Cycle Around Istria

Arrival in Poreč. At 7 PM you meet our local representative at the hotel reception for an information meeting. Here you receive the travel package with hotel vouchers, bicycle and equipment, maps and roadbook. Overnight in Poreč or Vrsar.

The journey begins in Poreč, where you encounter traces of different cultures at every step. In the old town you'll find the Roman forum, magnificent palaces and the famous Euphrasius Basilica. The route follows the coast, past beautiful bays, vineyards and olive groves. Here you can taste local specialties such as wine, honey and brandy. Further on you pass Višnjan with its internationally renowned observatory, considered one of the world's top five. Through the Mirna river delta you reach Novigrad and Umag, known for its Venetian heritage and the organ festival Organum Histriae. The tour continues towards Istria's northernmost point Savudrija before the day ends in the area around Buje.

The route goes through Grožnjan – the small artists' village on a hill above Mirna. With its city walls, Renaissance loggia and baroque church, it's one of Istria's most atmospheric places. Almost every door leads to a studio or gallery, and music can be heard everywhere. Continue towards the village of Šterna, named after its large water cistern, and then Oprtalj which offers Venetian palaces, narrow alleys and a loggia with extensive views over Istria. The day ends in Buzet, already known in Roman times as Pinquentium, and today famous as the truffle capital.

After a steep climb to Prodani you reach Draguć – one of Istria's most picturesque medieval towns. It was formerly known for silk cultivation but is today almost abandoned. The place has become popular as a filming location for movies, including The Three Musketeers. Then continue to Pazin, central Istria's heart, whose castle towers dramatically above a 130-meter deep karst gorge. Here you'll find both the Ethnographic Museum and the city museum. The route continues to Gračišće, a gem with Gothic-Renaissance style palaces, further to Kršan and finally to Rabac by Kvarner Bay. Overnight in Labin or Rabac.

After breakfast you cycle via Raša, the first modern mining town in Istria, continuing through Barban. On the way you pass the Liburna nature reserve with native animals – especially the social donkeys – and a collection of old agricultural tools. Today's destination is Pula, Istria's largest city, known as an enchanting place with a thousand faces. Here awaits the magnificent Roman amphitheater, the Arch of Sergius and a lively city center. Overnight in Pula.

Today's stage follows the coast northward. You pass Bale, a town with roots in a Roman castrum along Via Flava. Here you'll find the Soardo-Bembo castle and the church dedicated to Saint Julian. The tour continues to Svetvinčenat, known for the Morosini-Grimani castle, the church, loggia and the Renaissance houses surrounding the square. One of Istria's few witch trials was also held here in the 17th century. The stage ends in Rovinj, one of Istria's most beautiful coastal towns.

The day offers a journey full of legends. Through Kanfanar you reach Dvigrad, a ruined town abandoned after plague outbreaks and curses. Here, pirate Captain Morgan is said to have hidden his treasure. Nearby are caves with traces of prehistoric humans, and according to legend, the hermit Romuald lived here during medieval times. The route then follows the coast to Vrsar, a fishing village known for Casanova returning here twice. The journey ends in Poreč where you spend the last night.

After breakfast the journey ends and it's time to travel home after a week filled with cycling, views, history and gastronomy.