Time travelling across Istrian coast
Pula, Cape Kamenjak, Bale, Rovinj, Porec, Pazin, Motovun, Fazana, NP Brijuni
Duration: 7 nights/ 8 days
Dates: Available from February to November.
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Guided
Starting point: Pula
What's included?
- rentals of high quality mountain bikes and helmets
- rental of virtual reality glasses in Pula
- professional English-speaking guide
- 6 bike tours
- snacks and bottle of water available during tours
- accommodation in a private 3* apartment in Pula
- accommodation in a 4* hotel in Porec
- visits to the most fascinating localities in Istria: Pula, Cape Kamenjak, Bale, Rovinj, Poreč, Motovun, Parenzana, Np Brijuni
- 1 wine tasting
- 1 traditional lunch with truffles
- storage area for bicycles
- transfers according to the set programme
- technical assistance
- Dinosaur museum enterance fee
- National park Brijuni enterance fee and return boat ticket
- Kastel Pazin and Church of st. Marija na Skriljinah enterance fee
Pricing Type: per person
DAY 1
Make your way to Pula, the biggest city in Istria and check in to your private accommodation. Overnight.
DAY 2 – PREHISTORY ERA
After breakfast, a great and exciting bicycle adventure will take us back to the ancient times when dinosaurs walked on the Istrian peninsula. Continue cycling to Kamenjak, the protected area of the peninsula. Touring past sandy and rocky beaches to the south of the peninsula to see the remains of the dinosaurs’ traces. An opportunity to view the reconstruction of the first inhabitants of the peninsula in real size. A visit to a local family winery for wine tasting and great local specialties such as cheese, ham and sausage. Cycle back to Pula, take a break in the afternoon to explore the city or stay at one of its beautiful local beaches to enjoy the evening sun. Overnight in Pula.
- Accommodation: Pula, private accommodation
- Board basis: breakfast
- Included: wine tasting and cold dishes
- Cycling: Pula-Kamenjak-Pula – 35 km
DAY 3 – PREHISTORY ERA
After breakfast, organised transfer will take us to the nearby town of Bale, a place of untouched nature and rich cultural and historical heritage, which fascinates visitors with its architecture, picturesque streets and churches. It is in the area of Bale that the bones of dinosaurs were found and it is assumed that in this area there were about ten species of dinosaurs, among them the largest ones that existed on the Earth – brachiosaurus. A visit to the Dinosaur Museum is yet another great opportunity to see the remains of dinosaurs. Upon strolling along the rocky town of Bale, pedalling to Rovinj to enjoy the natural beauties of the region and the unique pleasures of these romantic towns of the Mediterranean. Return transfer to Pula, overnight.
- Accommodation: Pula, private accommodation
- Board basis: breakfast
- Included: Dinosaur Museum enterance fee, transfer to Bale
- Cycling: Bale/Valle-Rovinj – 30 km
DAY 4 – ANTIQUITY
After breakfast, return to the age of prehistory and antiquity by both walking and cycling to tour the most significant monuments of Pula, using virtual reality glasses. The first stop at a large 1st century Roman amphitheatre, the most representative monument of the city of Pula, popularly called the Arena of Pula, which was once the site of gladiator fights. View of the Arena, the basement, and the City Walls whose parts have been preserved until today. Next stop at the most prominent gates, Twin Gates of the city, which is also the entrance to the Archaeological Museum of Istria. Below Pula is an underground tunnel world stretching almost across entire Pula, known as Zerostrasse. Next continue to the Gate of Hercules, the architectonically simplest and modest gate, and the oldest gate in Pula. The Triumphal Arch of the Sergi in Pula, best known as the Golden Gate, is yet another superb architectural achievement of the Late Hellenistic Roman building. A next stop at the Small Roman Theatre, the smallest of the three theatres of ancient Pula, which could host up to five thousand spectators and whose remains have been preserved until today. The external tour of Kastel, a medieval Venetian fort on the central hill of Pula, with a panoramic view of the city, which today houses the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria. Ultimately, visit to the Roman Forum, the main square of classical and medieval Pula.
- Accommodation: Pula, private accommodation
- Board basis: breakfast
- Included: virtual reality glasses rental
- Cycling: Pula and the surrounding area: 20 km
DAY 5 – BYZANTINE ERA
After breakfast, organised transfer takes us to Klostar. A bicycle ride through the Kontia forest along the coastline, via Plava and Zelena Laguna, and further till Poreč. A walking tour of the historic town of Poreč, one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Croatian side of the Adriatic. Poreč, along with Pula, was the first Roman colony in Istria. It has still preserved the same street layout of the Old Town as in the antiquity, as well as the ruins of its Roman temple. The Euphrasian Basilica Complex is the UNESCO World Heritage site, with its world known Byzantine mosaics and remains of an older Early Christian church. Basilica is an excellent example of early Byzantine architecture in the Mediterranean region. In the afternoon, accommodation in 4-star hotels in Poreč. Stroll along the promenades of Poreč.
- Accommodation: Poreč, 4-star hotel
- Board basis: breakfast
- Included: transfer to Klostar
- Cycling: 30 km
DAY 6 – MIDDLE AGES
Return to the Middle Ages. An organised transfer to Pazin where we´ll visit Pazinski Kaštel, the largest and best-preserved fort in Istria and a walking tour to Beram. A great opportunity to see the most famous Istrian fresco ”The Dance of Death”, located in the picturesque Church of Sv. Marija na Skriljinah in the woods outside Beram. Another organised transfer to the magical town of Motovun, best preserved urban complex of medieval Istria and a home to a world-class film festival. Enjoy the dominant location of the town with its breath-taking views of the surrounding area and a rich traditional lunch with local truffles. Continue riding along the cycling track, once known as the railway “Parenzana” back to Poreč.
- Accommodation: Poreč, 4-star hotel
- Board basis: traditional breakfast
- Included: transfer to Pazin, transfer to Motovun, enterance fee for Pazinski kastel and Church of Sv. Marija na Skriljinah, traditional lunch with truffles
- Walking: 5 km
- Cycling: 30 km
DAY 7 – AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN TIMES & NEW AGE
Transfer to Fažana, a picturesque fishing village. Its shore provides a view of the beautiful islands of Brijuni. A boat ride to the National Park, a visit to Veliki Brijun, the largest island of the archipelago, which the Austrian industrialist P. Kupelweisser turned at the end of the 19th century into the elite summer resort. The sightseeing of Brijuni includes a one-hour ride by tourist train to the Verige Bay. The remains of the villa in the Verige Bay are the most important example of the Roman country-style architecture in Istria. A tour of the safari park with exotic animals like zebras, camels, Indian cattle and blades in the open air, as well as exhibitions of photographs “Tito on Brijuni”, the Archaeological Museum and the Church of St. Germain from the 15th century. A cycling ride back to Pula, along the beautiful coastline, an oasis of landscapes and defensive Austro-Hungarian architecture.
- Accommodation: Pula, private accommodation
- Board basis: breakfast
- Included: boat ride and entrance fee to the Brijuni National Park
- Cycling: 15 km
DAY 8
Breakfast. End of programme.
Let´s discover the secret trail of the past together.
Note: This itinerary is the copyright of Maremonti Istra Ltd.
Departure point:
Pula, tourist agency Maremonti Istra, Flavijevska 22, Pula
Departure time:
If you choose your tour with an airport transfer, please provide your flight arrival and departure times when booking.
Check in: from 13:00
Accommodation
Apartments are located just a 5-minute walk from the Old Town in Pula. They feature a garden, free Wi-Fi access, AC and TV.
The kitchen includes a fridge and a coffee maker. Breakfast is prepared every morning by the owner.
Surcharges:
- e-bike /electric bicycle
- transfer from Pula Airport (PUY) ,Trieste, Ljubljana, or other locations on request.
Important note:
The tour will be held regardless of weather conditions. In case of bad weather conditions, the Agency will be pleased to offer an alternative programme.
Payment Methods
The standard payment term is a deposit payment of 30% through Pay Pall, bank transfer or credit card (offline payment by MasterCard or visa)
The remaining balance should be settled 20 days prior the departure date through bank transfer or credit card (offline payment by MasterCard or visa).
Conversion Statement
All payments will be effected in Croatian currency. The amount your credit card account will be charged for is obtained through the conversion of the price in Euro into Croatian Kuna according to the current exchange rate.
When charging your credit card, the same amount is converted into your local currency according to the exchange rate of credit card associations. As a result of this conversion there is a possibility of a slight difference from the original price stated in our web site.