8 Days Gourmet Cycling Tour in Istria

On day 1 upon arrival we will transfer you from Pula airport to hotel in Istria. Welcome meeting with your tour guide and presentation of program. Overnight in a Hotel 3*, Buje area or similar with welcome dinner included. On day 2 the tour starts with easy downhill ride to the coast on the north-est point of Istrian peninsula. There is a lighthouse which you can visit. Savudrija is the oldest lighthouse in the Adriatic, built in 1818. It is also the northernmost Croatian lighthouse. Its building is 36 meters tall and there is a keeper living inside it. Stage continues to Umag. Little town which with about 45 km of the coast line and interesting hinterland integrates special features of the whole region and might be the best introduction into a different experience of the Mediterranean. Umag's history is extremely interesting; it was founded by roman nobleman who decided to make it their summer residence. The glamour, magnificence and glare of the times can be seen today in Venetian houses of the old town. City walls and fortresses are partially preserved as well as some renaissance and baroque buildings and churches. Vineyards and olive groves will create an atmosphere of typical west Istrian landscape. Visiting one of the best Istrian wine cellars to taste the muscat, Istrian Malvasia and Teran with local sort of wine we will end our first day of biking in Istria. Return transfer to hotel. Overnight in a Hotel 3*, Buje area or similar including breakfast, picnic lunch and refreshment during biking, wine tasting. On day 3, from Buje you will continue towards to Grožnjan. Typical istrian medieval town sprout high on top of the hill along the right coast of the river Mirna, renaissance loggia dating from 1585 and the beautiful St. Vid and Modesto’s baroque church. If you just occasionally ride along its streets in which almost every door leads to art studios or galleries, and which windows from every direction echoes the sounds of different music genres, from classical to jazz, you’ll understand why Grožnjan is known as the city of artists. Oprtalj, unchanged urban medieval style of building, the narrow streets, the shops, the beautiful Venetian palaces, portals and covered passages, and particularly the unique view to the Istrian peninsula from the town loggia, according to many the most beautiful of Istria. From Oprtalj you are going downhill enjoying the view on Mirna river and eventually arriving in Livade, the truffle center of Istria where you will visit local truffle shop and taste it in various forms. It's the underground malodorous fungus believed to be an aphrodisiac. Motovun forest which streches along Mirna River valley is especially rich with truffles. Overnight in Hotel Kaštel or Villa Borgo 3*, in Motovun or similar including breakfast, picnic lunch and refreshment during biking. On day 4 you will transfer to Motovun.This part of the trail goes from inland to the coast. It follows road to Višnjan where you will pass by observatory. It's one of the 5 most famous observatories in the world. Road continues to town of Višnjan which is on 246m altitude and from there you'll be able to catch a view on west Istrian coast and Poreč city. In Višnjan surroundings it's possible to visit many wine cellars with wine from Poreč area, Malvasia. Tour continues to Tar, little town on the hill above the sea and to Nova Vas village by the famous cave (which you can visit). Overnight in a Hotel Poreč 3* or similar in Poreč including breakfast, picnic lunch and refreshment during biking. On day 5 from Poreč day starts with sightseeing Euphrasiana, the most valuable monument in Poreč, build in 6th century. Following roads until you reach Bačva village. Bačva is the highest point of this stage and there is a local restaurant with traditional dishes where you can enjoy tasting local food. It continues to southern villages and it comes down to coast in village of Vrsar. With a commanding view of the coast, it was natural for Vrsar to become a defended fortress. Only parts of the fortification system, built in the 12th century, have been preserved but the fortress-castle is well worth a look. After Vrsar stage passes Funtana fishing village Zelena and Plava Laguna, the touristic places near Poreč. Very soon from there you will reach Poreč. Overnight in a Hotel Poreč 3* or similar in Poreč including breakfast, picnic lunch and refreshment during biking. On day 6, after breakfast you can choose to be transfered to Kanfanar or reach it on your own. Kanfanar is a small town above the Lim valley. From Kanfanar starts the flattest ride of all in this tour. Passing by Istrian inland villages you will see traditional Istrian toolhouses (kažun). After reaching Bale you can visit the Bebmbo palace, city square and museum. Continue to Rovinj and on the way you'll seed "Palud" an ornithological reserve in which you can cycle around. After village Kokuletovica you can turn in Monkodonja. Monkodonja is a prehistoric hilltown inhabited about 1800-1200 BC during the Bronze Age. After Monkodonja you will reach Rovinj, your goal of this tour, the "Pearl of Adriatic". With its church and belltower on the hill by the sea its very recognizable from all sides. Also called istrian Venice, old town which was once an island and then connected with land, famous for its traditional boat called batana. Restaurants with fresh fish combined with malvasia will complete this week's atmosphere. Everybody can enjoy Rovinj, with its charm and magic. Overnight in a Hotel Villa Lili 3*, or similar in Rovinj including breakfast, picnic lunch and refreshment during biking. On day 7, after breakfast we ride along the coastline towards Pula. You will head for the mysterious world of Bale region, proud for its glorious Soardo-Bembo Castle of the Gothic and Renaissance period and the parish church of St. Julian. Bale had been developed from the ancient Roman castrum (military fortification) along Via Flava, the ancient Roman road that used to connect Trieste and Pula. Svetvinčenat, with its grandiose Morosini-Grimani citadel with towers, parish church, municipal loggia and a line of 16th century houses of the Renaissance and a town cistern - šterna in the middle, Savičenta really belongs to a range of the most attractive Venetian creations of that period effected in this region, and withheld one of the rare witchcraft trials in Istria during 17th century. In Vodnjan we will stop by a famous olive oil producer where you will learn more about olive trees, the olive harvest, obtaining oil from them and how to recognize its features and quality by tasting it. Quick question for you - which city is situated on seven hills, has a magnificent amphitheatre and is not Rome? The answer is - Pula. No, it is not a mistake – you are, indeed, in front of Pula, the largest city in Istria. Pula is an enchantress with thousand appearances which has been casting spell on its visitors for centuries. This day we finish visiting the old city with the Sergius' Triumphal Arch (from the end of the 1st century B.C. and the beginning of the 1st century A.D.) and famous Arena, a Roman amphitheatre (from the 1st century B.C.). Overnight in Poreč in Hotel Amfitheater 3*, or similar in Pula including breakfast, lunch and refreshment during biking, olive oil tasting, farewell dinner at the local restaurant. On day 8, after breakfast you will depart from Pula to Pula airport.