will be with you throughout the programe, this way you get a unique insight into local life. They know the stories behind the sights you’ll see, plus they are famous for going the extra mile to make sure your holiday is the best it can possibly be!

Date;
22.6.2019 – 29.6.2019 (7 nights/8 days).

*Extra nights before / after tour on request. We would be happy to assist you with booking extra nights.

**This programe is also available as a self guided tour.

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FROM TRIGLAV NATIONAL PARK TO THE ADRIATIC COAST