Itinerary

Islandhopping by Boat & Bike: Highlights of Istria

8 days / 7 nights | Ship: Linda | from / to Omisalj

„The heart of Europe" is what the Istrians call their peninsula. This is where Central Europe and the world of Mediterranean meet. Explore this unique coastal destination for one week on your bike. Everything from the grand amphitheater in Pula to the natural wonders of the region make this tour so special.
Fall in love with the Adriatic Sea on this bike & boat tour in Istria. Relax while being on a romantic motor sailer - your floating home. Get on your bicycle after an invigorating breakfast, enjoy your lunch break ashore or meet your ship in one of the pretty harbors for a crossing. Enjoy the outstanding cuisine aboard after getting to the next harbor while watching the sunset or stroll around historical harbor towns before going to sleep under the stars… either on deck or in your cabin.
The itinerary of the Istria Highlights tour is the same as the itinerary of the Istria Highlights PLUS tour, making the PLUS tour on board the Deluxe ship a great alternative should you have difficulties finding availability on this trip.

Highlights of this bike and boat trip

✔ Culture: A visit to the impressive amphitheatre in Pula
✔ Nature: The beautiful Limski-Canal
✔ Activity: Visit to the famous Baredine Cave with its underground lake
✔ Culinary: The famous white truffles from Istria


Day 1 (Fri) Omisalj (Embarkation) - Cres

Individual arrival to Omisalj, a charming pirates nest on the island of Krk. If you decide to arrive by car, we can gladly organize a secure parking space for your car for the week. If you are arriving from Zagreb, we can also arrange a transfer for you to the harbor of Omisalj. Check-in on board is possible from around 2pm. The first cruise to the Island and city of Cres takes place shortly after. If the weather permits we will stop for a refreshing swim stop along the way. In the evening your guide will take you for a walk through the charming old town, characterized by its Venetian heritage. The night is spent in Cres.

Day 2 (Sat) Cres – Liznjan – Pula (aprx. 29 mi./47 km by bike)

Enjoy breakfast in the morning with a longer cruise from Cres to the south-west coast of Istria to Liznjan. The old fisher village with its small harbor is the starting point of your first bike tour on the istrian peninsula. Enjoy quiet country roads and picturesque towns as you make your way to Pula, the secretive main town of Istria. You will have time to explore this enticing city characterized by decades of Roman rule. Explore the mighty amphitheater, the Augustus Temple and the Golden Gate. The night is spent in Pula.

Day 3 (Sun) Pula – Vrsar – Porec (24 mi./39km by bike)

Before breakfast the boat will depart Pula so that you arrive in Vrsar just after breakfast. Vrsar is the town where the famous seducer, Casanova took refuge from the furious husbands of his lovers. From Vrsar your bike tour will take you along the Limski Channel to Klostar in the hinterlands. After a strengthening afternoon break, and the possibility to try a delicious suckling pig for lunch, we continue by bike to Porec. We will have a chance to indulge in the multifaceted history of Porec in the company of our city tour guide in the afternoon on a walk through this enchanting town. The shopping streets are vibrant with life. A visit to the Euphrasian-Basilica with its intricate pre-Christian mosaics is highly recommended. The night is spent in Porec.

Day 4 (Mon): (Mon) Porec –Novigrad – Vrsar (aprx. 40 mi/65 km by bike)

During breakfast, the boat will bring you to Novigrad, where your cycling tour today will begin. You cycle through vast vineyards and olive groves to the picturesque hill top village of Buje, overlooking the fertile pastures surrounding it. From here you follow the “Parenzana”, an decommissioned railway line, which will bring you to the artists town of Groznjan. You will have time to visit the numerous galleries, situated in quaint stone houses. Back on our bikes we continue through the neighboring villages and rural Istria all the way to Vrsar. Here the boat awaits you in a protected harbor for the night.

Day 5 (Tue) Rovinj (aprx. 10 mi/17 km)

After a short crossing by boat we will enjoy a cycle tour along the coastal promenade from Rovinj to the outskirts of this wonderful seaside village. We taking time for a lengthy swim in the Adriatic before returning back to the boat. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided city tour through this picture perfect town squeezed on a small peninsula surrounded by blue sea. It is not without reason why this idyllic city is a haven for artists from all over the world whose work can be admired in the numerous galleries in town. This night is also spent in Rovinj.

Day 6 (Wed) Rovinj – Fazana - Rabac (aprx. 21 mi/35 km)

Today’s bike tour takes us along the coast mainly on natural paths and through forests to Fazana with its delightful harbour and splendid promenade lines with the colorful facades of the local houses. The ship awaits us here and once on board, takes us around the southernmost point of the Istrian Peninsula to the city of Rabac. Undoubtedly one of the most popular holiday towns in Istria. The night is spent in Rabac.

Day 7 (Thu) Rabac - Omisalj (aprx. 22 mi/37 km)

Today starts with a longer climb from Rabac, to the hilltop village of Labin where we can enjoy a coffee break with an incredible view over the bay of Rabac. We continue by bike through the incredibly diverse scenic landscapes and villages of the Istrian hinterlands before returning back to Rabac. We board the boat and enjoy an afternoon cruise back to Omisalj where we enjoy a festive evening meal in the company of our feloow travelers, crew and guides.

Day 8 (Fri) Omisalj (Disembarkation)

After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am and individual trip home or extended stay in Croatia.

Changes: We reserve the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements.

Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.