Slovenia
Wine and Spa
A picturesque countryside tour, emphasis on wine, good food and relaxation in hot thermal springs. Suitable for cyclists of basic fitness, modest daily distances.
The trip is taking you through north-east of Slovenia and has it all - accommodation in hotels with thermal water springs where you can relax after days' cycling. Cycling through vineyards, passing wine cellars with great white wine or taking a snack in a little roadside inn! Those who have only passing interest in wine may be more interested in old towns, mighty castles, stork nests on chimneys...
Slovenia: Wine and Spa Tour Quick Info
| Tour Type | Bike/Hotel |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | 3 and 4 star |
| Biking Tour Type | Group Guided (English) |
| Biking Level | 1-3 |
| Duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Biking Distance | Distance per day varies (See itinerary) 237km/145mi approx. total |
| Bike Rental | Bikes are included |
| Tour starts in: | Maribor, Slovenia |
| Tour ends in: | Maribor, Slovenia |
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN MARIBOR.
Transfer from Graz Airport to hotel in Maribor, second largest Slovene town, lovely old centre. Summer festival on the banks of Drava River. Overnight in 3* hotel.
Day 2: MARIBOR - PTUJ (32km/20mi).
Cycling tour goes across Ptuj fields, along the bank of Drava. Flat only. Town of Ptuj - the oldest Slovenian town, Roman ruins, tempels and medieval castle with wonderful collection of old musical instruments and history of Turkish raids. 4-star hotel in old town center. We liked: Monday morning market. Ptuj wine cellar has own shop and tasting room. We recommend Traminec white wine.
Day 3: PTUJ - JERUZALEM (37km/22mi).
Biking tour goes first across plains, flat. Last 8 km are hilly with one sharp climb of 100 m / 330 ft. Nice 2* country inn, set in the vineyards - you'll love the room with a view. Price includes wine tasting in the house cellar! We liked: Dornava and Nedelja baroque castles. Wine cellar Ormož - known for white wines. Ormož is on the border with Croatia, should you wish, you could visit the neighbouring country by simply crossing Drava Bridge.
Day 4: JERUZALEM - MORAVSKE TOPLICE (45km/27mi).
Some hilly sections in the morning, later flat. 4* hotel in Moravske Toplice spa resort. Traditional Slovene vineyard area. Beautiful countryside and scenery. Jerusalem church. We liked: little wine cellars (better not combined with cycling too often). Best wine? White Jeruzalemcan. Visit the floating mill of Verzej, pottery workshop in Filovci and the modern church in Bogojina.
Day 5: MORAVSKE TOPLICE (Rest day or roundtrip of 30km/18mi).
Take an easy trip towards Hungarian border and visit Bukovnica Lake - it has bioenergetical effects! Enjoy a cup of coffee with tasty pastry in Lendava or cycle a couple of kilometres through Hungary.
Day 6: MORAVSKE TOPLICE - LENART (51km/31mi).
First part flat, gently rolling countryside. 2* country inn. Price includes wine tasting in the house cellar! We liked: Murska Sobota castle, crossing river Mura by an old fashioned float.
Day 7: LENART - MARIBOR (42km/26mi).
Hilly among vineyards than flat. (3* hotel). We liked: small town of Lenart, northern Slovene rural villages and farms.
Day 8: DEPARTURE FROM MARIBOR.
After breakfast check out from hotel and transfer to Graz Airport.
Changes:
We reserve the right to alter the itinerary details, published times, and accommodations due to weather, local conditions, organization necessity or safety concerns.