Coastal Croatia: Pula to Porec Cycling
8 Days Starting in Fazana and ending in Porec
Visiting: Croatia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C07IS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 6
Age range:
13-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour 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 amphitheatre in Pula and the UNESCO sites of Rovinj and Porec 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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Fazana.
Start Fazana. Relax on the hotel terrace and explore the village. You will have the bike briefing in the evening. Please ensure that you take your route notes with you to the briefing.Premium Hotel
Day 2 : Circular Warm Up Ride To Pula; Visit The Beautifully Preserved Roman Amphitheatre.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you can enjoy a gentle warm up ride to Pula. The ride is short so you can spend a good period of time here exploring the town. Pula has a long history and was brought to particular significance by the Emperor Augustus. Undoubtedly the most well-known site of the town is the amphitheatre, which was built during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. It was the 6th largest of its kind and is now use to stage film festivals and summer operas. The narrow streets of Pula offer a lovely place to enjoy a relaxing wander, with ancient monuments littered throughout the town, plenty of boutique shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants and of course the pretty harbour. You could spend all day here; alternatively, you could catch a boat to the Brijuni National Park - this was Tito's private island archipelago. With Roman villas, Byzantine villages, Tito's personal zoo and even his 1950s Cadillac make for an interesting visit. Premium Hotel
Day 3 : Cycle Inland To Vodnjan Village Brimming With Architectural Treats; Return To Fazana.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pedal inland through lemons, pines and olive groves to Istria's ancient capital of Vodnjan, a compact village full of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. The St. Blaise cathedral is known for having the tallest tower in Istria (63m) and is host to an array of bizarre relics. You can pick up some picnic supplies, then head north for lunch amid stone beehive style huts - kazuna - near the 8th century church of Sta Foska. You will then return along the coast passing the remains of Roman baths on the shore. Spend the evening back in Fazana where you can enjoy a sunset stroll along the harbour. Optional shorter route: cycle approx. 20km. Premium Hotel
Day 4 : Picturesque Rural Riding To Bale; Time For Lunch In The Old Town; Then On To Rovinj.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head north through walnut, plum, almond and fig trees. A steady ascent brings you to Bale, known as Castrum Vallis by the Romans who built a castle here to protect their salt trade. It is then downhill to the sea and a sinuous coastal path under umbrella pine, bay-hopping for 8km by crystal seas. Rovinj is your charming destination, known as the Venice of Istria. The central basilica is surrounded by narrow marbled alleyways that by night are lit by the candles of the dining tables which spill out onto the streets. The bustling harbour offers a great atmosphere and you can also explore the museum, housed in a baroque mansion called Califfi Palace where artwork, sculpture, jewellery collections and ceramics are displayed. Premium Hotel
Day 5 : Free Day To Explore Rovinj, Swim In The Sea Or Enjoy A Short Optional Ride.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to explore Rovinj - lose yourself in the boutiques and art galleries or find a nice swimming cove. It is even possible to catch the ferry to Venice for the day. If you fancy getting back on the bikes, you can enjoy a lazy northern loop passing ruined churches, olive groves and oxblood coloured soils tilled by rusty tractors. Return to Rovinj to enjoy a swim and the evening atmosphere. After sunset some bars put cushions on the rocks so you can watch the underwater lights shimmer as the fishing boats return for the night.
Optional Ride approx. 12km.Premium Hotel
Day 6 : Pedal Inland To Lim Fjord With Panoramic View Point; Cycle Back Along The Coast To Porec.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take sun-dappled back roads inland to the head of the Lim Fjord - an impressive wooded valley and today's challenge. You will begin by freewheeling down to the base before ascending 2km to a fantastic panoramic viewpoint on the other side. You can enjoy lunch in one of the many grill restaurants en route, then head back to the sea to meet the coast 10km south of Porec. You can then follow the water to your hotel near the harbour. Premium Hotel
Day 7 : Visit The Unesco Heritage Basilica Of Euphrasius. Follow Coastal Cycle Tracks; Then Loop Back To Porec.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Porec is most famous for its 300AD UNESCO heritage Basilica of Euphrasius with magnificent golden frescoes and intricate mosaics. The Basilica is right in the heart of Porec, just off the main street, it is very easy to find with the sparkling golden mosaic which sits above the entrance. You can visit it as you leave Porec today before heading north along the shore. The seaside tracks that you follow pass a Roman amphora factory and follow clear bays and headlands for 10km. You will then head inland to visit the giant Jama Baredine limestone cave before returning to Porec for your last evening. There are many waterfront restaurants, as well as some hidden treasures tucked away in the town. Premium Hotel
Day 8 : End Porec.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast if you have pre-booked a transfer we will take you to Pula airport in time for your flight.
What's Included
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Local bike hire
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Luggage transfers
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All breakfasts
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All accommodation (see accommodation section)
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Route notes and maps
What's Not Included
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Tourist taxes to be paid locally: 9.45€/trip
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Visas or vaccinations
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Arrival & departure transfers (available on request)
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request -compulsory supplement)
Accommodation
We 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).
Food
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.
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Only Luggage transfers
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What is the maximum group size?
3 and 4-star hotels
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
13+ age people can go in this tour.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
3 and 4-star hotels
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.