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One-Stop Resource for Bike Tours in Europe - and Now Beyond!
Representing Overseas Bike Tour Companies
More Than 200 Tours in 40 Countries
Get our newsletter | Contact Us
Call (877) 462-2423 or (423) 756-8907
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| Type of tour: | Self-guided/Guided |
| Level: | Leisurely |
| Duration: | 7 Nights |
| Distance: | 25 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | Self-guided: Daily: Apr 7- Oct 13, 2012 Guided: Saturdays: May 12; Jun 9; Jul 14; Aug 11; and Sep 8, 2012 |
| Tour price: | €570 (self-guided) €760 (guided) |
| Start city: | Maribor, Slovenia |
| End city: | Maribor, Slovenia |
This Wine and Wellness tour through Slovenia takes you through northeast of Slovenia and has it all! It is a picturesque countryside tour with an emphasis on wine, good food and relaxation in hot thermal springs.
You will stay in hotels with thermal water springs where you can relax after the day's cycling.
On each day's cycling, you will pass through vineyards and beautiful countryside with plenty of opportunity to stop at one of the numerous wine cellars with great white wine or enjoy a snack in a little roadside inn along the way.
Those who have only passing interest in wine may be more interested in old towns, mighty castles, stork nests on chimneys and countless natural wonders you will cycle past!
This Wine and Wellness tour through Slovenia takes you through northeast of Slovenia and has it all! It is a picturesque countryside tour with an emphasis on wine, good food and relaxation in hot thermal springs.
You will stay in hotels with thermal water springs where you can relax after the day's cycling.
On each day's cycling, you will pass through vineyards and beautiful countryside with plenty of opportunity to stop at one of the numerous wine cellars with great white wine or enjoy a snack in a little roadside inn along the way.
Those who have only passing interest in wine may be more interested in old towns, mighty castles, stork nests on chimneys and countless natural wonders you will cycle past!
Day 1: Arrival in Maribor
The starting point of the tour is Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city. The town is located on the bank of the Drava River and is home to one of the country’s few town castles. The castle houses the only Slovene fashion museum, which has an excellent collection of costumes and uniforms, the most prestigious being a military uniform worn by Tito.
Overnight in Maribor.
Day 2: Maribor – Ptuj (15 miles/25 km)
Your cycling tour goes across Ptuj fields, along the bank of Drava River on flat terrain. The route will follow the Drava River as it meanders its way southeast across the vineyards and orchards of the Drava Plain and passes through Ptuj, the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Slovenia. Stroll through the streets and soak up the cities 2,000 year history as you marvel at the rich, elaborate architecture watched over by the incredibly well preserved castle that dates as far back as 69 AD. Visit the Ptuj Wine Cellar, which has its own shop and tasting room. Make sure to try the Traminec white wine. A visit to the Monday morning market is also a must. The nearby Haloze Hills also offers you the opportunity to sample more of the wonderful wines of this region.
Overnight in Ptuj.
Day 3: Ptuj - Jeruzalem (24 miles/40 km)
On next day you continue across flat plains with a short hilly section at the end and one sharp 100 m/330 ft climb. Leaving the stony streets of Ptuj, your route heads across the immense eastern plains that lead you through tiny villages and picturesque scenery. In the village of Ormoz you can visit the wine cellars for lunch and taste the white wines that are predominant in the region. Ormoz is the border town with Croatia, so you can pop across the Drava Bridge and pay it a quick visit. From Ormoz you will cycle northwards along the famous Ormoz to Ljutomer wine road. Although this is the smallest of Podravje’s wine growing districts, it’s also one of the most famous. You will cycle through a landscape of terraced vineyards where the sound of the Klopotec, a wooden wind powered rattle designed to scare off birds, will fill the air. Your day will end at the hilltop village of Jeruzalem, named by the crusaders who passed through the region and loved the wine so much they named the settlement after the holy city.
Overnight in Jeruzalem.
Day 4: Jeruzalem - Moracske Toplice (27 miles/45 km, or 31 miles/49 km with detour)
On following morning you will continue along the wine road, first stopping at the observation tower where you will marvel at the panoramic view; on a clear day you can see as far as Hungary. There is a never-ending choice of wine cellars between here and Ljutomer offering some of the best white wines in the region, although you might not want to stop at too many in case you start cycling around in circles! Visit the floating mill of Verzej before crossing the Mura River into the most eastern region of Slovenia, Prekmurje. The black pottery workshop in Filovci and the modern church in Bogojina are just two of the places you visit before arriving in Moravske Toplice.
Overnight in Moracske Toplice.
Day 5: Moracske Toplice (Rest day or roundtrip of 31 miles/50 km)
Today you can take the day off and immerse yourself in the healing powers of the thermal spa that Moravske Toplice is most famous for. You can also take a short cycling trip out to the border of Hungary or visit Bukovnica Lake, said to have bio-energetic healing effects. Along the way you’ll see the many L-shaped farmhouses and the beautiful white storks nesting on the rooftops. Cycle a couple of miles and cross into Hungary and visit a typical market in the border town of Lenti. Enjoy a coffee in Lendava and try the local speciality, gibanica, a sweet pie containing apple, walnut, poppy seeds and cottage cheese. Lendava is Slovenia’s most easterly town and has a sizeable Hungarian population. Once refueled you can take a leisurely ride through the vineyards of the Lendava Hills back to your hotel.
Overnight in Moravske Toplice.
Day 6: Moravske Toplice - Cerkvenjak (27 miles/41 km)
As you head back west, you will stop of Murska Sobota Castle, which houses a regional museum with an interesting exhibition devoted to the culture and traditions of the Prekmurje region. You will then cross the River Mura on an old-fashioned float before cycling across the low green hills, stopping for a picnic beside a tranquil lake. You will end the day in the small settlement of Lenart, set amid the center of the Slovenske Gorice Hills with beautiful surroundings and the spire of the lovely Church of St. Lenart, which was also used as a walled fort against the invading Turks, standing proud over the village.
Overnight in Cerkvenjak.
Day 7: Cerkvenjak - Maribor (21 miles/35 km)
For your final day you can take a leisurely ride through more vineyard covered hills and quaint rural villages and farms. Soon you will join the MalecÂnik wine road that leads into Maribor. Although this is predominantly white wine territory, there are a couple of very good reds. Stop in the small village of Vodole just on the outskirts of Maribor, where you can have lunch in one of the tourist farms serving up grilled blood sausages with sauerkraut.
Overnight in Maribor.
Day 8: Departure from Maribor
Day 1: Arrival in Maribor
The starting point of the tour is Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city. The town is located on the bank of the Drava River and is home to one of the country’s few town castles. The castle houses the only Slovene fashion museum, which has an excellent collection of costumes and uniforms, the most prestigious being a military uniform worn by Tito.
Overnight in Maribor.
Day 2: Maribor – Ptuj (15 miles/25 km)
Your cycling tour goes across Ptuj fields, along the bank of Drava River on flat terrain. The route will follow the Drava River as it meanders its way southeast across the vineyards and orchards of the Drava Plain and passes through Ptuj, the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Slovenia. Stroll through the streets and soak up the cities 2,000 year history as you marvel at the rich, elaborate architecture watched over by the incredibly well preserved castle that dates as far back as 69 AD. Visit the Ptuj Wine Cellar, which has its own shop and tasting room. Make sure to try the Traminec white wine. A visit to the Monday morning market is also a must. The nearby Haloze Hills also offers you the opportunity to sample more of the wonderful wines of this region.
Overnight in Ptuj.
Day 3: Ptuj - Jeruzalem (24 miles/40 km)
On next day you continue across flat plains with a short hilly section at the end and one sharp 100 m/330 ft climb. Leaving the stony streets of Ptuj, your route heads across the immense eastern plains that lead you through tiny villages and picturesque scenery. In the village of Ormoz you can visit the wine cellars for lunch and taste the white wines that are predominant in the region. Ormoz is the border town with Croatia, so you can pop across the Drava Bridge and pay it a quick visit. From Ormoz you will cycle northwards along the famous Ormoz to Ljutomer wine road. Although this is the smallest of Podravje’s wine growing districts, it’s also one of the most famous. You will cycle through a landscape of terraced vineyards where the sound of the Klopotec, a wooden wind powered rattle designed to scare off birds, will fill the air. Your day will end at the hilltop village of Jeruzalem, named by the crusaders who passed through the region and loved the wine so much they named the settlement after the holy city.
Overnight in Jeruzalem.
Day 4: Jeruzalem - Moracske Toplice (27 miles/45 km, or 31 miles/49 km with detour)
On following morning you will continue along the wine road, first stopping at the observation tower where you will marvel at the panoramic view; on a clear day you can see as far as Hungary. There is a never-ending choice of wine cellars between here and Ljutomer offering some of the best white wines in the region, although you might not want to stop at too many in case you start cycling around in circles! Visit the floating mill of Verzej before crossing the Mura River into the most eastern region of Slovenia, Prekmurje. The black pottery workshop in Filovci and the modern church in Bogojina are just two of the places you visit before arriving in Moravske Toplice.
Overnight in Moracske Toplice.
Day 5: Moracske Toplice (Rest day or roundtrip of 31 miles/50 km)
Today you can take the day off and immerse yourself in the healing powers of the thermal spa that Moravske Toplice is most famous for. You can also take a short cycling trip out to the border of Hungary or visit Bukovnica Lake, said to have bio-energetic healing effects. Along the way you’ll see the many L-shaped farmhouses and the beautiful white storks nesting on the rooftops. Cycle a couple of miles and cross into Hungary and visit a typical market in the border town of Lenti. Enjoy a coffee in Lendava and try the local speciality, gibanica, a sweet pie containing apple, walnut, poppy seeds and cottage cheese. Lendava is Slovenia’s most easterly town and has a sizeable Hungarian population. Once refueled you can take a leisurely ride through the vineyards of the Lendava Hills back to your hotel.
Overnight in Moravske Toplice.
Day 6: Moravske Toplice - Cerkvenjak (27 miles/41 km)
As you head back west, you will stop of Murska Sobota Castle, which houses a regional museum with an interesting exhibition devoted to the culture and traditions of the Prekmurje region. You will then cross the River Mura on an old-fashioned float before cycling across the low green hills, stopping for a picnic beside a tranquil lake. You will end the day in the small settlement of Lenart, set amid the center of the Slovenske Gorice Hills with beautiful surroundings and the spire of the lovely Church of St. Lenart, which was also used as a walled fort against the invading Turks, standing proud over the village.
Overnight in Cerkvenjak.
Day 7: Cerkvenjak - Maribor (21 miles/35 km)
For your final day you can take a leisurely ride through more vineyard covered hills and quaint rural villages and farms. Soon you will join the MalecÂnik wine road that leads into Maribor. Although this is predominantly white wine territory, there are a couple of very good reds. Stop in the small village of Vodole just on the outskirts of Maribor, where you can have lunch in one of the tourist farms serving up grilled blood sausages with sauerkraut.
Overnight in Maribor.
Day 8: Departure from Maribor
Saturdays: May 12; Jun 9; Jul 14; Aug 11; and Sep 8, 2012
Daily: Apr 7- Oct 13, 2012
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Day 1: Hotel Orel, Maribor
www.termemb.si
Llocated in the center of the old Maribor city core, Hotel Orel has a long-standing tradition, despite being completely renovated.
Day 2: Hotel Mitra, Ptuj
www.hotel-mitra.si
The Hotel Mitra is a small hotel in old part of Ptuj with beautifull theme rooms. Dinner is taken in local restaurant.
Day 3: Dvorec Jeruzalem, Jeruzalem Ivanjkovci
www.dvorec-jeruzalem.com/
Dvorec Jeruzalem is a small mansion with 20 beds in beautiful vineyard region with fantastic food and great photo gallery of the Wine road.
Day 4 and 5: Hotel Vivat, Moravske Toplice
www.vivat.si
The Hotel Vivat is a smaller hotel with spa and wellness facilities, making it a fantastic place to relax or spend a day.
Day 6: Country Inn Pri Kapeli, Vitomarci
The Country Inn has a very friendly staff and a fine selection of house wine.
Day 7: Hotel Orel, Maribor
Day 1: Hotel Orel, Maribor
www.termemb.si
Llocated in the center of the old Maribor city core, Hotel Orel has a long-standing tradition, despite being completely renovated.
Day 2: Hotel Mitra, Ptuj
www.hotel-mitra.si
The Hotel Mitra is a small hotel in old part of Ptuj with beautifull theme rooms. Dinner is taken in local restaurant.
Day 3: Dvorec Jeruzalem, Jeruzalem Ivanjkovci
www.dvorec-jeruzalem.com/
Dvorec Jeruzalem is a small mansion with 20 beds in beautiful vineyard region with fantastic food and great photo gallery of the Wine road.
Day 4 and 5: Hotel Vivat, Moravske Toplice
www.vivat.si
The Hotel Vivat is a smaller hotel with spa and wellness facilities, making it a fantastic place to relax or spend a day.
Day 6: Country Inn Pri Kapeli, Vitomarci
The Country Inn has a very friendly staff and a fine selection of house wine.
Day 7: Hotel Orel, Maribor
The rental bikes on the tour are hybrid touring bikes. Special rentals include road bikes, mountain bikes and special long distance trekking bikes. Tag-along bikes, child carriers, children's bike and electrically assisted bikes are also available.
All bikes are equipped with a saddle bag, repair kit, pump, allen keys, spare tube, lock, cycle computer and plastic map holder.
Price includes delivery and pick up. Every additional day costs 10 Euros per bike (the bike rental period starts on day 2 and ends on the evening of their return to Maribor on day 7).
The rental bikes on the tour are hybrid touring bikes. Special rentals include road bikes, mountain bikes and special long distance trekking bikes. Tag-along bikes, child carriers, children's bike and electrically assisted bikes are also available.
All bikes are equipped with a saddle bag, repair kit, pump, allen keys, spare tube, lock, cycle computer and plastic map holder.
Price includes delivery and pick up. Every additional day costs 10 Euros per bike (the bike rental period starts on day 2 and ends on the evening of their return to Maribor on day 7).
This tour travel through a picturesque countryside tour with an emphasis on wine, good food and relaxation in hot thermal springs. You cycle on primarily flat routes with occassional gentle, rolling hills. Suitable for cyclists of basic fitness, as it covers modest daily distances. It can also be recommended for families.
Approximately 70% of the tour follows quiet roads, 25% on roads shared with traffic and 5% on dedicated bike paths. The maximum daily elevation gain for this tour is 328 feet (100 m), while the maximum percantage of any grade on the tour is 3%. The tour is appropriate for road bikes and hybrid bikes.
This tour is rated Leisure and is for cyclists in average physical condition.
This tour travel through a picturesque countryside tour with an emphasis on wine, good food and relaxation in hot thermal springs. You cycle on primarily flat routes with occassional gentle, rolling hills. Suitable for cyclists of basic fitness, as it covers modest daily distances. It can also be recommended for families.
Approximately 70% of the tour follows quiet roads, 25% on roads shared with traffic and 5% on dedicated bike paths. The maximum daily elevation gain for this tour is 328 feet (100 m), while the maximum percantage of any grade on the tour is 3%. The tour is appropriate for road bikes and hybrid bikes.
This tour is rated Leisure and is for cyclists in average physical condition.
"Thanks for recommending this tour. My traveling companions and I agreed that it was one of the best tours and best-value tours we had been on. The caliber of the hotels and the restaurants that were included was excellent and the tour was well led by the tour guide. All of us agreed that we would recommend this tour to our friends."
- James C.
2011
"Thanks for recommending this tour. My traveling companions and I agreed that it was one of the best tours and best-value tours we had been on. The caliber of the hotels and the restaurants that were included was excellent and the tour was well led by the tour guide. All of us agreed that we would recommend this tour to our friends."
- James C.
2011
Tour Start and End
Nearest airport: Graz, Austria and Ljubljana, Slovenia (although Maribor has an international airport, it does not provide regular flight connections)
Nearest train station: Maribor, Slovenia
Transfers available (per person/way, minimum of 2):
- Ljubljana Airport to Maribor: €65
- Graz Airport to Maribor: €40
Tour Start and End
Nearest airport: Graz, Austria and Ljubljana, Slovenia (although Maribor has an international airport, it does not provide regular flight connections)
Nearest train station: Maribor, Slovenia
Transfers available (per person/way, minimum of 2):
- Ljubljana Airport to Maribor: €65
- Graz Airport to Maribor: €40
Slovenia's location in Eastern Europe allows you to travel from the Alps to the Mediterranean without crossing any borders. Natural wonders include Lake Bled, Mount Triglav, and Postojna Cave. A tour between Slovenia's many castles can be a great way to navigate the country, or you can plan to stop at the many white wine vineyards. Whether you want to sunbath or hike, bird watch or listen to a philharmonic, tiny Slovenia carries a sizable impact for visitors.
More on bicycling in Slovenia >
View all Slovenia bike tours >
Slovenia's location in Eastern Europe allows you to travel from the Alps to the Mediterranean without crossing any borders. Natural wonders include Lake Bled, Mount Triglav, and Postojna Cave. A tour between Slovenia's many castles can be a great way to navigate the country, or you can plan to stop at the many white wine vineyards. Whether you want to sunbath or hike, bird watch or listen to a philharmonic, tiny Slovenia carries a sizable impact for visitors.
More on bicycling in Slovenia >
View all Slovenia bike tours >
Helia Travel Agency is the leading bicycle and multisport adventure tour operator in Slovenia. Based in Lake Bled, a famous resort in the northwest part of the country, they have been offering adventure travel in our homeland since 2002, expanding their cycling and hiking tours in Slovenia every year.
Helia deal with clients on personal level. Their good selection of tours enables clients to discover Slovenia and its specialities. They make sure they are alwasy prepared and available for clients if anything is needed through the entire process from the pre-tour preparations to the tour itself. As Helia says: "Discover our beautiful country from bike or hike: welcome to Slovenia!"
Helia Travel Agency is the leading bicycle and multisport adventure tour operator in Slovenia. Based in Lake Bled, a famous resort in the northwest part of the country, they have been offering adventure travel in our homeland since 2002, expanding their cycling and hiking tours in Slovenia every year.
Helia deal with clients on personal level. Their good selection of tours enables clients to discover Slovenia and its specialities. They make sure they are alwasy prepared and available for clients if anything is needed through the entire process from the pre-tour preparations to the tour itself. As Helia says: "Discover our beautiful country from bike or hike: welcome to Slovenia!"
Cancellation Conditions
Cancellations must always be made in writing and are applicable only on the day received by Helia Travel.
The following cancellation terms apply:
- Up to 56 days prior to holiday start date = 20% of total holiday cost
- 35-55 days prior to holiday start date = 40% of total holiday cost
- 28-35 days prior to holiday start date = 70% of total holiday cost
- 1-27 days prior to holiday start date = 90% of total holiday cost
Cancellation costs are calculated in percentage of final payment amount on invoice issued. No cancellation fee will be applied to bike hire.
Additional info
Helia covers damage on rented bikes (normal wear and tear) up to value of 10 EUR per bike. Bikes are not insured against theft. Clients are invited to take out travel insurance covering such events. As of 1.1.2011 in Slovenia helmets are obliged for cyclist. From Januray 1, 2012 this law will strictly be enforced by Slovene police. Clients may hire helmets from Helia or bring their own.
Cancellation Conditions
Cancellations must always be made in writing and are applicable only on the day received by Helia Travel.
The following cancellation terms apply:
- Up to 56 days prior to holiday start date = 20% of total holiday cost
- 35-55 days prior to holiday start date = 40% of total holiday cost
- 28-35 days prior to holiday start date = 70% of total holiday cost
- 1-27 days prior to holiday start date = 90% of total holiday cost
Cancellation costs are calculated in percentage of final payment amount on invoice issued. No cancellation fee will be applied to bike hire.
Additional info
Helia covers damage on rented bikes (normal wear and tear) up to value of 10 EUR per bike. Bikes are not insured against theft. Clients are invited to take out travel insurance covering such events. As of 1.1.2011 in Slovenia helmets are obliged for cyclist. From Januray 1, 2012 this law will strictly be enforced by Slovene police. Clients may hire helmets from Helia or bring their own.
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