This cycling tour has you border hopping through Austria, Slovenia and Italy. We'll experience the fascinating intersection of Slavic, German and Italian culture. Join us to relish alpine landscapes with a hint of the Mediterranean. We'll bicycle along idyllic alpine lakes in Austria's Carinthia region and northern Slovenia. Quiet roads and river paths lead us through picturesque villages, traditional farmhouses, imposing medieval castles and cozy hotels. We'll introduce you to two of Europe's most overlooked and pleasant cities, Klagenfurt and Villach.
If you would like to explore further the beauty of Slovenia, check out our Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia Plus! Ljubljana which extends this itinerary by three days.
Day 1: Arrive in Klagenfurt on the shores of Lake Woerther
Highlights: Gateway to Lake Woerther; beautiful city center; welcome dinner
Meet us today in Klagenfurt, hometown to Gustav Mahler and Robert Musil. Klagenfurt boasts one of Austria's prettiest old towns and was thrice awarded the prestigious Europa Nostra Diploma for its arcaded Renaissance courtyards which today accommodate modern boutiques, trendy bars, and rustic beer gardens. We'll enjoy dinner together tonight. Daily Mileage: Test ride only.Lodging: June: Hotel Sandwirth & September: Palais Hotel
Day 2: Cycle to Lake Ossiach
Highlights: Lake Ossiach, Feldkirchen, idyllic countryside.
Our ride today takes us through beautiful countryside to the cathedral town of imposing Maria Saal, built by Slovenes in the 15th Century and important pilgrimage site still today. Continue on then to Lake Ossiach, nestled between the Gerlitzen Mountain and the Ossiacher Tauern mountain range. It is unique in that the lake's water temperatures reach up to 28C (82F)in summer. A perfect place for a swim after a day on the bike! Daily Milage: 56 km (35 miles).Lodging: Lindenhof Hotel
Day 3: Villach and Lake Faak
Highlights: Bike path along lake Ossiach, the center of Villach, Drava river bike path, Lake Faak
We have a short ride today. On our route we'll pass by the Stone House, architect Guenter Domenig's masterwork, on our way to Villach. Catching up with the Drava river bike path, we'll head to the center of Villach, a modern and flourishing city with an ancient history as a crossroads between Austria, Slovenia and Italy. After lunch, the crystal-clear waters of Lake Faak await us for an afternoon of relaxation or water sports after we catch a ferry to our hotel. Daily Mileage: 34km (21 miles).Lodging: Insel Hotel
Day 4: Faak Lake to Velden, on the Lake Woerter riviera
Highlights: Drava river bike path, Velden Castle, Lake Woerter riviera
Today you'll lake-hop from Lake Faak to Lake Woerter, where you can take your chance in Velden, also dubbed Austria's Monte Carlo, and gamble in the lakeside casino. Alpine meadows and rocky peak views will delight as you make your way to Velden. We'll head back to Lake Faak where we'll have dinner together on our last evening in Austria. Daily Mileage: 38 km (23 miles).Lodging: Insel Hotel
Day 5: Bicycle across three borders in one day: Austria, Italy and Slovenia
Highlights: Idyllic landscape, Tarvisio, forest of Tarvisio, Podkoren
Enjoy the perfectly manicured landscape of southern Austria's Carinthia region before you cross the border into Italy, where a gradual descent leads you to the border market town of Tarvisio. We'll continue through the Tarvisio forest and cross the border into Slovenia on a dedicated bike path built on a former rail line. Your destinatin today is the peaceful alpine village of Podkoren, crowned by the Julian Alps, where mountain culture comes with a Slavic flavor. Daily Mileage: 54km (36 miles).Lodging: Hotel Vitranc
Day 6: Relax in the Julian Alps
Highlights: Hiking paths, deep forests, stunning high mountain scenery, charming hamlets
Today is a rest day. You can hike to the Koren Pass taking in the characteristic Slovenian hayracks, now preserved as part of the national heritage. Winter sports fanatics may want to see the biggest ski jump in the world near Planica, a few steps aways from the Italian border, where ski-flying world championships take place every year. Optional hikeLodging: Hotel Vitranc
Day 7: Lake Bled
Highlights: Triglav mountain range, Tito's summer residence, Otok Island, Bled Castle
An easy ride takes us along the Sava Dolinka Valley to the old town of Radovljica, a peaceful, medieval haven. We'll continue to Lake Bled, Slovenia's leading mountain resort. Our hotel offers postcard views of the lake and handy access to the path around the lake. You can hike up to the castle, take a typical pletna boat to the island, or just go for a refreshing swim in the lake before dinner together. Daily Mileage: 57km (31 miles).Lodging: June: Vila Alice & September: Hotel Triglav
Day 8: Lake Bled
Highlights: Lake Bled, Bled Castle, Kremna Rezina cake
Our tour ends today, we hope you'll consider staying a few days to explore Lake Bled and its surroundings and find the perfect Kremna Rezina cake!If you would like to explore further the beauty of Slovenia, check out our Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia Plus! Ljubljana which extends this itinerary by three days.
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HighlightsLake Ossiach, Drava river path , Tarvisio, Klagenfurt, Villach, Lake Faak, Lake Bled, Border hopping between Austria, Slovenia and Italy, Julian Alps
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Includes"The Usual" plus... Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 8 days, 7 nights accommodation; 5 dinners with wine or beer, all breakfasts
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CountriesSlovenia, Italy, Austria
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Begin/EndKlagenfurt, Austria / Bled, Slovenia
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Arrive/DepartKlagenfurt Airport (KLU), Vienna International Airport (VIE), Munich Airport (MUC), Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU/LJLJ)
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Total Distance239km (148 miles)
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Daily DistanceAverage daily mileage of 48km (30 miles)
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What to ExpectWonderful bike paths, idyllic routes in the countryside along alpine lakes.
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Rating101
Gentle cycling along bike paths, through mountain valleys and around lakes. You will encounter some short (a mile or less) steeper climbs. -
Notes
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Terms
| Dates | Price | Single Supplement* |
Notes | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 16 - 23, 2013 | $3250 | $500 | Confirmed departure. Confirmed Departure | Book It |
| Sep 09 - 16, 2013 | $3250 | $500 | Confirmed departure. Sold Out-wait list available | Book It |
| *We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour. | ||||
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Here on ExperiencePlus.com
- Austria Travel Information Page
Read up on country customs, airport information, culinary specialites, and more! - Slovenia Trip Planner
Read up on country customs, transportation information, culinary specialites, and more!
Elsewhere on the Web
- 36 Hours in Ljubjlana, Slovenia
New York Times summarizes some must-sees in a town possessing cuisine "infused by a cornucopia of influences" and a plethora of cultural experiences.
Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.
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