Friuli and Slovenia
Wheels and wines in a little-seen European corner
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- What to expect
- Travel planning tips
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Welcome to Italy’s wine-rich Friuli region! In this little-visited locale, tucked between Slovenia and Austria, you’ll find the cultural imprints of both countries — not to mention some of the most rewarding roads you’ll ever pedal. Over the years, this region was occupied by various European powers and it developed a unique language and culture. While it is unlikely that the Friulano language will survive the next century, the customs and traditions of the land live on.
Tour Essence
- Be among the first of your friends to ride this beautiful region
- Pedal through lands that inspired Joyce, Hemingway, Freud, and Rilke
- Enjoy a striking variety of cultures: Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian
- Bike through the lush vineyards of Friuli’s burgeoning wine country (and sample the local vintages, of course)
- Spin along “roads less traveled” in Italy and Slovenia
- Discover the towns of Gorizia in Italy and Ljubljana in Slovenia
- End in the romantic and charming Ljubljana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of Slovenia
What to Expect
Terrain
Rolling and flat, few short climbsStart Location
Gorizia, ItalyEnd Location
Ljubljana, SloveniaMileage
Average Daily: 33 miles Total: 234 milesElevation
Average Daily: 1,755 ft Total: 12,288 ft
Once you have a trip confirmed, we will feed you a steady diet of additional pre-departure information that includes: How to train, prepare, pack and all the wonderful, inspirational and practical things you want and need to know before you go! Our Travel Advisors will be available to help plan your pre- and post-tour travel.
- Van support
- Expert, bilingual guides
- Walking guided visits of Gorizia and Ljubljana
- Walking guided visit of a XVIII century homestead
- World War I museum visit in Kobarid
- Open air activities in Bovec (rafting and/or hiking or cycling)
- 1 wine tasting
- Group shuttle at the end of the tour
What’s Included
- Use of our exclusive carbon road bike, La Classica Ribelle (or Equivalent Carbon Road Bike)
- Garmin Edge Explore GPS loaded with the GPX tracks of your rides
- Two water bottles
- Saddle bag with repair kit
- Optional: Map holder on handlebar
Pedal Options
- Flat pedals
- Half-toe pedals (without straps)
- Helmet
- Optional: clipless/SPD pedals with shoes
- Optional: your own saddle
- All accommodations
- All breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 5 dinners
With the Livenza River to the west and the Timaro River to the east, Friuli experiences warm summers and mild winters, a cyclist’s paradise. You’ll bike through the lands that inspired Joyce, Hemingway, Freud, and Rilke, then through lush vineyards of Friuli’s burgeoning wine country (and sample the local vintages, of course), and discover the towns of Gorizia and Cividale. We’ll cross the border to Italy’s northern neighbor to the east, Slovenia, ending in the romantic and charming Ljubljana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of Slovenia.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to experience an amazing mixture of Venetian Italian and Austrian/Slavic cultures. It will be a trip of a lifetime!
2025
Start Location
Gorizia, ItalyFly Into
Trieste Ronchi dei Legionari Airport (TRS) or Venice M. Polo airport (VCE) through Rome, Milan, Genoa, Torino or Munich, GermanyEnd Location
Ljubljana, SloveniaFly Out Of
Ljubljana Brnik airport (LJU)Gorizia
Meals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
11/14 milesElevation Gain
607/1,017 ftRiding Terrain
Flat and one climb of 1.2/2.3 miles on main/extra loopMeals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
Grand Hotel Entourage
The 4-star Grand Hotel Entourage was once home to the Court of King Charles X. It has been completely restored and retains all of its majestic features, incorporating them with modern facilities. Each guest room and suite is elegantly decorated, some with antiques. They overlook the square, the rose garden, the grounds, or the castle. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the hotel.
Gorizia and the Carso
Meals Provided
BreakfastAverage Mileage
46/48 milesElevation Gain
2,822/3,281 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling and a few hills on main road and extra loopMeals Provided
BreakfastAccommodations
Grand Hotel Entourage
The 4-star Grand Hotel Entourage was once home to the Court of King Charles X. It has been completely restored and retains all of its majestic features, incorporating them with modern facilities. Each guest room and suite is elegantly decorated, some with antiques. They overlook the square, the rose garden, the grounds, or the castle. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the hotel.
Collio, Colli Orientali, and Cividale del Friuli
Meals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
37/35 milesElevation Gain
1,575/3,051 ftRiding Terrain
Flat and rolling hills; one solid climb (5 miles) on extra loopMeals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
Castello di Buttrio
Located in a historic castle, Castello di Buttrio offers elegant country-style accommodation in the countryside of Buttrio. An exclusive setting where you can stay and enjoy peace and tranquility, surrounded by a breathtaking panorama, overlooking the natural amphitheater of the vineyards. Go for a stroll along the silent paths and let yourself be enraptured by the scents of nature in the shade of century-old trees.
Slovenia: Bovec and the Soca Valley
Meals Provided
BreakfastAverage Mileage
43/52 milesElevation Gain
2,362/3,182 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling and flat; one short and steep climb (1 mile) on extra loopMeals Provided
BreakfastAccommodations
Dobra Vila Bovec
Housed in a historic telephone central office surrounded by green sceneries, the 4-star Hotel Dobra Vila features a wine boutique and airconditioned rooms.
Activity Day in Bovec
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
24 miles (optional)Elevation Gain
1,365 ftRiding Terrain
One climb (2 miles), then gentle rollingMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Dobra Vila Bovec
Housed in a historic telephone central office surrounded by green sceneries, the 4-star Hotel Dobra Vila features a wine boutique and airconditioned rooms.
Bled
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
35 milesElevation Gain
1,411 ftRiding Terrain
Flat and rolling with one climb (2 miles) before lunchMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Vila Bled
Set in the stunning alpine resort of Bled, Vila Bled, a former presidential residence, is now used as a romantic, historic hotel full of artwork by esteemed Slovenian painters. It is in a quiet area on the lake, with a private beach, surrounded by a beautiful park. Guests can relax on the terrace with a fantastic view of the island of Bled. The Hotel has rooms furnished in the typical style of the 1950s, a wellness area, and a spa center with massage service. The café Kavarna Belvedere is also on the property, with a unique view of Lake Bled.
Ljubljana
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
38 milesElevation Gain
2,146 ftRiding Terrain
RollingMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Grand Hotel Union Executive
Nestled in the heart of the city center near the historic quarter, the charming 4-star Grand Hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms housed in a historic Art Nouveau building. An indoor pool and Finnish sauna are available to use.
