Tour Overview
Embark on the Istrian Cycle Explorer, a captivating self-guided cycling adventure through Croatia's stunning Istria region. This tour invites you to pedal through picturesque landscapes, from the charming coastal town of Porec to the artistic hilltop village of Groznjan, and the ancient city of Pula with its iconic amphitheatre. Experience the allure of medieval towns like Buzet, renowned for its truffles, and the scenic beauty of Kvarner Bay's Rabac and Labin. Cycle along the breathtaking coastline, past vineyards, olive groves, and historical sites, while enjoying local delicacies. Stay in welcoming 3-4 star hotels, with an option to upgrade for added comfort. With daily luggage transfers and a navigational app, this tour offers a seamless blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation in one of Europe's most enchanting regions. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Porec
Location: Porec, Euphrasian Basilica, Vrsar
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, Višnjan, Novigrad, Umag, Savudrija, Buje
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: Groznjan, Sterna, Oprtalj, 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: Prodani, Draguc, Pazin, Gracisce, Rabac, Labin
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: Raša, Liburna Nature Reserve, 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: Bale, Svetvincenat, 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: Kanfanar, Dvigrad, Vrsar, 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 -
Welcome briefing
A welcome briefing is included to provide an overview of the tour.
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Digital documents with Navigational App
Digital documents and a navigational app are provided for the tour.
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Hybrid bike with accessories
A hybrid bike with a bike odometer, water bottle holder, saddle bag containing spare tube, tyre lever and tools, hand pump, lock, 1 waterproof side pannier, map holder, and helmet is included.
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Daily luggage transfer
Daily luggage transfer is included, with a limit of 1 bag per person, 20kg maximum.
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Transfers as noted in the itinerary
Transfers as noted in the itinerary are included.
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Emergency hotline
An emergency hotline is available for assistance during the tour.
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.
Accommodation
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. Many of the hotels are renowned for their excellent cuisine and all offer a warm welcome to cyclists, traditional hospitality and an authentic experience.
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
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Istrian Cycle Explorer tour?
The tour includes stays in family-run 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses, with an option to upgrade to mainly 4-star hotels for an additional supplement. The hotels are known for their excellent cuisine and traditional hospitality, offering an authentic experience.
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Is there a guide provided for the Istrian Cycle Explorer tour?
No, the Istrian Cycle Explorer is a self-guided cycle tour, so a tour guide is not included.
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What equipment is provided for the cycling tour?
Participants are provided with a hybrid bike equipped with a bike odometer, 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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Are meals included in the Istrian Cycle Explorer tour package?
The tour package includes 7 breakfasts. Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included.
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What is the luggage transfer policy during the tour?
Daily luggage transfer is included, allowing one bag per person with a maximum weight of 20kg.
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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. Participants need to arrange their own travel insurance.
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What is the difficulty level of the cycling routes on this tour?
The tour is graded as level 3. The route is mainly flat with some hilly terrain, following local roads with some short connections on main roads. The cycling is generally 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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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, Croatia
Visiting: Porec, Euphrasian Basilica, Vrsar, Višnjan, Novigrad, Umag, Savudrija, Buje, Groznjan, Sterna, Oprtalj, Buzet, Prodani, Draguc, Pazin, Gracisce, Rabac, Labin, Raša, Liburna Nature Reserve, Pula, Bale, Svetvincenat, Rovinj, Kanfanar, Dvigrad, Poreč ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ICX
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
