Emerald Route, Adriatic Cycling Holiday | Cycling Holiday in Slovenia | Self Guided Cycling Holiday

This one week cycle tour follows the same route as our Alps to the Adriatic holiday, picking the route up in Ljubljana, the compact capital city, with its famous buildings and architecture. The next highlight is perhaps Postojna, where a visit to the world famous caves is thoroughly recommended. Continuing through Slovenian countryside you come to Lipica, home to the famous Lipizaner horses, associated with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. You have the option of detouring via the Italian city of Trieste to eventually reach the end of your holiday on the Adriatic coast at the port of Koper, which has an interesting old town.

Day 1 Arrive Ljubljana.

Day 2 Ljubljana to Vrhnika. A fairly flat day, including crossing a marshland near Ljubljana. You can visit the Iski Vintgar Gorge Nature Reserve and also see the world's highest railway viaduct in Borovnica. ~ 25 miles

Day 3 Vrhnika to Postojna. You cycle off the beaten track today, through sleepy farming communities and experience the 'real Slovenia'. It is a hillier day but a short one and this allows you time to visit the world famous caves at Postojna. ~ 21 miles

Day 4 Postojna to Stanjel. Your route again leads through rolling countryside with old villages and tranquil meadows. A short detour can be made to Predjama Castle, once owned by the last knight of Slovenia! ~ 28 miles

Day 5 Circular ride. With two nights in Stanjel, the circular ride is, of course, optional. You may prefer to have a day out of the saddle and spend time strolling round the village where the old houses have been preserved in an open air museum. ~ 19 miles

Day 6 Stanjel to Lipica. A fairly flat day takes you first to the botanical gardens at Sezana. Further on there is an unusual and interesting war museum set in a tower in the village of Lokev. There should then be ample time to visit a stud farm and see the beautiful Lipizaner horses and even go on a carriage ride, pulled by them. ~ 23 miles

Day 7 Lipica to Koper. A choice of two routes leads you on this the final day, down to the Adriatic coast at Koper. You can remain in the Slovenian countryside for your approach to Koper, or you can cross the frontier into Italy and visit Trieste. This is a fascinating city, with much history and meeting of cultures. As the seaport for the Austro-Hungarian empire, there is still a Viennese cafe culture. So you can sip a coffee in one of the old squares, surrounded by beautiful old buildings, or you can head straight for Koper and spend time on the beach! ~ 37 miles

Day 8 Departure