Istrian Wine Roads Self Guided Cycling 2023

Independent arrival in Istria. Info Meeting with the representative at 1900HRS at the hotel reception where you will be provided with the package including hotel vouchers, bicycle with all equipment, maps and a road book. Overnight in Buje area or Brtonigla.

Today’s tour starts with easy downhill ride to the coast on the northernmost point of Istrian Peninsula. Nearby is a lighthouse, according to the legend built by the Count Metternich as his love nest. Savudrija is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Adriatic, built in 1818. It is also the northernmost Istrian lighthouse. Its building is 36 metres tall and there is a keeper living inside it. The trail continues south to Umag. Small town with approx 45km of the coastline and interesting hinterland integrating special features of the whole region and might be the best introduction into a different experience of the Mediterranean. Umag's history is extremely interesting, it was founded by Roman nobleman who decided to make it his summer residence. The glamour, magnificence and glare of the times can be seen today in the Venetian houses of the old town. City walls and fortifications are partially preserved as well as some Renaissance and Baroque buildings and churches. Vineyards and olive groves will create an atmosphere of typical west Istrian landscape. Visit a wine cellar to taste the ‘Muscat’ or ‘Malvazija’, indigenous wine. Overnight in Buje area or Brtonigla. (B)

Cycling distance: 48km
Elevation gain: +443m / -442m

From Buje area you're cycling through a picturesque village of Kršete and arriving to the small town of Brtonigla. It has churches and monasteries from 15th century. Further the trail leads through vineyards and olive groves of Brtonigla area. ‘Teran’ is a very popular wine from this area. Across endless vineyards you'll reach Novigrad where you can visit the olive oil production and taste some of the best olive oils. Through Dajla and Karigador villages on the coast you're getting to Lovrečica Venetian-Bishops coastal village. Following the road through Škrinjari, Babići and Buroli villages you'll see traditional Istrian houses ‘Kažun’. Road by the vineyards will take you back to your hotel. Overnight in Buje area or Brtonigla. (B)

Cycling distance: 50km
Elevation gain: +422m / -421m

From Buje you will continue towards Grožnjan. Typical Istrian medieval town sprout high on top of a hill along the right coast of the Mirna River, Renaissance loggia dating from 1585 and the beautiful St Vitus and Modesto’s Baroque church. If you just occasionally pass along its streets in which almost every door leads to art studios or galleries, and windows from every direction echo the sounds of different music genres, from classical to jazz, you’ll understand why Grožnjan is known as "The Town of Artists". From Grožnjan you'll ride on quiet Istrian village roads through beautiful settlements and arrive to Oprtalj. Unchanged urban medieval style of building, the narrow streets, the shops, the beautiful Venetian palaces, portals and covered passages and particularly the unique view to the Istrian Peninsula from the town loggia, according to many the most beautiful in Istria. From Oprtalj you are going downhill enjoying the view on Mirna River and eventually arriving in Livade, the truffle centre of Istria where you can visit the local truffle shop and taste it in various forms. The truffle is an underground malodorous fungus believed to be an aphrodisiac. On the hill in front of the Livade is Motovun, surely the most famous and attractive Istrian medieval hilltop town. Around Livade is the Motovun Forest which stretches along Mirna River Valley and is especially rich in truffles.  Overnight in Motovun. (B)

Cycling distance: 37km
Elevation gain: +693m / -585m

This part of the trail goes from inland to the coast. It follows the road to Višnjan where you will pass by an observatory. It’s one of the 5 most famous observatories in the world. The road continues to the town of Višnjan which is on 246m altitude and from there you'll be able to catch a view on west Istrian coast and the coastal town of Poreč. In Višnjan surroundings it is possible to visit many wine cellars with wine from Poreč area, especially ‘Malvasia’. Ride continues to Tar, a little town on the hill above the sea and to Nova Vas village by the famous cave which you can visit. After passing a few more villages the trail reaches Poreč. Overnight in Poreč. (B)

Cycling distance: 40km
Elevation gain: +367m / -614m

From Poreč the trail starts with sightseeing the Euphrasian Basilica, the most valuable monument in Poreč, a church built in 6th century and now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow the road until you reach the village of Bačva. Bačva is the highest point of this trail and there is a local restaurant with traditional dishes where you can enjoy tasting local food. It continues to southern villages, and it comes down to coast in the town of Vrsar. With a commanding view of the coast, it was natural for Vrsar to become a defended fortress. Only parts of the fortification system, built in the 12th century, have been preserved but the fortress-castle used as summer residence of the Poreč bishops, is well worth a look. After Vrsar the trail passes Funtana fishing village, through Zelena and Plava Laguna tourist villages and it leads along the coast all the way back to Poreč. (B)

Cycling distance: 45km
Elevation gain: +515m / -515m

After breakfast you can choose between taking a car transfer to Kanfanar or reach it on your own on bike. Kanfanar is a small town above the Lim Valley. From Kanfanar starts the flattest ride on this tour. Passing by Istrian inland villages you will see traditional Istrian tool-houses ‘Kažun’. After reaching Bale you can visit the Bembo Palace, town square and museum. Continue to Rovinj and on the way you can visit ‘Palud’ an ornithological reserve where you can cycle around. After village Kokuletovica you can turn in Monkodonja. Monkodonja is a prehistoric hilltop town inhabited at 1800-1200BC during the Bronze Age. After Monkodonja you will reach Rovinj, your goal of this tour. With its church and bell tower on the hill by the sea it’s very recognizable from all sides. Also sometimes referred to “Istrian Venice”, old town which was once an island and then connected with land, famous for its traditional boat called ‘Batana’. Restaurants with fresh fish combined with ‘Malvasia’ wine will complete this week's atmosphere. Everybody can enjoy Rovinj, its charm and magic. Overnight in Rovinj. (B)

Cycling distance Poreč to Kanfanar: 34km
Elevation gain: +680m / -399m
Cycling distance Kanfanar to Rovinj: 32km
Elevation gain: +180m / -455m

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. End of services. (B)