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Short break mountain biking holiday, Slovenia

country:Slovenia
location:Julian Alps
trip type:Moderate mountain biking holidays
departures:2008: 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 2 Oct
price:From £260 – £280 (4 days) excluding flights. Price includes airport transfers, 3 nts hotel halfboard, 2 days mountain biking, trip to Tolminka gorges, evening entertainment, all equipment and qualified instructors.
late availability:Late availabillity on 28th August and 4th September departures
 
the amazing things you'll be doing
Feel the freedom and experience amazing views over the southern Julian Alps on this moderately challenging mountain bike tour over and around picturesque plateaus and valleys. This short break doesn’t feel short at all, thanks to the view that changes with every mile achieved. Don’t forget to bring cycling costume/trousers, swimming trunks and a big smile with you!

Tolmin is the town we are heading to. It’s a small destination just on the outskirts of the Julian Alps of no more than 4000 people, but still the centre of the valley with all the services you need including daily market with home made farm products.

Our accommodation is Hotel Krn, which is ideally situated just in the centre of Tolmin, with comfortable en suit twins, doubles, triples and quad bedrooms available. It has a variety of meals and home made products at the bar which you shouldn’t miss out on. It has a spacious terrace where you can enjoy the late afternoon view over the Alps.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Transfer from airport to Tolmin, welcome drink and introductory meeting, followed by dinner. The evening is free – if you're not too tired, you'll be able to wander around the town, explore the old square and cosy night life in local pubs.
Day 2:Short transfer to Sentviska plateau, where biking starts. We will explore beautiful villages in unspoilt surroundings on Sentviska plateau with a view of the Julian Alps. You’ll ride steep descents, rewarding ascents all within the capabilities of those quite new to narrow road riding or for those just wanting a great weekend! We will return to Tolmin in late afternoon, pleasantly tired.
Day 3:Starting from the base town, we will head towards the town of Kobarid next to the emerald alpine Soca river, always ready to jump in to cool us down. Our goal is Nadiza Valley, a beautiful, small and well hidden jewel just next to the Italian border. Refreshing swimming is well recommended. We will return in late afternoon.
Day 4:After breakfast a short walk to nearby Tolminka Gorge is possible to see the fascinating Devils bridge 60 metres over narrow Tolminka river, hot springs and the ‘Bear Head’. At midday we will say goodbye to Tolmin and head to the airport.
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.
how this holiday makes a difference
We are a local agency, providing active holidays in the river Soca valley of Tomlin. This lovely and unspoilt part of Europe is not on the traveller's top list of places to visit yet and we are fully aware that respecting the environment, avoiding mass tourism and integrating local businesses and guides is the way to keep it as it is. In such a fragile and clean environment as this, regulated tourism has already been proven as the best solution.

As a local agency we work with local guides and qualified sports enthusiasts who are all well trained and above all friendly and helpful. Our philosophy has always been that, next to the destination, a genuine human touch is what makes a fantastic holiday. It has been proven to be so.

Tolmin itself lies just next to Triglav National Park and it has happened in the past that tourists have disrespected the landscape near roads by parking their vehicles on the pastures and fields as well as using motorbikes and quad bikes on mountain tracks. There were issues regarding massive collecting of endangered mountain flora too.

Our agency is a strong fighter against eco problems in the valley with constant organization of events such as the annual cleaning action and conferences about excessive extraction of gravel from Soca river, printing T-shirts with eco topics.

Due to minimizing any negative impact on the landscape, we keep our groups small with a maximum of 12 clients. In this way we reduce our impact on the landscape. This close to nature, guests don't even think of any littering and become aware of a fragile balance in the nature. Even when driving quad bikes, we only use tracks, approved by local municipality and with permission of land owners and competent institutions.

This is also an area where the landscape and people have been seriously affected by both World Wars. To make people aware of this fact, we show clients all 'must see' places in the valley, especially the award winning museum in Kobarid and Tolmin. Entrance fees also contribute to restoring and maintaining both war sites such as bunkers, front lines, charnel house and nations cultural and historic places of all kinds.

On this holiday, only local accommodation providers are used who employ local staff in all areas. Recycling is essential wherever possible. All the private accommodations serve local delicacies such as well known Tolmin cheese and Bear blood spirit. In this way they help to contribute to the local economy. All transfer services are local too.

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