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Island Hopping By E-Bike & Boat Highlights of Istria Plus 2024

Omišalj - Rabac - Labin - Rabac - Pula - Vrsar - Poreč - Novigrad - Grožnjan - Vižinada - Poreč - Vrsar - Rovinj - Fažana - Cres - Njivice - Malinska - Omišalj

The largest peninsula in Croatia offers an incredible backdrop for an e-bike cruise Highlights of Istria Plus. Situated between the Kvarner Bay and the Gulf of Trieste, Istria is an oasis of superlatives. The 500km long coastline offers countless picture perfect beaches and fascinating historical harbour towns such as Pula, Poreč and Rovinj. The fertile hinterlands in contrast, are characterised by their medieval hilltop villages and colourful vineyards and the silver-green olive groves. Much like the landscapes typical for Tuscany. In addition, Istria is graced with over 2,300 hours of sun each year, assuring with great certainty that your visit will be a sunny one. The region has also made itself a name for its culinary delights: home to some of the world’s best truffles, olive oil and wine. Discover the vast diversity of this delightful region onboard your Premium Superior small ship, your floating accommodation for the week, and a reliable e-bike as your means of transport on land. The itinerary of the Highlights of Istria Plus cruise is the same as the itinerary of the Highlights of Istria cruise, making them both great alternatives to each other should you have difficulties finding availability on this trip.

Approx 235km by e-bike, E-Bike Level 1

Check in OMIŠALJ on FRIDAYS from 1400-1430HRS, departs Omišalj Port at 1500HRS
Check out OMIŠALJ on FRIDAYS by 0900HRS

Code: I2 ISP

MS Andela Lora

Day by day Itinerary

Day 1
Omišalj - Rabac

Individual arrival to Omišalj, a charming “pirate’s nest” on the Island of Krk. Embarkation onboard the small ship is possible from approx 1400HRS. Once we have made ourselves comfortable in our cabins, we can enjoy the first cruise to Rabac. With the weather on our side, we can enjoy our first swim stop directly from the boat along the way. On arrival in the idyllic harbour of Rabac on the east coast of the Istrian Peninsula, the bikes can be adjusted correctly, ready for the first tour the next day. The night is spent in Rabac.

Day 2
Rabac - Labin - Rabac - Pula

After breakfast onboard, we start our first bike tour with a longer climb to the medieval clifftop town of Labin. On arrival we can enjoy a coffee or a refreshing lemonade whilst marvelling at the view across the bay of Rabac. Back on our bikes, we enjoy a round tour through traditional local villages before returning back to the boat in Rabac. The boat awaits us with a delicious lunch as we leave port and start a longer cruise to the historical city of Pula. The unofficial capital of Istria is characterised by decades of Roman rule. There is plenty of time to explore the city on foot, taking time to appreciate the ancient monuments such as the grand Roman Amphitheatre, the Augustus Temple and the Golden Gate. The night is spent in Pula.

Cycle route approx 37km

Day 3
Pula - Vrsar - Poreč

Before breakfast, the boat will depart Pula and bring us to Vrsar. It is rumoured that the famous heartbreaker Casanova took refuge here from the furious husbands of his lovers. From Vrsar, our bike tour will take us along the Lim Channel to Kloštar in the rural hinterlands. After a strengthening afternoon break, we continue by bike to Poreč. We will have a chance to indulge in the multifaceted history of Poreč in the company of our tour guide, in the afternoon on a walk through this enchanting town. The shopping streets are vibrant with life. A visit to the UNESCO protected Euphrasius Basilica with its intricate pre-Christian mosaics is highly recommended. The night is spent in Poreč.

Cycle route approx 39km

Day 4
Poreč - Novigrad - Grožnjan - Vižinada - Poreč - Vrsar

During breakfast, the boat will bring you to Novigrad, where your cycling tour will begin. You cycle through vast vineyards and olive groves to the picturesque hilltop village of Buje, overlooking the fertile pastures surrounding it. From here you follow the ‘Parenzana’, a decommissioned railway line, which will bring you to the artists town of Grožnjan. You will have time to visit the numerous galleries, situated in quaint stone houses. Back on our bikes we continue through the neighbouring villages and pastoral Istria to the town of Poreč, where we board the boat for an enjoyable swim stop on our way to Vrsar for the night.

Cycle route approx 68km

Day 5
Vrsar - Rovinj

After a short crossing by boat to Rovinj we can enjoy a cycle tour along the coastal promenade from Rovinj to the outskirts of this wonderful seaside town. We have time to enjoy a lengthy swim in the Adriatic before returning back to the boat in Rovinj. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided tour through this picture perfect town squeezed on a small peninsula surrounded by blue sea. It is not without reason why this idyllic town is a haven for artists from all over the world, whose work can be admired in the numerous galleries in town. This night is spent in Rovinj.

Cycle route approx 17km

Day 6
Rovinj - Fažana - Cres

Today’s bike tour takes us along the coast mainly on natural paths and through forests to Fažana. Its delightful harbour and splendid promenade lined with the colourful facades of the local houses. The ship awaits us here for a crossing to the Island of Cres. Our destination is the island’s capital, carrying the same name, where we will spend the night. The town is characterised by its Venetian past with winding alleyways and many churches making it impossible to resist further exploration on foot. The evening can be spent comfortably in one of the seaside bars, listening to the sound of the sea birds as dusk settles.

Cycle route approx 30km

Day 7
Cres - Njivice - Malinska - Omišalj

In the early morning the boat departs for the Island of Krk, where we set out on our last bike ride of the week, from Njivice via Malinska to Omišalj. The largest of the Croatian islands, and home to the delicious white wine ‘Žlahtina’, the Island of Krk leaves a memorable impression with its great diversity. Don’t miss an opportunity to cover yourself in the mineral rich mud in the bay of Soline, it will not only leave you “looking ten years younger”, but also makes for a wonderful holiday memory! Back in the harbour of Omišalj, our boat awaits us with a delicious last evening meal onboard which can be spent in great cheer, in the company of the fellow travellers, crew and guides.

Cycle route approx 37km

Day 8
Omišalj

After breakfast disembarkation by 0900HRS and individual trip home or extended stay in Croatia.

Inclusions

  • 7 Nights in A/C ensuite cabin
  • 2 Days Full Board, 5 Days Half Board
  • Cruise Guide - English, German
  • Guided cycling tours as per itinerary
  • E-Bike with Ortlieb Pannier (if bike has a rack)
  • Overview maps for the daily tours (onboard)
  • Bed linen & towels

Sightseeing

  • Pula
  • Rovinj

Exclusions

Supplements Payable Upon Embarkation

  • Tourist Taxes, Port Fees & Bottled Water Flat Rate €60 per person approx

Optional

  • Insurance against theft/damage of the e-bike $65 per bike
  • Gravel bike on request
  • Road bike on request

Not Included

  • Entrances for sites
  • Arrival/departure transfers
  • Drinks onboard and meals & drinks ashore
  • Tips for the guides & crew
  • Anything not specified in Inclusions

Pricing and Accommodation

Start DateEnd Date
Main DeckTwinSingle Lower DeckTwinSingle
Fri 26 Jul 24Fri 02 Aug 24
$4,470$5,910$3,985$5,430
Fri 09 Aug 24Fri 16 Aug 24
$4,470$5,910$3,985$5,430
Fri 23 Aug 24Fri 30 Aug 24
$4,850$6,295$4,370$5,815
Fri 06 Sep 24Fri 13 Sep 24
$4,850$6,295$4,370$5,815
Fri 04 Oct 24Fri 11 Oct 24
$4,470$5,910$3,985$5,430
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Important Notes

​Main Deck Cabins are on the Main Deck
Lower Deck Cabins are in the hull of the ship, below the Main Deck

Captain reserves the right to change the route in case of bad weather conditions, crowding or other circumstances out of his control. Departures are guaranteed for minimum 14 participants. Cruise Operator reserves the right to cancel or change the ship name if necessary. Guests are obliged to follow ship rules (found in written form onboard). Guests are not permitted to bring beverages onboard the vessel that have been purchased onshore. All drinks must be purchased onboard. In the event of inappropriate behaviour the Cruise Operator and Captain reserves the right to disembark guests.

Port taxes, entrance fees, sightseeing and excursions (if not included in the package) must be paid in local currency upon arrival.

Disclaimer
Due to specific mooring conditions and requirements in some Croatian Ports, multiple ships are moored side by side. This makes it necessary to cross from one ship to the other where there are gaps in between each ship. Special care must be taken at all times when crossing between the ships, and guests do this at their own risk. Crew assistance will be given to those needing and requesting it. View from cabin windows and balconies may be obstructed when moored in port and alongside other ships. Cruises are not recommended for those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility.

Itinerary Changes
Cruise Operator reserves the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organisational requirements.

E-Bike Level 1
Exclusive e-bike cruises with travellers with a good level of fitness. The tours, including the metres of elevation, can be ridden comfortably by e-bike (20-70km and 200-1,000m of elevation gain per day). All bike tours require a healthy basic level of fitness from the participants and prior experience in bike riding. Please take note that approx 30% of the tours take place on natural paths and gravel roads. The described tours are primarily designed as fully guided e-bike tours. If you wish to cycle alone, please talk with your tour guide on site about the options available.

Group Riding Pace
On e-bike tours, the riding pace is determined by the cyclists on e-bikes. Guests who are taking part on these tours on a gravel bike should have the necessary physical condition to keep up with this pace. We thank you for your understanding.

Children
We believe that only children with a good physical condition and previous bicycle tour experience and a minimum age of 10 are able to master the cycle tours with their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental e-bike is 1.50m. Follow-me bikes, bike seats and bike bungees can also be hired for accompanying children. We are happy to provide you with more detailed information on request. It is mandatory for all participants on tours to wear a bicycle helmet.

Catering
The onboard chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. The catering consists of 2 x Full Board and 5 x Half Board. Catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day.

Language
Cruise and cycle tours are conducted bilingually (English, German).

Participants
Minimum 14 / Maximum 29

Extras and Add Ons

Add Sightseeing & Excursions

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