I had a bad case of cabin fever and needed to get out. I read about The Carnival Festival in Idrija. I put together a route to Piran with hotels. Traveling during the off season has many advantages. It’s easy to get discounted reservations and at the last minute. I was the only guest at every hotel I stayed at.
My first stop was OKREPCEVALNICA KMECKI HRAM ROBERT FORTUNA. When touring during the summer, I’m usually camping. But I stop here to eat, drink and have an ice cream. The nights were just below freezing, so it’s hotels, all the way. I had dinner, hotel, and breakfast all for 50 euros.
ROUTE LJUBLJANA to OKREPCEVALNICA KMECKI HRAM & photos below
It’s a short 6km ride to Idrija. I’m staying at Zimmer Barbera Idrija, it’s above the Mining Museum. The Carnival doesn’t start till 3, so I set up my room. I bring an HDMI cable and hook up my tablet to watch NBA games on the BIG screen! I had an over the top great meal at the hotel. Dumplings are the local treat. Barbara’s mom makes the Dumplings and her husband Nejc made the deer goulash. Looking back that was the best meal of the whole trip.
I’ve gone to many many festivals in Slovenia. This was a top 5 event. I think I was the only tourist. It was such wholesome family fun. The theme is costumes and the stage time is used to ridicule the local politicians who were all there.
The route to Ajdovscina is super nice and not many cars. I’m actually going to Vipavski Kriz, I’ve stayed here 3 times. It’s a hilltop community, there are remnants of a castle, but no proper standing castle. This Airbnb accommodation is only 34 euro a night.
The ROUTE from Vipaski Kriz is a tough call. I rode to Sezana and no cars for 2 hours. Then I tried a new gravel route and before I knew it I was in Trieste, which is never fun.
When in Koper, I always eat at NORI SUSHI, both sushi and vegan options. I got a room in Piran. I’m staying at Art Piran’s apartment. I got 2 nights with a super breakfast for 75 euro, 1/2 the price of comparable rooms. I played tourist for a couple days, CAFFE NEPTUNE, Fritolin Pri Cantini, Ribic Baja, Fruit Stand
I rode back to Koper to catch the train back to Ljubljana, stopping in Izola. In Koper again I had lunch at Nori Sushi, again!
It was a great five-day adventure. If you dress properly, riding year-round is possible. I don’t like riding in the rain, but it’s easy on a cold sunny day.
The climate crisis is real and Trump’s American war on the environment is criminal. Please boycott, any and all American entities: Facebook, X, Amazon, Coca Cola, McDonalds, KFC, and don’t travel to America as a tourist. They’re not only destroying the planet but trying to create a new authoritarian rules-based world order. We may be only one person, but together we can send the message to F-off.
Have a Nice Day,
JEFF
NEXT: I have two friends visiting this summer, one Frenchman & one American. We’re going to do some bike touring together. We will be crisscrossing Slovenia and pinching the train here and there, to make it work.
i heard you Jeff and sure boycott all america
love from turkiye,