Croatia | Istria & Adriatic | Adriatic Sea Islands, Vineyards, Olive Groves & Truffles | ebike cycling Tour

After arrival to Pula our team will transfer you to a beautiful heritage hotel which will be our base for the next two days in the northwest of Istria. After welcome drinks, a tour overview and briefing await, where your tour leaders will fill you in with all the details. It’s best to get to know each other over a welcome dinner of local cuisine and wine produced localy. Your taste buds will be on high alert for the following week!

Meals: dinner
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel San Rocco
Distance: 0 km (0 mi)

The northwest part of Istria is most famous for its wines, so let’s take it easy on the warm-up day and visit a couple of winemakers and their surrounding medieval towns. Wine tastings of local sorts teran (red) and malvazija (white) will get you acquainted with one-third of Istrian gastronomic gems. Highlight towns of the day might be wine-centric Momjan or arty Grožnjan, which features a spectacular view of the Adriatic.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel San Rocco
Distance: 36 km (22 mi) / elevation 750 m (2200 ft)

First part of today’s route will be the very popular Parenzana cycling route. It was an Italian nickname for a pre-WW2 narrow-gauge railway. It connected Trieste in Italy and Poreč in Istria (then the Austro-Hungarian Empire). The route will take us along Mirna Valley, which is world-famous for its mythical white truffle. After a truffle tasting, traversing a few green hills with splendid views of Central Istria, we’ll arrive to the fairytale town of Hum. Known as the smallest town in the world and according to legends, built by giants. Our day will be concluded in the Istrian truffle capital, the town of Buzet.

Meals: breakfast, tastings / lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Vela Vrata
Distance: 68 km (42 mi) / elevation 1400 m (4600 ft)

Continuing along the peaceful Mirna Valley, we’ll reach the top of the hill where Motovun town is nested. Valley climate often shrouds Motovun in dense fog which, when viewed from afar, makes Motovun and surrounding hills seem like green islands above the clouds. Traversing those hill islands will take us across hidden ruins and picturesque villages to the bottom half of Istria, a mostly flat and historically agricultural region. Our destination is the charming town of Svetvinčenat, known for its centrally located medieval Grimani Castle and local craft beer brewery Kampanjola.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Foscari the fine B&B
Distance: 65 km (40 mi) / elevation 1100 m (3600 ft)

An easier day, exactly what is needed after an exciting and long ride the previous day. Taking it through green forest tunnels on easy gravel routes, the ride will be mostly flat, relaxing, listening to chirping birds and crickets hiding in the bushes. Town of Bale is on the route, a settelment occupied by humans since 2nd century BC. But before there were humans, in the area were found fossil remains of Histriasaurus dinosaur, so we could easily conclude this area has a certain attraction for millions of years. Besides fossils, there is something else hiding in the dense forest of the area, a tiny St. Peter Church perched on a natural boulder.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Foscari the fine B&B
Distance: 32 km (20 mi) / elevation 300 m (1000 ft)

An easy flat route will guide us to the pearl of Istrian seaside towns, Rovinj. The magnificent view of Rovinj Old Town, situated on an island protruding into the Adriatic Sea, is truly unforgettable. Continuing to the very south of Istria the road is still flat, but the scenery is still captivating. South’s red soil and Mediterranean climate are perfect for olive growing which will be obvious by many olive groves we’ll pass by today.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Foscari the fine B&B
Distance: 50 km (31 mi) / elevation 400 m (1300 ft)

Olive groves are abundant in the South, especially in the town of Vodnjan, which is home to several world-renowned premium olive oil producers. A brief ride along the most southern and biggest town in Istria, Pula, will reveal its rich history. Venetian fortress, ancient Roman temples, and Austrian military forts and tunnels, but Pula’s highlight is a 2000-year-old Roman oval amphitheater, one of just the world’s six largest surviving ones.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Oasi Boutique Hotel or similar
Distance: 55 km (34 mi) / elevation 400 m (1300 ft)

Take a day off in the largest and most historic city in Istria. One of the most iconic attractions in Pula is the Roman amphitheatre, known as the Arena of Pula. This stunning structure is an impressive example of Roman architecture and is one of the best–preserved amphitheatres in the world. Another popular attraction in Pula is the Temple of Augustus, which was constructed in the 1st century AD and is the best-preserved Roman temple in Croatia. The town of Pula is also home to several other stunning attractions, such as the Arch of the Sergii, the Triumphal Arch of Sergii, and the Forum. Pula is one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia and is a must-visit destination for any traveler.

Besides Roman history, more recent historical buildings and numerous Austrian fortresses from the 19th century can be seen all over and around Pula. Take a walk back in time along the city walls or just chill at the beach next to the hotel.  

Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Oasi Boutique Hotel or similar
Distance: 0 km (0 mi)

Central and eastern Istria is a sparsely populated area, with numerous forgotten quaint villages consisting of only a few houses. Raša River, which we’ll follow today, will take us along the shortest route of the trip to yet another historic hilltop town of Labin. In recent history, Raša Valley and Labin were known in the whole region as coal mining places. Nowadays, mines are closed and Labin is enjoying a rejuvenation as one of the touristic hot spots of the Istrian east coast.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Peteani Hotel
Distance: 45 km (28 mi) / elevation 600 m (1900 ft)

A long day today, but there will be plenty of opportunities to rest and have photo opportunities. After a two hour ride, we’ll reach the ferry that will take us to the Island of Crest in just 20 minutes. It will be a welcome break before a long uphill ride from sea level to the hilltop village Beli, the home of the endangered griffon vulture sanctuary. Situated at a spectacular location on the cliff, overlooking Kvarner Bay, Beli village has perhaps the most memorable view of all Cres Island lookouts. As Cres Island is still not overrun by big touristic investments, we’ll find tonight’s refuge in a more modest accommodation in the only city on Cres, a town with an obvious name – Cres.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: private accommodation
Distance: 60 km (37 mi) / elevation 1200 m (3900 ft)

The last riding day is one long descent, with a few bumps. We’re heading to the very south of the most relaxing island of Kvarner Bay, Lošinj. If your will is strong and ambitions high, there is an optional visit to the overlook on the most beautiful secluded beach on Cres, Lubenice Beach.

A big island Apsyrtides was separated into Lošinj Island and Cres by a man-made canal in ancient Roman times that shortened ship voyages. That canal is bridged by a small drawbridge which we will cross today. As there are no more distractions today, the final leg of this voyage to the town of Lošinj will consist of the view of the Adriatic Sea over both of your shoulders and the buzz of pinewood crickets.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Dolphin Suites Boutique Hotel or similar
Distance: 53 km (33 mi) / elevation 600 m (1900 ft)

Departure day from Pula Airport. We suggest extending your visit for a few days to give yourself a few days of well-earned rest.

Meals: breakfast