Istrian Cycle Explorer
Istrian Cycle Explorer
$1690
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. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Porec
Location: Porec
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Porec or Vrsar
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 7.00pm there will be a welcome briefing where you'll receive your rental bike. Overnight Porec or Vrsar. ...more ...less
Day 2 : Discover Porec By Bike, Cycle Along The Coastline To The Buje Region (72Km/45Mi)
Location: Porec
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Volpija, Kaldanija, Brtonigla, or Nova Vas
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)
Location: Buzet
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Buzet
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)
Location: Rabac
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Rabac or Labin
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)
Location: Pula
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Pula
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)
Location: Rovinj
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Rovinj
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, Coastline And Fishermen Villages To Porec (60Km/38Mi)
Location: Porec
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Porec or Vrsar
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
Location: Poreč
Meals Included: Breakfast
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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Digital documents with Navigational App
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Hybrid bike with bike odometer, 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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Daily luggage transfer, 1 bag per person, 20kg maximum
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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
What's Not Included
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Travel to and from Porec
Travel arrangements to and from Porec are not included.
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Airport transfers Porec
Airport transfers to and from Porec are not included.
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Lunches, dinners and drinks
Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included in the package.
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Items of a personal nature
Personal expenses such as phone calls, laundry, etc., are not included.
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Tour guide
This is a self-guided cycle tour; a tour guide is not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory but not included in the package.
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Single room supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Handlebar phone holder
A handlebar phone holder is recommended to use the navigation app but is not included.
Grading
GRADE 3 - 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). ...more ...less
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 and Pula 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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Check out our Q&As
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What type of bike is provided for the tour?
The tour provides a hybrid bike equipped with a cycle computer, water bottle holder, saddle bag containing a spare tube, tyre lever and tools, hand pump, lock, one waterproof side pannier, map holder, and helmet.
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Is luggage transfer included in the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer service is provided to transport your bags between accommodations during the tour.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 7 breakfasts. Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included.
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Is there a guide provided during the tour?
No, this is a self-guided cycle tour, so a tour guide is not included.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 7 nights in 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses. There is an option to upgrade to mainly 4-star hotels for an additional supplement.
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What should I expect during the welcome briefing?
During the welcome briefing, you will receive important information about your trip and your rental bike.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
Travel insurance is mandatory for the tour but is not included in the package.
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What is the difficulty level of the cycling route?
The cycle route is mainly flat with some hilly terrain. It follows local roads with some short connections on main roads, and generally, the cycling is relaxed and traffic is light, except during the high season in July and August.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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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 250 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.
Istrian Cycle Explorer
8 Days Starting and ending in Porec
Visiting: Porec, Buzet, Rabac, Pula, Rovinj, Poreč
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ICX
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided