Parenzana Trail Biking Experience from Koper

My husband and I arrived via cruise ship and the representative was waiting for us after we passed through passport control. Our guide walked us to the office and talked about the town’s history. After making sure that everyone in our group of 10 had pumped up tires and seats adjusted as desired, we were off. A short distance of cycling within the Old Town streets and then we were on the bike path. This path is a converted railway bed and is well marked for walkers & cyclists. Our guide stopped periodically to give us information about the area & to take pictures. As we approached Isola, our guide, Nikola, stopped at a church and bell tower. He called the caretaker and she came to open the place up for us to explore. This was not stated in the itinerary, but was a wonderful surprise addition to the day! Once in Isola, we stopped at a cafe for beer, coffee and good conversation. After our break, the group was given a choice to continue past Isola into the hills, lengthening our trip by another hour, or return to the shop. Once back at the shop, we enjoyed tasting olives, meats, cheese, 4 different flavored olive oils & 5 different wines. We would recommend this tour. Notes: - there is a bathroom at bike shop, at cafe & along bike path - beer & coffee are extra, but are good & reasonably priced - you should bring a water bottle, bikes have bottle holders - guide gave us a map and directions to a couple of areas we wanted to see after the tour - regular bikes & e-bikes available

The bike trip from Koper to Izola was just right. There were options on how far and where the group wanted to go, based on clients' physical level, heat of the day, etc. There was time for a cold beer in Izola, half-way through, and the wine and 'meze' back in Koper were quiet nice. I'll probably take the same tour again some day, this time with family and / or friends. Some e-bikes were available, which was helpful for a hill up to the tunnel.

This bike tour reads so well. It took 45 minutes to organise bikes. We were left standing around while tyres got pumped up. There was no communication from the tour organisation despite leaving several messages. The day before the tour I got a brief email outlining pick up details? My questions still unanswered? The ride itself was enjoyable. The old train line is actually a sealed section of the road which is I was disappointed by. The scenery was beautiful. We rode to Izola. A few stops along the way for information which was good. But we did not pass through any tunnels, did not see any olive or vineyard plantations which was written in the description? We stopped in Izola with no explanation as to what we were doing? I ended up asking if we could wander around after being left for too long to have coffee? It was then we got prompted to have 30 minutes free time. Izola is a beautiful seaside town but we got little as far as history and culture of the place as was outlined. Surprisingly we then turned around and headed back to the shop where we started where we stood around the counter tasting different cheeses and wine. The produce was nice but this was not a lunch in a small village as described? Overall the cost was too expensive and the ‘what to expect’ is inaccurate. We could have hired bikes ourselves and done this without a guide? Would not recommend this tour.