Gourmet and wine cycling getaway in Slovenska Bistrica

Is your idea of an ideal vacation a romantic getaway full of good food, great wine and exploration of the area on two wheels? We suggest one of the many options for an active vacation in Slovenska Bistrica.

All of the listed cycling routes are suitable for road bikes, but other bikes can also be used.

Bicycle routes for road cycling, restaurants, wineries, accommodation and attractions can also be viewed on the Google map of Slovenska Bistrica - road cycling, which can be adjusted according to your preferences by using filters.

There are many excellent accommodation providers - from hotels to apartments and rooms. We recommend Panorama Glamping - Visole for a romantic gourmet-wine cycling weekend in Slovenska Bistrica. The weekend is intended for lovers of road cycling, gourmet experiences and wine tastings.

Friday:

Departure towards Slovenska Bistrica and arrival at Panorama Glamping - Visole from 4 p.m. onwards.

Sign up and go for the first bike ride in Slovenska Bistrica.

We suggest: 

Warm-up with bikes

Slovenska Bistrica Swamp Cycle Route (Močvirska kolesarska pot) - runs mostly along the main road and it is a marked cycle route.

37 km, 375 m height difference

If you want to have a rest and take a photo we suggest:

Castle Štatenberg – stop for a wine tasting from nearby Haloz (only on Sundays between 2 and 6 p.m.) or for a coffee and dessert.

Studenice Monastery

On the way back, you can detour a bit and stop by Winery Vehovar in Lokanja vas for a glass of wine.

If you arrive earlier, you can opt for a longer, beautiful version of cycling exploration:

Swamp trail with ponds (Rački and Pragerski ribniki) 

72 km, 800 m height difference

(you can shorten the trail by 20 km if you leave Rački ribniki ponds for the next day, turn right at Pragerska and follow the path past the ponds in that area).

In case of  bad weather: Order a taxi to visit Slovenska Bistrica Castle (guided tours: from Tuesday to Friday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; on Saturdays: at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.)

Dinner - we suggest some of our culinary providers who wil with their culinary creations and service, ensure an excellent experience for people with a selected taste. Check the availability by booking in advance.

Hotel Leonardo - restaurant
A table for four
Guest house Iršič
Inn Pri Martinu

For more providers, visit the TIC Slovenska Bistrica website.

Bed and breakfast

Panorama Glamping Visole is a cyclist-friendly accommodation facility. In addition to the safe keeping of your two-wheeled steed, they also offer bicycle rental (they have one trekking and one mountain bike), and they also provide their guests with a hot shower after the activity, even after they check out of the facility. 

Saturday:

After breakfast, you can explore Ritoznoj vineyards and the countryside. 

You have a few length and height less or more demanding versions for road cycling:

Between the Ritoznoj vineyards and the valley

35 km, 720 m height difference

For a longer trip, you can extend the cycling in the lowland part to the ponds near Pragersko and Rače.  

Ritoznoj wine route (with the ponds)

53 km, 820 m height difference

For more advanced cyclists, the Ritoznoj path via Šmartno na Pohorju is available

63 km, 1220 m height difference

For a quick rest and wine tasting in the heart of Ritoznoj, we recommend:

Winery Frešer and
Winery Martinus

You can also make a stop at the other winegrowers in the vicinity of the cycling route. Some are right next to the trail, others are just a short turn off the trail. We recommend checking ahead to see if they are open or perhaps working in the vineyards. Among excuisite wines, you will also be able to try a real specialty among wines - Ritoznojčan, which prides with the title of PTP that is recognized traditional denomination.  

In Ritoznoj, on the former vineyard estate named ŠtokWenzel, where recycling and top design come together, you can get to know the heritage of viticulture in a slightly different way.

In the afternoon
You can decide to pamper yourself at Glamping Panorama or put on your hiking boots and go on foot to one of the pearls of Slovenska Bistrica:

Bistriški vintgar gorge

Length of the route: 6 km
Duration: 1-2 hours

We recommend that you download the Živa Coprnija app, which presents the interest points along the route in an interesting way. From Vintgar, you can also climb up to Ančnikovo Gradišče.
Suggestions in case of bad weather:

In the morning

Escape Room “The Lost Element” or

Tour of Slovenska Bistrica Castle (guided tours: from Tuesday to Friday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; on Saturdays: at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.)

In the afternoon

Taxi to the Ritoznoj wine cellars for an excuisite wine tasting (don't drive while drinking).

Dinner suggestions:

Hotel Leonardo - restaurant
Table for four
Guest house Iršič
Inn Pri Martinu

If you want to spend the evening in intimate atmosphere, dinner can also be prepared for you at Glamping Panorama upon prior order.

For more culinary providers, please visit the TIC Slovenska Bistrica website.

Sunday

After breakfast, you can pack your suitcases and leave them at the reception, and go on a new cycling tour.

Walk to Kebelj
37 km, 900 m height difference

For more advanced cyclists, we recommend the cycling tour Potep to Keblje in še višje.
48 km, 1250 m height difference

Along the way, you can get off your bike and see:

Oplotnica vintgar
Cezlak, where the gray-green rock čizlakit comes from
Kebelj with Zajčev and Zbegov grad castles
Veliko Tinje (if you dedcide on for the longer version)

For a quick stop and wine tasting, we recommend the visit at our winegrowers. Some of  the wineries you have along the way:
Sustainable farming Zorjan (biodynamic grape production; the best orange wine in the world)
Winery Avguštin
Winery Gora pod lipo - advance notice is required, min. 6 people for wine tasting

If you want to have a tasty meal after cycling, we suggest:
Burger Plac
Pri Janezu — inn
Hotel Leonardo - restaurant

You can taste food at other culinary providers as well. They will make sure, you won't get hungry soon.
 
We wish you a safe journey home and a warm welcome when you get back.