Active Journeys Croatia Road Bike tour SelfSelf----GuidedGuided

Croatia Exploring Istria

From the cyclist’s perspecve, the surroundings of the stunning medieval and intact coastal towns of Poreč and Rovinj look like a series of idyllic landscape sketches. You will be pass- ing by olive groves, vineyards, winding your way through parks, forests, undisturbed lush Mediterranean vegetaon whose sight and perfume fill your senses. And the sea is never far: it is usually hard to say where the green turns into blue.

As the route takes you inland, that's when the adventure starts - this area has preserved its charm and beauty with many remote villages immersed in rough nature and extensive for- ests. Something you won't forget is when the imposing hill-top town of Motovun looms up. For many Croaans, this is the most beauful medieval town in the country, with houses scaered all over the hill interspersed with vineyards producing great wines.

The area you will explore features outstanding natural beauty, and traces of a glorious past. Medieval towns - all protected cultural monuments - stand on hill tops as if they were some kind of strange hill cap, and each one of them will fascinate you with its special charm. During your rides you won't suffer either hunger or thirst, since each larger village accommodates at least one tavern, inn or restaurant, in all of them you can enjoy the Tour Details home-made food and the fine local wine on offer.

Daily from April to end of October Fast Facts About SelfSelf----GuidedGuided Cost: $1695 per person • Lovely accommodaons, always with Single Room Upgrade: $395 Explore Croaa at liberty, cycling along qui- private facilies with breakfasts • Luggage transport et roads through changing scenery. Our Length: 8 days / 7 nights • Route notes and maps, GPS rental route notes and up-to-date maps, combined available with the official marker posts ensure that Bike/Equipment: $195 • Cycling distances each day are moder- you enjoy your holiday without the worry of Grade: Moderate ate, allowing you to ride at your own pace and enjoy the countryside. finding the routes. Starts/Ends: Pore č / Rovinj

Active Journeys Contact: 11----800800800----597597597----55945594 or 416416----236236236----50115011 Email: [email protected]

ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrival in Poreč Arrival in Poreč. Meeng in our office in Poreč where we will pro- vide you with the package including hotel vouchers, bicycle with all equipment, maps and a road book. Our minivan will drive you to Buje from where you will start cycling the next day. Overnight in Buja, in the heart of Istria, a peaceful oasis for relaxaon and an ideal starng point for daily exploraon of this beauful area.

Day 2 Circular rides from Buje 45 km Your tour starts with an easy downhill ride to the coast on the northeast point of Istrian peninsula. There is a lighthouse which you can visit, according to legend built by count Meernich as his love nest. Savudrija is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Adri- ac. The trail connues south to Umag. It was founded by a Ro- man nobleman who decided to make it his summer residence. The glamour and magnificence of the mes can be seen today in the Venean houses of the old town. Forfied city walls are par- ally preserved as well as some renaissance and baroque build- ings and churches. Vineyards and olive groves will create an at- mosphere of typical west Istrian landscape. Stop and visit a local wine cellar to taste the Muscat. Overnight in Buje area.

Day 3 Circular rides from Buje 40 km Today’s ride takes you through Kršete, a picturesque village and then on to the town of Brtonigla. It has churches and monasteries from XV century. Further the trail leads through vineyards and olive groves of the Brtonigla area known for its wine. Across end- less vineyards you'll reach Novigrad where you can visit the olive oil producon and taste some of the best oils, in one word, taste Istria. Passing through the coast villages of Dajla and Karigador you'll reach Lovrečica, a venean bishops coastal village. Follow- ing the road through the villages of Škrinjari, Babići and Buroli you'll see tradional Istrian houses. The road along the vineyards will take you back to your hotel.

Day 4 Buje to Motovun 35 km From Buje you will connue towards Grožnjan a typical Istrian medieval town high atop a hill along the the river Mirna, renais- sance loggia dang from 1585 and the beauful St. Vitus and Modesto’s baroque church. Along its streets you’ll find art studios and galleries, and from which windows from every direcon echo the musical sounds of classical to jazz, you’ll understand why Grožnjan is known as "The town of arsts". Oprtalj, unchanged urban medieval style of building , the narrow streets, the shops, the beauful Venean palaces, portals and covered passages, and parcularly the unique view to the Istrian peninsula from the town loggia, according to many the most beauful of Istria. From Oprtalj you cycle downhill enjoying the view along the Mirna river and eventually arriving in Livade, where you can taste the local truffles . In the distance is Motovun, surely the most famous Istri- an medieval hilltown surrounded by the Motovun forest which streches along the Mirna River valley and especially rich with truffles. Overnight in Motovun.

Day 5 Motovun - Poreč 39 km This part of the trail goes from inland to the coast. It follows the road to Višnjan where you will pass by an observatory. It is one of the 5 most famous observatories in the world. The road connues to the town of Višnjan which is 246m in altude and from there you'll be able to catch a magnificent view of the western Istrian coast and the coastal town of Poreč. In the Višnjan surroundings it may be possible to stop and visit some of the wine cellars that produce wine from the Poreč area, especially the popular Malvasia and Teran. You connue your cycle to Tar, a lile town on the hill above the sea and to Nova Vas village by the famous Baredine cave (which you can stop by for a visit). aer passing a few more villages the trail reaches Poreč where you will overnight.

Day 6 Circular ride from Poreč 43 km From Poreč the trail starts with sightseeing the Euphrasiana, the most valuable monument in Poreč, a Basilica built in the 6th C. Fol- low the road unl you reach the village of Bačva. Bačva is the highest point of this stage and there is a local restaurant with tradional dishes where you might enjoy lunch tasng local food. You connue on through the southern villages and come down the coast to the town of Vrsar. With a commanding view of the coast, it was natural for Vrsar to become a defended fortress. Only parts of the forfica- on system, built in the 12th C, have been preserved but the fortress -castle used as the summer residence of the Poreč bishops, is well worth a look. Aer Vrsar the trail passes Funtana fishing village, Zelena and Plava Laguna tourisc villages at the southern doorstep of Poreč.

Day 7 Poreč to Rovinj 39 km (oponal) Aer breakfast you can choose to be transferred to Kanfanar or reach it on your own. Kanfanar is a small town above the Lim valley. From Kanfanar starts the flaest ride of all on this tour. Passing by Istrian inland villages you will see tradional Istrian toolhouses (kažun). Aer reaching Bale you can visit the Bebmbo palace, city square and museum. Connue to Rovinj and on the way you'll see "Palud" an ornithological reserve in which you can cycle around. Aer the village of Kokuletovica you reach Monkodonja. Monkodon- ja is a prehistoric hill town inhabited about 1800-1200 BC during the Bronze Age. Aer Monkodonja you will reach Rovinj, your goal of this tour, the "Pearl of Adriac". With its church and belltower on the hill by the sea its very recognizable from all sides. Also called the “Istrian Venice”, the old town was once an island and then connected with land, and famous for its tradional boat called batana. Restaurants serving the freshest fish and combined with a glass or two of Malva- sia will complete this week's atmosphere. It will fascinate you. Every- body can enjoy Rovinj, its charm and magic. Overnight in Rovinj.

Day 8 Departure from Rovinj The trip and our services end aer breakfast.

What to Expect Geng There Flights: The main airport closest to the What will the weather be like? The dayme temperature will be around 22 to mid-30’s degrees C ( 70’s to 90’s F), with starng point is Venice Airport. You can- very lile rainfall. It is the hoest in July and August, while other months have a nice not fly from Venice to Poreč. breeze along the sea. We do not offer this trip during this me. Pula is the gateway city to Istria with How many hours of cycling a day? flights from London Stansted airport on Be prepared to ride between 4 to 6 hours daily. This is not a supported tour, so you must Ryanair deparng several days a week . ride the route once you set out. Another opon is to fly into Zagreb and cross the country by way of trains and How fit do I need to be? buses. The fier the beer, so you will enjoy the rides each day. There are a few hills but much of it is so rolling hills. Ferries: From Venice there are summer What is the food like? passenger boats to Rovinj, Poreč, Rabac We have included a buffet breakfast each day. Most of the hotels offer some cheeses, and Pula— deparng at 5:00 PM and fruits, meats and yogurts. For lunch, you can stop in a local restaurant for a full meal or mid arriving about 7:30 PM. (*Note that the -day snack. We do not include dinners, but our notes will offer some suggesons for you to season does not start unl April 27). enjoy. Cost is about 85 € per person. The boat dock is right in front of the hotel so you What are the hotels like? can walk to it. They are chosen for their charm and locaon. Properes are charming B&B’s, well- located in the towns. All the rooms have private facilies. By Train/Bus: The main train staons in Istria are in Pula and Pazin. Buses can get you almost anywhere and are fairly inex- pensive, but scheduling maybe sporadic.

Extra Day: Transfers: can be arranged from Pula bus staon to our local office.

An extra day can be added to the tour to spend riding in and around the beautiful city of Motovun or sightseeing part of the day. How to book your holiday

• Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of our travel planners will walk you through the entire pro- cess.

• Download the reservation form from our site and send in completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent.

• A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & conditions are outlined in our Reservation Form.

Useful Info • Plan your air travel as soon as possible. There are two seasons – low and high. High

season offers greater choices on how you can arrive in Istria, whereas low season is more • We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either limited. through us or a travel insurance provider directly. www.railpass.com , www.croatiatraveller.com , • Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact www.venezialines.com , us, for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and www.viamare.com , fitness requirements. www.ryanair.com