Marco Polo - Venice to Athens

We have re-envisaged our Marco Polo tour to provide a more immersive exploration of the Balkans and the chance to cycle more off the beaten track than on previous editions.

Since 2020, our Marco Polo tour began in Venice, embodying the legendary explorer’s spirit of discovery. For the 2026 edition, we’ve reimagined the journey, shifting the start to Lake Bled, Slovenia, and crafting a more adventurous route through Albania. While loosening historical constraints, we’ve maintained the tour’s essence: an immersive cycling experience that celebrates exploration and the unknown.

Our tour from Slovenia to Greece unfolds across two stages. Stage 1, graded at 2.5 espresso cups, begins in Lake Bled, traversing Slovenia before descending the Dalmatian coast to Dubrovnik, showcasing Slovenia’s cycling delights and Croatian island landscapes. Stage 2, rated 3.5 espresso cups, ventures through the less-explored territories of Montenegro and Albania, then crosses Greece to Athens, offering longer distances and a more challenging topographical journey.

What’s New for 2026
The route change has allowed us to explore two countries we think are amazing travel destinations – Slovenia & Albania. Below, we profile why we have changed the tour to embrace these two countries.

Slovenia
We cycle through stunning landscapes in Slovenia, starting at picturesque Lake Bled. We then wind through Ljubljana’s vibrant streets and descend towards Croatia’s border. We traverse terrain beloved by professional cyclists and offer world-class routes through alpine valleys, rolling countryside, and scenic mountain passages.

Albania
Albania has become a bonafide buzz destination, and the changes we have witnessed since we started cycling there have been huge. The Giro d’Italia, starting here in 2025, is a testament to that. Our route now takes us inland to explore UNESCO sites and immerse ourselves further in this beguiling destination.