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Cycling
between Italy
and Slovenia |
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This easy-going trip uses
the comfort and warmth of small, local hotels in the pleasant
villages and towns of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Carrying only
what we need for each day, we ride from the Friulian plains
to the Adriatic sea passing through enchanting Slovenia,
taking quiet backroads and cycling paths running along prestigious
wine estates and beautiful countryside. Our normal ride
between night stops is about 30 km., so there is plenty
of time to visit the charming towns, vineyards and historical
sites along the way. There are options for longer routes
so that you can cycle as much as you want.
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:: ITINERARY
- (8 days / 7 nights) ::
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Day
1 - Welcome in the heart of Friuli
Arrival at Trieste airport or Udine train station
and transfer to your accommodation in Udine. Check-in
and free time to explore the surroundings before enjoying
a typical dinner at your hotel.
Overnight stay.
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Day
2 - Riding along the "Vine and wine park"
Breakfast.
The day starts with a ride along "Vine and Wine park"
in Colli Orientali wine district. We'll cycle through
vineyards and rural villages surrounded by the beautiful
natural environment of the Natisone Valleys bordering
on Slovenia. Stop along the way to visit a winery
and taste a good vintage before reaching Cividale,
a real gem in the eastern foothills of Friuli with
a glorious past. Founded by Julius Caesar around 50
B.C., it was then invaded by the Lombards that left
many traces of their presence in town. The Lombard
temple, a fine work of the 8th century in Italy, is
just one of them.
Dinner and overnight stay.
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Day 3 - The Collio between history
and
gastronomy
Breakfast.
The Collio is the most prestigeous DOC wine area in
Friuli-Venezia Giulia. We'll discover a lovely landscape
made of sunny hills, prestigious and boutique wine
estates, hamlets and typical trattorias in a land
of great generosity and traditions. We'll visit Cormons,
built around its towers and little churches, and known
for its famous "Wine of Peace" and stop in Gorizia,
the only town in Italy divided by a border.
Dinner and overnight stay.
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Day 4 - Slovenia: the magic
of Lake Bled
Breakfast.
Transfer to Bled, one of the most famous tourist locations
in Slovenia. Visit to the ancient castle dating back
to 1011, surrounded by solid walls and overlooking
Lake Bled. Walk around the lake looked upon by the
imposing Triglav Mountain and boat ride to the little
island in the middle of the lake by the typical pletna.
Return to your accommodation in the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight stay.
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Day
5 - Traces of Roman history
Breakfast.
Today's ride, completely through flat land, will take
us to one of the most important archaeological sites
in northern Italy. Aquileia was founded by the Romans
in 181 a.C. and became a flourishing trade centre
and the second most important port of the Mediterranean
in Roman times before it was completely destroyed
by Attila. Roman remains are still present, including
the spectacular early Christian mosaic floor in the
Basilica. Stop at a local winery to sample the exquisite
wine produced in this DOC area.
Dinner and overnight stay.
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Day
6 - Towards the sea
After breakfast, we'll head south towards the Marano
Lagoon, home to 8800 hectares of unpolluted nature,
dotted with countless reed atolls and canals leading
to the fishermen islets and the beautiful island of
Grado, named golden island after the color of its
sand. We'll visit the natural reserves at the mounth
of the Isonzo river and the Canavata valley, two ideal
habitats teeming with water and migratory birds and
beautiful landscapes.
Dinner and overnight stay.
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Day 7 - Along the Terrano wine
route to Trieste
Breakfast.
Departure towards the panoramic terrano wine route
on the Karst platueau surrounding Trieste and overlooking
the Adriatic sea. We'll ride through different terrains
and landscapes dotted with baroque little churches
and bell towers, silent white-limestone villages,
and lovely natural paths. A stop at a local "osmizza"
is a must if you want to to sample local products
and the excellent Terrano wine. And then, finally
down towards Trieste, with its beautiful Miramar castle
and the unmistakeable Lighthouse of the Victory that,
from the top of its 130m., illuminates the sea.
Dinner and overnight stay.
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Day 8 - Departure
Breakfast and transfer to Udine train station / Trieste
airport. Arrivederci!
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TOUR INFORMATION
(8 days / 7 nights)
Group size: max. 8 participants
Tour price: please inquire for current prices.
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Tour dates:
by request for min. 2 participants from April to October.
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Tour includes:
7 nights accommodation in 3*** hotels along the itinerary
in double occupancy
Daily breakfast and dinner
Daily guided bike excursions and luggage transfer
Bike rental
Roundtrip transfer to and from Trieste airport or Udine
RLW station
Taxes and service
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The above is a suggested itinerary
and can be tailored to suit your party's exact needs. Please
ask for additional rounds, extra nights or if you wish to
combine this tour with some of our other 3-day modules for
a great vacation!
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