Friuli and Slovenia Magnifica Mini Cycling Tour

There’s a lot of history involved in this cycling tour, with a focus on the years during and between the two World Wars and cold war. The itinerary also echoes the Mitteleuropean past of the area (on both sides of the border), when it was under the Austro-Hungarian Empire ruled by the Habsburg family, a real crossroads between cultures.

Both Friuli Venezia Giulia (aka Friuli) and Slovenia are big wine producers, especially of white wines, and it’s interesting to taste the same grape varietal cultivated in different soils and climates. Friuli’s wine regions of Collio and Colli Orientali del Friuli will be the backdrop of our cycling ride towards Slovenia. In September you can witness the peak of the grape harvest and the beginning of the winemaking process. Rolling vineyards, lush, green forests and snow-capped mountains form the backdrop for much of our riding along smooth, uncrowded roads and bike paths.

The views are just as spectacular when we are off the bikes enjoying a variety of landscapes. This program has a spectacular ending on Lake Bled and in the charming capital city. Ljubljana is one of the prettiest capitals in Europe.

Highlights

• Two countries: from Friuli to Slovenia with the Alps as the backdrop
• Scenic, quiet roads without traffic including the Alpe-Adria bike path
• Lunch at an authentic Slovenian farm
• Wine tasting at a Friulian producer
• Ljubljana and Cividale del Friuli (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
• Grado's golden beaches
• Aquileia, an ancient Roman powerhouse