What To Expect
Guided Cycling
Enjoy 4 days of guided cycling, exploring the scenic landscapes and charming locales of your destination.
Historical Exploration
Discover significant historical sites and ancient ruins, offering insights into the rich heritage of the region.
Picturesque Towns
Immerse yourself in the beauty of charming towns and villages, experiencing their unique character and local culture.
Foodie Experiences
Sample the finest wines with a visit to a Motovun winery and enjoy a freshly prepared oyster tasting experience.
About this trip...
What's included?
Airport transfers-
Airport taxes & charges
Private room
Half board with one drink at dinner
Welcome drink
Four days cycling-
Visit to Pula and Rovinj
-
The bikes that will be used are hard tail MTB bike Kona Lava Dome 29’ or 27’5 wheel size or similar.
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Itinerary
- Arrival day
- Novigrad to Savudrija over Umag
- Žminj to Lim Bay
- Pula and Rovinj
- Porec to Kontija Forest
- Parenzana old railway line
- Free day
- Departure day
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrival
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Scenic Tour from Novigrad to Savudrija
- Distance: Approximately 22 miles (shorter option to Umag: 16 miles)
- Elevation Change: +492 feet / -492 feet
- Breakfast & Dinner included
Day Three: Journey from Žminj to Lim Bay
After breakfast, we transfer to the start of today's cycling adventure, Žminj, in the heart of the Istrian peninsula. From here, we will head through the villages of Foli & Bokordići, taking a break in Savičenta village - well known for the Morosini-Grimani Castle. We then ride to Lim Bay, stopping enroute to visit the ruins of Dvigrad, an abandoned hilltop town. We will finish our tour at Lim Bay, a sunken valley stretching 13km long, here we will end the ride with oyster tasting.
- Distance: Approximately 17 miles
- Elevation Change: +394 feet / -1378 feet
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Four: Explore Pula and Rovinj on foot
Today we spend a day exploring on foot, discovering the Istrian Peninsula. We will journey by coach to the historical town of Pula, home to an impressive and perfectly preserved Roman Amphitheatre. Pula is nestled beneath the hills on the southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula and here we will find cafes spilling out onto the pavements and colourful boutiques sitting among the ancient Roman ruins. After lunch, we make our way to medieval Rovinj, a pretty resort reminiscent of Venice, with its houses seemingly rising out of the water, a lovely Old Town and picturesque harbour.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Five: Cycle from Porec to Kontija Forest
Todays biking route will begin in Poreč where we cycle towards the towns of Funtana and Vrsar. Vrsar is a small fisherman village but also known as a place where the famous Casanova was hiding from Venetian authorities. We then ride towards Kontija forest to enjoy unpaved paths and beautiful nature.
- Distance: Approximately 16 miles
- Elevation Change: +820 feet / -426 feet
- Breakfast & Dinner included
Day Six: Parenzana old railway line
Our final biking day has the potential to be one of the most beautiful, as the section from Buje over Grožnjan to Livade and Motovun has beautiful lookout points, 6 tunnels, 4 viaducts and several bridges. We begin in the small village of Stanica near Grožnjan - the 'Town of Artists'. Continuing along the southern side of the plateau, at some points on this route, we ride on a rough gravel road. We will arrive in the village of Biloslava, where there used to be a roofed railway stop - named after the nearby town of Kostanjica. The site offers a beautiful view of the Mirna River valley, Motovun, Vižinada & Kostanjica. We conclude our trip in one of the local wineries in the Motovun area.
- Distance: Approximately 13 miles (longer option from Buje: additional 4 miles)
- Elevation Change: +640 feet / -1542 feet
- Breakfast & Dinner included
Day Seven: Free Day
Today we can enjoy a free day to relax at the hotel or take the opportunity to explore this region further. The centre of Poreč is around a 40 minute walk away, a picturesque stroll along the coast, or a short taxi ride. Tonight, we will gather one final time for a farewell dinner.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Eight: Departure day
This morning, we enjoy our final breakfast at the hotel before departing to Pula airport for our onward flight.
- Breakfast Included
Trip Reviews
Varied programme of rides
The bike rides were excellent. Tour bike guides Luka and Iliya were professional, fun, informative and flexible. They catered to our every need and provided a varied programme of rides to wonderful locations. Added some interesting stops, coffee and lunch options, wine and oyster tasting and lots of Croatian history and culture. Would highly recommend these guys. The Istrian region of Croatia is absolutely stunning and prefect for cycling.
Cycle routes
Cycle routes. Tour guides used. Area as a whole.
Enjoyed the cycling routes
The scenery was great and the area we went to was so clean. I enjoyed the cycling routes although a couple found the gravel tracks not to their liking.
Lively llittle group
The local tour guides both for cycling and the cultural tour were good - I think they were all pleasantly surprised by the amount of interaction with our lively little group ! The bikes were good & solid and exactly the type advertised which is a sign of a decent business. I was happy with the distance and duration of the rides - the 30 miles on day three was the furthest I'd ever ridden in a day and is as far as I'd want to go though ! Porec town was a very nice little place with good restaurants, all the other towns and villages we visited were also good.
Accommodation
Hotel Mediteran Three-star
Facilities include
Room includes
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
- Cycling shorts/trousers with padded seat – to wear under your cycling clothes – definitely worth investing in a pair or two if you haven’t any already.
- Shorts to go on top of cycling shorts. For cooler climates or early/late in the season, you may want to consider packing three-quarter length shorts or tights/leggings.
- Waterproofs – light-weight fold-able jacket and trousers to fit in your small rucksack
- Comfortable trainers/footwear for cycling
- Cycling jersey or similar (insulated for warmth for cooler climates or early/late in the season)
- Base layer/breathable tops
- Mid layer (Fleece)
- Helmet – essential (we recommend to take your own for comfort and safety)
- Gloves (short or long finger)
- Lightweight drinking bottle
- Sunglasses – bright sunlight can impair your vision when riding, we recommend to bring a pair that fit comfortable and not fall off as you ride.
- Basic first-aid kit – It’s useful to have a basic first-aid kit in your small rucksack as you cycle. Cuts or scrapes can occasionally happen so make sure it includes a set of plasters, together with painkillers, bandages and any essential medication you may need.
- Sunscreen and lip-balm
- Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for when not cycling
