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Start Fazana. Relax on the hotel terrace and explore the village. You will have the bike briefing in the evening. Please ensure that you take your route notes with you to the briefing.Premium Hotel
Today you can enjoy a gentle warm up ride to Pula. The ride is short so you can spend a good period of time here exploring the town. Pula has a long history and was brought to particular significance by the Emperor Augustus. Undoubtedly the most well-known site of the town is the amphitheatre, which was built during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. It was the 6th largest of its kind and is now use to stage film festivals and summer operas. The narrow streets of Pula offer a lovely place to enjoy a relaxing wander, with ancient monuments littered throughout the town, plenty of boutique shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants and of course the pretty harbour. You could spend all day here; alternatively, you could catch a boat to the Brijuni National Park - this was Tito's private island archipelago. With Roman villas, Byzantine villages, Tito's personal zoo and even his 1950s Cadillac make for an interesting visit.Premium Hotel
Distance in Km: 20
Distance in Miles: 12
Pedal inland through lemons, pines and olive groves to Istria's ancient capital of Vodnjan, a compact village full of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. The St. Blaise cathedral is known for having the tallest tower in Istria (63m) and is host to an array of bizarre relics. You can pick up some picnic supplies, then head north for lunch amid stone beehive style huts - kazuna - near the 8th century church of Sta Foska. You will then return along the coast passing the remains of Roman baths on the shore. Spend the evening back in Fazana where you can enjoy a sunset stroll along the harbour.Optional shorter route: cycle approx. 20km.Premium Hotel
Distance in Km: 33
Distance in Miles: 20
Head north through walnut, plum, almond and fig trees. A steady ascent brings you to Bale, known as Castrum Vallis by the Romans who built a castle here to protect their salt trade. It is then downhill to the sea and a sinuous coastal path under umbrella pine, bay-hopping for 8km by crystal seas. Rovinj is your charming destination, known as the Venice of Istria. The central basilica is surrounded by narrow marbled alleyways that by night are lit by the candles of the dining tables which spill out onto the streets. The bustling harbour offers a great atmosphere and you can also explore the museum, housed in a baroque mansion called Califfi Palace where artwork, sculpture, jewellery collections and ceramics are displayed.Premium Hotel
Distance in Km: 38
Distance in Miles: 24
Today is free to explore Rovinj - lose yourself in the boutiques and art galleries or find a nice swimming cove. It is even possible to catch the ferry to Venice for the day. If you fancy getting back on the bikes, you can enjoy a lazy northern loop passing ruined churches, olive groves and oxblood coloured soils tilled by rusty tractors. Return to Rovinj to enjoy a swim and the evening atmosphere. After sunset some bars put cushions on the rocks so you can watch the underwater lights shimmer as the fishing boats return for the night. Optional Ride approx. 12km.Premium Hotel
Distance in Km: 12
Distance in Miles: 7
Take sun-dappled back roads inland to the head of the Lim Fjord - an impressive wooded valley and today's challenge. You will begin by freewheeling down to the base before ascending 2km to a fantastic panoramic viewpoint on the other side. You can enjoy lunch in one of the many grill restaurants en route, then head back to the sea to meet the coast 10km south of Porec. You can then follow the water to your hotel near the harbour.Premium Hotel
Distance in Km: 42
Distance in Miles: 26
Porec is most famous for its 300AD UNESCO heritage Basilica of Euphrasius with magnificent golden frescoes and intricate mosaics. The Basilica is right in the heart of Porec, just off the main street, it is very easy to find with the sparkling golden mosaic which sits above the entrance. You can visit it as you leave Porec today before heading north along the shore. The seaside tracks that you follow pass a Roman amphora factory and follow clear bays and headlands for 10km. You will then head inland to visit the giant Jama Baredine limestone cave before returning to Porec for your last evening. There are many waterfront restaurants, as well as some hidden treasures tucked away in the town. Premium Hotel
Distance in Km: 30
Distance in Miles: 19
After breakfast if you have pre-booked a transfer we will take you to Pula airport in time for your flight.
7 nights hotels, all rooms en suite6 days cycling (including 4 optional days)
with luggage transfers60% quiet tarmac roads, 40% coastal tracksGentle
cycling perfect for occasional cyclistsSelf-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs
All breakfasts included.Croatian food is an amalgamation of flavours and
influence, from inland to coastal and from former rulers from Italy and
Austria. On the coast pasta, risotto and pizza dishes frequent the menus - a
favourite is cuttlefish risotto where the rice is dyed black by the fish ink.
In Istria they fish a lot of shellfish and crustaceans, so oysters, crab and
prawns feature in many dishes. Sardines are also one of the mainstays of the
local diet and are usually served grilled and drizzled with lemon juice on a
bed of crunchy salad. Pork and lamb are by far the most popular meats, and
you will also find lots of cured meats, usually served with olives. Desserts
are often quite heavy and sticky, but there also tends to be a good display
of ice-cream on offer thanks to the Italian influence.
7 nights hotels, all rooms en suite6 days cycling (including 4 optional days)
with luggage transfers60% quiet tarmac roads, 40% coastal tracksGentle
cycling perfect for occasional cyclistsSelf-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs
Cycling ConditionsClassification: Self-GuidedAverage daily distance: 30km (19
miles)No. of days cycling: 6 (including 4 optional rides)Terrain and
route: The suggested cycling is mainly on gently undulating and flat terrain
with one more challenging day but still perfect for occasional
cyclists.Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to
cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the
logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map
and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are
transported from one hotel to the next. A representative will be there to
meet you, make sure the bikes are all set up and will be on call throughout
the trip should you need.It is important that you are happy reading maps and
following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are
regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to
make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to
use busier routes.As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no
leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will
not be organised together. The routes notes contain an emergency assistance
telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local
representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves.
They may wish to charge for this service. FamiliesSelf-guided cycling
holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you
to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and
need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that
interest you. As a guide we have suggested that 12 yrs is the minimum age for
this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family
we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily distances are all
published in the trip notes along with a description of each days cycling so
you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you have any questions
please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is
that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with logistical support
but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities.
HotelsWe use 3 and 4-star hotels throughout, enjoying excellent locations and some
spectacular coastal views. A highlight is the Villa Tuttorotto in Rovinj, one
street back from the waterfront. This is a little 7 bedroom townhouse,
squirreled away down a back alley, with a delightfully personal atmosphere.
All the hotels are well located and all rooms have en suite facilities.All
prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people
travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a
compulsory single room supplement (please see dates and prices on the
website).
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local
representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of
the week to set up your bike and go through the route notes and point out
particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes
and maps are provided. The route notes contain an emergency telephone number.
In an emergency, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi
or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
All breakfasts included.Croatian food is an amalgamation of flavours and
influence, from inland to coastal and from former rulers from Italy and
Austria. On the coast pasta, risotto and pizza dishes frequent the menus - a
favourite is cuttlefish risotto where the rice is dyed black by the fish ink.
In Istria they fish a lot of shellfish and crustaceans, so oysters, crab and
prawns feature in many dishes. Sardines are also one of the mainstays of the
local diet and are usually served grilled and drizzled with lemon juice on a
bed of crunchy salad. Pork and lamb are by far the most popular meats, and
you will also find lots of cured meats, usually served with olives. Desserts
are often quite heavy and sticky, but there also tends to be a good display
of ice-cream on offer thanks to the Italian influence.
Your luggage will be transported between the hotels by our local
representative. They are often able to dispatch a taxi should you need it,
but may wish to charge you for this service. You will be pedaling under your
own steam but the emergency number for our local operator is in the trip
notes if you need assistance.
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Fazana on the afternoon of Day 1 of
the itinerary. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 4pm.We can book
your flights from London to Pula based on the following flight
times:Outbound - TUI Airways from London Gatwick to Pula 09:25/12:35Inbound
- Fly from Pula to London Gatwick 13:50/15:05.These can change throughout the
season so it is best that you contact our sales team for more information and
prices.Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be
sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive
these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please
contact our office or your travel agent.
Croatia boasts one of the sunniest climates in Europe, and some regions are
notoriously free from rain. We travel throughout the season, so you should
expect some variation depending on when you travel. In the late spring and
early autumn dates the temperatures will be cooler, ranging from the
high-teens to mid-twenties (Celsius) during the day and dropping to the
mid-teens at night, enough to want a jumper. In late August and early
September there is also more chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and at
night time, but these are generally intense and short lived. In the summer
temperatures can be high, particularly in July and August where they can
reach the mid to high 30s.
- windproof and waterproof layer- comfortable shoes and clothes for the days
off the bike to explore the townsSelf-Guided Hire BikesWe use Torpado
Business (Men) or Zone Blu (women) touring bikes. All bikes are supplied
with:1 handlebar map holder2 rear panniers1 bike lock per 2 peoplePuncture
repair spray and pumpIf you are booked as a group, but intend to cycle
seperately please let us know in advance if you wish to have additional map
holders or repair kits.Seat and handlebar heights will have been set up in
advance from the heights you have given us on booking. However, when you
receive your bike there will be the opportunity to test and adjust. Our
representative will be on hand to assist you and can fit pedals and your
saddle if you wish to bring these with you.Please note helmets are not
provided and we recommend that you take your own on this trip.Bike RepairsAs
you are riding unaccompanied, it is wise to know at least how to repair an
inner tube before setting off on your bike! The bikes are serviced before
being rented out so there should be no problems but there are emergency
numbers provided in the Route Notes for more complex problems.HelmetsIn
Croatia helmets are a mandatory legal requirement for children under 16 years
old to wear.
- warm top and leggings for the early spring and autumn departures- swimming
costume
Lunches are relatively inexpensive, especially if you buy produce from local
shops, so expect to pay between 40-130 Kuna/£4-13 depending on whether you
eat at a café or not. Dinners will be more expensive, but there are plenty
of reasonable, inexpensive options, particularly if you have things like
pizza or pasta. A meal, including drinks will start at around 140 kuna/£14
(for something simple such as a pizza or pasta dish with wine and a pudding),
but expect to pay more depending on what you select - much the same as
anywhere.There are a lot of things that you can do and see on this trip, such
as a boat trip to the Brijuni archipelago, the Pula amphitheatre, the
Euphrasius Basilica in Porec and the Jama Baredine limestone caves. We would
suggest budgeting in roughly 100-150 Kuna/£10-15 a day for optional extras,
but this will vary depending on what you want to do and see.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request -compulsory
supplement)Visas or vaccinationsArrival & departure transfers (available on
request)Tourist taxes to be paid locally: 9.45€/trip
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.