Route Recommendations? Austria, Slovenia, Croatia

[Stichill_imp]

Wondering if any members have ridden in Austria, Slovenia, and northern Croatia?

This June, one and possibly two buddies and I will be heading out from Stuttgart, Germany on a Thursday afternoon and returning on a Monday morning. We will not dally much along the way...this will be serious riding. This is the general [url=http://goo.gl/maps/UDo5o]route plan. We will be starting a little NW of the red pin, so the planned ride will be about 2,000 km / 1250 miles over two full days and two half days (three full days total). If we run into issues, the plan is to cut off the southern portions of the loop and turn back north.

[url=http://goo.gl/maps/UDo5o]

If anyone knows of particularly better routes to take that follow this general plan, I'd appreciate the input.

The sharp-eyed will note that there's a momentary excursion into Italy between Arnoldstein, Austria and Bovec, Slovenia. I'm looking forward to the ride thereafter along the Julian Alps.

[Cormanus]

You lucky chap, you.

[Stichill_imp]

You lucky chap, you.

Yes, I feel fortunate. I am tacking this onto a business trip, which eliminates air fare from the calculation. We're also riding unchaperoned by a touring agency, which is the real source of savings. We only need to rent bikes, pay for petrol, food (beer), and hotels. I think this ride will cost USD $1000-1200.

I'm excited but a little apprehensive too! I'm traveling with a veteran rider (I've only got 18k miles under my belt) but I will take credit for the idea of this ride and the proposed route. I knew I had bitten off a lot when he raised an eyebrow!

I rode the Furka Pass in Switzerland last July, which gave me a taste for the Alps that can't be untasted.

[Cormanus]

Never ridden in Europe, but I'm sure it's as you describe—get a taste for it and you have to do more. And more. And more.

[the Ferret]

Europe is awesome. My wife and I did a Edelweiss tour in 2010 and toured Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Lichtenstein. I would go back there and ride in a heartbeat if I could afford it. Enjoy the experience Stichill, you lucky guy.

[Stichill_imp]

That's awesome, ferret. You know exactly what it's all about.