Itinerary

Islandhopping by Boat & Bike: Highlights of Istria PLUS

8 days / 7 nights | Ship: Andela Lora | 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!

This tour is part of our PLUS program. The PLUS tours offer our guests a PLUS all-round: a comfortable motor yacht, unlimited e-bike availability, as well as some pleasant surprises along the way.

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 

1st Day (Fri) Omišalj (Embarkation) - Cres

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 enjoy the first crossing to Cres. Our destination is the island capital of the same name, where we spend the night. The Venetian-influenced old town of Cres, with its beautiful alleys and many churches, entices you to take an extensive evening stroll.

2nd Day (Sat) Cres – Pula (approx. 17 mi./28 km by bike)

In the morning we enjoy our breakfast on board with a pleasant morning cruise to Pula. In the afternoon we explore some picturesque places in and around Pula. Via Galižana we go to Vodnjan and further through the fishing village Fažana before coming back to Pula where we can take part on an inspiring guided city tour before enjoying our evening exploring the town further at our leisure. The night is spent in Pula. 

3rd Day (Sun) Pula - Vrsar – Poreč (aprx. 25 mi/40 km by bike)

In the morning we enjoy our breakfast on board with another pleasant morning cruise this time to Vrsar. It is in Vrsar that the heartbreaker Casanova is believed to have sought temporary refuge from the husbands of his lovers. From here we cycle along the Limski Canal to Kloštar in the rural hinterland to our destination of Poreč. The town has a lively vibe with its long promenade and shopping streets. A visit to the famous Euphrasius Basilica with its magnificent early Christian mosaics is worth a visit and there is also plenty of time to go for a swim and relax in the afternoon. The night is spent in Poreč.

4th Day (Mon) Poreč – Novigrad – Rovinj (aprx. 36 mi/59 km) 

In the morning we follow the "Parenzana", an abandoned railroad line, which leads us to the famous artists' village of Grožnjan. The picturesque artists’ village is a medieval jewel in the Istrian hinterland. It awaits us with romantic alleys, flower-filled squares and diverse galleries that have made their home in old natural stone houses. In the afternoon, we bike through rural Istria via Buje to Novigrad, where we can enjoy the evening and spend the night.

5th Day (Tue) Rovinj (aprx. 12 mi/20 km)

In the morning the boat takes us to Rovinj, the starting point of today’s cycle tour. You leave the town and follow an old railroad line to the Lim Canal. Near the town, the vast green wilderness of the local park is the perfect backdrop for an optional extension to the cycle tour past picturesque bays where you can stop for a refreshing swim. After a pleasant morning on your bikes and on the beach, you return to the ship and in the afternoon, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you have plenty of time to discover the secrets of the town of Rovinj, often called the “Pearl of Istria”. 

6th Day (Wed) Rovinj – Fažana – Rabac (aprx. 22 mi/37 km)

Our morning bike ride takes us near the coast, mostly on natural forest paths to Fažana, with its quaint little harbor and promenade lined with colorful houses. We board the boat and enjoy a cruise along the coast to Rabac. Here, located on a picturesque bay on the east coast of Istria, we can enjoy gorgeous white pebble beaches, crystal clear waters and a beautiful harbor. Not to be missed is an evening cocktail in a local bar.

7th Day (Thu) Rabac – Njivice - Omišalj (aprx. 26 mi/43 km)

In the early morning, we cross to the island of Krk, where a final cycling stage awaits us. The route will lead us from Njivice to Omišalj. The largest island in Croatia and home of the delicious Zlahtina white wine impresses with its diverse landscapes. 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.

8th Day (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.