Julian Alps, Slovenia
Seven nights over the Julian Alps, down the emerald Soča and across the Karst, with an 11-course finale at Grič.
Get first accessSee the daysSmall, green and wildly underrated
Slovenia is small, green and wildly underrated, and right now it's one of the most exciting places to eat in Europe. We ride from Ljubljana into the Julian Alps, over the Vršič Pass and down the emerald Soča Valley. Then we spend two nights at a private villa near the Italian border with our own chef, cross the Karst past Predjama Castle, and sit down to an 11-course dinner at Grič.
- Over the Vršič PassThe great climb of the Julian Alps, with 50 hairpins.
- The Soča ValleyRiding beside the most emerald river in Europe.
- Two nights at a private villaWith our own chef, near the Italian border.
- Predjama CastleA castle built into a cliff, on the way back through the Karst.
- An 11-course dinner at GričThe food highlight of the trip.
The route
Five riding days on one loop, with a rest day in the middle. The big day is the climb over the Vršič Pass, the highest road pass in Slovenia at 5,290 ft. After that it's rolling roads through river valleys, vineyards and the Karst. The van carries your bags every day and can pick you up anytime.
- Nights
- 7 (2 at a private villa)
- Distance
- 248 mi · about 50 mi a day
- Climbing
- About 19,400 ft
- Fly in / out
- Ljubljana (LJU)
Eight days, at a glance
Breakfast every day. On nights without a group dinner, I'll point you to my favorite spots nearby.
You'll enjoy this if you ride regularly and are comfortable with 35–50 mile days that include climbs of an hour or more. You don't need to be fast; you need to be steady.
- One big mountain pass, then rolling roads
- Daily rides of roughly 30–65 miles
- A rest day at the villa in the middle
Good to know about the riding
The Vršič Pass is the one big day. Some of the hairpins on the north side are cobbled, so take them steady. Everything else is rolling, with a rest day to recover.
What a typical day looks like
Breakfast together, then we roll out mid-morning. We stop for coffee and a long lunch along the way, and arrive at the next stay in the afternoon with time to shower, explore or nap. Evenings are for dinner, whether it's a group dinner or one of the places I've picked for you to try on your own.
How the riding works
- I ride with the group every day.
- A support van carries your luggage, follows the ride with snacks and water, and can pick you up anytime.
- You'll get every day's route ahead of time for your GPS or phone.
- Ride at your own pace. We regroup at coffee and lunch stops.
Can the plan change?
Routes, stays, restaurants and daily plans may change. We reserve the right to update the itinerary for weather, road conditions, availability or safety, and if something changes we'll swap in something just as good.
Where we eat, where we sleep
The food
Three of the best meals of the season: an opening dinner at Gostilna As in Ljubljana, a private chef cooking for us at the villa, and an 11-course tasting menu at Grič, one of Slovenia's most exciting restaurants. In between, it's mountain trout, Soča Valley cheeses, Karst prosciutto and wines from Collio and the Vipava Valley.
The stays
Small, characterful 3–4 star stays: a boutique hotel in Ljubljana, a mountain hotel in Kranjska Gora, a guesthouse in the Soča Valley, two nights at a private villa with its own chef, and a hotel near Postojna. Exact properties are confirmed closer to the trip.
Book it, then just ride and eat
- 7 nights of hand-picked stays
- Breakfast every day
- Three group dinners, plus the signature dinner at Grič
- Private chef dinner at the villa
- Luggage van between stays, and van support on every ride
- Snacks and water on rides
- Rider jersey and cap
- Alex riding with you every day
- Pro photos and video of the trip
Not included
- Flights
- Airport and train transfers
- Most lunches
- Dinners on free nights
- Drinks beyond the wine at group dinners
- Bike rental (offered as an add-on)
- Travel insurance (required)
Be first in line
Pricing is announced Nov 16, and each trip has just 8 spots. Leave your name and email and I'll send you pricing and first access before booking opens to everyone on Nov 19.
How booking works
- Deposit
- $1,500, non-refundable
- Balance due
- 120 days before the trip
- Rooms
- Shared, or your own room
- Bike
- Bring your own, or rent one
- Group
- 8 riders max, 5 to run
- Trip confirmed by
- March 12, 2027
Alex Blosil, chef and ride leader
I'm a chef from Utah who cooked in Paris and speaks French fluently. I plan every trip around the best tables in each region, and I ride every mile with the group. More about me
Good to know
How do I get there?
Fly into Ljubljana. We meet at the start hotel on Saturday afternoon for the opening dinner, and the trip ends after breakfast the following Saturday. Want to arrive early or stay longer? Just ask and I'll help you book extra nights.
How hard is the Vršič Pass?
It's a steady mountain climb with many hairpins, some of them cobbled. Take it at your own pace, and the van is right behind you if you want a lift.
How fit do I need to be?
See “Is this trip for me?” above, under Your days. You don't need to be fast. The van can pick you up anytime, so you choose how much you ride.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes. Or rent a quality bike from us as an add-on, fitted and ready when you arrive.
Can I get an e-bike?
Not on our 2027 trips. The van follows every ride, so if you need a break, you can hop in anytime.
I'm traveling solo. Can I have my own room?
Yes. You can choose your own room, or a shared room if you're booking with a friend or partner.
I have dietary needs. Is that OK?
Of course. Tell us when you book. I'm a chef, and I'll make sure you eat well.
Can a non-riding partner come?
Get in touch and we'll see what we can work out.
When do I pay?
A $1,500 non-refundable deposit holds your spot. The balance is due 120 days before the trip.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, it's required. Choose a policy that covers cycling and trip cancellation.
What should I pack?
We'll send a packing list after you book. Plan on cycling kit for each riding day, a rain jacket, warm layers and casual clothes for dinners.
Can I arrive early or stay longer?
Yes. Just ask and I'll help you book extra nights.
How big is the group?
8 riders at most, plus me, our support driver and our filmmaker.
Still have a question? Email alex@chefalextours.com.