Enjoy an easy bike ride and explore Istria, passing through the hidden medieval towns of Grožnjan, Oprtalj, Motovun, and the former Roman colony of Poreč, whose charm will leave you breathless. You will surely enjoy every moment, where you will be passing through a landscape of hills framed by rivers, with forests, vineyards and olive groves. Take a break at the winemakers and taste indigenous wines such as Malvasia and Teran, treat yourself to tasty delicacies, and experience all the charms of Istria in this exciting Croatian wine region.
Day 1 - Arrival
Arrival in Poreč and you will be meeting in Fiore Tours' office in Poreč, where they will provide you with the package including hotel vouchers, bicycle with all equipments, maps and a road book. Their minivan will drive you to Buje from where you will start cycling the next day. You will then overnight in hotel Casa la Parenzana. This is a rural house in heart of Istria and is a peaceful oasis for relaxation, and an ideal starting point for daily exploration of this beautiful area.
Day 2 - Buje, Umag, Bujet
This tour starts with easy downhill ride to the coast on the northern point of Istrian peninsula. There is a lighthouse, which you can visit. According to legend, this was built by count Metternich, as his love nest. Savudrija is one of the oldest lighthouse in the Adriatic built in 1818. It is also the northern most Istrian lighthouse. Its building is 36 meters tall and there is a keeper living inside it.
The trail continues south to Umag. This little town with about 45 km of the coastline and interesting hinterland, integrates special features of the whole region and might be the best introduction into a different experience of the Mediterranean. Umag's history is extremely interesting; it was founded by a roman nobleman who decided to make it his summer residence. The glamour, magnificence and glare of the times, can be seen today in the Venetian houses of the old town. City walls and fortification are partially preserved, as well as, some renaissance and baroque buildings, and churches. Vineyards and olive groves create an atmosphere of typical west Istrian landscape, where you will be visiting the wine cellar to taste the muscat, local sort of wine.
To end the day, you will overnight in Buje area.
Meal plan: Breakfast included.
Distance covered: 43 kilometers / 27 miles / elevation gain 505 meters.
Day 3 - Buje, Brtonigla, Novigrad, Buje
From Buje area, you will be cycling through Kršete picturesque village and will be arriving to small town in Brtonigla. It has churches and monasteries from the XV century.
Further the trail leads through vineyards and olive groves of Brtonigla area, where wine is very popular from this area (teran). Across endless vineyards, you will reach Novigrad, where you can visit the olive oil production and taste some of the best oils in Istria.
Through Dajla and Karigador villages on the coast, you will also reach the Lovrečica Venetian bishops coastal village. Following the road through Škrinjari, Babići and Buroli village, you'll see traditional Istrian houses. The road by the vineyard will take you back to your hotel, where you will overnight in a hotel in Buje area.
Meal plan: Breakfast included
Distance covered: 39 kilometers / 24 miles / elevation gain 390 meters
Day 4 - Buje, Motovun
From Buje, you will continue your journey towards Grožnjan. This is a typical Istrian medieval town sprout high on top of a hill along the right coast of the river Mirna. It has the renaissance loggia dating from 1585, and the beautiful St. Vitus and Modesto’s baroque church. If you pass along its streets, you will notice that almost every door leads to art studios or galleries and windows from every direction echoes the sounds of different music genres, from classical to jazz. You will then understand why Grožnjan is known as the town of artists.
According to many, the most beautiful of Istria is the Oprtalj. This is an unchanged urban medieval style of building with the narrow streets, the shops, the beautiful Venetian palaces, portals and covered passages, and particularly, the unique view to the Istrian peninsula from the town loggia.
From Oprtalj, you will be going downhill, enjoying the view on Mirna river and eventually, arriving in Livade, the truffle center of Istria, where you can visit the local truffle shop and taste it in various forms. The truffle is an underground malodorous fungus believed to be an aphrodisiac.
On the hill in front of the Livade, is Motovun. This is surely the most famous and attractive Istrian medieval hill town. Around Livade is the Motovun forest, which stretches along Mirna River valley and is especially rich with truffles.
You will end your day and overnight in hotel Kaštel in Motovun.
Meal plan: Breakfast included.
Distance covered: 35 kilometers / 22 miles / elevation gain 690 meters
Day 5 - Motovun, Poreč
This part of the trail goes from inland to the coast. It follows the road to Višnjan, where you will pass by an observatory. It is one of the 5 most famous observatories in the world. The road continues to the town of Višnjan, which is on 246 meters altitude, and from there, you will be able to catch a view of the west Istrian coast and the coastal town of Poreč. In the Višnjan surrounding, it is possible to visit many wine cellars with wine from Poreč area, especially Malvasia.
The tour continues to Tar, a little town on the hill above the sea and to Nova Vas village by the famous cave, which you can visit.
After passing a few more villages the trail reaches Poreč, where you spend a night there.
Meal plan: Breakfast included
Distance covered: 39 kilometers / 24 miles / elevation gain 380 meters
Day 6 - Poreč, Vrsar, Poreč
From Poreč, the trail starts with sightseeing the Euphrasiana, the most valuable monument in Poreč, which is a church built in the 6th century.
Follow the road, until you reach the village of Bačva village. Bačva is the highest point of this stage and there is a local restaurant with traditional dishes, where you can enjoy tasting local food. It continues to the southern villages and it comes down to coast in the town of Vrsar.
With a commanding view of the coast, it was natural for Vrsar to become a defended fortress. Only parts of the fortification system built in the 12th century, have been preserved, but the fortress-castle used as summer residence of the Poreč bishops, is well worth a look.
After Vrsar, the trail passes Funtana fishing village, Zelena and Plava Laguna touristic villages, which are the south doorstep of Poreč.
Meal plan: Breakfast included.
Distance covered: 43 kilometers / 27 miles / elevation gain 510 meters
Day 7 - Poreč, Kanfanr, Rovinj
After breakfast, you can choose to be transferred to Kanfanar, or reach it on your own. Kanfanar is a small town above the Lim valley.
From Kanfanar, you will start the flattest ride of all in this tour. You will be passing by Istrian inland villages, where you will see traditional Istrian tool houses (kažun).
After reaching Bale, you can visit the Bebmbo palace, city square and museum. Continue to Rovinj and on the way you will see Palud, an ornithological reserve, in which you can cycle around.
After village Kokuletovica, you can turn into Monkodonja. Monkodonja is a prehistoric hill town inhabited about 1800 to 1200 BC during the Bronze Age.
After Monkodonja you will reach Rovinj, your goal of this tour, the Pearl of Adriatic. With its church and bell tower on the hill, by the sea it is very recognizable from all sides. Also called Istrian Venice old town, which was once an island, and then connected with land, is famous for its traditional boat called batana.
You will complete this week's atmosphere with a meal with fresh fish combined with malvasia in a restaurant It will fascinate you. Everybody can enjoy Rovinj and its charm and magic. You will then overnight in the hotel Vila Lili in Rovinj.
Meal plan: Breakfast included
Distance covered: 31 kilometers / 19 miles (optional) / elevation gain 602 meters (159 meters)
Day 8 - Departure
After breakfast, you will then depart.
Meal plan: Breakfast included.
