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Day 1: Arrive Maribor.
Situated 15km from the Austrian border, halfway between Vienna and Trieste, on the banks of the Drava river, Maribor has a lot to offer. Forests, fields, and vineyards surround the city, and there are many small parks in the very city centre. The city park with its ponds and swans is the most beautiful and a wonderful spot for relaxation. In the centre of the city there are shops and boutiques that offer Slovene and foreign wares, and the many small bars and restaurants here provide a place to rest after shopping.
Day 2: Maribor to Ptuj, 20 miles (32km).
Your cycling tour starts along the bank of the Drava and across fields to Ptuj. The town of Ptuj - the oldest town in Slovenia - has Roman ruins, temples and a medieval castle with a wonderful collection of old musical instruments. Recommended by cycle tourists is the Traminec white wine.
 Day 3: Ptuj to Jeruzalem, 23 miles (37km).
Your cycling tour for the day is mostly across flat plains, however the last 8km are somewhat hilly with one sharp climb of 100m / 330 ft. Your hotel for the night is a lovely 2* country inn, set in the vineyards – you’ll love the room with a view. Price includes wine tasting in the house cellar! You will also see Dornava and Nedela baroque castles. You can also visit a wine cellar Ormož – known for white wines. Ormož is on the border with Croatia and, should you wish, you could visit the neighbouring country by simply crossing Drava Bridge.
Day 4: Jeruzalem to Moravske Toplice, 28 miles (45km).
Today there are some hilly sections in the morning to work off all the wine of the previous evening. Later the cycling returns to a flat route. On your way you can visit the floating mill of Bogojina, pottery workshop in Filovci and the modern church in Bogojina. There are also numerous wine cellars to visit, but probably best not to combine too many visits while cycling! Your 3* hotel is part of Terme 3000 complex in Moravske Toplice.
D ay 5: Rest day in Moravske Toplice, 0 or 19 miles (0 or 30km).
Take an easy trip towards the Hungarian border and visit Bukovnica Lake – it has bioenergetical effects! Enjoy a cup of coffee with tasty pastry in Lendava or cycle a couple of kilometres through Hungary.
Day 6: Moravske Toplice to Lenart, 32 miles (51km).
The first part of your route today is flat, followed by gently rolling countryside. On your way you can see Murska Sobota castle and cross the river Mura by an old fashioned float. Your 2* country inn has it's own cellar and included in the price is wine tasting.
Day 7: Lenart to Maribor, 26 miles (42km).
Today you are riding through some hills amongst vineyards. You will pass through some lovely northern Slovene rural villages and farms before arriving in Maribor.
Day 8: Depart from Maribor. |
Freedom Holiday 
