Croatia Cycling - Istrian Peninsula – A Small Tuscany

Buje – Groznjan – Motovun - 43 km, Altitude gain: 430 m

MEETING 8am - you will meet your Pure Adventures representative at your hotel from last night for an orientation, bike set up, and then a transfer to Buje to start cycling. Buje, typical Istrian medieval town. Ride to city of Momjan and its deserted castle surrounded by scarce villages and archaic churches offer some of the best views that can easily make you think you are somewhere in Tuscany. We stop in Groznjan, small old walled renaissance town on a hill, dated back to the beginning of the past millennium. It is known as a city of artists as almost every door leads to art studio or gallery.
Todays final destination is city of Motovun situated on the top of the hill. Each summer Motovun hosts international film festival and attracts artists from all around the world. Damp Motovun forest creates favorable environment where truffles, a mysterious and unique mushroom, completely hidden underground, is found. Why not start a tour with a typical Istrian dinner (on your own - suggestions provided). Accommodation in Motovun. NOTE: for Venice transfers, if you stay in central Venice, we will not be able to meet at your hotel. We will meet you at a common and easily found car park for visitor to central Venice. For hotel recommendations please inquire at booking.

Hotel Kastel - Motovun

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Motovun

Hotel Kaštel is located in the ancient Istrian town of Motovun, at the very top of a hill encircled...

Day 2 | Motovun - Butoniga lake - Motovun - 41 km, Altitude gain: 550 m

You have breakfast included - at your leisure, and then out to ride on your own when you are ready. The ride starts on a path through the hearts of Istria out of the usual tourist routes, away from crowd and stress. The scarce villages and archaic churches of Vrh and Racice are hiding a treasure of fresco colors made by medieval masters that no one would expect there. While riding devoid of traffic we soon feel that time had stopped in these parts, but the wine is still flowing though. In the evening we might join a nice jazz concert on the square of Motovun with a locals and a glass of good wine. Return to the same hotel. Accommodation in Motovun.(B)

Hotel Kastel - Motovun

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Motovun

Hotel Kaštel is located in the ancient Istrian town of Motovun, at the very top of a hill encircled...

Day 3 | Motovun – Porec - 52 km, Altitude gain: 390m

After breakfast, today we continue by descend to the seaside. Slowly we leave green rolling hills and vineyards behind to explore what blue Istria has to offer. Route takes us through old prehistoric Illyrian fortified settlements. We finish the day in Porec town that has been a part of Venetian republic for centuries. An amazing Unesco protected pre-Byzantine basilica of bishop Euphrasus is definitely worth a visit. Accommodation in Porec. (B)

Hotel Mauro

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Pore�

Under the aura St. Maura with the smell of the sea and clear blue colors right next to the window, w...

Day 4 | Porec – Rovinj - 47 km, Altitude gain: 285 m

After breakfast the ride starts going south. On the way we stop in Vrsar, the surfing centre of Croatia, praised by Giacomo Casanova for the lovely women and excellent red wine. From there we ride along the coast and enter the Lim fjord cutting deep into the peninsula. Magnificent panoramic views open from the top over the sea and we might spot several mussel beds on its surface. Continuing along the trail we reach Rovinj, one of those medieval coastal cities that had prominent role in the Mediterranean Sea battles of the old. Vibrant town of Rovinj has to offer some of the best nightlife on the Istrian coast. Accommodation in Rovinj. (B)

Hotel Rovinj Villa Tuttorotto

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Rovinj

At the forefront of Rovinj’s historic harbor, boldly stands VILLA TUTTOROTTO, metaphorically named...

Day 5 | Rovinj – Bale – Fazana - 52 km, Altitude gain: 190 m

It is hard to leave Rovinj, but we do so only to get a glimpse of Istrian coastal villages. The route meanders through some cute villages on one side and crystal blue sea on the other. Not far from Rovinj we pass by natural reserve of Palud. Mixed salt - fresh water and wetland vegetation provide shelter and a place to rest many of the inhabitants of the swamp. For those who love bird-watching, this is the right destination. The way will lead us through Bale, perfectly preserved medieval village. Just at about the lunch time we walk narrow cobbled stone streets where hospitable locals are growing rosemary and basil on every corner. Bale village is famous for its annual Jazz festival as well as traditional “Olive oil fest” hosting all Istrian producers. We end up our day in a picturesque village of Fazana in a beautiful villa overlooking the Adriatic and the famous islands of national park Brioni, once a residence of Yugoslavian president Marshall Tito. Accommodation in Fazana. (B)

Hotel Villetta Phasiana

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Fazana

Villetta Phasiana is a small boutique hotel situated not more than 20 m from the sea, in the heart o...

Day 6 | Fazana – Pula – NP Kamenjak – Fazana - 55 km, Altitude gain: 100m

A beautiful ride awaits us today. Pula used to be an old Roman settlement and still hides some relics of the past, among which the colossal Roman Amphitheatre from 100 AD is the most prominent. Once the playground of gladiators and knights now attracts famous artists in the role of open air theatre. We make a stroll around the old town and continue on to the most beautiful nature park of Istria, the Kamenjak peninsula. The combination of sea, rock, wind and salt has created a dramatic landscape with steep cliffs and small hidden coves and bays. Accommodation in Fazana. (B)

Hotel Villetta Phasiana

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Fazana

Villetta Phasiana is a small boutique hotel situated not more than 20 m from the sea, in the heart o...

Day 7 | Departure
Have your last morning coffee overlooking the Adriatic. Transfer to Ljubljana or Venice. This transfer is included in the trip price. Please let us know in advance about your departure plans for today. (B)