Nova Gorica to Sezana 🇸🇮 61kms 🚴‍♀️

Day 20:  Nova Gorica to Sezana 🇸🇮 61kms 🚴‍♀️


A fabulous day on the bike in Slovenia!  This morning we had a later start as we waited for the rain to stop and chatted with other hostel guests and the owner.  She recommended a few places for us to see and so I dived into my cycle route planning tool and re-routed to take her advice.

First stop was just down the hill from the hostel to see the ‘Three bridges’ view over the Soca river.  The Solkan bridge is the largest stone bridge in the world! 

We then rode back up the hill and down to Europa square and visited the Museum of the Border which provided insights into the divide between Yugoslavia and Italy.  Fascinating history of Lyduska countess of yugoslavia who was very influential and ensured that her property was located in Italy.  We stood on the remnants of the iron curtain and saw a few border crossings.  


Then off we cycled to the Vrapa valley wine region.  Vineyards, olive groves and orchards fill this lush valley.  We had asked for a recommendation for an authentic place for lunch and so diverted about 20kms to visit Arkade Turizem which is a vineyard which is now run by a young woman whose grandfather started the farm.  We were the only ones there when we arrived and enjoyed a magnificent platter in the courtyard under the grapevines and cherry tomato vines.  We had a glass of their own white wine which they produce 50,000 litres annually.

Then off we set for our destination.  10kms down the road as we entered the town of Branik we saw a huge castle way up on the hill, then realised our route headed that way! Well, we cycled up a large mountain via switchbacks, past the castle to the top and over the other side. The last 20kms were on new cycle paths undulating through the countryside. 

Pizza for dinner! 

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