Tour de Istria Highlights Croatia – Cycling Boat Tour
- Duration: 8 Days (approx.)
- Location: Omišalj, Croatia
- Product code: IST001
1st Day (Fri) Omišalj (Embarkation) - Rabac
Individual arrival to Omišalj, a charming pirate’s nest on the island of Krk. If you decide to arrive by car, we can gladly organize a secure parking space for your car for the week. If you are arriving from Zagreb, we can also arrange a transfer for you to the harbor of Omišalj. Check-in on board is possible from around 2pm. Once we have made ourselves comfortable in our cabins, we can enjoy the first cruise to Rabac. With the weather on our side, we can enjoy our first swim stop directly from the boat along the way. On arrival in the idyllic harbor of Rabac on the east-coast of the Istrian peninsula, the bikes can be adjusted correctly ready for the first tour the next day. The night is spent in Rabac.
2nd Day (Sat) Rabac – Pula (aprx. 22 mi./37 km by bike)
After breakfast on board, we start our first bike tour with a longer climb to the medieval clifftop village of Labin. On arrival we can enjoy a coffee or a refhreshing lemonade whilst marveling at the view across the bay of Rabac. Back on our bikes, we enjoy a round tour through traditional local villages before returning back to the boat in Rabac. The boat awaits us with a delicious lunch as we leave port and start a longer cruise to the historical city of Pula. The unofficial capital of Istria is characterized by decades of Roman rule. There is plenty of time to explore the city on foot, taking time to appreciate the ancient monuments such as the grand Roman Amphitheater, the Augustus Temple and the Golden Gate. The night is spent in Pula.
3rd Day (Sun) Pula – Vrsar – Poreč (approx. 24 mi./39km by bike)
Before breakfast the boat will depart Pula and brings us to Vrsar. It is rumored that the famous heart-breaker, Casanova took refuge here from the furious husbands of his lovers. From Vrsar our bike tour will take us along the Limski Channel to Klostar in the rural hinterlands. After a strengthening afternoon break and lunch, we continue by bike through local villages to Poreč. We will have a chance to indulge in the multifaceted history of Poreč in the company of our city tour guide in the afternoon on a walk through this enchanting town. The shopping streets are vibrant with life. A visit to the Euphrasius-Basilica with its intricate pre-Christian mosaics is highly
recommended. The night is spent in Poreč.
4th Day (Mon) Poreč –Novigrad – Vrsar (approx. 42 mi/68 km by bike)
During breakfast, the boat will bring you to Novigrad, where your cycling tour today will begin. You cycle through vast vineyards and olive groves to the picturesque hill top village of Buje, overlooking the fertile pastures surrounding it. From here you follow the “Parenzana”, a decommissioned railway line, which will bring you to the artists town of Grožnjan. You will have time to visit the numerous galleries, situated in quaint stone houses. Back on our bikes we continue through the neighbouring villages and pastoral Istria to the city of Poreč where we board the boat for an enjoyable swim stop on our way to Vrsar for the night.
5th Day (Tue) Vrsar - Rovinj (approx. 10 mi/17 km)
After a short crossing by boat to Rovinj we can enjoy a cycle tour along the coastal promenade from Rovinj to the outskirts of this wonderful seaside village. We have time to enjoy a lengthy swim in the Adriatic before returning back to the boat in Rovinj. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided city tour through this picture perfect town squeezed on a small peninsula surrounded by blue sea. It is not without reason why this idyllic city is a haven for artists from all over the world whose work can be admired in the numerous galleries in town. This night is also spent in Rovinj.
6th Day (Wed) Rovinj – Fažana - Cres (approx. 18 mi/30 km)
Today’s bike tour takes us along the coast mainly on natural paths and through forests to Fažana with its delightful harbour and splendid promenade lines with the colorful facades of the local houses. The ship awaits us here for a crossing to the island of Cres. Our destination is the island capital, carrying the same name, where we will spend the night. The town is characterized by its Venetian past with winding alleyways and many churches making it impossible to resist further exploration on foot. The evening can be spent comfortably in one of the sea-side bars, listening to the sound of the sea birds as dusk settles.
7th Day (Thu) Island Cres – Island Krk: Njivice – Malinska - Omišalj (approx. 27 mi/44 km)
In the early morning the boat departs for the island of Krk where we wish set out on our last bike ride of the week, form Njivice via Malinska to Omišalj. The largest of the Croatian islands, and home to the delicious white wine, Zlahtina, the island of Krk leaves a memorable impression with its great diversity. Don’t miss the opportunity to cover yourself in the mineral rich mud in the bay of Soline – it will not only leave you looking ten years younger, but also makes for a wonderful holiday memory! Back in the harbor of Omišalj, our boat awaits us with a delicious last evening meal on board which can be spent in great cheer in the company of the fellow travelers, crew and guides.
8th Day (Fri) Omisalj (Disembarkation)
After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am and individual trip home or extended stay in Croatia.