Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia

Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia BY EXPERIENCEPLUS! BICYCLE TOURS www.experienceplus.com

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UPDATED 9 months ago DURATION 8 Days/7 Nights SEASON June, September RATES USD 3,525.00 per person EXPIRES Dec 31, 2016
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DESCRIPTION

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.

ADDITION RATE INFORMATION

Single Supplement: $550

ITINERARY

Day 1: 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: Hotel Sandwirth

Day 2: Highlights: Lake Ossiach, Feldkirchen, Idyllic Countryside

Our ride today takes us through beautiful countryside along small lakes where we'll recommend a lunch spot before arriving in the larger town of Feldkirchen with its quaint square. Continue on then to Lake Ossiach, nestled between the Gerlitzen Mountain and the Ossiacher Tauern mountain range. It is the third largest lake in this region and 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 Mileage: approx. 40 km (25 miles).

Lodging: FerienIdyll. This hotel does not have air conditioning or fans available but neither are typically needed in this area.

Day 3: Lake Ossiach Bike Path, Center Of Villach, Drava River Bike Path, Lake Faak

We have a short ride today. 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. This hotel does not have air conditioning or fans available but neither are typically needed in this area.

Day 4: 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. This hotel does not have air conditioning or fans available but neither are typically needed in this area.

Day 5: Highlights: Idyllic Landscapes, 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 destination 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: Highlights: Hiking Paths, Deep Forests, Stunning High Mountain Scenery

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 away from the Italian border, where ski-flying world championships take place every year. Optional hike.

Lodging: Hotel Vitranc

Day 7: Highlights: Triglav Mountains, 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: Hotel Triglav

Day 8: 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.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle
• 8 days, 7 nights accommodation
• 5 dinners with wine or beer, all breakfasts
• and more!

NOTES

Total Distance: 239km (148 miles)

Daily Distance: Average daily mileage of 48km (30 miles)

What to Expect: Wonderful bike paths, idyllic routes in the countryside along alpine lakes.

Rating: Gentle cycling along bike paths, through mountain valleys and around lakes. You will encounter some short (a mile or less) steeper climbs.