









Italy
Average customer rating 4.8 / 5(97 verified reviews)
This relaxed cycling holiday explores the very heart of Central Europe, beginning in
Slovenia on the shores of magical Lake Bled, passing by Austria before heading south
through Italy and on to the Adriatic.
For me, the highlight of this trip is the incredible variety. From the alpine scenery around Lake Bled to the Adriatic Sea, every day feels different, and crossing between Slovenia and Italy adds a unique sense of adventure.
KTM, Life or equivalent. Your bike hire is included in the price of your holiday and comes equipped with the relevant essentials, plus rear pannier and phone holder.

Our air prices include standard flights and transfers.


Arrive at your 4 star hotel overlooking Lake Bled. Time for a refreshing dip before a stroll along the waterfront and evening meal in a local restaurant.
You stay at Hotel Park

Bled
Overlooking Lake Bled, Park Hotel – Sava Hotels & Resorts features a wellness centre with a large indoor pool and a gym. All rooms have balcony with either lake view or park view.

Your circular warm-up ride takes you first along the shore of Lake Bled and then through a series of sleepy Slovenian hamlets and on to 12th century Kamen Castle. Explore its Gothic and Renaissance keeps, and climb the preserved Roman tower – great views from the top. Return to Bled where we strongly recommend the short uphill detour to its castle – the oldest in Slovenia – with towers, ramparts, moat and viewing terrace.
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You stay at Hotel Park

Bled
Overlooking Lake Bled, Park Hotel – Sava Hotels & Resorts features a wellness centre with a large indoor pool and a gym. All rooms have balcony with either lake view or park view.

After breakfast, we take you (25 mins) to Mojstrana, a gateway village to the Triglav National Park. You can almost reach out and touch the jagged limestone pinnacles of the Julian Alps on the one side, and the contrasting rolling hills of the Karawanken mountains on the other, as you start your cycle west through the valley. Birdlife here is prolific so look out for eagles, hawks and rare birds of prey as you approach charming Kranjska Gora, a pretty alpine ski village and fantastic lunch spot. A pine-scented stretch then leads you across the border and down to the gorgeous 4 star Hotel Edelhof, just 5 minutes’ walk from the village centre.
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You stay at Hotel Edelhof

Tarvisio
Sitting just a short walk from the centre of Tarvisio and at the foot of the winter ski slopes the Hotel Edelhof takes its influences from bordering Austria in its design and feel.
The breakfast room and restaurant are more akin to an Austrian Stube and the rooms are delightfully decorated, a mix of elegance with an Austrian mountain feel.
The food though is distinctly Italian with great local choices and good wines, the hotel has a small spa area (pay locally) and a garden terrace.

Widely regarded as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Julian Alps, the twin glacial lakes of Fusine are breathtakingly beautiful. Alternatively, if you’re up for a longer cycling challenge cycle to Villach in Austria before returning by train.
You stay at Hotel Edelhof

Tarvisio
Sitting just a short walk from the centre of Tarvisio and at the foot of the winter ski slopes the Hotel Edelhof takes its influences from bordering Austria in its design and feel.
The breakfast room and restaurant are more akin to an Austrian Stube and the rooms are delightfully decorated, a mix of elegance with an Austrian mountain feel.
The food though is distinctly Italian with great local choices and good wines, the hotel has a small spa area (pay locally) and a garden terrace.

A longer but totally undemanding cycling route today packed with interest, colour and natural beauty. After a 400m descent (great fun!) into the wooded Fella Valley, your traffic-free cycle trails wind through cheery mountain communities – often criss-crossing the river below – en route to Venzone, a jaw-droppingly pretty mediaeval walled town, famous for its lavender.
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You stay at Agiturismo Casali Scjs

Venzone
The Agriturismo Casali Scjs is a quaint farmhouse in a rural setting. There
is a restaurant next door or it’s around 400m into Venzone. A national monument, Venzone is a great example of architectural renovation. The
Tiere Motus is a museum that retraces the history of the town and
especially of the earthquake and the subsequent reconstruction work.

As the sun rises the valley lights up and the mountain silhouettes come to life; you coast effortlessly along tranquil lanes, passing fruit orchards, vineyards and remote churches nestled in the rolling foothills of the Friuli hills. Lots of traditional villages – Tavagnacco, Treppo Piccolo and Osoppo – will tempt you for lunch before you continue on through gentian-carpeted meadows to the historic regional capital, Udine.
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You stay at Astoria Hotel Italia

Udine
The Astoria hotel sits on one of the squares in the centre of the old town of Udine, the hotel building dates back to the 14th century and has been owned by many noble families.
The rooms are large and offer all modern amenities, the large breakfast room opens out into a small garden where breakfast can be taken in good weather.
The city’s historic quarter is on your doorstep with a huge choice of restaurants, and the train station is just a 20 minute walk away.

The birthplace of acclaimed 17th century artist, Giambattista Tiepolo, Udine’s honeycomb of brightly coloured, portico-lined squares between Piazza Liberta, known as ‘the most beautiful Venetian piazza on the mainland’ and Piazza Matteotti, boast fine shops, historic cafes and traditional osterias and are the very essence of this friendly city. For a longer day out Venice can be reached (90 mins) by train.
You stay at Astoria Hotel Italia

Udine
The Astoria hotel sits on one of the squares in the centre of the old town of Udine, the hotel building dates back to the 14th century and has been owned by many noble families.
The rooms are large and offer all modern amenities, the large breakfast room opens out into a small garden where breakfast can be taken in good weather.
The city’s historic quarter is on your doorstep with a huge choice of restaurants, and the train station is just a 20 minute walk away.

If you fancy the idea of gentle pedalling from one pretty wine village to the next – with lots of traditional tasting trattorias thrown in – then this is the day for you! Enjoy lunch in mediaeval Pavia di Udine then it’s on through sun-dappled cornfields and swaying vines to the 16th century star-fort citadel of Palmanova.
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You stay at Hotel Ai Dogi Palmanova

Palmanova
This lovely 3 star hotel is in a quiet spot in the corner of the piazza which is the heart of the geometric perfect town.
With the square on your doorstep, there is a great choice of restaurants and bars, and it is easy to explore the town. It has one of Italy’s best pizzerias.
The rooms are nice and modern and the hotels small breakfast area has a well-stocked buffet.

The highlight of today’s cycle is, without doubt, the UNESCO-listed, ancient Roman city of Aquileia, a self-standing masterpiece of sacred art and historical treasure. Discover its immense archaeological site, magnificent 14th century mosaics and dominant patriarchal basilica before heading down the spectacular Adriatic lagoon to the island town of Grado where the elegant 4 star Hotel Hannover overlooks the charming port, and is just 200m from the beach.
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You stay at Hotel Hannover

Grado
The Hotel Hannover is in the perfect position for visiting the town of Grado, situated looking over the harbour and on the edge of the charming old fishing quarter.
It has good sized rooms some with balconies, others with views of the harbour, and a nice breakfast room and harbour side outside terrace.
The restaurants of the town are within easy walking distance of the hotel.

It’s easy to see why Grado is known as the ‘Sun Island’ and you may well be tempted to spend the day relaxing on its sandy beaches simply soaking up the lovely views over the sea to Croatia and Slovenia! But do make time to stroll the calli e campielli (lanes and courtyards) of the well-kept historic town. Here you’ll find winding alleys, pretty little squares and traditional cason (old fishermen’s houses clustered together almost one on top of the other). There is the option to cycle along the coast through the Cavanata nature reserve to the delta of the River Isonzo too.
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You stay at Hotel Hannover

Grado
The Hotel Hannover is in the perfect position for visiting the town of Grado, situated looking over the harbour and on the edge of the charming old fishing quarter.
It has good sized rooms some with balconies, others with views of the harbour, and a nice breakfast room and harbour side outside terrace.
The restaurants of the town are within easy walking distance of the hotel.


Bled
The hotel has a pleasing open aspect looking out over Lake Bled, there is a lakeside promenade accessed directly from the hotel.
All rooms have a balcony.

Ljubljana
The Grand Hotel Union is one of Ljubljana’s most prestigious hotels. Built at the turn of the century it was considered one of the finest hotels in Europe at this time with its lift, central heating and telephones (a rarity in 1905). Its hall was used as the city’s concert hall for many years and its clientele has traditionally been associated with the arts. The hotel has hosted many famous pianists and singers over the years.
The rooms are all furnished in a contemporary style with satellite television, telephone and air-conditioning. The hotel has a swimming pool on the top floor that has an appealing glass roof dome.

Venice
The Hotel Kette is set in the heart of Venice, a short distance from Teatro La Fenice, from via XXII marzo, the elegant shopping street, 2 minutes from piazza San Marco and only 10 minutes from Ponte di Rialto. So this is an excellent base for exploring the many delights Venice has in store.
The 63 en suite rooms are immaculately furnished and are fully worthy of the four-star rating.
It is possible to reserve a non-smoking room (please contact us and we will request this for you).

Trieste
This stunning 19th century palazzo has been beautifully converted into an elegant 4 star hotel which simply oozes sophistication. It blends contemporary facilities with classical elegance – expect to see marble columns and ceilings with the original stucco detail as you wander round the luxurious public rooms. The hotel boasts a superb location too, on Trieste’s pretty sea front, just a few minutes’ stroll from the town’s historic centre. There are fantastic views over the Gulf of Trieste, especially from the hotel’s panoramic bar. Other facilities include a fitness centre and restaurant.
The best months for cycling in the Julian Alps are June and September, when temperatures are comfortable, mountain roads are fully open and the views are at their clearest. June brings lush green valleys, wildflowers and long daylight hours, while September offers warm days, crisp mountain air and quieter trails. The cycling season generally runs from May to October, with July and August being the warmest and busiest months, particularly around Lake Bled and the most popular Alpine resorts.
15.0
Kg CO₂e
per person, per night
Relative to other Headwater trips
We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more
This self-guided cycling holiday combines many of the region’s highlights, including Lake Bled, the Julian Alps, historic Italian towns and the Adriatic Coast. With luggage transfers, pre-planned routes and the Headwater Navigation App, you can enjoy the freedom to cycle at your own pace while exploring some of Central Europe’s most scenic landscapes.
This is a leisurely cycling holiday designed to follow scenic cycle paths, river valleys and quiet countryside routes. While there are some longer cycling days, much of the route uses dedicated cycling infrastructure, allowing you to focus on the scenery, culture and experience rather than challenging mountain climbs.
Highlights include Lake Bled, the dramatic scenery of the Julian Alps, the alpine town of Tarvisio, historic Udine, the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Aquileia and the final ride to the Adriatic Coast at Grado. The route combines mountain landscapes, vineyards, medieval towns and coastal scenery in a single journey.
Yes. Slovenia’s excellent cycling infrastructure and the carefully planned route make this a popular choice for first-time self-guided cyclists. With accommodation, luggage transfers and navigation arranged, plus excellent local ground support throughout, you can focus on enjoying the journey from Lake Bled to the Adriatic rather than organising the logistics yourself.
The holiday includes access to the Headwater Navigation App, which provides easy-to-follow route guidance throughout your journey. This allows you to cycle independently while benefitting from expertly researched routes and local support when needed.