FIGHT FOR GREEN

Warming Up

Thursday, June 16th

Stage 2: from PTUJ to ROGAŠKA SLATINA

After the breakfast we will join the group of pro cyclists departing their 2nd Stage with VIP Access st the Start Village in Ptuj.

Today’s stage will take place in low hilly terrain with many not too heavy up and down-hills.

In Ptuj and its surroundings you will discover many natural beauties. The green varied landscape is mostly overgrown with forest, and vines thrive in the sunny hills in rich wine-growing districts. Beautiful sights invite you to enjoy the fresh air, and to discover the beautiful surroundings.

If you want to explore more, you can also visit caves, nature parks and various other attractions, which you will be happy to talk about when you return home.

The finish of today’s stage is in city Rogaška Slatina.

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Visiting Rogaška Glassworks

A crystal-clear choice. One of the world’s finest crystal manufacturers has a rich legacy of ancestors from this area. The products are still manually made, while the master glass makers are using the latest technology.

Visiting Beer Fountain in Žalec

The first beer fountain in the world. The Green Gold Fountain is a tribute to the hop growing heritage of the Lower Savinja Valley and Žalec, which is the hop-growing centre of Slovenia. Slovenia is also the fifth largest producer of hops in the world and hop is the “spice” that gives beer its distinctive flavour.

Ramp Up

Friday, June 17th

Stage 3: from ŽALEC to CELJE

Starting from Žalec, unspoiled piece of land that can still be found is worth its weight in gold. Žalec is full of stories told by nature and written down by human.you can satisfy your curiosity by discovering our nature  and visiting some beautiful spots.

Wonderful experiences await you! Take the opportunity to forget your everyday life and rest in the midst of the green valley where we grow hops, our green gold, and surround yourself with kind people.

Climb to Celjska koča

With a great view of Celje far down below, comfort and authentic nature meet on the green plateau in the south of the Celje Basin.

The route between Celje and Celjska koča is 6.8 km long and you’d better be an experienced cyclist. The road running through the forest is paved to make climbing up the hill slightly easier. In between, on the left side, a view of Celje opens up, including of the Old Castle. At the highest point of your cycling tour, you will be slightly more than 400m above the city.

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Celjska koča Zipline

Test your courage and take a ride on the Celjska koča zipline spanning no less than 829 metres.

Adventure Park

Have you ever flown in the air on a sleigh? You can do it at the adventure park near Celjska koča! In addition, you can easily navigate the zipline from one tree to the next, and test yourself on a rope bridge. Even the most experienced climbers among you have most probably never tried rock climbing high up just below the cloud cover or climbing trees by means of climbing aids.

Celje Castle

Romantic, enticing, magnificent, dark, frightening – the Celje Old Castle. It is a must-see sight for all visitors to Celje, regardless of where you are from. A mighty walled castle towering over the city is sure to leave you speechless. Once you visit it, it will stay in your memories forever.

The Queen Stage

Saturday, June 18th

Stage 4: from LAŠKO to VELIKA PLANINA

After the breakfast the shuttle transfer will take you from Žalec to Laško, where the 4^th stage will take place.

The Queen stage of this year’s Tour of Slovenia will start in Laško. Laško is historically the brewing town with long-lasting traditions. Next the bridge across  the Savinja river that leads to the old town center you will be welcomed by a statue of Gambrinus, the king of beer.

Cycling lovers can explore hidden corners and attractions while challenge seekers can put their bicycles to the test and build up extensive mileage while visiting viewing points, hospitable farms and restaurants.

We will take the riding climb from Kamnik to Velika Planina. The 25 km long climb will challenge us with almost 1.500 meter of ascending.

Velika Planina is considered also as the world of alpine pastures. High mountains, the views and relaxing environment on one side and on the other side offering the magnificent views of the highest peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the capital city – Ljubljana.

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Virtual Tour: Highest Chimney in Europe

The tour will take us through Trbovlje town, where you can see the the highest chimney in Europe, which is a unique experience for itself. It’s 360 meters high and it’s the highest building in Slovenia, the highest chimney in Europe and the 7th highest in the world. A mighty building that can withhold an earthquake of magnitude 10, charms every visitor that gets close to its foothills. It’s a magnet for adrenaline enthusiasts, that wish to climb it despite the ban. For the locals it is the monument of an industrial past and simultaneously a building that challenges the idea of a bright future.

Visiting Velika Planina shepherd’s cottage

In the summer months you can refresh yourself with a true shepherd’s snack – sour milk and buckwheat mush. Shepherds will also happily serve home-made cheese or other dairy products. You can find many Slovenian delicious dishes (jota, rice, goulash, sausage with sour cabbage, buckwheat mush) also in the Restaurant Zeleni rob. We recommend you try sweet cottage cheese dumplings with fruit dressing.

In the late afternoon the shuttle will take participants from Velika Planina to Bled where we will spend the afternoon at Slovenian beautiest and most beloved Lake Bled. After the dinner the shuttle will take us to Kranjska Gora.

The Grand Finale

Sunday, June 19th

Stage 5: from VRHNIKA to NOVO MESTO

This is the last racing day and the final chance to “fight for green”.

Do you know, who invented the wheel? No one really knows. Well established belief is, that the first wheels were used in Mesopotamia approximately  4.000 B.C. From there, they were spread around the world. Some experts attribute the wheels invention to the prehistoric Europe.

The oldest wooden wheel in the world was found here, in today’s start city, Vrhnika. Estimation says it’s 5200 years old and its heritage.

The three best cyclists in the overall classification of the “tour of Slovenia” race receive special trophies – replicas of the oldest known, 5,200-year-old wooden wheel found in the today’s starting village.

Today will be also the toughest day four us. After a solid breakfast we will climb the Vršič Pass.

Vršič Mountain Pass with its 1,611m is the highest road pass in the Eastern Julian Alps. The high-mountain road from Kranjska Gora through Vršič to Log in Trenta has 50 serpentines, 24 on the side of Kranjska Gora and 26 on the Trenta side.

In Vršič, you can relax and have something to eat or drink in the mountain cabins. You can enjoy magnificent views of the highest peaks in Julian Alps. They all will seem so close to you that you will fell as you can touch them.

After a short break, as a reward we will enjoy steep descent to Kranjska Gora. Shuttle will then take us to the VIP podium in Novo Mesto, where we will await the best riders to cross the finish line.

The journey ends with the official closing ceremony.