Day 1:
Trieste/Muggia to Buje along the Parenzana, 55 km/34 miles
Pick up from the hotel in Trieste and transfer to the tour starting point near Muggia, a coastal settlement on the city’s southern outskirts.
Upon fitting equipment, head along the Parenzana on bike. In the past, the Parenzana was a defunct narrow-gauge railway which connected Trieste with Poreč. Recently, the railway line has been rearranged into a fabulous bicycle track and footpath with beautifully renewed old bridges and tunnels.
Cycle across the Slovenian border to Croatia, following the coastal cycle path through the medieval town and famous resorts of Koper, Isola and the neighbouring spa town of Portorož. Continue to the old town of Buje. Accommodation in Buje. Lunch and free afternoon for optional activities. We recommend you to explore and examine the history of the old town. Overnight in Buje.

Day 2:
Buje to Poreč along the Parenzana via Grožnjan and Motovun, 65 km/40 miles
After breakfast, pedal along the Parenzana to head in to Grožnjan, the ”Village of Artists”. Stop for refreshment and short sightseeing. Then bike to Livade – the ‘’Home of Istrian truffles’’. Optional truffle tasting at a truffle shop. The ride continues to Motovun, a town ideally settled on a hill top above the vineyards. Stop for lunch at a local tavern. Great chance to experience the famous Istrian cold dishes and homemade pasta with truffles.
Following lunch, head along the Parenzana trail for a stunning ride along numerous sparkling vineyards and olive groves to head in to Poreč in the afternoon hours. Accommodation in a 4* Poreč beachfront hotel with a lovely local flair and a chance to experience local life with its authentic flavour. Diner. We recommend a nice and easy walk along the coastline to the old town of Poreč to experience its UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica and mix of Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque buildings. Yet another great opportunity to taste local specialities such as world’s famous Istrian wine, oil, cheese or prosciutto at Bacchus Wine Bar, located near the Euphrasian Basilica. Overnight in Poreč.

Day 3:
Poreč
Breakfast. Multiple options in this tourist hotspot available. Take a day-off to cycle through Poreč’s rural surroundings and enjoy local oysters and mussels, or enjoy Poreč’s historic old town or a trip on a local boat excursion. Dinner and overnight in Poreč.

Day 4:
Poreč – Rovinj via Lim Bay, 50 km/31 miles
After breakfast, head along the coastline into Blue Lagoon and then to Green Lagoon with stunning views of the open sea and the islands of the archipelago. Stop in the town of Vrsar for refreshment in the harbour. The ride continues along gravel roads just above the Lim Bay which reaches 11 km from the sea into the mainland. It is well known and famous for its steep slopes and turquoise water. Then bike on narrow roads and trails among sparkling vineyards to reach Rovinj, one of the last true romantic Mediterranean towns with its narrow streets, unique and authentic houses and a rich variety of charming art galleries, taverns, cafés and souvenir shops. Lunch in the historic part of the town and a short ride to the hotel. Accommodation in a 4* beachfront hotel. We recommend individual sightseeing of Rovinj’s famous landmarks in the afternoon and evening hours, a lovely walk along the coastline to the historic part of the town, a visit to the St. Euphemia’s Basilica with an iconic bell tower standing high above the town and, if your legs are not too tired, it is certainly worth climbing up for the view, as well as walk down the fully pedestrian Carrera Street. Overnight in Rovinj.

Day 5:
Rovinj – Pula via Fažana, 45 km/28 miles
Breakfast. Head along gravel roads through green forests and vineyards. Passing next to Palud, the special ornithological reserve. The first stop at Fažana, a small fishing village and a picturesque port, and a departure point for ferries to the Brijuni Islands National Park. Due to its beautiful parks, pine forests, an enchanting promenade with a rich variety of lovely and charming restaurants and beach bars, Fažana attracts a great number of tourists throughout the whole year. The final stage leads you to the city of Pula on Istria’s southwest tip. The peninsula’s oldest town, it is a lovely place to finish with its historic buildings and the only remaining spectacular Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers with all three Roman architectural styles preserved, which is the symbol of the city. Enjoy enchanting ride through 3.000 years’ old historic traditions intertwined with contemporary trends.
After a ride through Pula and lunch in the old part of the city, accommodation in a 4* hotel. Leisure time until dinner, we recommend to pay a visit to the Pula Aquarium, situated within the 130 years’ old fort “Verudela”, once part of the powerful defence complex “Fortress Pula” built during the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The historic fort is inhabited with over 250 species of marine and freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians. After dinner, take a public transport or a taxi and head to the Pula city centre or just stay around, enjoy and relax at the hotel facilities and its surrounding area. Overnight.

Day 6:
Pula to Kamenjak Cape, 35 km/22 miles
After breakfast, we pedal to the Kamenjak Cape Nature Park, the southest Istrian tip. Kamenjak is a small peninsula of 9.5 km in length and 1.5 km in width with its deeply indented coastline. The waters are nowhere more bluish green and crystal clean than in this locality. The rocky beaches alternate with sandy coves offering amazing views while cycling. Stop at the cape for a drink in the famous Safari Bar. Drive to a local winery for wine tasting. Famous quality Istrian wines are served with authentic Istrian cold dishes like prosciutto ham, cheese and sausages. Return to the hotel in Pula and enjoy your free time for optional activities. We recommend an easy relaxing walk along the coastline.

Day 7:
Pula
Breakfast. Programme end.

Departure point
Pick up from your hotel in Trieste or from the main bus station in Trieste. Transfer from Trieste to Muggia. Cycling start in Muggia.

Extras:

• 6 days bike rental:
  • MTB/Trekking (included locks, tire repair kit, helmets): 100 Eur
  • E-MTB (included locks, tire repair kit, helmets): 200 Eur
• Overnight in Trieste
• Travel insurance is not covered in the tour price. You can organize travel insurance with your preferred insurance company.

Options:

• Guided (on request)
• Extra night in Motovun, Poreč, Rovinj or Pula (on request)

How to get there
By plane to Trieste airport or Venice airport and then by train to Trieste. You can easily go to Muggia by ferryboat. The ferryboat line “Trieste – Muggia” is available year-round. It leaves from Molo Bersaglieri to Diga foranea in Muggia.

Cycling profile:
Daily distance in km:
Day 1: 55 km /34 miles
Day 2: 65 km /40 miles
Day 3: 0 km
Day 4: 50 km /31 miles
Day 5: 45 km /28 miles
Day 6: 35 km /22 miles
Total distance: 250 km

Maximum travelers: 8
Minimum travelers: 2