Trieste, the meeting point between the peoples of the Mediterranean and those of Central Europe, the first port for the Habsburg Empire in the 16th century, is the starting point for travel. Today Trieste is a lively border town full of monuments, churches, museums and palaces. The route leaves Italy to cycle first through Slovenia and then along the colourful Croatian coast. This sunny peninsula in the Adriatic is a picturesque mix of fishing villages, small towns, karst hills, valleys and vineyards. You will be enchanted by the charm of the contrasting places and colours and there will be plenty of opportunities to relax by the sea in one of the many coves and bays.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Trieste
Individual arrival in Trieste and accommodation in hotel. Free time to visit the city and enjoy a good coffee.
Day 2: Trieste – Piran/Portorož (approx. 35 km or 65 km depending on variant)
After a few kilometres you will cross the Italian border and cycle along pleasant cycle paths through the well-known towns of Koper and Izola d’Istria to Piran and Portorož, a town on the Slovenian Riviera famous for its spas. If you prefer the shorter route you can take the ferry from Trieste to Muggia (ticket not included) while the longer option runs inland through the Rosandra Valley. From Muggia you continue along the coast accompanied by the reflections and scents of the sea.
Day 3: Piran/Portorož – Umag (approx. 35 – 60 km)
Shortly after your departure you will cycle through the Sečovlje salt pans, where salt is extracted from large areas by natural evaporation; you will then cycle towards the Croatian border and enter Istria, the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. Here the terrain is slightly hilly and the route to Umag is characterised by orchards and vineyards. The old town of Umag is an ancient settlement of Roman origin and is now the renowned venue for the annual ATP Croatia Open tennis tournament. In the evening you will enjoy a pleasant walk through the narrow streets of the medieval town to the town tower.
Day 4: Umag – Poreč (approx. 20 – 40 km)
From Umag you cycle along the coast to Novigrad-Cittanova. This small seaside town surrounded by fortified walls is located at the mouth of the Mirna River. Then on to Poreč, a town known for its artistic beauty and where you can visit the Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO heritage site with a wealth of mosaic representations.
Day 5 : Poreč, departure
Individual departure or possibility of adding an overnight stay.
