14 DAY TRIAL // A cycling holiday may seem like a pretty far-fetched idea when you're sitting at your desk, lounging in a comfortable leather chair and typing away at your computer, however for those of you who harbor a mild interest in cycling, doubled by love for the outdoors and an even deeper love for wellness and spa treatments, a cycling holiday in Slovenia could be just what you need. This small, Central European country offers a wide variety of landscapes, and its north-eastern region - with rich lowlands steeped in culture and tradition and gentle sub-alpine wine growing hills - is the perfect destination for anyone interested in an active holiday that involves more than simply lounging on the side of the pool in an exotic Caribbean resort. As a result, this week we're going to talk about the magical world of unspoilt nature and century-old local traditions to which you can gain access by coming to Slovenia - and bringing your precious bicycles along.
Maribor is officially Slovenia's second largest town, and between April and October each year, it is the perfect staring point for your cycling holiday. Cut in two by the river Drava, it is bordered by lush, fertile hills and rich hillside vineyards. After a refreshing weekend spent exploring its charming streets and open-air markets, you can hop onto your bicycle and head in any direction you like, making sure to stop for at least one night in the countless available hotels with thermal water springs where you can relax after a day's cycling or simply pamper yourselves and enjoy the spa treatments. Why a bicycle, you will ask. Why not travel by car straight to the spa resorts and simply cut back on the amount of effort, focusing on the "wellness" part. The answer is simple: northeastern Slovenia is a wonderfully complex and beautiful region, in which quality and tradition blend together, and if you chose to visit it, it's best if you can explore it yourselves, ten or twenty miles at a time.
In which case, a bicycle is definitely your new best friend. Cycling allows you a moderate amount of exercising, and given that the region is made up of plains and gently sloping hills, with a minimum amount of effort you can enjoy Slovenian countryside and the country's famed hospitality first-hand. It's much better than pounding a treadmill ever couple of days at your local gym, with nothing but sweaty, half-dressed people to contemplate. A bicycle also allows you to "stop and stare" as they say virtually whenever and wherever you feel like it, whether on the edge of a beautiful lake or in the middle of a forest clearing, with some fresh cheese, a nice piece of prosciuto and some quality, local-made wine. Which, of course, is pretty much out of the question if you're traveling by car. A bicycle will also provide you with enough autonomy as to move easily between the many villages and small towns, covering as much terrain as you you feel like, with the promise of a nice, welcoming spa at the other end of the road. Which is why, if you're a nature aficionado who loves adding a healthy touch to your life, you'll see that a bicycle tour of northeastern Slovenia is your idea of heaven.
