Cycling in Slovenia

Saturday.  4.45am.  Alarm clock.  Off to Muscat where it's 47 degrees in the shade, according to BBC Weather. Just back from Slovenia (holiday – not work).  Fabulous country – Ljubljana, the capital, is beautiful.  Full of 17th century buildings and rriverside bars and restaurants, it's like a combination of Bruges and Prague overlooked by a picture-book castle.

Spent a week in the East of Slovenia, cycling a 250 kilometer loop from Maribor (more riverside bars and the world's oldest living vine) through the hills of the wine region and the spectacular flood plains of the Mura and Drava rivers.

The scenery was stunning – the wine-growing area near the Hungarian border is centred on the pretty village of Jeruzalem, one of many gorgeous spots in rolling hills full of vineyards, cypress trees and white hilltop churches. It's like Tuscany without the tourists. My only complaint was the end-of-the-day climb up to our hotel in Jeruzalem itself.

Three of our overnight stops were at thermal spas – there are 15 natural thermal spas in Slovenia. Lounging around in a natural jacuzzi drinking the local wine is a pretty cool way to round off a day on the bike.

In summary, Slovenia is a wonderful holiday option. Even the weather was spot-on (every day sunny and 25 to 30 degrees). I'll be back.