Cycling holiday Highlights of Istria

Highlights of Istria

The largest peninsula in Croatia

Starting at € 1.190,-
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Summary
  • 8 Days Friday to Friday
  • 38 km average per day
  • Arrival Omisalj Rijeka Airport
  • Departure Omisalj Rijeka Airport
Highlights
  • The beautiful Limski-Canal
  • The impressive amphitheatre in Pula
  • The famous Baredine Cave with its underground lake
  • The famous white truffles from Istria
Characteristics
  • Guided Tour
  • Group Tour
  • Bike & Barge
  • Cycling level 2

    Distance: 40-60 km average per day Altitude: 100-500 hm average per day. The daily tours will take us through hilly and mountainous terrain. 

The largest peninsula in Croatia, Istria

The largest peninsula in Croatia offers an incredible backdrop for our Istria Highlights e-bike tour. Situated between the Kvarner Bay and the Gulf of Triest, Istria is an oasis of superlatives.

The 500m long coastline offers countless picture perfect beaches and fascinating historical harbor towns such as Pula, Porec and Rovinj. The fertile hinterlands in contrast, are characterized by their medieval hilltop villages and colorful vineyards and the silver-green olive groves. Much like the landscapes typical for Tuscany.
In addition, Istria is graced with over 2300 hours of sun each year, assuring with great certainty that your visit will be a sunny one. The region has also made itself a name for its culinary delights: home to some of the world’s best truffles, olive oil and wine.

 

Daily Program

  • Day 1 Friday: Omisalj- Rabaj

    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 (airport), we can also arrange a transfer for you to the harbor of Omisalj. 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 Saturday: Rabaj - Pula, 37 km

    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 Sunday: Pula - Porec, 39 km

    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 your bike tour will take you along the Limski Channel to Klostar in the rural hinterlands. After a strengthening afternoon break, 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 Monday: Porec - Vrsar, 68 km

    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 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 Tuesday: Vrsar - Rovinj, 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 Wednesday: Rovinj – Fazana, 30 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 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 Thursday: Island Cres - Omisalj, 37 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 Friday: Omisalj

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

Ship Andela Lora
Ship Linda
Day 2 Pula
Day 4 Groznjan
Day 4 Motovun
Day 5 Rovinj
Inland
Day 6 sailing along Kamenjak
Day 7 Labin

Travel dates

Departure
End
Accommodation
Starting at
Availability
Departure
19 Apr 2024
End
26 Apr 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.590,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
03 May 2024
End
10 May 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.590,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
10 May 2024
End
17 May 2024
Accommodation
Linda
Starting at
€ 1.190,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
17 May 2024
End
24 May 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.790,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
24 May 2024
End
31 May 2024
Accommodation
Linda
Starting at
€ 1.190,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
07 Jun 2024
End
14 Jun 2024
Accommodation
Linda
Starting at
€ 1.190,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
14 Jun 2024
End
21 Jun 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.790,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
21 Jun 2024
End
28 Jun 2024
Accommodation
Linda
Starting at
€ 1.190,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
28 Jun 2024
End
05 Jul 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.690,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
12 Jul 2024
End
19 Jul 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.690,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
26 Jul 2024
End
02 Aug 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.690,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
09 Aug 2024
End
16 Aug 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.690,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
23 Aug 2024
End
30 Aug 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.890,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
30 Aug 2024
End
06 Sep 2024
Accommodation
Linda
Starting at
€ 1.190,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
06 Sep 2024
End
13 Sep 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.890,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
27 Sep 2024
End
04 Oct 2024
Accommodation
Linda
Starting at
€ 1.190,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
04 Oct 2024
End
11 Oct 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.690,-
Availability
Available
Book
Departure
18 Oct 2024
End
25 Oct 2024
Accommodation
Andela Lore
Starting at
€ 1.690,-
Availability
Available
Book

What else do you need to know?

Prices are per person in 2024

Please note: departure is on Friday

Supplements:
Reservation costs € 20,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)
Flat rate for bottled water, visitor’s tax and local charges: € 25,- for adults or € 15,- for children up to age 16 (to be paid to the captain)

Andela Lora (DeLuxe)

19 April & 3 May
Lower deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.590,- 
Lower deck: cabin single use € 2.190,- 
Upper deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.840,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 2.390,- 

17 May & 14 June
Lower deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.790,- 
Lower deck: cabin single use € 2.390,- 
Upper deck: twin/ double cabin € 2.040,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 2.590,- 

28 June & 12+26 July & 9 August & 4+18 October
Lower deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.690,- 
Lower deck: cabin single use € 2.290,- 
Upper deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.940,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 2.490,- 

23 August & 6 September
Lower deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.890,- 
Lower deck: cabin single use € 2.490,- 
Upper deck: twin/ double cabin € 2.140,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 2.690,- 

Linda (Comfort)

All departures
Lower deck: twin cabin € 1.190,- 
Lower deck: cabin single use € 1.590,- 
Upper deck: twin/ double cabin € 1.340,-
Upper deck: cabin single use € 1.790,-

Extra options:
Rental bike, gravel or road bike, per week € 180,-
E-bike per week € 200,- (private e-bikes are not allowed on board)
Bike/E-bike insurance 20,-

Included

  • 8-day-trip on a motorized yacht with crew
  • 7 nights in a twin cabin with shower/toilet
  • 2 x full board and 5 x half board
  • Guided cycling tours and sightseeing as described in the itinerary
  • Overview-maps for the daily tours (on board)
  • Bed linen and towels
  • English speaking tour guide

Additional optional services (on request)

  • Rental bike
  • Use of (own) helmet, mandatory (limited available; reservation required)
  • Bike insurance (against theft and damage): € 20,-/week (not insured: deliberate damages)
  • Collective transfer between Zagreb and Omisalj harbour on day of embarkation/disembarkation only (12:15 PM from Zagreb Airport/ return transfer at 8 AM; prices on request)

Not included in the basic tour price

  • Reservation costs € 20,- per invoice
  • Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person
  • Journey to Omisalj
  • Flat rate for bottled water and tourist taxes € 60,- for adults and € 30,- for children up to age 16 (to be paid to the captain)
  • Beverages on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
  • Meals and beverages ashore
  • Entrance fee for sights are not included in the tour price

Special details

  • Operated by local partner
  • Please take good notice of Terms & Conditions.
  • Minimum number of participants: 14 persons
  • Bringing private e-bikes is not permitted
  • The program is subject to change without notice.

Info

Embarkation takes place between 2 and 2:30 PM. The boat leaves Omisalj harbor at 3 PM. The mooring place of the boat is in the harbor of Omisalj, on the island of Krk.

Airport

For this tour the nearest airport is Rijeka Airport (RJK), situated at a distance of 6 km/4 miles from Omisalj on the island of Krk. The harbor can easily be reached by taxi. That takes about 10 minutes. Or you can prebook a transfer from Rijeka airport to Omisalj harbor, price on request.
Another arrival alternative is to fly to Zagreb (ZAG) (transfer time to Omisalj: 2 hours). On embarkation day and disembarkation you can prebook a collective transfer from/to Zagreb airport. These costs are € 60,- per person, one-way and needs to be reserved at least two weeks in advance.

Car

If you travel by car we advise to plan your route on viamichelin.com. Please keep in mind that you have to buy a toll sticker for passage through Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland. To avoid delays you can buy those stickers in advance. A parking place on private property in Omisalj needs to be reserved in advance. 
The use of this parking costs € 60,- for a week and must be paid upon arrival to the tour guide. If you car is longer than 6 m, then these costs are € 120,-.

For the duration of the tour we supply you with a waterproof pannier by Ortlieb, a practical way of carrying drinks, bathing gear, camera etc

By this tours you can rent the following bikes:

  • Rental bike Croatia & Greek 5 ft. and above

    Our hybrid bikes are equipped with 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture proof touring tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.

  • Rental bike Croatia & Greece 6 ft. and above

    Our hybrid bikes are equipped with 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture proof touring tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack.

  • Rental E-bike Croatia & Greece

    An e-bike powered mainly by a Bosch motor capable of covering long distances. Standard components in varying frame sizes include, 28 inch rims with puncture proof tires, derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack. 

A ship as your hotel

Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink in the salon or admire the setting sun on deck. Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury.

The team

The captain/skipper, the chef and your tour guide all welcome you warmly. They are prepared specifically for these trips and will provide good and safe passage, good meals, and a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. They will, of course, also give you a great deal of interesting information during and after the cycling and sailing. The skipper is responsible for the smooth running of things on board; the cook is in charge of the catering. A tour leader accompanies you during the bike ride and can assist in case of breakdowns. He/She will be your guide to point out the things of interest along the way and is multi-lingual (German/English).

The meals

The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. The catering consist of 2 x full board and 5 x half board and starts with dinner on embarkation day and ends with breakfast on disembarkation day. Lunch could be packed or a picnic as well. The food served on board is traditional and characteristic for the country. Higher nutritional demands of bikers are taken into account. Breakfast on board generally includes at least bread, butter, cheese, ham, coffee and tea. For lunch/dinner the chef generally serves light fish or meat dishes or vegetarian meals.The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day. The catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day. 
If you wish to eat vegetarian food or have distinctly different eating habits please inform us in time before your arrival. Please keep in mind that special food requirements cannot always be met in all details. If you have extensive food allergies we ask you to give us a list of the food that you can eat. This should be done before your arrival so that the cook can be instructed to plan and shop accordingly.
If you need gluten free meals then please note that due to the small size of the kitchen and the available equipment on board, we cannot guarantee that your food will not come into contact with kitchen utensils in which gluten-containing foods have already been processed.
So if you have a serious celiac disease, where the food must not come into contact with utensils in which food containing gluten was prepared, then we would recommend not to participate in the trip as the risk of an allergic shock would be too high. If it is a (mild) gluten intolerance it is not a problem.

You and the group, new friends from around the world!

One of the most attractive aspects of the Bike & Barge holidays is that you encounter an international company on board. It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know various cultures at the same time! 
This tour is for cyclists with a good fitness level.

Activity level 

E-Bike Level 1 / Gravel or road bike Level 2
Our cycle tours are suitable for both: hybrid and e-bikers. You have to decide beforehand, which bicycle you like to rent, if you decide to rent one. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or to spend time on board the boat, instead of taking a planned cycle tour.

Requirements for gravel or road bikers (level 2): The cycle tours require a basic level of fitness from participants, which they should have acquired from steady cycling. The day-tours (12 mi./20 km to 43 mi./70 km and 656 ft./200 m to 3280 ft./1000 m of elevation gain) will take us through hilly terrain and will be mainly on asphalt roads. Up to 30% of the tours offered will take place on forest paths and gravel roads. Pushing your bike is allowed. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the boat, instead of taking a planned cycle tour.  

Requirements for e-bikers (level 1):  The tours, including the meters of elevation, can be ridden comfortably by e-bike (20 – 50 km with 200 – 800 meters of elevation per day). This bike tour requires a healthy basic level of fitness from the participants and prior experience in bike riding. Please take note that around 30% of the tours take place on natural paths and gravel roads. The described tours are primarily designed as fully guided e-bike tours. If you wish to cycle alone, please talk with your tour guide on site about the options available. 

Guided group pace:
This is a tour specially designed as an E-bike tour. The riding pace is determined by the cyclists on e-bikes. Guests who are taking part on these tours on a gravel or road bike should have the necessary physical condition to keep up with this pace. We thank you for your understanding.

Requirement to wear a helmet
Helmet use is mandatory on this tour. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own (well-fitted) helmet. Rental helmets are available in limited numbers (reservation required).

 

F.A.Q.

  • Which countries do the participants come from

    The main countries represented by our cycling guests are: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and France. The common language on board is English.

  • What packing list do you suggest

    Specialised cycle clothing may be handy but not strictly necessary. What you do need (among other things) is the following:
    •    shorts/ long trousers/ track suit/ legging
    •    shirts/ sweater/ rain clothing
    •    gloves (in case you travel in April or October. It can be chilly in the morning)
    •    good solid shoes/ sneakers
    •    sunglasses/ cap/ swimming costume​​​​​​
    •    personal care and beauty items
    •    hair dryer (220V; available on the barges Zwaan, Sailing Home and Provence)
    •    insect repellent
    •    sunscreen

    Your travel documents include the final packing list we suggest for your booked tour.

  • What is the average age of the participants

    The ages vary between 35 and 75, but of course we have younger (even babies and kids) and older guests. In particular it is quite possible during the school holidays that children might be booked on your tour.

  • What happens when it rains?

    Most of the participants then wear rainwear. When the weather is so bad that cycling becomes really impossible (and that is almost never the case!), The guide organizes an alternative program with, for example, cultural excursions and city tours.

  • Can I rejoin the barge before the end of a stage

    No, the barge doesn’t take the same route that the cyclists do. Sometimes the route may be altered because of weather conditions or repairs to bridges or locks and then the guests and the guide can arrange with the skipper to be met at a different place. Naturally you can always stay on board for one or more days.