The recent record temperatures of Climate Change requires we think about how we travel. Slovenian’s love of bees, nature and abundant water are all at stake. Slovenia’s great public transportation is a great option to help you reduce your carbon footprint. I biked through Slovenia in 2013, while biking from Lisbon to Istanbul. Living in America it’s hard to be Car Free. But Slovenia’s mix of train’s, buses, Prevoz rideshare & a bicycle have enabled me to live here car free. I was watching for some clear weather at the coast and found 3 sunny days the first week of June. The train now goes to Koper and with a bike it’s only 11 euro, cost less than 3 days of just parking your car in Izola.
BIKE PATH KOPER TO IZOLA
I biked the 5 km to Izola and stayed at the Hostel Alieti for about 20 euro, depending on the season. When I travel in the off season, I usually have the room to myself. The hostel has a small kitchen you can use, I’ll make some breakfast, but like going out too. Now your at the beach, the sun is out and you got your bike (you can rent bikes & e-bikes too). The Parenzana trail is a great route to ride to Portoroz and Piran.
In Piran, I usually eat at Ribič Baja, always good and affordable. This time I tried some new places, Fritolin Pri Cantini, comes highly recommended. For Beer? Cakola Caffe Piran has Slovenia’s best, Vega by Maister brewery. There a several quality arts & craft stores, this time I visited Nika’s Tiny House. Besides her tiny houses, she has some unique & original post cards, that she designed.
NIKA OF TINY HOUSE GALLERY
CAFE NEPTUN, A GREAT COFFEE THEN A BEER
I biked to Koper to catch the next train, then I spotted the Ljubljana express bus. I was able to put my bike underneath the bus. Mixing travel modes is exciting and adventurous. Environmental travel is possible, once you learn how to navigate all the options, a car free vacation is something everyone can afford to do.
A couple winters ago the Slovenian winter storms damaged the train route from Ljubljana to Koper, at the coast. I heard they repaired the problems and you could now ride the train all the way to Koper. Last time I went to the coast I borrowed Natasa’s car, this time I’m taking the train.
The train was 30 mins. late leaving because it was waiting for a train from Germany to make a connection. I got to sit up front with the guy driving the train, we spoke some English too! I only had 10 minutes to make my train connection. I missed my connection and ended up putting my bike on the bus the rest of the way to Koper (for free).
10 MINUTES AFTER I ARRIVED IT STARTED POURING RAIN, BREAKFAST AND COFFEE TILL THE STORM PASSED-RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.
30 minutes of rain stopped, I then headed to Piran, Slovenia. I rode past Izola, but was planning to go there after Piran.
LOOKING DOWN ON IZOLA
ROUTE TO PIRAN
ROUTE TO PIRAN
THIS LONG TUNNEL WILL MAKE MORE SENSE AFTER I RIDE TO IZOLA USING A DIFFERENT ROUTE.
THE TUNNEL WAS PERFECTLY DRY, IT WAS IN AMAZING SHAPE
I’m so lucky to be in good enough shape to enjoy all these biking adventures. Speaking of luck someone did a study and said luck doesn’t just happen. Talk to the people around you, be truly interested in them, share your knowledge and insights with others. Talk to people in the bank/post office line. I do this all the time, it drives Natasa crazy Slovenians are somewhat reserved. She’s always saying how lucky I am, there’s a reason. One more thing, put your cell-phone down and talk to the person right next to you, the world will be a better place.
In Piran I stayed at the Val Hostel it was super awesome, right in the heart of the old town. For only $22 euro I got a private room with a sink (bathroom/shower down the hall) and a super breakfast. I highly recommend anyone to stay there.
CONTRACTORS HAVE TO CARRY EVERYTHING IN TO THE OLD TOWN
THIS SHELLED GUITAR IS AWESOME, I WANT IT
HE WAS PLAYING OLD ALLMAN BROTHERS TUNES, I TIPPED HIM 5 EURO
IT’S A GREAT WALKING TOWN
I VISITED THE WALL AND THE CLOCK TOWER, ONLY 1 EURO EACH.
THIS IS FOR MY FRIEND REV. PHIL
VIEW FROM THE WALL
LOOKING DOWN ON THE OLD TOWN SQUARE, IT’S OVAL SO THE EARLY TROLLEY COULD TURN AROUND.
SLOVENIA IS THE DESERT CAPTIAL
THE ESPLANADE WAS GREAT, I WENT SWIMMING EVERYDAY.
IT’S CONSIDERED THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST, HENCE PALM TREES
I had 2 days in Piran, so ventured into the hills with my bike. Lots of dead end google map routes, i finally got to the top,
RISING SEA LEVELS WON’T BE GOOD HERE
SOMEWHAT LOST CAN STILL BE GOOD
CROATIAN STYLE STONE HOUSE
I SENT THIS PHOTO TO NATASA AND ASKED IF THIS WAS OUR FUTURE?
I wanted to take a different route back to Izola, it was different all right. I climbed so many hills I couldn’t count them all. The tunnel saves so much time (climbing), I get the tunnel thing now, holy shit.
IT WAS NICE AT FIRST
NATASA WOULD HAVE KILLED ME IF I TOOK HER ON THIS ROUTE
I WALKED
AND WALKED
FINALLY BIKING AGAIN
IT TOOK 3 HOURS TO GO THIS WAY, 1 HOUR USING THE TUNNEL
I love Izola and the HOSTEL ALIETI. This is my 3rd time here, They are so friendly to me, it’s like home.
VIEW FROM LUNCH
STUFFED CALAMARI & VEGETABLES
ATE IT ALL
I RODE THE TOURIST TRAIN (again)
THE PIZZA PLACE BY THE HOSTEL IS THE BEST
A RARE FLAT TIRE
I (we) decided I could stay an extra day so I could attend the Sweets Festival in Koper. It’s Slovenia and it’s sweets, I could only imagine.
RIDING ALONG THE COAST I OBSERVED SOME KITE SURFING
THE BIKE PATH FROM IZOLA TO PIRAN FOLLOWS RIGHT ALONG THE WATER
OVER 100 DIFFERENT BOOTHS AT THE SWEETS FESTIVAL
SHE WAS GETTING HER FRIEND WET
THE BEST DESERTS WERE THE SUGAR FREE ONES FROM THE SAME PLACE I HAD BREAKFAST MY FIRST DAY
“LESS IS MORE”
BEST LITTLE COFFEE SET UP
YOU CAN BUY ONE FROM THEM
It only rained for a 1/2 hour the first day. I swam nearly everyday, ate great food, chocolate and now it’s time to get back to Skofja Loka. I grabbed the bus back, to bring the bike the driver wanted enough money for a coffee, 1 euro for the bike.
I had a gardening business for 25 years, so I had to get a picture of this kids shirt, on the bus.
PUSH IT PUSH IT “REAL GOOD”
I’m putting this picture here because I’m going to Paris, Dec. 7-14. One to visit Paris and the other to attend the World Climate Change Conference–as a protester because we all know like every other Climate conference, never an agreement or reduction, just an agreement to meet again. Meat and meat production causes over 50% of greenhouse gases, please avoid meat and especially beef. Go watch the movie COWSPIRACY , it’s on Netflix now. SIX EUROPEAN COUNTRIES GOING CAR-FREE
Thanks and have a great day.
Jeff
