Istria to the Adriatic

Day 1: Individual arrival to Muggia
Day 2: Muggia to Piran, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 3: Portorož to Grožnjan, 19 mi.  (31 km)
Day 4: Grožnjan to Motovun, 20 mi. (32 km)
Day 5: Motovun to Poreč, 22.5 mi. (36 km)
Day 6: Poreč to Umag, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 7: Umag to PIran, 20 mil. (32 km)
Day 8: Piran

*All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Individual arrival to Muggia, region of Trieste
Arrive to your hotel in Muggia settle in and enjoy the Venetian atmosphere of this quaint harbor village. The architecture, dialect, customs, and culinary are all influenced and connected with the Republic of Venice. You might want to consider arriving a day early and exploring Trieste before beginning your bike tour. You can take a boat from Muggia to the port of Trieste. Trieste is a seaport city with a long and complex history, lying at a crossroads influenced by Latin, Slavic, and Germanic cultures.  You will have a tour introduction before you begin your tour.

Sample accommodation: Hotel San Rocco

Day 2: Muggia - Piran, 22 mi. (35 km)
For this day, you begin cycling directly from your hotel. Your rental bikes will be waiting for you at the hotel.  Following the Slovenian coast, you cycle into the charming town of Piran, sitting pretty on the tip of its peninsula. In the middle of the town is Tartini Square with a monument dedicated to the great violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, born in Piran in 1692. Adding to the list of worthwhile places to visit is the town hall and the law-courts, the Gothic Venetian mansion, and the cathedral on an eminence, commanding a glorious panorama. You overnight in Piran, one of the most photogenic cities in the Mediterranean. The old town, which is one of the best-preserved historical towns in the Adriatic, is a gem of Venetian Gothic architecture. It is hard not to fall in love with Piran’s atmospheric winding alleyways, sunsets and seafood restaurants.

Elevation: 253 m
Sample accommodation: Hotel Piran

Day 3: Portorož - Grožnjan, 19 mi. (31 km)
Today, you leave the coast and head inland toward the Croatian border. The landscape changes and you experience the thickly forested Istrian hinterland dotted with ancient villages and farms. Grožnjan, known as the city of artists, is an ancient hilltop town and is the day's final destination. Once a dying and decaying town, in 1965 it was declared an artists' colony and was transformed into the enchanting and magical place it is today, The influx of creativity resulted in the fairytale-like atmosphere you will find here. Its history still permeates the present with ancient churches and castles, prehistoric archaeology, magnificent palaces, and many other old buildings, whose past glory have been recovered through restoration. You will either be transferred to Motovun and the next morning back to Groznjan due to lack of accommodation availability in Grožnjan or overnight in Grožnjan.  

Elevation: 323 m
Sample accommodation: Hotel Artegnana

Day 4: Grožnjan to Motovun, 20 mi. (32 km)
In the northern part of Istria, overlooking the Mirna river valley, lies the most famous and attractive Istrian medieval town called Motovun. The captivating hilltop settlement is often used as a typical Istrian interior decoration motif. Situated on a hill rising 270 meters above the sea level, its houses are scattered all around the area.

The 13th-century Romanesque-Gothic bell tower with a crenulated crown, which stands next to the Parish Church of Saint Stephen from the 17th century, dominates the town’s historic core. Motovun serves as a venue to many events, the most significant being the International Motovun Film Festival that takes place at the end of July and where many world-renowned film artists can be spotted.

The Mirna river flows at the foot of the hill. On the other side of the river is the famous Forest of Motovun with an area of about 10 square kilometers and a patch of 280 hectares that has been placed under special protection. This area is completely different not only from the nearby forests but also from the entire surrounding karst region because of its wildlife as well as the moist soil rich with prized black and white truffles (Tuber magnatum) which grow here in abundance.

Elevation: 239 m
Sample accommodation: Hotel Kaštel

Day 5: Motovun - Poreč, 22.5 mi. (36 km)​
Day 4 is all about comfortable cycling along the fields that are rich in fertile red soil, before returning the coast. The final destination is the town of Poreč at the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. The major landmark, the 6th century Euphrasian Basilica in the historic old town, is famous for its gem-studded Byzantine mosaics. In 1997, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The almost 2000 years old town of Poreč is situated around a harbor and protected from the sea by the small island of Saint Nicholas. Ever since the 1970s, the coast of Poreč and that of the neighboring Rovinj have been the most frequented tourist destinations in Croatia.

Elevation: 315 m
Sample accommodation: Villa Hasi

Day 6: Poreč - Umag, 26 mi. (42 km)
Heading north now along the coast, the day's destination is Umag. The old town has the narrow, cobbled streets, so typical of the region and the coastline is full of pretty little bays. Umag is a small town and port on the north-western coast of Istria. A place Croatians say presents ‘Croatia’s gateway to Europe’. 

Elevation: 230 m
Sample accommodation: Villa Badi

Day 7: Umag - Piran, 20 mi. (32 km)
On the last day of the cycling tour, the route follows the Croatian coastline as far as the terrain allows. It is worth to make a few stops and enjoy some more beautiful vistas and the easy breeze before crossing the border to Slovenia. The last leg of the journey leads back to Portorož and then Piran, where the tour ends.

Unlike the first visit to Piran on Day 2, there is now enough time left to enjoy the impressive atmosphere of the old town. That would be the right time to enjoy a cup of coffee at the Tartini Square that features a monument dedicated to the great violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, who was born in Piran in 1692, and to take a dip in the sea before the dinner.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Piran

Day 8: Piran and transfer back to Trieste Central

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Standard Accommodations are three-star hotels. Upgrade is possible based on availability. Listed in the itinerary is the preferred accommodation. If the hotel listed is not available, a hotel of equal standard will be offered

Bicycles

Scott Aspect 940

The SCOTT Aspect 940 is a mountain hardtail that is designed to be light, efficient, and reasonably priced. Featuring a lockout mechanism for the fork, disc brakes, and Syncros components, this is the perfect bike for both the novice or experienced mountain biker.

Photos may not be of the exact rental bike but of a similar model.

Scott Contessa 710

The SCOTT Contessa 710 is a hardtail mountain bike with women’s specific touchpoints. This bike is ideal for casual and novice riders and features a lockout fork and Shimano disc brakes.

Photos may not be of the exact rental bike but of a similar model.

Bergamont E-Revox

The E-Revox 29″ is part of the well-received E-MTB hardtail range from BERGAMONT. Thanks to the aluminum frame’s geometry the bike handles exceptionally well and is comfortable to ride, even over longer distances.

Photos may not be of the exact rental bike but of a similar model.