Itinerary

Islandhopping by Boat & Bike: Highlights of Istria

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

Istria, also referred to as the “green heart of Europe” by the locals, is Croatia’s most famous peninsula and travel destination and its popularity is not without good reason. Together with Islandhopping, you can experience the highlights of Istria from multiple perspectives on this week-long trip; from the maritime perspective on board and on land you explore the beautiful coastlines, the fruitful hinterlands and the fascinating harbor towns such as Pula, Poreč and Rovinj.
There is so much to behold! Medieval hilltop villages, antique monuments, picturesque vineyards, and delicious cuisine. During the guided bike tours, you will learn all about the region from our knowledgeable and friendly guides.
Back on board the boat local specialties are prepared in the on board kitchen and you can enjoy all the benefits of a mobile accommodation. The floating hotel eliminates the need to pack your bags each day as you travel from one highlight to the next and you have the possibility to enjoy a refreshing swim directly from the boat in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. Once the boat has tied off in the next harbor for the night, picturesque towns await to be seen. A holiday like no other!

The itinerary of this Istria Boat and Bike Tour is the same as our Istria Plus Tour, so the Plus Tour with the deluxe ship Andela Lora could be a good alternative should your desired date in Istria be fully booked.

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

Itinerary 2024

Day 1 (Fri) Omisalj (Embarkation) – Rabac

Individual arrival to Omišalj, a charming pirate’s 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 Omišalj. Check-in on board is possible from around 2pm. Once we have made ourselves comfortable in our cabins, we can enjoy the first cruise to Rabac. With the weather on our side, we can enjoy our first swim stop directly from the boat along the way. On arrival in the idyllic harbor of Rabac on the east-coast of the Istrian peninsula, the bikes can be adjusted correctly ready for the first tour the next day. The night is spent in Rabac.

Day 2 (Sat) Rabac – Pula (aprx. 22 mi./37 km by bike)

After breakfast on board, we start our first bike tour with a longer climb to the medieval clifftop village of Labin. On arrival we can enjoy a coffee or a refhreshing lemonade whilst marveling at the view across the bay of Rabac. Back on our bikes, we enjoy a round tour through traditional local villages before returning back to the boat in Rabac. The boat awaits us with a delicious lunch as we leave port and start a longer cruise to the historical city of Pula. The unofficial capital of Istria is characterized by decades of Roman rule. There is plenty of time to explore the city on foot, taking time to appreciate the ancient monuments such as the grand Roman Amphitheater, the Augustus Temple and the Golden Gate. The night is spent in Pula.

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

Before breakfast the boat will depart Pula and brings us to Vrsar. It is rumored that the famous heart-breaker, Casanova took refuge here from the furious husbands of his lovers. From Vrsar our bike tour will take us along the Limski Channel to Klostar in the rural hinterlands. After a strengthening afternoon break and lunch, we continue by bike through local villages to Poreč. We will have a chance to indulge in the multifaceted history of Poreč 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 Euphrasius-Basilica with its intricate pre-Christian mosaics is highly recommended. The night is spent in Poreč.

Day 4 (Mon): (Mon) Porec –Novigrad – Vrsar (aprx. 42 mi/68 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”, a decommissioned railway line, which will bring you to the artists town of Grožnjan. You will have time to visit the numerous galleries, situated in quaint stone houses. Back on our bikes we continue through the neighbouring villages and pastoral Istria to the city of Poreč where we board the boat for an enjoyable swim stop on our way to Vrsar for the night.

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

After a short crossing by boat to Rovinj we can enjoy a cycle tour along the coastal promenade from Rovinj to the outskirts of this wonderful seaside village. We have time to enjoy a lengthy swim in the Adriatic before returning back to the boat in Rovinj. 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 – Fažana - Cres (aprx. 18 mi/30 km)

Today’s bike tour takes us along the coast mainly on natural paths and through forests to Fažana with its delightful harbour and splendid promenade lines with the colorful facades of the local houses. The ship awaits us here for a crossing to the island of Cres. Our destination is the island capital, carrying the same name, where we will spend the night. The town is characterized by its Venetian past with winding alleyways and many churches making it impossible to resist further exploration on foot. The evening can be spent comfortably in one of the sea-side bars, listening to the sound of the sea birds as dusk settles.

Day 7 (Thu) Island Cres – Island Krk: Njivice – Malinska - Omišalj  (aprx. 27 mi/44 km)

In the early morning the boat departs for the island of Krk where we wish set out on our last bike ride of the week, form Njivice via Malinska to Omišalj. The largest of the Croatian islands, and home to the delicious white wine, Zlahtina, the island of Krk leaves a memorable impression with its great diversity. Don’t miss the opportunity to cover yourself in the mineral rich mud in the bay of Soline – it will not only leave you looking ten years younger, but also makes for a wonderful holiday memory! Back in the harbor of Omišalj, our boat awaits us with a delicious last evening meal on board which can be spent in great cheer in the company of the fellow 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.