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Three Countries Coastal Cycling Trip
This is cycling holiday is the perfect tour for lovers of sun, sea and history. You begin in the former Habsburg seaport town of Trieste in Italy. After your stay there, you will cycle southwards out of Italy through Slovenia and into Croatia. Your route will take you down the sunny Istria Peninsula, through picturesque Venetian-style seaside towns, quaint little fishing villages, alongside sparkling vineyards and fertile valleys. You will stop in many fascinating medieval walled cities along the coast.
Highlights and places of interest along the route:
• Trieste - old town, promenade & castle
• Istrian Hills - quaint hilltop villages
• Piran - a charming harbour town in Slovenia
• Portorož - the Slovenian Monte Carlo
• Poreč - the 6th century Euphrasia Basilica
• Brijuni islands and Limski channel
• Rovinj - the peninsula’s prime attraction
• Pula - the 6th largest arena outside Rome
As a pre-trip, have a look at our Emerald Tour from Ljubljana to Piran, Cycling Vistas & Wines! and Best Of Slovenia!
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Trieste / Muggia.Today you will arrive and settle into your hotel in Muggia / Trieste, nestled in the foothills of the Karst region. Under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Trieste flourished as a busy and affluent port (4th largest in the empire), the remnants of which are still visible today in the main square and narrow streets. Spend the day cycling along the lovely promenade and visit the exquisite Miramare Castle, or the stunning Piazza Unità d'Italia in the town centre. From Muggia, you can sail to the city center by city transport boat.
Day 2: Trieste – Piran / Portorôz (36 km)
Today you'll start cycling in southern direction. Cross the Slovenia border and ride along the coastal cycle path through another lovely port town, Koper, and then onto the picturesque Venetian towns of Izola and Piran. Stroll through the narrow streets and visit their churches. In Piran, sip a coffee in Tartini Square amid the wonderful Venetian architecture. Visit Portorož, an affluent spa town on the Slovenian Riviera, and try your hand in one of the casinos if you're feeling lucky.
Day 3: Piran – Umag (35 km)
Today you will cycle past the vast salt-pans of Sečovlje. Get there early enough to catch the beautiful morning light. From here you head across the border to Croatia and into the heart of Istria, across slightly hilly terrain to the town of Umag. Once a Roman colony, within its town walls and across its gated drawbridge lies a town steeped in history. Take a tour of the medieval center and visit the beautiful city tower.
Day 4: Umag – Poreč (41 km)
Once again you cycle across some low hills to Novigrad (Cittanova), another medieval walled town. As well as its rich history, Novigrad is also renowned for its gastronomy and is listed as one of Istrias top gourmet destinations. Next stop is Poreč, where you can visit the UNESCO listed Euphrasian Basilica, a diverse mix of baroque, Gothic and Romanesque buildings.
Day 5: Poreč (45 km or day off by the sea)
Plenty of choices today: you can either enjoy a day off by the sea, take a boat trip excursion or visit the surrounding countryside of Poreč.
Day 6: Poreč – Rovinj (approx. 43 km)
Today you head to Istria’s gem. The fjord-like Limski channel is also a National Park nature reserve and on the coast you’ll find mussels and oyster farming. Rovinj remains one of the last true Mediterranean fishing ports. The high bell tower of the Euphemia Church built on the highest point in Rovinj is its most distinctive feature, standing proud and dominating the view no matter which direction you approach. You can also cycle to Zlatni rt (also known as Golden Cape), a peninsula, where you’ll find a park in a nature reserve.
Day 7: Rovinj – Pula (40 km)
The last cycling day on your “expedition“ leads you to Pula on the peninsula’s southwest tip. Cycling south you have the opportunity of visiting the Brijuni islands. The Brijuni-islands are twelve smaller and 2 bigger islands; the main island Veli Brijun was used as a summer residence by the Yugoslav statesman, Tito. You can also follow in the footsteps of the dinosaurs, as over 200 dinosaur footprints have been found on the island. Pula is the oldest town on Istria and its commercial and cultural centre. Enjoy your last day of the tour among various antiquities, including the mighty Pula Arena, the 6th largest outside Rome and the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved.
Day 8: Departure after breakfast or extension of stay.
Price
| Price per Person in a double room sharing: | Low season: March 26 to May 6 and September 17 to October 15, 2022: | High season: May 7 to September 16, 2022: |
| Accommodation in hotel 4* | 875 EUR | 925 EUR |
Price includes:
• accommodation in hotels 3*/4* in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• luggage transfer – one piece, max 20 kg / 45 lb
• information pack including text road notes (in plain English) and corresponding maps, one per booking
• personal welcome meeting, briefing upon arrival and bike handover
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes
• backup service (hotline) during the trip
Optional extras:
• single room supplement 150 EUR
• bike rental 100 EUR classic touring / trekking bikes are equipped with 21 gears, one back & side pannier per bike, one cycling odometer, one lock, one spare inner tube, one set of Allen keys and a basic puncture repair kit per couple / pair of bikes. Every additional day: 15 EUR per bike. Additional odometer 20 EUR, payable on the spot. Bike rental period starts at 9:00 on day two of the tour and at 18:00 on day seven
• electric bike 240 EUR
• helmet rental 12 EUR
• transfers - please ask us for a favorable quote!
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Muggia Beach 70 EUR per person in standard double room, BB. Single room 105 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Piran old town 80 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, BB. Single room 110 EUR
• 3* Hotel in Pula, edge of old town, 70 EUR per person in standard double room, BB. Single room 105 EUR
Extra night in other places along the route at requests and depending on hotel rating.
Discounts:
• children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents 30% discount on basic price
• third adult in the room 10% discount on basic price
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is Muggia, outskirts of Trieste, NE Italy.Getting there and away...
By car: over the Tauern motorway to Villach and over the border crossing Arnoldstein to Udine and Trieste. From Venice – Via A4 motorway exit Aquilea. Car parking: several public garages – on request.
By bus: take a Flixbus bus to Trieste and return from Pula.
By train: Venice Santa Lucia or Venice Mestre railway station to Trieste Centrale or over Salzburg and Villach to Trieste. Then take a taxi to Muggia.
By plane: regular (Alitalia, Lufthansa) and low-cost flights to Ronchi Legionari (Ryanair) Airport or Pula Airport (Aer Lingus, Croatian Airlines, Easyjet, German Wings, Jet2, Norwegian, Ryanair, SAS, S7, TUI, transavia, Vueling). Good connections with airport shuttle from Ronchi Legionari Airport to Trieste / Muggia.
Transfers: available at request from different airports/ please ask us for a favorable quote!
