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Croatia

From Italy to Croatia by bike: Trieste to Pula

This tour will lead you Italy to Croatia passing through Slovenia. You will discover the Croatian countryside, small villages and beautiful cities of the Istrian area.

Reviews (4) :
3.50 / 5
Reference CR0801
  • Itinerant trip
  • 8 days
  • Moderate
  • From March to November
  • Minimum age 14 years old
GPSGPS-app available
1149€ / pers.
  • Itinerary
  • Discover the hidden wonders of Croatia.

    First, you will discover Trieste and then you’ll cycle through Slovenia on the legendary bikepath "the Parenzana", an old railroad track.
    You will pass by salt marshes and reach some wonderful perched village like Buje and Motovun. You’ll also discover a lot of charming Croatian villages, where the architecture will remind you of Italy.
    Then the road passes through vinyards and will reach the Adriatic coast. A visit to Porec and Rovinj is essential. The coulours and the marinas of both cities will seduce you. At the end of the tour you reach Pula, the biggest town of Istria, where you can admire the roman amphitheatre.

    Day 1

     
     

    Arrival in Trieste

    Independent arrival in Trieste. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Trieste.

    Day 2

     
     

    Trieste-Buje

    Bike
    27/56km
    Your cycling adventure through 3 countries (Italy, Slovenia and Croatia) you start riding on the legendary route of the Parenzana, the former narrow-gauge railway line which penetrates deeply into the Istrian peninsula connecting 33 Istrian cities and town from Trieste to Poreč (in Italian "Parenzo" where the railroad got it’s name), spanning to the territory of three states.

    After biking a few kilometers through the city of Trieste you will cross the border into Slovenia, often cycling along cycle paths through famous holiday resorts such as Koper, which for a long period of time was a Venetian and then Austrian town. Antoher city is Piran, a town which was ruled for a long time by Venice.

    Cycling south, you will pass through the salt mines of Secovlje, a large Slovenian town with a humid environment, which is a key area for bird watching. A few kilometersl further you will cross the Croatian border and enter Istria, the Adriatic sea’s largest peninsula.

    Day 3

     
     

    Loop from Buje to Umag

    Bike
    51km
    This tour starts with an easy downhill ride to the coast on the northernmost point of the Istrian peninsula. There is a lighthouse which you can visit. According to the legend it was built by count Metternich as his love nest. Savudrija is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Adriatic, built in 1818. It is also the northernmost Istrian lighthouse.

    The trail continues south to Umag. A small town about 45 km of coastline and an interesting hinterland integrates features of the whole region and might be the best introduction in 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 reflect 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 will create an atmosphere of the typical west Istrian landscape. Visit a wine cellar to taste the muscat, a local type of wine. You spend the night in the Buje area.

    Day 4

     
     

    Buje-Motovun

    Bike
    38km
    Apart from enjoying the breathtaking landscape of the terrace-styled vineyards, which resembles a postcard from Tuscany, you can indulge the sensation the area of Buje gives, a real polyphony of fragrances and tastes. Cycling through magnificent rolling landscapes and lively Istrian vineyards, it will also be obvious why this bicycle path was once known once as the wine railway.

    While passing through many tunnels and over old bridges you’ll feel the need to stop by many fascinating view points : from the charming medieval town of Grožnjan to Završje, until you reach Motovun, an ancient little Istrian town located atop a 277-meter-high hill, 21 km south-east from Buje. Its present appearance, with the city walls surrounding the centre of the town, dates back to the Middle Ages.

    Day 5

     
     

    Motovun-Porec

    Bike
    39km
    After breakfast you continue cycling on the Parenzana trail over Vižinada and Kaštelir to the coast. The ride towards Poreč is particularly pleasant because you are riding along the coastline with beautiful bays where you can enjoy the breathtaking Mediterranean landscape : green vineyards and olive groves and tasty homemade foodd, wined, brandy and honey produced in this area.

    In the afternoon you reach Poreč, the town where you stumble over material and spiritual evidence of great cultures at every step. Cruise along the old city centre and visit the old Roman forum, the world famous Euphrasian Basilica with it’s mosaics, city palaces that belonged to the nobles, and fortifications.

    Day 6

     
     

    Porec - Rovinj

    Bike
    31/65km
    After cycling along the coastline you reach Vrsar, a romantic fishing town located on a hill.

    The bike ride continues through the magical forest of Kontija with a panoramic view of the beautiful landscape from the Lim bay to the ruins of the medieval town Dvigrad.

    Passing Kanfanar and the hill of Maklavun (an astral-archaeological site, a tumulus from the Bronze Age) the finish of the day is in Rovinj.
    The town is nicknamed little Venice and a typical Mediterranean seaside resort which will seduce you with its extraordinary beauty. In the dense tissue of the old city centre there are numerous magnificent palaces from different historical periods. Today most of them host a gallery or an art studio.

    If you wander through the narrow meandering streets you will suddenly arrive in front of the baroque church of St Eufemia, the greatest monument in the city, from which you can admire a magnificent view of the Mediterranean sea.

    Day 7

     
     

    Rovinj-Pula

    Bike
    40km
    You start riding along the coastline towards Pula. Riding through the ornithological reserve Palud with a rich variety of birds, a unique place. Under the gentle chirping, chilping and chattering of at least 215 different bird species you’ll reach Fažana.

    This city is situated on a low coast, well protected from the open sea by the enchanting Brioni archipelago (nowadays a national park) and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves in the hinterland, Fažana was already well known in ancient Roman times.

    Which city is situated on seven hills, has a magnificent Amphitheatre and is not Rome? The answer is ... Pula. No, that’s not a mistake – you are indeed at the gates of Pula, the largest city in Istria.

    Pula is an enchantress with a thousand appearances which has been casting spells on its visitors for centuries. This day we finish visiting the old city with the Sergius’ Triumphal Arch (from the end of the 1st century B.C. and the beginning of the 1st century A.D.) and the famous arena, a Roman amphitheatre (from the 1st century B.C.).

    Day 8

     
     

    Leaving Pula

    Enjoy one last stroll through the streets of Pula before your departure.
  • Accommodation
  • Category A

    You are accommodated in 3-star hotels or guest houses with all the comforts to relax after a day of cycling.
    * Example of the type of accommodation

    Category B

    * Example of the type of accommodation
  • Bikes, luggage and documents
  • The bikes


    At your arrival you will be provided a hybrid bike. You will also be provided two saddle bags to be able to put your belongings for the day and/or your picnic and a helmet.

    Ebikes are also available on this trip.


    Travel documents


    A cycling holiday is the best way to explore a region and discover its culture, landscapes and local traditions.


    Your tour is self-guided to give you the freedom to ride at your own pace. You will be provided all the information you need to enjoy peacefully the itinerary and its interesting sites.
    Travel documents will be handed out on site the day of your arrival. Travel documents are written in french.

    You will have in your travel documents :

    • your day-by-day program with your accommodations
    • detailed map of your itinerary for each day
    • a step-by-step description of the itinerary giving the direction to follow at each intersection


    You can also rent a GPS.


    Luggage

    Our services include luggage transport in order to let you enjoy your trip comfortably and without stress (optional for short trips) :

    We transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next using a private vehicle.
    Your luggage is directly delivered in your hotel room before you arrive.
    We provide bicycle saddlebags for the things you shall need during the day.

    Our word of advice : as we know from experience, we strongly recommend you to avoid wearing a backpack during your cycling trip.

  • Practical information
  • To get to departure point:



    • By plane: fly to Trieste or Pula


    To get back to starting point:



    You take the bus to go back to your departure point. We advise you to book the ticket in advance.

    Rovinj-Pula : 45mn; Rovinj-Trieste : 2h55mn.




































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  • Reviews
  • 4 bike travelers reviews 3.50 / 5

    Paranzana

    On the 2023-10-10 by Ginny
    We’d never done anything like this before, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience! We’ll definitely be doing more bike trips.

    Italy to Croatia

    On the 2023-10-08 by Janice
    I would give Velo Voyageur a 5 star rating for our trip, their prompt assistance when needed, the hotels they arranged were wonderful as were the destinations. However....I am giving the trip/route a 3 star mostly due to the route - it took us on several busy roadways. We were traveling with friends, and it was difficult to casually ride together, most times we had to ride in single file because of traffic.

    Jo

    On the 2023-05-23 by Jo
    All things considered, the experience was fun and memorable.

    Italie Croatie Slovénie avec enfant de 2 ans en remorque

    On the 2018-05-02 by Nathalie
    Séjour en Italie, Slovénie et Croatie très agréable. Temps idéal et peu de touristes en avril. Les gens nous ont très bien accueillis dans les hôtels et restaurants du parcours. Seul bémol : un peu trop de grosses routes. Mon précédent séjour dans les Pouilles était plus champêtre et plus varié.
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