The view across the valley was the perfect excuse to stop my bike and catch a breath. The walled village of Smartno, with the bell tower acting as sentinel, beckoned atop cascading vineyards.

Cave networks used by medieval knights, sunlit rolling hills filled with family run vineyards and towns atop vast wine cellars – Slovenia’s landscape offers a rich cultural tapestry to explore.

1. Local Cheese Cheese, glorious cheeeeese! Cheese is one way to my heart and the country must have known it. One of the ...

If you see a traditional inn, make sure you stop for a tipple of Slovenian wine. Look out for bike-friendly hotels, which display a bicycle symbol showing they offer a variety of cycling services ...