The fairytale world of Lake Bled, with its island church and clifftop castle, will be your starting point, before cycling onwards through the majestic Julian Alps, over a high pass and down into the western valleys.
Alpine meadows soon give way to terraced hills dotted with vineyards that lead you all the way into Italy and towards the coast, where lazy promenades and beautiful Venetian architecture await you.
This is a cycling holiday for people who want the perfect mix of amazing landscapes, great food and wine, and historical sights.
Day 1: Arrival at Lake Bled. (**** hotel).
To begin with, you can dip your feet in the beautiful glacial Lake Bled. This shimmering body of water is famous for its distinctive island church and the clifftop castle all backed by the beautiful Karavanke Mountains. Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist attractions. You can take a stroll around the western side of the lake for some of the best views and photographs, and then have lunch and the locally famous cream cake (Kremšnita) on the eastern lakeside while watching the sunset over the mountains.
Day 2: Bled to Bohinjska Bistrica (27km / 43km with side trip). (***** spa hotel).
A short car transfer leaves you on the high plateau at Pokljuka. From here you'll cycle through alpine villages to Lake Bohinj, the jewel of the Triglav National Park. Encircled by tall mountain peaks, Bohinj is the largest and deepest lake in the national park. Savica Waterfall is the source of the lake and the Sava Bohinjka River. A cable car runs up to Vogel Mountain, where you can get a spectacular view into the Bohinj Valley and of Mount Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps.
Day 3: Bohinj to Tomlin (*** guesthouse). (56km; or 35km if taking train to Podbrdo).
In the morning you'll have two options. Your route will take you via the Sorica Pass over the Julian Alps, but if you want to save some climbing you can take a short train ride through the Bohinj tunnel to Podbrdo. Then you peddle off through a narrow valley and follow the beautiful emerald-green Soča River as it rushes out of the mountains and into the western side of the Julian Alps. Just before reaching your destination you'll have a chance to dive into its supernatural waters, or visit the only monument in the world dedicated to military cooks.
Day 4: Tolmin to Smartno / Dobrovo (34km / 46km without lift up). *** small family hotel with a view.
You will be car-transferred to Kolovrat Saddle - a million dollar viewpoint high above the Soča Valley. Once the site of heavy fighting during WW1, it's now a very interesting open-air museum. Reaching the first village, Mrs. Josephine, who lives all alone in an intact old-fashioned pub, will be overjoyed to welcome you in her shady garden. Cycling the ridges above two valleys, you'll reach your day's destination - Šmartno v Goriških Brdih, amid an abundance of lush vineyards. A recent and beautifully restored medieval village of narrow streets with Mediterranean houses, you can stretch your legs here, sip cool white wine and chat with locals in an authentic village pub.
Day 5: Smartno to Grado (67km). *** family hotel.
After leaving the Brda wine region you'll reach "Southern Berlin". The town of Gorizia was once the dividing point between Italy and Yugoslavia. While here, visit the very interesting Curtain museum. Further along the border you'll come to the smallest military museum in the world, a historic Yugoslav border outpost, and the ancient Kostanjevica Monastery, burial place of the last French King. Turning south and entering Italy, you'll soon reach the Adriatic sea. You will spend the afternoon in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, passing by rivers, canals and ancient Roman towns. Your destination will be Aquileia, with its Roman excavations, or Grado, a lively historic resort town on a lagoon island.
Day 6: Grando to Portogruaro (87km or 59km if shortened by train ride). *** family hotel.
This morning you will head back inland a bit, leaving the sea behind you. You will pass through a multitude of “Valli da pesca” (stretches of lagoon enclosed by earthen dikes where extensive fish farming is practiced) and “casoni” (constructions used by fishermen in the past during the fishing season). Your destination is the town of Portogruaro, one of the main centres in the period of the “Serenissima Republic of Venice”, which is still impressive even today with its glorious “Palazzi” or “palaces”.
Day 7: Portogruaro to Lido di Jesolo (67km). *** resort hotel.
From Portogruaro you can look forward to a wonderful easy cycle westwards along the beautiful beaches of the Adriatic Coast. There are numerous opportunities to relax and swim so be sure to pack your swim gear. You will stay overnight in one of the two towns along this famous coastline, depending on availability. Jesolo is a gateway to Venice, from here you can easily travel onward to the airport or old city on the lagoon.
Day 8: Departure from Lido di Jesolo.
After breakfast, your tour ends. However, you can prolong your stay or continue your trip by visiting ancient Serrenissima - Venice.
Cycle from Lake Bled onwards through the majestic Julian Alps, over a high pass and down into the western valleys. The alpine meadows soon give way to terraced hills dotted with vineyards that lead you all the way into Italy. This is a cycling holiday for people who want the perfect mix of amazing landscapes, great food and wine, and historical sights.
Total distance cycled: 366 km
Route Map (For guidance only):
Starting point of the cycling holiday: Lake Bled
Routes may be subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
We recommend flying to Ljubljana airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
TO LJUBLJANA AIRPORT (Jožef Pučnik Airport):
Distance to Lake Bled 35 km Ljubljana airport is very small and simple, snack bar and toilets available in arrival hall. Airport information: http://www.lju-airport.si/en/
Getting to Bled: Personal transfer – our driver will be waiting at landing time in arrival hall with your name labelled. It is 30 min journey - cost: 30 €/person. (Pre-book at info@helia.si ) Taxis available outside airport building – prices vary a lot Bus – bus stop is outside airport building. Buy ticket on bus. Take a bus in direction: Kranj - cost 1,80 € - 15 min journey time table http://www.lju-airport.si/eng/passanger-visitors/getting-here/bus-and-shuttle. Then from Kranj to Bled – 3,60 € - 40 min journey time table http://www.ap-ljubljana.si/en/. Get off at Bled Hotel Jelovica station / main station. There are taxis available to take you (5 min) to your hotel, 2 km away.
Train: – train is advisable only for travelling from city of Ljubljana. Bled has two train stations – „Lesce-Bled“station is 5 km from Bled and you will need to combine with bus and taxi or taxi only. Next train station is „Bled-Jezero“ and it is located 80 m from your destination hotel (turn left once outside railway building). Check connection for both stations here for inbound and outbound Slovenia connections on: http://www.slo-zeleznice.si/en/passengers/slovenia or http://www.bahn.de TO TRIESTE AIRPORT (Aeroporto Friuli-Venezia-Giulia): distance to Lake Bled 150 km Good connections with Ryanair. Airport information: http://www.aeroporto.fvg.it/it/home/index.htm
Personal transfer: – our driver will be waiting at landing time in arrival hall with your name labelled - 120 min journey costs 90 € / person (Pre-book at info@helia.si ) Taxis parked outside airport building – prices vary Bus – bus stop is outside airport building. Buy ticket at station / info point / machine. Take a bus in direction Gorizia main bus / train station - cost 3,50 € - 90 min journey Coach 1 and 26, time table: http://www.aeroporto.fvg.it/en/come_arrivare/trasporto_pubblico/partenze/28/Gorizia.htm Train from Trieste Centrale station to Gorizia – 50 min journey time table http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/index.shtml Taxi from Gorizia to Nova Gorica (across the border, 5 km), taxis available at station or call +386 31 239 399 (Taxi Point). Then short hop to railway station in Nova Gorica to Bled –Jezero station - cost 6,59 € - 110 min journey Your hotel is 80 m away, turn left outside railway building. Our best advice is to check low price airport transfers with www.Goopti.com. TO VENICE MARCO POLO AIRPORT distance to Lake Bled 300 km Convenient for international and flights from Europe. Airport information: http:/
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport, or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Voyages SNCF for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0800 755 5385 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Lake Bled to Venice cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation):
Not Included:
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Each bike is equipped with a comfortable saddle, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, bottle holders, computer meters, adjustable seats, aluminium frames with mudguards and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
Bike are maintained systematically in the workshop on a regular basis. You will receive an accessories package including a bicycle pannier bag with a 10L capacity, repair kit, lock, key, and air pump when you collect your bike.
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use. We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday.
Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike frame size is matched up accordingly.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary):
Men's Bike (Colour may vary):
E-Bike (Electric Bike) Upgrades:
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each electric bike features a detailed LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 80 km for each full charge depending on usage.
Electric Bike (Colour and specification may vary):
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on +44 (0) 800 7555385.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on +44 (0) 800 7555385 for more information.
THE HOTEL LIST BELOW IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE.
WE WILL CONFIRM THE EXACT HOTELS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL.
Lake Bled to Venice | Sample Hotel List |
Bled | Hotel Triglav |
Bohinjska Bistrica | Bohinj Eco Hotel |
Tolmin | Hotel Rutar |
Smartno | Hotel San Martin |
Grado | Hotel Diana |
Portogruaro | Hotel Spessotto |
Lido di Jesolo | Boutique Hotel Bali |
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0800 755 5385 to speak to one of the team.
You can now book this cycling holiday online using our secure booking engine. Book online here >>
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 14.03. – 24.04 | 19.09. – 10.10.2020 | Daily |
Season 2: | 25.04 - 18.09.2020 | Daily |
Season | Prices per person including bike hire |
Season 1: | £829 |
Season 2: | £869 |
Single Supplement Upgrade: | £159 |
Category Type | Accommodation Overview |
Category A: | 3 / 4* Hotels |
Location | Prices from (DBL/BB) |
Bled (Cat B): | from £59 per person per night |
Bled (Cat A): | from £79 per person per night |
Lido Di Jesolo (Cat B): | from £69 per person per night |
Lido Di Jesolo (Cat A): | from £79 per person per night |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
14 March 2020 | 10 October 2020 |