Istrian Cycle Explorer
8 Days Starting and ending in Porec
Visiting: Croatia
Tour Overview
Istria, the largest Croatian peninsula, is a magical region that is ideally discovered by bike. With green forests, historic hilltop towns, vineyards and olive groves, this self guided itinerary is the perfect combination of nature, history and culture. Cycling through a beautiful landscape of hills framed by rivers, forests and vineyards, there is ample time to stop where you like. Along the way you'll pass through the hidden medieval towns of Groznjan, Oprtalj, Motovun and Porec, with their charming historic centres. You can reward your efforts in the saddle each day by relaxing at your comfortable family-run hotel while sampling the excellent Istrian wines.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Porec
Make your way to Porec and check in at the first hotel (due to availability we occasionally use a hotel in nearby Vrsar). Porec is rich in culture and history and we recommend taking some time to walk through the town this afternoon. You can walk along the old city centre, where you'll find the Roman Forum, magnificent palaces from different historical periods, and to top it all off, the famous Euphrasian Basilica (Euphrasiana). At 7pm there will be a welcome briefing where you'll receive your rental bike. Overnight Porec or Vrsar.
Day 2 : Discover Porec By Bike, Then Cycle Along The Coastline To The Buje Region (72Km/45Mi)
Today you begin by cycling along the coastline with its beautiful bays, enjoying the breathtaking Mediterranean landscape with green vineyards and olive groves. Along the trail you will reach Višnjan,with its astronomical observatory, the Mirna river delta, then Novigrad, before arriving in Umag. Umag has a rich historical heritage and each year hosts a unique festival, of the traditional organ (Organum Histriae). Situated on a peninsula, founded in the transitional period from late antiquity into the early middle ages, its historic centre speaks with the spirit of the old Venetian Republic. Continue to the northernmost point of Istria (Savudrija) before finishing the day in the Buje region. Overnight in Volpija or Kaldanija (3 star hotels option) or Brtonigla or Nova Vas (upgrade option).
+724 m / -581 m, +2375 ft / -1906 ft
Day 3 : Cycle Via Fascinating Towns To Buzet (54Km/34Mi)
This morning you will cycle to the pretty hilltop town of Groznjan, known as 'the town of artists'. Groznjan is a typical medieval Istrian town overlooking the Mirna river. Take time to stroll through the town to see the St Vitus and Modeto's church and Renaissance loggia and admire the views, before getting back on your bike and continuing to Sterna, named for its large cistern, Oprtalj with its portals and covered passages, and finally Buzet. Buzet is known as the 'city of truffles' as the surrounding forests are some of the best areas in Istria for finding these gourmet delights. Overnight Buzet.
+845 m / -831 m, +2772 ft / -2726 ft
Day 4 : Cycle To Rabac Or Labin, Pearls Of Kvarner Bay (67Km/42Mi)
After conquering the tough climb to Prodani this morning, the cycle route will lead to one of the most attractive and picturesque medieval towns of Istria, Draguc. Once renowned for its cultivation of silk worms, Draguc today is almost completely abandoned. You may recognise its natural beauty, stone architecture, palaces and old churches, as many movies and TV series have been filmed here. Continue to Pazin, the heart of Istria. In the first written record of the town in 983, Pazin is known as the cultural, commercial and educational centre of the entire central region of Istria. From Pazin you pass through Gracišce, a jewel of the Istrian hinterland, before continuing to Rabac or Labin, both pearls of Kvarner Bay.
+1204 m / -1069 m, +3949 ft / -3506 ft
Day 5 : Continue Through A Nature Reserve To Pula (53Km/33Mi)
This morning you'll ride across Raša, which was the first modern mining town in Istria. Along the way you'll find yourself in the beautiful nature reserve of Liburna, full of native animals (including very friendly donkeys!) and a unique ethnological collection of antique tools. You'll end the day in Pula, which just like Rome, is a city built on seven hills and home to a magnificent amphitheatre, dating from the 1st century BCE. Pula has been casting its spell on visitors for centuries, and you're sure to be enchanted too. Overnight Pula.
+560 / -815 m, +1837 ft / -2673 ft
Day 6 : Cycle Along The Coast Towards Rovinj (61Km/37Mi)
Today's cycle takes you along the coastline towards Rovinj. This morning you will head for the mysterious world of the Bale region. Bale was built along the Via Flava, the ancient Roman road that connected Trieste and Pula. Pass by Svetvincenat, with its grandiose towered citadel and 16th century Venetian style houses. A rare witchcraft trial was held here in the 17th century. You'll finish the day's cycle tour in Rovinj.
+591 m / -586 m, +1938 ft / -1922 ft
Day 7 : Cycle Past A Marsh, A Fjord, The Coastline And Fishermen Villages To Porec (60Km/38Mi)
Today's cycle has much to pique your interest, including a marsh and a fjord, a spectacular coastline, legends of buried pirate treasure, and an ancient solar observatory. The ride will take you across Kanfanar to the ruins of the medieval town of Dvigrad. After cycling along the coastline you will reach Vrsar, a quaint fishing village that was twice visited by Casanova. From here you'll head back to Porec (or your hotel in Vrsar) for your last overnight stay.
+787 m / -791 m, +2581 ft / -2594 ft
Day 8 : Trip Concludes
The trip concludes this morning with arrangements ending after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses -
7 breakfasts
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7 nights in 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (option to upgrade to mainly 4* hotels - supplement applies)
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Welcome briefing
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Information pack with route notes and maps and navigation app to use with your smartphone (phone holder for the handlebars is recommended)
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Hybrid bike with cycle computer, water bottle holder, saddle bag containing spare tube, tyre lever and tools, hand pump, lock, 1 waterproof side pannier, map holder, helmet
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Luggage transfer
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Transfers as noted in the itinerary
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to and from Porec
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Airport transfers Porec
Grading
This cycle route is not way marked, however you are provided with a detailed route book and map. The route is mainly flat with some hilly terrain and follows local roads with some short connections on main roads but generally the cycling is relaxed and traffic light (except in July and August, the high season periods, when you will experience a higher volume of traffic).
Accommodation
7 nights in 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses
The standard trip is based in family-run 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses, or you can choose the upgrade option and stay in mainly 4 star hotels (supplement applies).
Many of the hotels are renowned for their excellent cuisine and all offer a warm welcome to cyclists, traditional hospitality and an authentic experience.
On the standard trip, the hotels are 3 star in Porec, the Buje area, Pula and Rovinji.
With the upgrade option, the hotels are 4* in Porec (heritage style, on the waterfront) and Pula (boutique hotel), and dependent on availability 4 or 5 star elegant and stylish hotels in Brtonigla/Nova Vas.
In Buzet and Rabac we use the same comfortable hotels for both categories - in Buzet 3 or 4 star, in Rabac or Labin 4 star.
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Nov 15, 2024 - Nov 22, 2024Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.