+1 888 396 5383 617 776 4441 [email protected] DUVINE.COM Europe / Slovenia Slovenia + Italy Bike Tour Unexpected Europe: Secret Forests and Glacial Lakes © 2021 DuVine Adventure + Cycling Co. Cycle or hike up the Vršič Pass, followed by lunch in an Alpine village Go rafting down the crystal clear Soča River Appreciate the lesser-known wines of Slovenia and taste the expression of the terroir’s warm days and terra rossa Explore World War I trenches and vineyards right on the border of Italy Dine on artfully prepared Slovenian produce at Hiša Franco, one of the world’s best restaurants Arrival Details Departure Details Airport City: Airport City: Ljubljana, Slovenia Ljubljana, Slovenia Pick-Up Location: Drop-Off Location: Antiq Palace Hotel in Ljubljana Ljubljana Pick-Up Time: Drop-Off Time: 9:30 am 12:30 pm NOTE: DuVine provides group transfers to and from the tour, within reason and in accordance with the pick-up and drop-off recommendations. In the event your train, flight, or other travel falls outside the recommended departure or arrival time or location, you may be responsible for extra costs incurred in arranging a separate transfer. Emergency Assistance For urgent assistance on your way to tour or while on tour, please always contact your guides first. You may also contact the Boston office during business hours at +1 617 776 4441 or [email protected]. Tour By Day DAY 1 Welcome to Slovenia Your guides will greet you in Ljubljana and transport you to Villa Alice Bled. After a short transfer to Bohinjska Bistrica, we’ll cycle quiet roads and pause for a light lunch of local cheese and other specialties. Continue riding to the glacial Lake Bohinj, where you can climb through calm forests and past a rushing mountain stream to swim in the Aljažev Dom mineral spring. Arriving back at the hotel, we’ll toast the week ahead with Slovenian sparkling wine. We will have dinner at one of Lake Bled’s extraordinary restaurants where the chef will prepare an amazing meal tonight alongside Slovenia’s great red wines. Meals: Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Bohinjska Bistrica, Lake Bohinj, Aljažev Dom, Lake Bled Accomplished: 14 miles / 23 km, elevation gain: 754 feet / 230 meters Accommodations: Vila Bled DAY 2 Around Lake Bled and into the Mountains We’ll go for a spin this morning around Lake Bled before following the bike path to Kranjska Gora with fantastic views of the Julian Alps. Here we’ll have two options—take an historical tour by van, stopping at the Russian Prisoner’s Church, and enjoy a short hike around the Vršič Pass, or cycle up Vršič Pass. Either way, you can’t go wrong. After lunch at the village restaurant in the mountains, we’ll descend to the banks of the Soča River. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight in Kobarid. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch Destinations: Kranjska Gora, Vršič Pass, Soča River, Kobarid Accomplished: 29 miles / 47 km, elevation gain: 1,020 feet / 311 meters Accommodations: Dobra Vila Bovec DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY 3 Rafting Down the Soča River Another type of adventure awaits us today: we’ll be rafting down the sparkling waters of the Soča River, followed by a visit to the Kobariski World War I museum to learn the history of the area. This afternoon, we visit a secluded waterfall, then return to the hotel to relax or stroll the charming fields and forest that surround the property. Tonight is a dining experience you won't soon forget, as locally grown ingredients steal the show at Hiša Franco, heralded as one of the top restaurants in the world. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Soča River, Drežniške Ravne Accomplished: Rafting Accommodations: Dobra Vila Bovec DAY 4 Into the Wine Country of the Goriška Brda This morning we transfer to Livek and explore trenches which remain from World War I. The beautiful scenery around us accents this historical visit spectacularly. Ride along the wooded mountain ridge on gently undulating roads down towards the Goriška Brda. We’ll enjoy a fantastic picnic lunch prepared by your guide overlooking the vineyards with a view of Italy in the background. The Goriška Hills are home to some of Slovenia’s most delicious wines, which we’ll have the pleasure of sampling. Tonight, we enjoy a memorable dinner at the hotel's restaurant. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Livek, Goriška Brda Accomplished: 22 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 1,319 feet / 402 meters Accommodations: Gredič DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY 5 Across the Border We’ll find ourselves among the rolling hills of Italy today. Farm roads crisscross the national borders here, and we’ll journey from one side to the other, tasting wines from both sides as we go. Meet some of the most internationally acclaimed winemakers of recent years. There is much to taste and learn here: discover the unique flavors and structure that Slovenia’s soil gives to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, as well as its native Rebula. This evening, we celebrate the week at a stylish restaurant in Medana with our hosts, the Klinec family. Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Goriška Brda Accomplished: 21 miles / 34 km, elevation gain: 1,716 feet / 523 meters Accommodations: Gredič DAY 6 Goodbye to Slovenia Say goodbye to the lovely Brda this morning with a short bike ride through the vineyards before we transfer back to Ljubljana, where your guides will bid you farewell. Meals: Breakfast Destinations: Goriška Brda Accomplished: 11 miles / 18 km, elevation gain: 984 feet / 300 meters DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications..