Coastal Croatia: Porec to Pula Cycling
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Experience Overview
Istria, often referred to as Croatia’s Tuscany, is simply idyllic for a week-long cycling holiday. This self-guided route gives you the freedom to explore the area's treasure trove of antiquities at your own pace. The UNESCO sites of Porec and Rovinj and the amphitheatre in Pula give a distinctly cultural edge to this relaxed cycling itinerary. The hotels offer local charm, all close to the seafront so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the harbours and sunsets over the sea.
Profile
— 7 nights hotel to hotel accommodation in a mix of 3 star and 4 star hotels — 5 days cycling (including 4 optional days) — E-bike hire available on request (supplement applies) — 60% quiet tarmac roads, 40% coastal tracks — Gentle cycling perfect for occasional cyclists — Self-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs
At a Glance
— 7 nights hotel to hotel accommodation in a mix of 3 star and 4 star hotels — 5 days cycling (including 4 optional days) — E-bike hire available on request (supplement applies) — 60% quiet tarmac roads, 40% coastal tracks — Gentle cycling perfect for occasional cyclists — Self-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs
Trip For You
Cycling ConditionsClassification: Self-GuidedAverage daily distance: 30km (19 miles)No. of days cycling: 6 (including 4 optional rides)Terrain and route: The suggested cycling is mainly on gently undulating and flat terrain with one more challenging day but still perfect for occasional cyclists.Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. A representative will be there to meet you, make sure the bikes are all set up and will be on call throughout the trip should you need. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. FamiliesSelf-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you. As a guide we have suggested that 12 yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily distances are all published in the trip notes along with a description of each days cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities.
Group Description
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week to set up your bike and go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain an emergency telephone number. In an emergency, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts included. Croatian food is an amalgamation of flavours and influence, from inland to coastal and from former rulers from Italy and Austria. On the coast pasta, risotto and pizza dishes frequent the menus - a favourite is cuttlefish risotto where the rice is dyed black by the fish ink. In Istria they fish a lot of shellfish and crustaceans, so oysters, crab and prawns feature in many dishes. Sardines are also one of the mainstays of the local diet and are usually served grilled and drizzled with lemon juice on a bed of crunchy salad. Pork and lamb are by far the most popular meats, and you will also find lots of cured meats, usually served with olives. Desserts are often quite heavy and sticky, but there also tends to be a good display of ice-cream on offer thanks to the Italian influence.
Transportation
Your luggage will be transported between the hotels by our local representative. They are often able to dispatch a taxi should you need it, but may wish to charge you for this service. You will be pedaling under your own steam but the emergency number for our local operator is in the trip notes if you need assistance.
Joining Instructions
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Porec on the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 4pm.
We can book your flights from London to Pula based on the following flight times:
Outbound - TUI Airways from London Gatwick to Pula 09:25/12:35
Inbound - Fly from Pula to London Gatwick 13:50/15:05.
These can change throughout the season so it is best that you contact our sales team for more information and prices.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Weather Information
Croatia boasts one of the sunniest climates in Europe, and some regions are notoriously free from rain. We travel throughout the season, so you should expect some variation depending on when you travel. In the late spring and early autumn dates the temperatures will be cooler, ranging from the high-teens to mid-twenties (Celsius) during the day and dropping to the mid-teens at night, enough to want a jumper. In late August and early September there is also more chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and at night time, but these are generally intense and short lived. In the summer temperatures can be high, particularly in July and August where they can reach the mid to high 30s.
Spending Money
Lunches are relatively inexpensive, especially if you buy produce from local shops, so expect to pay between €5.30-€17.50 depending on whether you eat at a café or not. Dinners will be more expensive, but there are plenty of reasonable, inexpensive options, particularly if you have things like pizza or pasta. A meal, including drinks will start at around €18.80 (for something simple such as a pizza or pasta dish with wine and a pudding), but expect to pay more depending on what you select - much the same as anywhere.
There are a lot of things that you can do and see on this trip, such as a boat trip to the Brijuni archipelago, the Pula amphitheatre, the Euphrasius Basilica in Porec and the Jama Baredine limestone caves. We would suggest budgeting in roughly €20-€40 a day for optional extras, but this will vary depending on what you want to do and see.
Highlights
— Explore the Istrian Peninsula — Discover Roman architecture — Superb swimming opportunities
Trip Details
Product Code: 22836
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: sistance.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: C07IS
Starts:
Finishes:
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All breakfasts — Luggage transfers — Headwater Navigation App — High Quality BikesAccommodation
HotelsWe use 3 and 4-star hotels throughout, enjoying excellent locations and some spectacular coastal views. A highlight is the Villa Tuttorotto in Rovinj, one street back from the waterfront. This is a little 7 bedroom townhouse, squirreled away down a back alley, with a delightfully personal atmosphere. All the hotels are well located and all rooms have en suite facilities. All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory single room supplement (please see dates and prices on the website).
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3205 ($401 /day)
Itinerary
On arrival you can go for a swim nearby or explore the town before your bike briefing at 6pm.
The 300AD UNESCO heritage Basilica of Euphrasius with golden frescoes and intricate mosaics is at the heart of Porec, and you cycle past it along the shore as you go north. Seaside tracks pass a ruined Roman amphora factory, and follow clear bays and headlands for 10km. Loop back inland to visit a giant limestone cave - Jama Baredine - then sip some zingy Roxanich wines as you pass by their vineyard, before heading back for a swim in the pool.
A transfer takes you all the way to Rovinj. The town rivals Venice (just a day trip over the bay) for charm, where marbled alleyways are soft with candlelight and lively dining tables. Lose yourself in art galleries and boutiques, find a sunny swimming cove, or take a boat out to one of the small islands just off shore.
Take a lazy northern loop passing ruined churches, olive groves and oxblood soils tilled by rusty tractors. On your return, enjoy a swim from the boat piers, then relax with a sundowner on the shore. After sunset some bars put cushions on rocks and underwater lights shimmer as fishing boats return for the night.
Head south on a winding coastal path under umbrella pines, bayhopping for 8km by crystal seas. A steady, gentle ascent brings you to the small town of Bale, known as Castrum Vallis by the Romans who built a castle here to protect their salt trade. It's then back downhill to the sea and through walnuts, plums, almonds, figs and vines to Fazana.
Cycle to Pula where there is a network of marbled alleys to explore, many packed with Roman remains including a beautifully preserved amphitheatre from 27BC. Spend the day here or head back to take the boat to the Brijuni National Park - Roman villas, Byzantine villages, herds of deer and pine-fringed bays make for an amazing visit!
Pedal inland through lemon, pine and olive trees to Istria's ancient capital of Vodnjan, a sleepy village full of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. Pick up some picnic supplies at the bakery, then head north for lunch amid kazuna (stone beehive-style huts), near the 8th century church of Sta Foska. Return along the coast, passing remains of Roman baths on the shore. Back in Fazana, take a sunset stroll along the harbour.
After breakfast if you have pre-booked a transfer we will take you to Pula airport in time for your flight.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Sue Strang - Traveled, September 2015
Great intro to Istria. The accommodation on the trip was first class, small family run hotels with excellent staff in very good locations. The bikes were very good and well equipped. Istria is a lovely place. The food was very good, particularly the seafood, as you’d expect. The wine was also very good too. I was a little disappointed by the cycling, I think if you are a regular cyclist on British roads it won’t faze you, but I’m used to quiet road and cycle path cycling. About 1/2 the trip is on roads, some of which are quiet, but others have fast traffic and are quite busy. I managed it, but it did mean some of it wasn’t as relaxing as I thought it would be. Others doing the same trip, who were more used to road cycling, thought the traffic was fine, so don’t let that put you off. The scenery around Porec , and the final day’s cycling was lovely, and on paths and quiet roads. Other days were more mixed, with the towns rather than the cycling being the highlight. Most Inspirational Moment, Rovinj was beautiful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/20/2015
Susan Marshall - Traveled, May 2024
We absolutely loved the holiday and would definitely do it again. The app was brilliant and the E-bikes were a revelation. The hotels were all excellent and the whole holiday was trouble free.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/08/2024
Rosemary Brightling - Traveled, May 2024
Very enjoyable holiday, Croatian rep excellent, excellent E bikes. Holder for mobile phone made reading and hearing app directions difficult. We were fortunate with good weather, would have been different if inclement. Much preferred the small, family run hotels.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/01/2024
Amanda Bailey - Traveled, July 2023
Once we got through the booking process, the service from Headwater and the organization of the trip was excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/20/2023
Helen Willis - Traveled, June 2023
I really appreciated the lovely accommodation and that all the arrangements worked like clockwork to make it a relaxing holiday, especially as a single parent travelling with 3 children.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/09/2023
SINGFIELD - Traveled, May 2023
This trip provides a lovely coastal experience of Istria. The hotels are all in good locations giving access to the local towns, beaches and restaurants. The cycling is reasonably easy but with a few (manageable) climbs that take a little more energy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/10/2023
James Barlow - Traveled, July 2014
Cycling in Istria. This week-long self-guided cycling trip was excellent. Cycling through olive groves, along rocky shores and sampling tasty local food. Typical distances were 30K a day suggested, but there is great scope for extending (or shortening) routes to suit yourself. Directions were generally good, and accommodation was excellent along the way in very friendly hotels in Fazana (especially!) Rovinj and Porec. Most Inspirational Moment, admiring the beautiful old town of Rovinj from the bell tower. Advice for Potential Traveler's A detour to Motovun was beautiful but a challenging cycle. Bring insect repellent for the countryside cycles.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2014
Jeremy Slater - Traveled, July 2014
Coastal Croatia by Bike. Fantastic holiday. Arrangements, schedule and hotels were first class. Most Inspirational Moment, arriving in Fazana at night - could not believe we were staying in such a beautiful location. Thoughts on Group Leader, self guided. Advice for Potential Travelers, book this holiday you will not be disappointed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/25/2014
Mr. Acreman - Traveled, September 2022
We had a lovely time, everything from visiting the amphitheatre in Pula to sitting outside enjoying a delicious breakfast overlooking the waterside in Fazana. Lots of lovely sea food and the routes were varied and interesting. Alot of the routes were tracks rather than tarmac but it was fine for our bikes with no suspension (we took our own). September was a good time to go with temperature in the mid twenties. All the hotels were very nice but we preferred Fazana most of all due to its location.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2022
Mrs. Essayan - Traveled, July 2022
Excellent hotels in great places, good bikes, excellent routes, everything worked faultlessly.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/28/2022
