Road cycling through Terra Magica
On your way you will reach Višnjan, a little place that vaunts an astronomical observatory ranked among the 5 most important observatories in the world. Passing by Mirna river delta and Novigrad you’ll arrive to Umag and northernmost point of Istria. Buje, Brtonigla, Grožnjan, Oprtalj, Motovun, Labin, Pula and Rovinj each offer a perfect blend of history and gastronomy, incredible flora and fauna, full of exciting details that make you want to stop and enjoy this week to the fullest. HIGHLIGHTS: Cycle through vineyards and olive groves, Walk over Motovun, Grožnjan, Pula, Rovinj and Poreč, Explore the UNESCO cultural heritage, Visit Euphrasian Basilica and Amphitheater, Enjoy local delicacies and tasty wines
Our Terra Magica tour is enjoyable for every true road cyclist, starting from Poreč to its hinterland
Join us in an interesting cycling adventure along the Istrian peninsula. Ride along the east and west coasts, and into the Istrian inland. The tracks pass through beautiful landscapes dotted with old villages and picturesque towns. Sweep into glorious valleys with rivers and forests and emerge again onto the slopes of hills, meandering through tunnels, over bridges and viaducts, between the vineyards and olive groves of Istria’s top producers.
On our journey we will passthrough the medieval towns of Grožnjan and Motovun, situated on hilltops which afford fantastic views. We will also visit the former Roman colonies of Poreč and Pula, which have kept impressive traces of the Roman Empire. Among the charms of culture and the beauty of nature, enjoy the richness of flavors of local Istrian cuisine, excellent Istrian wines and olive oil.
Road cycling through Terra Magica is an extraordinary way to experience Croatia’s stunning natural beauty, rich history, delicious cuisine, and welcoming hospitality. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely coastal ride or a challenging hill climb, Istria has something to offer for every type of cyclist.
Availability
Self-guided Cycling through Terra Magica, CLASSIC – 8 days / 7 nights
For the classic tour you’ll mainly stay in small, locally-run, guesthouses and 3 star hotels, which reflect the character of the area.
Self-guided Cycling through Terra Magica, PREMIUM – 8 days / 7 nights
If you choose a premium tour you will be staying at 4* boutique style hotels.
Itinerary
Arrival in Poreč, Info meeting with Fiore representative at 7pm at the hotel reception area where we will provide you with the package including hotel vouchers, bicycle with all equipment, maps and a road book. Overnight in Poreč.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Poreč 3* in Poreč
PREMIUM HOTELS: BO Hotel Palazzo 4* or Martis Forum Heritage Hotel 4*
Poreč 3*
Martis Forum Heritage Hotel & Residence
Our cycling tour of Istria will start with a ride from Poreč, the town where you can find material and spiritual evidences of great cultures at every step. Walk along the old city centre and you will find there the Roman Forum, magnificent palaces from different historical periods, and to top it all, the famous Euphrasian Basilica (Euphrasiana). The ride along this trail starts from town of Poreč to its hinterland through villages of Mugeba, Fuškulin and Bačva where you can enjoy the breath taking Mediterranean landscape with green vineyards and olive groves and taste home-made food, wine, brandy and honey produced in this area. Continuing along the trail, you will reach Višnjan, a little place that vaunts an astronomical observatory ranked among the 5 most important observatories in the world. Passing by Mirna river delta and Novigrad you'll arrive to Umag. Continuing to northernmost point of Istria (Savudrija). There is a lighthouse which you can visit, according to the legend build by count Metternich as his love nest. Savudrija is one of the oldest lighthouse in the Adriatic, built in 1818. It is also the northernmost Istrian lighthouse. Its building is 36 meters tall and there is a keeper living inside it. Just before finishing first day you will do a one more cycle around Momjan area and finishing at Buje area. Overnight in Buje area.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Guesthouse La Parenzana 3* in Volpija or Guesthouse Lovac 3* in Kaldanija
PREMIUM HOTELS: Heritage Hotel San Rocco 4* in Brtonigla or San Servolo 4* in Buje
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: longer option 94 km / 59 miles, +962 m/-844 m, +3155ft / -2768 ft
shorter option 72 km / 45 miles, +724 m / -581 m, +2375 ft / 1906 ft
Casa La Parenzana 3*
San Rocco 4*
On the way to Buzet we will ride toward Brtonigla village from where are you going back to Buje and continuing a longer loop around Momjan and small Istrian villages around the area. In Marušići you will join on road towards Grožnjan – a typical Istrian medieval town sprout high on top of the hill along the right coast of the river Mirna, vaunting its centenary walls, its renaissance loggia dating from 1585 and the beautiful St. Vitus and Modesto’s baroque church. If you just occasionally ride 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 artists". Your day is leading you towards village Šterna – a village named after a big local cistern (on local dialect – Šterna) situated on the large plateau intersected by water flows. Oprtalj, with unchanged urban medieval disposition, 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 of Istria. After Oprtalj and 5 km of downhill to village of Livade you will have option to go towards hilltop town Motovun. One of the most beautiful towns in central Istria will be real challenge for every road cyclist. After Motovun you will continue to Buzet, known as long as in the Roman times as Pinquentium, today is named as ’’the City of truffles’’, considering that the surrounding forests along the valley of the river Mirna cover some of the best areas of the entire Istria for the hunting of this divine tuberous. Overnight in Buzet.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Vela Vrata 4*
PREMIUM HOTELS: Hotel Vela Vrata 4*
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: longer option 91 km / 55 miles, +1413 m/-1427 m, +4635 ft / -4680 ft
shorter option 54 km / 34 miles, +845 m / -831 m, +2772 ft / -2726 ft
Vela Vrata 4*
After a taft climb to Prodani the road leads to one of the most attractive and picturesque istrian medieval towns – Draguć. The place which, until some hundred years ago lived from the cultivation of the silk-worm, today is almost completely abandoned. However, its unforgettable natural position and the exceptional beauty of the stone architecture, the modest palaces, the walls and the old churches, perhaps could seem somehow known. Considering that right here have been recorded numerous national and foreign production movies and TV series, like the movies "The 3 musketeers". Pazin – a true heart of Istria! First written records referring to the city as Castrum Pisinum appeared in 983 and presently, Pazin is known as a commercial, cultural and educational centre of entire central Istria. Unique for its spectacular position above the karst abyssal cave, Pazin holds the medieval Castle – Kaštel (today, the Ethnographic Museum of Istria and the Municipal Museum are both in the castle) located on the verge of a 130 meters deep abyss. From Pazin you pass through Gračišće, an absolute pearl of the Istrian hinterland. The entrance into this town can be really enchanting: a magnificent Salomon Mansion made in the combination of gothic and renaissance styles, it makes you think for a moment as if you were lost in some distant corner of Venice. Continue further and turn right up to Šumber, were you are will have challenge on uphill. After Šumber you are riding in villages before the town of Labin and arrive in Rabac, the pearl of the Kvarner bay. Overnight in Rabac/Labin.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Peteani 4* in Labin or similar
PREMIUM HOTELS: Hotel Peteani 4* in Labin or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 67 km / 41 miles, +1204 m / -1069 m, +3949 ft / -3506 ft
Peteani 4*
Your day will start with an uphill warm up ride from Rabac to Labin. After reaching Labin old town you will continue ride across Skitača and other villages in Labin area from where you will have view on Kvarner islands. In Barban you can take break after another uphill. In Barban you are continuing towards Glavani village and Vodnjan. Vodnjan is famous because of very good quality of olive oil and family producers. Which city is situated on seven hills, has a magnificent amphitheatre and is not Rome? The answer is - Pula the largest city in Istria. Pula is an enchantress with thousand appearances which has been casting spell on its visitors for centuries. This day we finish visiting the old city with the Sergius' Triumphal Arch (from the end of the 1st century B.C. and the beginning of the 1st century A.D.) and famous Arena, a Roman amphitheatre (from the 1st century B.C.). After reaching Pula you will have opportunity to continue towards Premantura for extra tour and back again to Pula. Overnight in Pula.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Amfiteatar 3* or Galija 3* in Pula or similar in Pula
PREMIUM HOTELS: Hotel Park Plaza Histria 4* or Hotel Milan 4*
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: longer option 100 km / 62,5 miles, 1227 m/-1493 m, +4025 ft / -4897 ft
shorter option 53 km / 33 miles, +560 / -815 m, +1837 ft / -2673 ft
Galija 3*
Park Plaza Histria 4*
After breakfast we ride toward Fažana. Situated on a low coast, well protected from the open sea by the enchanting Brijuni National Park and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves in the hinterland. Here you can stop for a drink and enjoy the beautiful view of Brijuni Islands. After that you will proceed to Vodnjan, toward Žminj and Svetvinčenat. With its grandiose Morosini-Grimani citadel with towers, parish church, municipal loggia and a line of 16th century houses of the Renaissance and a town cistern - šterna in the middle, Svetvinčenat really belongs to a range of the most attractive Venetian creations of that period effected in this region which held one of the rare witchcraft trials in Istria during 17th century. You will head for the mysterious world of Bale region, proud for its glorious Soardo-Bembo Castle of the Gothic and Renaissance period and the parish church of St. Julian. Bale had been developed from the ancient Roman castrum (military fortification) along Via Flava, the ancient Roman road that used to connect Trieste and Pula. This cycling day will finish in Rovinj, the "Pearl of Adriatic“. Known for its picturesque old town and vibrant harbor. With narrow cobblestone streets, colorful Venetian-style buildings, and a bustling waterfront, Rovinj exudes a unique blend of history and Mediterranean charm. The town’s centerpiece is the Church of St. Euphemia, which offers stunning views from its bell tower. Rovinj is also famous for its lively arts scene, delicious seafood restaurants, and beautiful beaches. Overnight in Rovinj.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Baron Gautsch 3* or Vila Lili 4* in Rovinj or similar
PREMIUM HOTELS: Hotel Angelo d’Oro 4* or The Melegran 4*
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: longer option 77 km / 49 miles, +668 m/-656 m, +2191 ft / -2152 ft
shorter option 61 km / 37 miles, +591 m / -586 m, +1938 ft / -1922 ft
Boutique Hotel Lili 4*
Angelo d'Oro 4*
A marsh, rare birds, a cursed city, buried pirates treasure, a fjord, a cave with a primitive man and a hermit, an ancient solar observatory - all this you will find during today biking. Our bike ride will takes us across Kanfanar to small town of Žminj where we are turning left towards village Tinjan and Kringa. From Sveti Lovreč you will ride mostly downhill to beautiful fishermen town Vrsar from there continue to Poreč where your ride is finishing. You will ride across dry part of Lim Fjord. After riding along the coastline you will reach Vrsar,a beautiful fisherman town preched on a hill, offering stunning views on the coast and islands. Take time ti visit the old town, St. Martin's church, or relax at the marina. Vrsar is known for its artistically significant history and its connection to the famous Italian adventurer who came back event two times. This one week bike tour finishes in Poreč where you will spend the last night.
Accommodation:
CLASSIC HOTELS: Hotel Poreč 3* in Poreč
PREMIUM HOTELS: BO Hotel Palazzo 4* or Martis Forum Heritage Hotel 4*
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 71 km / 44 miles, +739 m/-757 m, +2424 ft / -2483 ft
Poreč 3*
Martis Forum Heritage Hotel & Residence
Deperture after breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast
Map
Here you can find tracks and accommodation.
Conditions
Price includes
- orientation meeting with Fiore representative
- 2 x overnights in Poreč
- 1 x overnight in Buje area
- 1 x overnight in Buzet
- 1 x overnight in Labin
- 1 x overnight in Pula
- 1 x overnight in Rovinj
- 7 x breakfasts
- Information package including detailed route description (map and road book), hotel vouchers, water bottle and luggage tags
- luggage transport between accommodations
- Use of Fiore App – offline navigation with voice guidance, info about the POI’s and restaurant recommendation
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
