Parenzana Cycle Trail

On arrival in Trieste, make your way to the joining hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the town. Once the only sea port of the Hapsburg Empire, Trieste has a lot to offer in the way of attractions such as Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia which has the widest opening to the seafront of any Italian square. Overnight hotel in Trieste (or at times subject to availability, we use a hotel in Muggia across the bay).

This morning you will have a welcome briefing at 9.00am with our local partner, where you will receive your bike and be able to ask any questions. We recommend taking the ferry to Skofije or Muggia, to avoid the Trieste traffic, where your cycling starts. The Parenzana trail leads you along the Piran Bay through Portorož and Lucija towns to the saltworks of Secovlje. The Secovlje salt flats are the northernmost salt flats of the Mediterranean. The salt is produced in the traditional way, based on a 700 year old method that harmonizes man and nature, and you can stop to visit the museum. After crossing from Slovenia into Croatia, the Parenzana takes you uphill, where you can enjoy the views of the bay and the Alps. Continue and pass through once important villages of Buje region to your hotel where you can enjoy in Istrian specialties such as truffles and prosciutto. Elevation: +697m/2286ft, -558m/1830ft Paved/unpaved%: 73/27 Longer option from Trieste - 74km/46mi, Elevation: +799m/2322ft, -677m/1889ft Paved/unpaved%: 77/23

After breakfast you will start cycling on the Parenzana, the former narrow gauge railway line which penetrates deeply into the Istria peninsula connecting 33 Istrian towns between Porec and Trieste. Passing through magnificent rolling landscapes and lively Istrian vineyards, it will become obvious why it was also known as the wine railway. After passing through several tunnels and over old bridges, you can stop and admire the fascinating view points between the medieval towns of Buje, Grožnjan and Motovun. Grožnjan is an interesting artist town, where you can stop and stroll through its galleries. Continue to the truffle centre, Livade, then on and up to today's destination, Motovun. Motovun-Montona is one of Istria's most charming medieval hilltop towns. Its Romanesque-Gothic bell tower with a crenulated crown from the 13th century, stands next to the Parish Church of St Stephen, dating from the 17th century, and dominates the town's historic core. In the central square is the Romanesque Municipal Palace, the largest secular building in Istria of that period surrounded by many other historic buildings. Elevation: +629m/2063ft, -496m/-1627ft

Passing the tunnel under the city of Motovun, the Parenzana will take you towards Porec through Vižinada village. Pass through Nova Vas, where you can visit the Baredine Cave. Following the trail along the vineyards you will reach Porec, a town full of culture and history. Riding through the old city centre you will find the Roman Forum, magnificent palaces from different historical periods, and to top it all, the famous Euphrasian Basilica (Euphrasiana). Overnight in hotel in Porec. Elevation: +265m/869ft, -514m/1686ft

Trip concludes after breakfast.