Three countries cycling weekend break trip!
Beginning in the lovely outskirts of 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 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: MUGGIA - PIRAN (↔ 36 km, ↑ 310 m, ↓ 330 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 - UMAG (↔ 35 km, ↑ 300 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, ↑ 310 m, ↓ 300 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 23 to May 3 and September 21 to October 12, 2024: 720 EUR
High season: May 4 to September 20, 2024: 865 EUR
(Currency converter)
Price includes:
• four nights accommodation in hotels 3*/4* in a two bedded ensuite facilities room, on basis of bed & breakfast
• luggage transfer between hotels, one piece max 23 kg / 50 lb. Every additional piece 60 EUR per trip, payable on the spot
• tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form
• welcome meeting and bike handover
• local tourist and other taxes
• backup service (hotline) during the trip
Optional extras:
• single traveler 425 EUR - applies when a person travels alone
• single room 320 EUR low season, 345 EUR high season - applies when a person travels with a group
• bike rental 60 EUR classic touring bikes are equipped with 24 gears. One pannier per bike. 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: 25 EUR per bike. Bike rental period starts at 9:00 on day 2 of the tour and ends at 18:00 on day 4. Helmet included.
• electric bike 100 EUR
• printed information package including route notes and corresponding maps delivered upon arrival 30 EUR per set
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Muggia 75 EUR low season, 85 EUR high season, per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 130 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Piran old town 95 EUR low season, 100 EUR high season per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 170 EUR
• 3* 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: 160 EUR
4–8 persons: 220 EUR
Ljubljana City to Muggia
1–3 persons: 150 EUR
4–8 persons: 210 EUR
Trieste Airport to Muggia
1–3 persons: 170 EUR
4–8 persons: 190 EUR
Poreč to Muggia
1–3 persons: 240 EUR
4–8 persons: 280 EUR
Poreč to Trieste Airport
1–3 persons: 260 EUR
4–8 persons: 300 EUR
Poreč to Pula Airport
1–3 persons: 140 EUR
4–8 persons: 190 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. No pooling permitted. Price includes transport of bikes.
Route profile
Total Length: 116 km
Waytype: 35% regional country roads, street 10% (city approach sections), 20% cycleways, 5% path.
Surface: 95% asphalt and paved, 5% unpaved
Difficulty: 2/4 Medium - For those who, for example complete daily trip to the market by bike in nice weather and consider cycling should be fun but not training. Gentle hills or stretches on gravel paths do not cause you any difficulties. Average daily elevation gains does between 100 and 500 meters.
Beginning in the lovely Muggia, this is the perfect tour for lovers of sun, sea and history. After your stay in Muggia, 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. 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: 3* or 4* Hotel Marina San Rocco in Muggia
Day 2: 3* or 4* Hotel Piran in Piran
Day 3: 3* Hotel Sol Umag in Umag
Day 4: 3* or 4* Hotel Poreč in 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. Parking in covered garage is possible in first hotel, costs 20 EUR per night. The nighjt of hotel stay is free of charge.
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 24-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:
- 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
Important note: For a seamless experience using an app while cycling, we recommend bringing a mobile phone mount (to attach to the handlebar) and a power bank.
