Cycling Istrian wine roads in Croatia

Arrival in Istria and meeting with an agency representative at 7pm at your hotel in Buje.

This tour starts with easy downhill ride to the coast on the northest point of Istrian peninsula. The trail continues south to Umag. Little town with about 45 km of the coastline and interesting hinterland integrates special features of the whole region and might be the best introduction into a different experience of the Mediterranean. Umag’s history is extremly interesting; it was founded by roman nobleman who decided to make it his summer residence. The glamour, magnificence and glare of the times can be seen today in the Venetian houses of the old town. City walls and fortification are partially preserved as well as some renaissance and baroque buildings and churches. Vineyards and olive groves will create an atmosphere of typical west Istrian landscape. Visit to wine cellar to taste the muscat, local sort of wine.

From Buje area you’re cycling through Kršete pitoresque village and arriving to small town Brtonigla. It has churches and monasteries from XV. century. Further the trail leads through wineyards and olive groves of Brtonigla area.Wine is very popular from this area (teran). Across endless vineyards You’ll reach Novigrad where you can visit the olive oil production and taste some of the best oils, in one word taste Istria.Through Dajla and Karigador villages on the coast you’re getting to Lovrečica venetian bishops coastal village.Following the road through Škrinjari, Babići and Buroli village you’ll see traditional istrian houses.Road by the wineyard will take you back to your hotel.

Apart from enjoying the breathtaking landscape of the terrace - styled vineyards which resemble to an image on the front page of a holiday guide to Tuscany, you can indulge the sensation the area of Buje gives, a real polyphony of fragrances and tastes. Riding through magnificent rolling landscapes and lively Istrian vineyards, it will became obvious why it was also know once it was named as wine railway. After passing through many tunnels, over old bridges we will stop on many fascinating view points from charming medieval town of Grožnjan to Završje until we reach Motovun, town monument, an ancient little Istrian town located atop a 277-meter-high hill, 21 km south-east from Buje. Its present appearance, with the city walls surrounding the centre of the town, dates back to the Middle Ages.

This part of the trail goes from inland to the coast. It follows the road to Višnjan where you will pass by an observatory. Its one of the 5 most famous observatories in the world. The road continues to the town of Višnjan which is on 246m altitude and from there you’ll be able to catch a view on west Istrian coast and the coastal town of Poreč. In Višnjan surroundings is possibile to visit many wine cellars with wine from Poreč area, especcialy malvasia. Tour countinues to Tar, a little town on the hill above the sea and to Nova Vas village by the famous cave (which you can visit). after passing a few more villages the trail reaches Poreč.

From Poreč the trail starts with sightseeing the Euphrasiana, the most valuable monument in Poreč, a church build in 6th century.

Follow the road untill you reach the village of Bačva village. Bačva is the highest point of this stage and there is local restaurant with traditional dishes where you can enjoy tasting local food. It continues to southern villages and it comes down to coast in the town of Vrsar.

After Vrsar the trail passes Funtana fishing village, Zelena and Plava Laguna touristic villages are the south doorstep of Poreč.

You can choose between taking a car transfer to Kanfanar or reach it on your own on bike. Kanfanar is a small
town above the Lim valley. From Kanfanar starts the flattest ride of all in this tour. Passing by Istrian inland villages you will see traditional Istrian tool-houses (kažun).

After reaching Bale you can visit the Bembo palace, city square and museum. Continue to Rovinj and on the way you can visit see "Palud" an ornithological reserve where you can cycle around. After village Kokuletovica you can turn in Monkodonja. Monkodonja is a prehistoric hill-town inhabited about 1800-1200 BC during the Bronze Age.

After Monkodonja you will reach Rovinj, your goal of this tour, the "Pearl of Adriatic". With its church and bell-tower on the hill by thesea it’s very recognizable from all sides. Also called Istrian Venice, old town which was once an island and then connected with land, famous for its traditional boat called batana. Restaurants with fresh fish combined with Malvasia will complete this week’s atmosphere. It will fascinate you. Everybody can enjoy Rovinj, its charm and magic.

You can enjoy Rovinj before your departure.