Gravel Explorer: Coastal Croatia

Highlights:  Test ride and welcome dinner

Welcome to Rovinj. The town was once just an island until a Venetian land reclamation project in 1763. Take time to wander the town’s maze of narrow cobblestone streets, well-preserved historic buildings, the majestic bell tower of the Euphemia Church, and picturesque squares. Just outside the fortified center, stroll beside Rovinj’s beautiful fishing port. We will meet in the afternoon for a bike fitting and test ride before enjoying dinner together in this seaside town.

Highlights: Bale, the coast

Enjoy our inaugural ride along the Istrian coast and loop back into the interior. We’ll pedal through Bale, a charming medieval town you’ll want to explore. Take your time as you explore the old town, wander around the narrow, cobbled streets within the fortified city walls. Road Surface: 60 % gravel, 40% paved.

Highlights: Lim Bay, Dvigrad ruins, Vrsar

Today we ride east then west around Lim Bay. Technically a submerged river valley, Lim Bay stretches deep into the Istrian Peninsula. Our route bisects several small towns and hillstop settlements, such as the ruins of Dvigrad. Tonight we’ll sleep on the coast in attractive and bustling Vrsar. Road Surface: 42% gravel, 58% paved.

Highlights: UNESCO Poreč, Parenzana, Motovun

Ride north along the coast en route to beautiful Poreč. Take time to explore the old town, including its 6th century Euphrasian Basilica. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features gem-studded mosaics. In the afternoon we will weave our way along part of the Parenzana trail on our way to the medieval hilltop town of Motovun, the region’s trufle capital. Once a narrow gauge railway connecting Trieste with Porec, the Parenzana contributed greatly to the economic progress of Istria. Road Surface: 45% gravel, 55% paved.

Highlights: Cycling through vineyards, olive groves and medieval villages

Today’s ride is a perfect sampling of the cultural richness of Istria’s interior, featuring rolling hills, medieval villages and olive groves. You might imagine you’ve been transported to Tuscany, but with far fewer visitors. First you’ll cycle to Groznjan, a small renaissance town also known as the “City of Artists,” where almost every house entrance has a small gallery or art studio. The next stop is the medieval village of Momjan – famous for its Muscat. Tonight we sleep in a small agriturismo (farm stay) located near the Croatian-Slovenian border. Road Surface: 28% gravel, 72% paved.

Highlights: Adriatic coast

Today’s loop ride takes us back to the Croatian coast, with views overlooking Slovenia and Italy to the west before heading inland to the Istrian Peninsula. This area is famous for its culinary specialties; in coastal areas you’ll find a plethora of traditional seafood specialties and as you move inland the focus turns to wine and olive oil. Make sure Teran wine and extra virgin olive oil are on your list of things to try. Road Surface: 32% gravel, 68% paved.

Highlights: Cycle through three countries, coastal bike path

Begin the morning warming up your legs in Croatia, then make your first border crossing of the day into Slovenia. We’ll follow a cycling path along a stunning section of the coast to Sečovlje Saltpans Natural Park, the largest wetland on the coast and famous for its salt production. We continue on the bike path through the beautiful seaside towns of Piran, Izola, and Koper and we’ll then cross into our third country of the day, Italy to Trieste! This port-town, sits on the coast of the enchanting Adriatic Sea and is a tiny slice of Italy almost entirely surrounded by Slovenia. Road Surface: 16% gravel, 83% paved.

Highlights: Trieste

Our tour comes to a close today after breakfast at the hotel. If time allows, spend the day getting to know this capital city of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, or continue on to your next destination.