Day 7 with the bike from Croatia to Slovenia / Piran

Today, RV Rudy is taking a break again.

This morning I wake up at 5:30 because it's stormy outside. I wake up Jürgen and we decide to retract the awning as a precaution, which is not that easy in the wind. Jürgen holds on to the awning and I loosen everything and crank it in.

After that, we sleep until 8 o'clock.

After breakfast, we head to Slovenia. Today, we want to drive to Piran via Portoroz. The first 2 km are uphill, then several km downhill (which we have to climb again in the afternoon)

View of the Sečovlje Salt Pans

At the border, we want to ride past the border post on the sidewalk but we are promptly called back. So we join the line of cars. I have never crossed a border by bike before.

After the border, we ride through orchards and the salt pans landscape, always along the water and the Sečovlje Salt Pans.

The ancient method of salt production, passed down from generation to generation by the Piran salt workers and originating from the salt fields of the island of Pag, still represents a special tradition even in the Mediterranean region.

It is a huge habitat for marsh turtles, storks, herons, etc.

The bike path is well signposted and well maintained.

In Portoroz, there are quite a few expensive hotels but other than that it's not very nice.

After 20 km, we arrive in Piran.

In Piran, we first look for cold drinks and then visit the very pretty town.

Piran - the city of salt

Slovenia's most beautiful coastal city has grown on salt. The Piran Salt Pans, where first-rate salt is still harvested today using traditional methods, were the source of the development of the picturesque Mediterranean town with its city walls, church, and cultural attractions.

It's not really crowded here and everything, like in all the Croatian cities we have seen so far, is very clean and well-maintained.

For the way back, we stock up on enough water.....with the kilometer-long climb in mind.

The salt warehouses of Piran.

The border crossing goes smoothly this time and then it goes uphill. About 4 km. But since it's not really steep, we make it up quite well.

Time for a refreshing swim in the sea. Tonight, we'll cook for ourselves as yesterday's food wasn't that great and we still have enough supplies.