Croatia Scenic

We'll trade the energy of Zagreb for suburbs and eventually quiet country roads flowing toward Slovenia.  After the border crossing we'll enjoy rolling climbs, farmlands, and lush views of the Slovenian countryside. Tonight we'll stay with a Warmshowers host or cruise on into Krsko.

Castles, churches, memorials and more await us on this leg of the journey, all running along the Sava River.  By evening we'll arrive at Litija, a town of 15,000 where you can buy a slab of cheese before bed.  Campsite: Domacija Paternoster.

It's the capital of Slovenia today--Ljubljana (pronounced lyoob-lee-yah-nah).  Before entering this dragon-laden city with her secret stories and three-pronged bridge, we'll take the upper roads.

With mountains as the backdrop we'll meander over to Lake Bled, a gorgeous lake overlooked by Bled Castle.  If you find romance, you can always hop over to the island and get married (thousands do).  

Remember that stunning gorge we thought was Tolmin Gorge?  Apparently it's just around the bend at Blejski Vintgar.  Today we shake it up a bit with some dirt roads through a gorgeous valley and end up at the base of the Slovenian Alps in Kranjska Gora.

Today we climb the highest pass in Slovenia!  Vrsic Pass has 50 hairpin bends and a lovely serpentine road that leads to an old Russian church and breathtaking scenery.  It's steep, but strong and steady wins the race.  Believe me, the views and the electric sense of victory will be worth it!

Today's an active rest day where you can relax and explore Bovec or ditch the gear and pedal our way up Mangart Saddle, an up-and-back climb with stunning views, serpentine roads, and a thrilling sense of euphoria.

Welcome to Italia!  Once titled the Imperial Free City of Trieste, this Italian town has a rich and battle-ridden history, dating back centuries.  Here you'll find old Roman forums, ampitheater, a Serbian Orthodox Church, and Austro-Hungarian architecture throughout the city before we border-cross back into Croatia and the Istrian Peninsula.

The Istrian Peninsula is known for its beaches, coastline, fishing, and old towns.  In Porec we have to visit the Euphasian Basilica, which dates back to the 6th Century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Camp at Camp Meterada or Camp Polidor.

It's all about the coast.  Ravinj was named one of the most beautiful coastal towns of 2014 by Travel and Leisure Magazine, and boasts an old town and bell tower.  Pula Arena is the 6th largest Roman Coliseum in the world, and Pula has other treasures like ancient temples, arches, and gates.