Istria Gastro Cycling Tour

Tour Highlights

A cycling journey through one of Europe's hidden gems.
Delicious Croatian meals and great wines.
Views from the hill top town of Motovun.
Truffle tales in Oprtalj.
A post ride swim in the waters of the Adriatic.
Roman Amphitheater in Pula.
Explore the coastal towns of Rovinj, Umag and Poreč.

Istria is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and Kvarner Bay. This peaceful peninsula was historically part of the Venetian Empire. It is a land of diverse scenery with rolling hills, pine forests, wheat fields, vineyards, olive groves and of course, the sparkling azure sea lapping the coastline. All this makes Istria one of the most visited tourism destinations, not only in Croatia but also in the Mediterranean as whole, and why it is known as the "green-blue" region.

From $ 2700

Activity Level Recreational / Active non-riders are welcome

Duration 6 days / 5 nights in luxury 4 star hotels

Start / End Poreč / Pula

Daily Mileage 20 - 33 mi

Daily Biking 2 - 4.5 Hours

Meals All breakfast, 5 gourmet dinners, 5 lunches, 3 Wine tastings, Olive oil tastings, Cheese tasting, Prosciutto tasting, Oyster and mussel tasting and Truffle tasting

Dates 2023 May Jun Jul Aug

Booking Inquiry

Itinerary Map

Day 1

ARRIVAL TO POREČ

Poreč

After arrival, you'll have time visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Porec and its Byzantine Basilica.The meeting with tour leaders and the rest of the group will take place on the hotel terrace. We will have a welcome drink, and you will receive detailed information about the tour and schedule.

Daily highlights

Poreč

Sparkling wines

Momjanski Muškat desert wine

Accommodation Hotel Palazzo

Day 2

POREČ - BRTONIGLA

26mi. + OPTIONAL RIDE 14mi.

Departing the hotel, we will set off and ride through the area inland of Poreč, with a brief stop to taste the famous Istrian wine and cheese. Continuing via Novigrada (Cittanova), another medieval walled town. As well as its rich history, Novigrad is also renowned for its gastronomy, and is listed as one of Istria’s top gourmet destinations. Today's ride continues along the coast up to the town of Brtonigla, where we will enjoy a wine tasting.

Daily highlights

Euphrasian Basilica

Istrian Cheese

Teran – red wine

Novigrad

Accommodation Hotel Palazzo

Day 3

POREČ - GROŽNJAN - MOTOVUN

20mi. + OPTIONAL RIDE 14mi.

After a short transfer to Buje, we will start cycling towards Grožnjan – a town of artists. The route continues along the ridge of a hill, with stunning vistas over the surrounding towns on the hilltops. We will make a stop in the Motovun Forest, and have the opportunity to try the truffles this region is famous for. The day ends with a walk through beautiful Motovun, the best known town in central Istria.

Daily highlights

Grožnjan

Parenzana - gauge railway

Truffles

Motovun-Istria's top hill town

Accommodation Hotel Palazzo

Day 4

POREČ - ROVINJ

23mi. + OPTIONAL RIDE 14mi.

The morning's ride sets off towards the quiet Istrian interior. On route towards Rovinj, we will pass the ruins of an old castle, Dvigrad, and stop to taste Istria's best known wine, Malvasija, at a local winery. The afternoon is free, with time for swimming or sightseeing in beautiful Rovinj.

Daily highlights

Malvazija Istarska – white wine

Istrian Wild Asparagus

Biska - grappa

Dvigrad Castle

Accommodation Hotel Eden

Day 5

ROVINJ LOOP RIDE

23 mi. + OPTIONAL RIDE 12 mi.

Today’s ride is a circular tour that begins in Rovinj. We will ride through the towns Kanfanar and Žminj, and end at the Lim Channel, where we will enjoy a tasting of oysters and other wonderful shellfish.

Daily highlights

Rovinj Old Town

Lim Channel

Oysters from Lim bay

Istrian pasta - pljukanci, fuži

Accommodation Hotel Eden

Day 6

ROVINJ - PULA

26 mi. + OPTIONAL RIDE 11 mi.

In the morning we visit Olive oil mill and the lively medieval village of Svetvinčenat which features the famous Grimaldi Castle, named after the Venetian family that bought it and renovated it in the 16th century. After prosciutto tasting, we continue towards Pula which often considered the capital of the area. Pula is the home of the famous Roman amphitheater.

Daily highlights

Come & go

Exceptional customer service and unforgetable experience.
Luggage transfers.
Onward transfers.

Stay & sleep

Welcome drink.
5 nights accommodation in luxury 4 star hotels.
Breakfast and dinner for 5 nights.

Wine & Dine

5 gourmet dinners with drinks.
3 Wine tastings in famous wineries.
5 Lunches with drinks.
Olive oil testing.
Istrian prosciutto tasting with drinks.
Oyster and Mussel tasting with drinks.
Truffle tasting with drinks.

On the road

Unlimited fruit, snacks and drinks during the rides.
Choice of high quality hybrid and road bikes.
Water bottle and bike bag.
Quality helmets.
One or Two Vehicle support with free WI-FI - will carry fruit, snacks and drinks, bike spares, first aid kit, and, if needed, tired cyclists.
Two or Three experienced local bilingual guides.
RideWithGPS mobile application for routes and navigation.

Entry fees to attractions and historical sites.

What's not included

Airfare

The price does not include flights.

Insurance

The price does not include travel and cancellation insurances.

Tips

Gratuities for your guides are not included in your trip price. Please tip your guides based on their guest care, service and level of professionalism.