Emerald Route in Slovenia

Time to visit places of interest, as for example fortress Laibach and the old city centre of the capital city.

Start with a bike ride across the 160 square kilometre Ljubljana Bog. The so-called "Ljubljansko Barje" was once a large lake until it dried up 6000 years ago, leaving behind an incredibly diverse landscape that is now home to some of the rarest bird, plant and insect species in Europe. Along the way, you can visit the remains of the world's highest railroad viaduct in Borovnica and refresh yourself in a typical karst lake in Podpec. Curious people will enjoy the visit to the Technical Museum of Slovenia in Bistra Castle.

On this day, the roads take you off the main tourist routes through the typical Slovenian landscape. You can also take a short detour to the impregnable Predjama Fortress, which towers dramatically over the surrounding basin from a crevice halfway up a 123-metre-high rock face. The knight Erasmus kept an entire army at bay by using the extensive network of Predjama caves. Take the guided tour and learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down.

Today you will visit the breathtakingly beautiful underground cave formation of Postojna, the most extensive cave system in Slovenia with a total length of 21 kilometers. The 1½-hour tour (self-guided) takes you through a fairytale world full of large and colorful stalactites and stalagmites, not forgetting the unique “human fish”, a mysterious creature that supposedly lives in the dark pools of the caves. In the afternoon you reach the first vineyards of the Vipava region.

Visit the botanical garden of Sežana before you cycle through sleepy villages and beautiful wine hills until you get to Lipica. It is the home of the world-famous Lipizzaner horses. Historical fans have the possibility to visit the impressive military gallery in the fortified tower in Lokey.

This morning you have the opportunity to explore the Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, you will drive to Socerb Castle, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Bay of Trieste, the Friulian plain and even the Julian Alps. Your day trip ends in the charming town of Muggia, south of Trieste. After a day on the bike, relax with a gelato in the historic center or on one of the inviting beaches. If you arrive early, you can take a short bus or boat trip to Trieste.

Along the coast to Izola enjoy your biking tour because you cycle on the new bike route from the former railroad track “Patenzana”, the connection from Trieste to Poreč. Through the sophisticated Portoroz you get to your tour destination, the old Venetian city Piran on the southwest end of Slovenia.

Time to visit places of interest, as for example fortress Laibach and the old city centre of the capital city.

Start with a bike ride across the 160 square kilometre Ljubljana Bog. The so-called "Ljubljansko Barje" was once a large lake until it dried up 6000 years ago, leaving behind an incredibly diverse landscape that is now home to some of the rarest bird, plant and insect species in Europe. Along the way, you can visit the remains of the world's highest railroad viaduct in Borovnica and refresh yourself in a typical karst lake in Podpec. Curious people will enjoy the visit to the Technical Museum of Slovenia in Bistra Castle.

On this day, the roads take you off the main tourist routes through the typical Slovenian landscape. You can also take a short detour to the impregnable Predjama Fortress, which towers dramatically over the surrounding basin from a crevice halfway up a 123-metre-high rock face. The knight Erasmus kept an entire army at bay by using the extensive network of Predjama caves. Take the guided tour and learn how Erasmus met his untimely demise in less than poetic circumstances, as he was literally caught with his pants down.

Today you will visit the breathtakingly beautiful underground cave formation of Postojna, the most extensive cave system in Slovenia with a total length of 21 kilometers. The 1½-hour tour (self-guided) takes you through a fairytale world full of large and colorful stalactites and stalagmites, not forgetting the unique “human fish”, a mysterious creature that supposedly lives in the dark pools of the caves. In the afternoon you reach the first vineyards of the Vipava region.

Visit the botanical garden of Sežana before you cycle through sleepy villages and beautiful wine hills until you get to Lipica. It is the home of the world-famous Lipizzaner horses. Historical fans have the possibility to visit the impressive military gallery in the fortified tower in Lokey.

If you haven't had the opportunity to visit the Postojna Caves yet, the Škocjan Caves offer an equally impressive experience: enormous underground chambers, deep gorges, and silent stalactite worlds, protected by UNESCO. Afterwards, you will cycle to Muggia and from there take a boat to the lively center of Trieste, where you can enjoy sweet gelato or a dip in the sea.

Along the coast to Izola enjoy your biking tour because you cycle on the new bike route from the former railroad track “Patenzana”, the connection from Trieste to Poreč. Through the sophisticated Portoroz you get to your tour destination, the old Venetian city Piran on the southwest end of Slovenia.