Cycling Croatia's Istrian Peninsula

Begin your adventure in Poreč, an ancient Roman town turned glittering seaside resort on the Istrian coast. As many flights arrive late into Pula Airport, we have a welcome briefing tomorrow morning. Want more time in Poreč? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Upgrade to a superior or a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

After breakfast, say bok to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time for a short briefing to kick off the tour. Leave the hotel around 10am and transfer (35 minutes) to the small town of Buje, where we have our bike collection and fitting. Ready for our first ride, we cycle a section of the Parenzana Trail, a route that tracks the old Parenzana railway line. Our first section takes us to the ancient city of Grožnjan, past vineyards and olive farms, and mostly on a gravel road. After a short break, we get back on the bikes and ride on gravel to another ancient city, Završje, which is mostly abandoned, before we continue to the white truffle town of Livade. After refreshments, we transfer (45 minutes) back to our Poreč hotel. Your tour leader then ensures a big Croatian welcome by arranging a group dinner at a local restaurant. Route: 20% paved roads, 80% gravel roads Upgrade to a superior or a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Our bikes are waiting for us in the fishing town of Novigrad, which we reach after a 30-minute transfer. Back on the saddle, we ride through olive groves, vineyards, coastal cities and villages, to the seaside town of Umag, where we have a 30-minute break for coffee and a spot of sightseeing. Riding again, we take a coastal trail to Savudrija Lighthouse, the oldest in Croatia, before pedalling to the village of Soši. Here, we cycle to Fiore, a family-run vineyard that produces fine bottles of Istrian malvasia, for a tasting session of their local wines led by an expert from the winery. We then transfer back to our hotel for the evening. Route: 70% paved roads, 30% gravel roads Upgrade to a superior or a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Ride directly from the hotel this morning, cycling along the coast to the pretty fishing village of Vrsar, reputedly a favourite of Giacomo Casanova. After a coffee break, we ride gravel roads through Kontija forest, which is dominated by European hornbeam trees, and local roads past vineyards and olive groves to our next break point, the village of Kloštar. Refreshed, we ride to the abandoned medieval town of Dvigrad. Explore the castle ruins, before completing the final stretch today at Lim Bay, where we catch our transfer (one hour) back to Poreč. Route: 50% quiet paved roads, 50% gravel roads Upgrade to a superior or a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Today is dedicated to exploring medieval castles by bike. Start with a 30-minute transfer to the small town of Kanfanar, where we pick up our bikes. Then set off for Zminj, visiting the castle and medieval frescoes in the church, before continuing past small villages to Savičenta. Take a short break to see Savičenta Castle, before taking a mix of paved and gravel roads to Bale, where we can see the 16th-century Castle Soardo Bembo (also known as Soardo-Bembo Palace), before catching our transfer to Pula, where we settle into our second hotel and maybe explore a little. Route: 60% quiet paved roads, 30% gravel roads, 10% forest roads Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Today’s adventure has an Italian flavour, as we cycle from the hotel to Rovinj, often named Little Venice for its tight-packed houses with Venetian shutters – it’s no coincidence, Rovinj was part of the Venetian Republic for 500 years. After, cycle along the coast to Pula, passing tourist sites and forested parks with a chance to stop for a coffee on the beach. Our route passes the picturesque hamlet of Barbariga, before reaching Fažana, where we take a break. After, we return to Pula, a Little Rome with an ancient amphitheatre and many Roman monuments. After a short sightseeing tour, we return to the hotel. Route: 40% quiet paved roads, 60% gravel roads Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Today has been left free for you to relax and enjoy the wonders of Pula. Optional activities include an excursion to Brijuni National Park or a private city tour of Pula with a visit to a local olive producer. Please check the Extra Expenses section for more details. This evening, the group can gather together for a farewell dinner – a chance to relive some of the adventures we’ve had together (and perhaps start planning the next!). Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details