La Piazza Blog & Stories
My First Bike Tour: Pedaling Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula
Croatia has been an independent country since 1991, yet it remains relatively undiscovered and visited. The first question that many ask when you tell them you’re going to Croatia is “Where is that?” So, why does this little country with white sandy beaches perched along the Adriatic Sea, tucked between Slovenia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, still remain an undiscovered territory for many travelers? Let’s take a look.
Over the course of 8 days, a group of super Ciclismo Classico alumni and I met in Trieste, Italy and cycled toward Pula, Croatia along the Istrian Peninsula. Having never been to Croatia, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this little-known and visited country.
Our first stop in Croatia was Umag, a small developing town along the beach, therefore still relatively unknown to tourists and pleasantly quiet with just the sound of waves crashing along the coast. Our first ride was to Groznjan, a small town perched on top of a hill, which many claim to be the most beautiful in Istira, and the perfect stop to buy souveniers and a magnet for artists and musicians. Before reaching Groznjan we rode out of Umag to Kozlovic along a very quiet, back country rode (pictured above) through vineyards and castles. The finest Istrian white wines, Moscato and Malvasia, hail from these vineyards, so it was an obvious stop for a wine tasting before lunch. This evening we cycled into Umag for our second of many seafood feasts.
On the fourth day we left Umag for Rovinj. The roads were smooth and rolling, with one difficult climb before our rest stop and arriving in Porec. Porec is the home of a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Byzantine Basilica with layers of Gothic, Romanesque and baroque remains. At the top of the bell tower we got a 360° view of Porec (pictured above).
After lunch in Porec awaited a few more rolling hills then a well-deserved 4 km descent to the Limsky Kanal to catch a 1-hour ferry to Rovinj, a highlight of the day. Rovinj is a popular tourist attraction and fishing port. A must-see is the Old Town (pictured above) with the Church of St. Euphemia perched on the top. Strolling the streets of Old Town was like a walk in the past: I wandered up and down quiet cobblestone streets, and strolled along the coast. Being a port town, it was no surprise that our meals highlighted the seafood of the area.
Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula
On the sixth day we left Rovinj for Pula, stopping at the famous Grimaldi Castle for a snack and photo op. It was a long day and ride, but the day flew by because we were having a fantastic time cycling the smooth inland roads of Croatia. We arrived at our hotel earlier than planned, and were welcomed with a refined assortment of hors d’oeuvres and champagne by our hotel, and had some time to relax and unpack before dinner.
And here we are, the final day of the tour, and probably one of my favorite days. We rode back up the coast and caught a quick ferry (port pictured above) to the largest of the Brijuni Islands and home to the national park and Marshall Tito’s museum. Once on the island we picked up our beach cruisers and took a spin around the island and through the zoo (Tito was an animal lover and received them as gifts).
Back at the port we strolled the streets and stopped for lunch (I had Istrian pasta made of just flower and water with prosciutto, arugula and cheese curds – delicious!). We got back on our bikes for a short ride back to the center to meet our walking guide for a tour of historical sites, including the Ampitheater (Arena of Pula – pictured above), once the site of gladiator fights and now the venue for summer concerts.
1 picture is worth 1,000 words, but you will never truly understand the magical experience of cycling through Croatia unless you experience it for yourself! I hope that I have given you enough reasons to add this country to your Adventure Bucket List in 2016.
I’d be happy to speak with you further about this tour, and remember to share your own #MemoryFromTheRoad through our Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Call Me! 800-866-7314
Over the course of 8 days, a group of super Ciclismo Classico alumni and I met in Trieste, Italy and cycled toward Pula, Croatia along the Istrian Peninsula. Having never been to Croatia, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this little-known and visited country.
Our first stop in Croatia was Umag, a small developing town along the beach, therefore still relatively unknown to tourists and pleasantly quiet with just the sound of waves crashing along the coast. Our first ride was to Groznjan, a small town perched on top of a hill, which many claim to be the most beautiful in Istira, and the perfect stop to buy souveniers and a magnet for artists and musicians. Before reaching Groznjan we rode out of Umag to Kozlovic along a very quiet, back country rode (pictured above) through vineyards and castles. The finest Istrian white wines, Moscato and Malvasia, hail from these vineyards, so it was an obvious stop for a wine tasting before lunch. This evening we cycled into Umag for our second of many seafood feasts.
On the fourth day we left Umag for Rovinj. The roads were smooth and rolling, with one difficult climb before our rest stop and arriving in Porec. Porec is the home of a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Byzantine Basilica with layers of Gothic, Romanesque and baroque remains. At the top of the bell tower we got a 360° view of Porec (pictured above).
After lunch in Porec awaited a few more rolling hills then a well-deserved 4 km descent to the Limsky Kanal to catch a 1-hour ferry to Rovinj, a highlight of the day. Rovinj is a popular tourist attraction and fishing port. A must-see is the Old Town (pictured above) with the Church of St. Euphemia perched on the top. Strolling the streets of Old Town was like a walk in the past: I wandered up and down quiet cobblestone streets, and strolled along the coast. Being a port town, it was no surprise that our meals highlighted the seafood of the area.
Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula
On the sixth day we left Rovinj for Pula, stopping at the famous Grimaldi Castle for a snack and photo op. It was a long day and ride, but the day flew by because we were having a fantastic time cycling the smooth inland roads of Croatia. We arrived at our hotel earlier than planned, and were welcomed with a refined assortment of hors d’oeuvres and champagne by our hotel, and had some time to relax and unpack before dinner.
And here we are, the final day of the tour, and probably one of my favorite days. We rode back up the coast and caught a quick ferry (port pictured above) to the largest of the Brijuni Islands and home to the national park and Marshall Tito’s museum. Once on the island we picked up our beach cruisers and took a spin around the island and through the zoo (Tito was an animal lover and received them as gifts).
Back at the port we strolled the streets and stopped for lunch (I had Istrian pasta made of just flower and water with prosciutto, arugula and cheese curds – delicious!). We got back on our bikes for a short ride back to the center to meet our walking guide for a tour of historical sites, including the Ampitheater (Arena of Pula – pictured above), once the site of gladiator fights and now the venue for summer concerts.
1 picture is worth 1,000 words, but you will never truly understand the magical experience of cycling through Croatia unless you experience it for yourself! I hope that I have given you enough reasons to add this country to your Adventure Bucket List in 2016.
I’d be happy to speak with you further about this tour, and remember to share your own #MemoryFromTheRoad through our Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Call Me! 800-866-7314