Istria wine country – luxury self guided bike tour
Istrian Wine Country – Luxury Self-Guided Bike Tour Embark on an unforgettable cycling adventure through the stunning landscapes of Istria! Pedal through picturesque vineyards, medieval towns, and coastal gems like Novigrad, Umag, and Savudrija, home to the oldest lighthouse on the Adriatic. Experience the charm of Grožnjan, the "Town of Artists," and Oprtalj, offering the most breathtaking views of the peninsula. Visit Motovun, the truffle capital, and relax in the luxury of Istria's finest wine hotels. Each day brings new delights with wine tastings, olive oils, and local specialties. HIGHLIGHTS: Cycling through vineyards to Novigrad, Exploring Umag, Riding to Motovun and staying at the Roxanich Wine Hotel • Wine cellar visits with tastings
Enjoy an easy bike ride and explore Istria
There is something magical in Istria, the largest Croatian peninsula, immersed in the blue of the Adriatic. Its green forests, historic hilltop towns, vineyards, olive groves and gentle rivers are a perfect combination of the beauty of nature, history and culture. When you add to this the seductive tastes of excellent Istrian wines, you just know that this is an area which offers you everything you need. Enjoy an easy bike ride and explore Istria, passing through the hidden medieval towns of Grožnjan, Oprtalj, Motovun, and the former Roman colony of Poreč whose charm will leave you breathless. Passing through a landscape of hills framed by rivers, with forests, vineyards and olive groves, you’ll enjoy every moment.
Take a break at the winemakers
Taste indigenous wines such as Malvasia and Teran, treat yourself to tasty delicacies and experience all the charms of Istria, this exciting Croatian wine region.
A luxury cycling getaway offers an immersive, indulgent experience where you can stay active, enjoy the finest local food and wine, and soak in rich culture—all against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most scenic coastal regions. You’ll ride through a landscape rich in diversity, from rolling hills, lush vineyards, olive groves, and medieval hilltop towns, to breathtaking coastlines along the Adriatic Sea. The natural beauty of Istria makes every ride feel like a scenic journey.
Availability
Istria wine country – luxury self guided bike tour 5 days / 4 nights
You will be staying at 4* and 5* luxury boutique style hotels.
Itinerary
Independent arrival in Istria. Meet with Fiore guide at your hotel, Wine Residence Cattunar, located in the small village of Nova Vas. Our guide will give you brief orientation of the cycle trips ahead and will fit you to your bike. You will be provided with the package including hotel vouchers, bicycle with all equipment, roadbook (route notes with maps). Then, start your first loop bike ride to Novigrad. Through Lovrečica and Karigador villages on the coast and endless vineyards you're getting to Novigrad.
Wander through its streets and grab the best gelato at “aRoma” before cycling at your leisure back to your hotel.
In afternoon hours your host at the Cattunar Wine Residence will take you through their wine cellar with and introduction to private wine tasting. Overnight in Nova Vas/Brtonigla.
Accommodation: Wine Residence Cattunar 5* in Nova Vas
Meals: wine tasting with snack
Distance: 36 km / 22.5 miles
Elevation: +344m / -344m, +1128 ft / -1128 ft
Cattunar wine residence 5*
On the second day we propose 2 options to choose from, depending on the level you are looking for:
1.The shorter option will take you through country vineyards to the coast and back to the hotel in total length of 35 km / 22 miles
2.The longer option will take you through vineyards and olive groves to Savudrija, one of the oldest lighthouses in the Adriatic and the northernmost Croatian lighthouse built in 1818. Then, along the coastline to Umag, small seaside town with partially preserved city walls and fortification, as well as some renaissance and baroque buildings and churches. Total length of this ride is 54 km / 34 miles. Overnight in Nova Vas/Brtonigla.
Accommodation: Wine Residence Cattunar 5* in Nova Vas
Meals: breakfast
Distance: the shorter option 36 km / 22.5 miles
The longer option 54 km / 34 miles
Elevation: the shorter option +351 m / -351 m, +1151 ft / -1151 ft
The longer option +523 m / -525 m, +1715 ft / -1722 ft
From Nova Vas you will head towards Grožnjan, a typical Istrian medieval town sprout high on top of a hill along the right coast of the river Mirna, renaissance loggia dating from 1585 and the beautiful St. Vitus and Modesto’s baroque church. If you just occa-sionally pass along its streets in which almost every door leads to art studios or galleries, and which windows from every direction echoes the sounds of different music genres, from classical to jazz, you’ll understand why Grožnjan is known as "The town of art-ists". From Grožnjan you'll ride on quiet Istrian village roads through beautiful settlement and arrive to Oprtalj. Unchanged urban medieval style of building, the narrow streets, the shops, the beautiful Venetian palaces, portals and covered passages and partic-ularly the unique view to the Istrian peninsula from the town loggia, according to many the most beautiful of Istria. From Oprtalj you are going downhill enjoying the view on Mirna river and arriving in Livade, the truffle center of Istria. The road goes uphill until you reach Motovun where you will spend a night in an extravagant wine hotel Roxanich.
Upon check-in into hotel you will go on a guided visit of their wine cellar with a presentation of their wines.
Accommodation: Wine & Heritage Hotel Roxanich 4*, Motovun
Meals: Breakfast, wine tasting with snack
Distance: 41 km / 25.6 miles
Elevation: +717 m / -714 m, +2352 ft / -2342 ft
Today you can take a full bike ride in total length of 58 km or go with our baggage transfer to Tinjan or Kanfanar to shorter the bike ride. The road goes up and down passing through small villages and towns. From Kanfanar starts the flattest ride of all in this tour. Passing by Istrian inland villages you will see traditional Istrian tool-houses (kažun). After reaching Bale you can visit the Bembo palace, city square and museum. Continue on a downhill road to Stancija Meneghetti, your final destination. After check-ing into Meneghetti Wine Hotel join guided visit of their wine cellar with a wine tasting.
Accommodation: Meneghetti Wine Hotel and Winery 5*, Stancija Meneghetti-Bale
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: the short ride 39 km / 24 miles
the long ride 58 km / 36 miles
Elevation: the short ride +335 m / -601 m, +1099 ft / -1971 ft
the long ride + 720 m / -824 m, +2362 ft / -2703 ft
After breakfast departure.
Accommodation: -
Meals: Breakfast included
Map
Here you can find tracks and accommodation.
Conditions
Price includes
- orientation meeting with Fiore guide and bike fitting
- 2 x overnights in Nova Vas-Brtonigla
- 1 x overnight in Motovun
- 1 x overnight in St.Meneghetti-Bale
- 4 x breakfast
- 3 x visit wine cellar with wine tasting with snack
- Daily lunch and dinner recommendations
- 4 carefully prepared bike rides with a choice of shorter and longer rides
- Information package including detailed route description (map and road book), water bottle, vouchers, luggage tags
- Use of Fiore App – offline navigation with voice guidance, info about the POI’s and restaurant recommendation
- luggage transport between accommodations
Not included in price
- travel and bike insurance
- arrival and departure from Istria
- transfer from airport to hotel and re-tour (can be organized)
- lunches, dinners and drinks
- bike rentals with equipment
