Friuli and Slovenia
Wheels and wines in a little-seen European corner
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 and Cividale in Italy and Bled 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: 28 miles Total: 198 miles
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
- Guided visits of Gorizia and Cividale
- 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
- Bike rental equipped with odometer, map case, and seat bags
- Ciclismo cycling kit
- Ciclismo Classico water bottle
- Two water bottle holders
- Map holder on handlebars and a Garmin Edge GPS
- Handlebar bag
- Tire pump
- Combination bike lock
- Gel-padded saddle
- Choice of pedals
- Card with your tour leaders’ mobile phone numbers
Pedal Options
- Flat pedals
- Half-toe pedals (without straps)
- Toe cage pedals
What’s Not Included
- Helmet
- Optional: clipless pedals with shoes
- Optional: your own saddle
- All accommodations
- All breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 5 dinners
- Wine kitty
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!
2019
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
Average Mileage
10/13 milesRiding Terrain
Flat and one climb (3 miles) on extra loopAccommodations
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
Average Mileage
35/43 milesRiding Terrain
Rolling and a few hills on main road and extra loopAccommodations
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
Average Mileage
30/41 milesRiding Terrain
Flat and rolling hills; one solid climb (5 miles) on extra loopAccommodations
Locanda del Castello
Boasting a modern spa and a restaurant, the 4-star Locanda al Castello Wellness Resort offers nine rooms individually decorated in an exclusive and refined manner with individual antique pieces and tasteful décor.
Slovenia: Bovec and the Soca Valley
Average Mileage
32/41 milesRiding Terrain
Rolling and flat; one short and steep climb (1 mile) on extra loopAccommodations
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
Average Mileage
23 miles (optional)Riding Terrain
One climb (2 miles), then gentle rollingAccommodations
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
Average Mileage
28/44 milesRiding Terrain
Flat and rolling then one climb (2 miles) on main route, more hills on extra loopAccommodations
Hotel Triglav
The 4-star Hotel Triglav has exquisite charm arising from its elegant interiors and pleasant location on the lake. All guest rooms have lake views. An indoor pool, Finnish sauna and relaxation and reading room are available to guests, free of charge.
Ljubljana
Average Mileage
40 milesRiding Terrain
RollingAccommodations
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.
