Self Guided Istria Cycling Holiday

Upon your arrival into Pula airport, you will be taken to Porec where you will stay for the evening. You will be provided with a briefing for the week ahead and be fitted for your bike.

Your first ride will be from Porec. Explore this majestic area of grand palaces and historic buildings. Next cycle along the coast on the way to Visnjan, passing through traditional Mediterranean landscapes filled with the fresh scents of olive groves and vineyards. You can stop off and visit one of the world's best observatories en route to Umag. This beautiful old town is your gateway to Buje, your overnight stay.

The first part of your ride will take you to Groznjan, cloaked by its vaulted walls. After a morning's ride through this medieval village, you will soon know why it is named "The town of artists". Explore the renaissance summer house, baroque church and countless art galleries. You then continue on to Sterna and then Oprtal, full of untouched medieval features. It is best known for its view of the peninsula and is considered one of the most beautiful in Istria. Your ride will end today in Buzet, the "City of truffles", named as such as it surrounded by forest full of them.

Fill up at breakfast as you'll need the energy for the morning's steep climb to Prodani. From there, you'll ride to a once thriving town called Draguc which now lies abandoned. Its total isolation offers tranquillity amongst the modest stone buildings and 19th century architecture. You will then head to Gracisce, passing through Pazin, dating back to 938. The entrance to Gracisce is worth a look - a Salomon Mansion combining gothic and renaissance features. You finish the day in Rabac, the "pearl of the Kvarner bay".

After starting the day riding through Rasa, a modern riding town, the next stop off point will be "Liburna" a nature reserve, followed by the historic town of Pula. Located on top of seven hills with its own amphitheatre, it's named after an enchantress which legend has it has been casting spells over Istria's biggest town for hundreds of years. Visit the old city and see Sergius' Triumphal Arch before spending the night in Pula.

You will start the day with a cycle along the coast towards Rovinj and then onto the Bale region. Known for it's Soardo-Bembo castle and parish church, Bale was created by the Roman military. Cycle to Svetvincenta, visit its fort and see the beauty of the Venetian buildings before finishing the day in Rovinj.

For your final day, you will be treated to a myriad of sights. From hidden pirate treasures to caves and wild nature, today is one of the best days for riding in Istria. The first part of the ride will take you to Dvigrad, (another) medieval town. Dvigrad was decimated by Europe's plague and so offers a unique insight into one of the darkest periods of civilisation. The area is shrouded in mystery and legend. It is said that Captain Morgan's pirate treasure was hidden nearby and that the remains of a primitive man were found in a cave close by. Your final ride of the week will be to the quiet village of Vrsar where Casanova spent time during his adventures.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before departing for your homeward travel.