Experience the best of Parenzana trail

Gravel Cycling from Italy to Croatia

Embark on an unforgettable gravel cycling journey from Italy to Croatia, where you'll traverse stunning landscapes, historic towns, and breathtaking coastal routes. #Lovevelo #LoveCycling #Ridefurther

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From
£755
Where
Istrian Peninsular, Croatia
Dates & Duration
Any Day March to November
Start
Trieste
Finish
Pula

Gravel Cycling From Italy to Croatia

What to Expect on This Trip

The Istrian peninsular will take you through Italy, Slovenia and into Croatia, via the former narrow-gauge railway line Parenzana, now a huge cycle route. The landscape of the peninsular is truly breathtaking as you explore century old vineyards, medieval towns and fresh untocuhed forest. You will ride through tunnels, over bridges and viaducts and discover ancient history such as Casanova's holiday town, as well as myths such as Captain Morgan's buried treasure.

This is a trip that goes from place to place
Accommodation

Your accommodation will be in great hotels, expertly picked for their locations and surroundings.

Great Bikes

We have a variety of bikes for you to explore the area including flat bar hybrid bikes, e-bikes and road bikes.

Transfers

We will provide you with airport transfers and luggage transfers to take you belongings from hotel to hotel.

Digital Route Pack

As part of your cycling adventure, we will provide you with our curated set of digital routes. Just download to your Garmin or Wahoo, or navigate from your phone.

Arrive & Depart At Any Time

Your Day by Day Itinerary

  1. Day 1 - Arrival

    Fly into Trieste and we will pick you up in a private transfer from the airport. You will stay overnight in Trieste and get your bike fitted ready for the start of your adventure tomorrow.

  2. Day 2 - Trieste to Buje

    75km total distance

    Today you will leave Trieste in Italy and join the famous Parenzana trail taking you through Slovenia and into Croatia. The route takes you to Piran Bay through Portorož and Lucija to the saltworks of Sečovlje. Your ride will continue on the trail to Buje where you stay.

    You will ride 57km on paved sections and 16 km on unpaved sections.

  3. Day 3 - Buje to Motuvun

    57km total distance

    Today you will continue your ride one the Parenzana trail which connects 33 Istrian towns between Porec and Trieste. You will ride through magnificent rolling landscapes and countless vineyards - you will soon realise why the former railway track is now named the wine railway. Keep riding over bridges and through tunnels before reaching Motovun, where you will stay this evening,

    You will ride 24km on paved sections and 32 km on unpaved sections.

  4. Day 4 - Motuvun to Porec

    50km total distance

    Before you leave today, take in the medieval town of Motovun-Montona, a captivating hilltop town complete with its 13th century Gothic bell tower. In the central square is the Romanesque Municipal Palace, the largest secular building in Istria as well as a number of historic churches and buildings.

    You will leave the town by riding through a tunnel under the city heading towards Poreč. You will ride through Vižinada and the caves at Baredine. Continue through the vineyards before reaching Poreč, a city steeped in history and architecture.

    You will ride 11km on paved sections and 39 km on unpaved sections.

  5. Day 5 - Porec to Rovinj

    60km total distance

    Your ride today heads through a cursed city, past an abandoned monastery, via beaches where pirate treasure is said to be buried, and where you can visit milennia old caves and an ancient solar observatory. You will ride the coastline before reaching Vrsar, a fishing village where the legendary Casanova visited twice. Your ride continues through the magical forest Kontija with a panoramic view of the Lim bay before you reach Rovinj, nicknamed little Venice. This is a truly incredible day on the bike.

    You will ride 25km on paved sections and 35km on unpaved sections.

  6. Day 6- Rovinj to Pula

    42km total distance

    Today you will ride along the coast to Pula. You will head through the Brioni archipelago, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. You will reach Pula where you can enjoy the magnificent Roman amphitheatre. You will finish with a visit of the old city and the Sergius' Triumphal Arch, built at the end of the 1st century BC.

    You will ride 25km on paved sections and 17 km on unpaved sections.

  7. Day 7 - Departure

    Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before getting a transfer to the airport for your homeward travel.Istrian Peninsular tour

Your Next Cycling Adventure

We are the cycling holiday experts.

Whether you're a keen road cyclist, enjoy riding an e-bike or hybrid bike, or want to get your family more active, we have the perfect cycling holiday for you.

Reviews

What our Cyclists Say

Awesome customer Service like it used to be. I admit that I'm one of many people who have taken to booking holidays and flights direct to save a few quid. But when planning my husband's 50th birthday and knowing very little about cycling I decided to try Love Velo and I can't recommend them, and the service I've received from James Danvers highly enough.

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Abby

I booked through Love Velo because the reviews were so good. I wasn't disappointed. Right from my first contact with LV they were easy to talk to and although I dithered (my first cycling trip abroad) they didn't press me. When I eventually confirmed my booking they took care of everything.

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Stephen

Everything about Love Velo has been faultless. From the initial notification of them teaming up with Le Col and to the pricing being unbelievable and then the customer service, top class. James, if all the staff are as attentive to every detail as you are then everyone will be as lucky as I have been. 100% at some point, hopefully in the near future I will be booking again with you guys. Thank you again

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Ian

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Why us

Why book with Love Velo?

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ABTOT protected

Many of our holidays are protected by ABTOT and you can find our bond using membership number 5523.

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Trust

Rated 5* on Trustpilot, 10,000+ Cyclists Travel with Us Yearly.

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Exclusive Perks

Free Access to Rewards and Discounts on Top Brands like Garmin, Le Col and Oakley.

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Easy Payment

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FAQs

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

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