Once you are on the Slovenian coast it is a »sin« not to get on a bike and set off to explore the surroundings. The countryside of our Primorska can be just as beautiful as the sea itself. It does not smell the same, but completely different. It has that homely aftertaste, you know, when you see the vines saliva just gathers in your mouth and perhaps, if you go into it so deeply you can taste that dark red Refošk. It has that homely aftertaste, you know, when you see the vines saliva just gathers in your mouth and perhaps, if you go into it so deeply you can taste that dark red Refošk.

Well then, let us set off together on the route from Portorož to Korte.

You can leave the car anywhere in Portorož or its surroundings. Personally I started the route right at the tourist information centre on the Obala road. I continued the route towards Lucija. On the right side the sea accompanies us, while on the left the inhabited side of Portorož rises. After barely two kilometres of busy road we join the Vinjole – Seča expressway. On the left side a sign warns us that we have to turn left onto the Korte road. The route begins to climb gently. We ride past farmhouses that recall years gone by. Perhaps three or four cars overtook me.

Silence, little birds and the hills accompanied me the whole time. My attention was drawn away from the wonderful colours of nature only by the greetings of friendly locals, who were already diligently tying up the vineyards, preparing the soil for planting, and some were even already hoeing the first crops. Every house or little house has a sign: »olive oil for sale«, »home-made wine for sale«. They live so much with their tradition and that has its own charm. I was higher and higher, and it was time to descend and to look to the right, where a view opened up for me over the Slovenian coast and the old salt pans. Olive groves, blossoming trees, tall cypresses, an old well, vineyards … what more could a person wish for?

After such a very pleasant route I came to a small settlement of closely built houses, a real ridge village with a view of the Alpine and the Dinaric world. I was greeted by the barking of a dog, which quickly made up for its bad intention by wagging its little tail. We keep slightly right and we are already in the centre of Korte. The road drops a little towards the Korte inn (on the left side). On the right there is a small »square« and the old agricultural cooperative. Straight on and a steep climb lead towards the church in which there are Baroque altars from 1762, so this climb is repaid for us, since while exercising we educate ourselves culturally as well. The southern slope of Korte are surrounded by vineyards, among which, besides the fruit trees listed above such as peaches, cherries and almond trees, fig trees also grow.

Descent to the Korte inn and right towards Izola. The road levels out somewhat and keeps on like that for some time. Since it was already towards the afternoon and the sun was no longer so strong, I really had to press the pedals faster in order to warm up a little and get the blood going through my veins. All at once the road begins to drop and in the distance the sea can already be seen. Behind us, along sharp bends and a really good descent, we leave villages such as Nožed, Malija and Cetore. But since the sea and Izola in all their beauty open up so nicely before us, believe me, you have to leave the bike and take a few photographs, because otherwise you would certainly reproach yourself later for this non-deed. We finish the descent, ride across the bridge that cuts across the expressway and we are already in the streets of Izola itself. After a few minutes we are on the seafront, drinking a coffee and enjoying ourselves.

We can end the route here, provided of course we have someone to come and collect us by car, or we go back the same way, except that from the Izola side quite a big climb towards Korte awaits us.

In short, decide in advance, according to your physical fitness, how you will continue the route. In any case the trip is worth every drop of sweat.