Three countries cycling weekend break trip!
Beginning in the lovely former Habsburg seaport town of Trieste, this is the perfect tour for lovers of sun, sea and history. 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. After your stay here, you will cycle southwards out of Italy, through Slovenia and into Croatia. The sunny Istria Peninsula will present you with a multitude of picturesque little fishing villages, small towns atop karst hills, sparkling vineyards and fertile valleys. Indulge yourself in the charms of a landscape rich in contrast and colour.
As a pre-trip, How about our Emerald Tour from Ljubljana to Piran!
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN TRIESTE / MUGGIA
Upon arrival in Muggia / Trieste, you can spend the day cycling along the lovely Trieste promenade and visit the exquisite Miramare Castle then the old town of Trieste, and relax with a cappuccino in the Piazza Unità d'Italia. From Muggia, you can sail to the city centre via city transport boat.
Day 2: TRIESTE - PIRAN / PORTOROŽ (↔ 35 km, ↑ 320 m, ↓ 340 m)
Today you'll cross the Slovenia border and ride along the coastal cycle path through another lovely port town, Koper, and then onto the seaside towns of Izola and Piran. Stroll through the cool narrow streets of the old town. In Piran, head up to the church on the hill and climb the steps of the bell tower for an outstanding view of the town and harbor, then sip a coffee back down in Tartini Square amid the wonderful Venetian architecture. Visit Portorož, an affluent spa town on the Slovenian Riviera, soak your sore muscles in a spa, or gamble the night away in one of the casinos if you're feeling lucky.
Day 3: PIRAN / PORTOROŽ - UMAG (↔ 40 km, ↑ 310 m, ↓ 310 m)
Get up early enough and you can catch the beautiful morning light as you cycle past the vast salt-pans of Sečovlje. From here you head across the border into Croatia. The route takes you across a slightly hilly terrain to the town of Umag. Once a Roman colony, its old walls and gated drawbridge hide a town steeped in history. Take a tour through the medieval center and visit the beautiful city tower.
Day 4: UMAG - POREČ (↔ 41 km, ↑ 320 m, ↓ 310 m)
Today you head to another medieval walled town, Novigrad (Cittanova). As well as its rich history, Novigrad is also renowned for its gastronomy. The town is listed as one of Istria’s 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: DEPARTURE
After breakfast your tour ends or you can prolong your stay.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Low season: March 25 to May 6 and September 16 to October 14, 2023: 690 EUR
High season: May 7 to September 15, 2023: 780 EUR
(Currency converter)
Price includes:
• accommodation in hotels 3*/4* in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• luggage transfer between hotels, one piece max 20 kg / 45 lb. Every additional piece 10 EUR, payable on the spot
• information pack including text road notes and corresponding maps in electronic form
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes
• backup service (hotline) during the trip
Optional extras:
• single traveler 195 EUR
• single room 95 EUR
• bike rental 60 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: 18 EUR per bike. Additional odometer 20 EUR, payable on the spot. Bike rental period starts at 9:00 on day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 on day 4
• electric bike 90 EUR
• helmet rental 8 EUR per tour
• printed information package in English including route notes and corresponding maps delivered upon arrival 30 EUR
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Muggia beach 70 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 100 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Piran old town 85 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 120 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Poreč 90 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 135 EUR
Not included: entrance fees, lunches, drinks with meals, saunas and massages in hotels
Transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Muggia
1–3 persons: 140 EUR
4–8 persons: 190 EUR
Ljubljana City to Muggia
1–3 persons: 130 EUR
4–8 persons: 180 EUR
Trieste Airport to Muggia
1–3 persons: 135 EUR
4–8 persons: 170 EUR
Poreč to Muggia
1–3 persons: 230 EUR
4–8 persons: 270 EUR
Poreč to Trieste Airport
1–3 persons: 250 EUR
4–8 persons: 290 EUR
Poreč to Pula Airport
1–3 persons: 130 EUR
4–8 persons: 180 EUR
Other transfer routes prices on request
Route profile
Total Length: 116 km
Total vertical up: 950 m
Terrain: 95% paved, 5% unpaved
Easy tour. Mostly along coastal local roads and bike paths. Also suitable for less prepared cyclists.
Accommodation
Helia supports responsible travel. On our trips we therefore use small, authentic hotels and guesthouses with character operated by locals or their families. Here you can find the list of standard accommodation we primarily use on the trip. The actual hotels may differ from this list, depending on time of booking and rooms availability.
Day 1 4* Hotel San Rocco Muggia
Day 2 4* Hotel Piran Piran
Day 3 3* Hotel Sol Umag
Day 4 4* Hotel Poreč Poreč
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is Muggia, outskirts of Trieste, NE Italy.
Getting there...
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.
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. Good connections with airport shuttle from Ronchi Legionari airport to Trieste / Muggia.
.... and away (ending point is Poreč / Croatia)
By plane: closest airport is Trieste, 50 km NW (served by Ryanair from many origins). We can best arrange you a transfer, please ask us for a favorable price. Next is Ljubljana (LJU). You can return to Ljubljana by bus, train or our transfer, please ask us for a favorable price.
By train: Koper railway station is 60 km from Poreč. Trains leave from here to Ljubljana. If you wish to travel onward to Rijeka (Croatia) you need to change in Pivka, however, only a few trains cross the border! There are no train connections to Italy, you'll need to travel first to Trieste.
By boat: there are ferries operating from Poreč to Venice.
By car: if your car is in Ljubljana, you can return there via our transfer.
Your bike
Helia bikes are available in different sizes in unisex model:
Touring bike 27-gear Shimano Deore
SCOTT E-bike 4 electronic gears / 9 mechanical gears Shimano
Features:
- aluminium frame
- mudguard
- rear rack
- comfort gel saddle
- anti-puncture Continental tyres
- ergonomic bicycle grips
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
- cycle computer
- Vaude one-sided saddlebag
- combination bike lock
Only for self-guided tours: one repair kit per two bikes: one spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, two allen keys and tire levers
