Istria: Triest - Pula

Look forward to Trieste on the border with Slovenia, stroll through the Piazza dell'Unita, along the Grand Canal and visit the historic coffee house San Marco.

You only cycle a few kilometers in Italy, then you are already on the border with Slovenia. Most of the time you cycle along the Slovenian Riviera on a very well-developed cycle path. Take a nice break in the seaside resorts of Koper and Izola and enjoy a delicious capuccino or a refreshing bath. You have a lot of time today for the short but very nice stage. You stay overnight in the coastal town of Piran or in the spa town of Portoro ?. Those who would like to cycle longer can choose the route through the hilly hinterland through the Val Rosandra.

Today you can discover the salt marshes of Secovlje, where sea salt is extracted from huge areas through natural evaporation. Then you cycle across the border to Croatia. Look forward to the Croatian part of Istria. You roll up and down to Umag, whose beautiful old town was built on the remains of a Roman settlement. In the evening, enjoy a tour of the medieval city with its narrow, intertwined streets and the beautiful city tower.

What a wonderful day of cycling. You always cycle in the immediate vicinity of the beautiful coast with a view of the turquoise water and you will certainly stop at rocky bays. You cycle relaxed through the slightly hilly terrain to Porec. Look forward to this small medieval town. Tour the pretty old town and be sure to visit the majestic Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today you are spoiled for choice: an exciting day of sightseeing with a boat trip to the Brijuni Islands and the Limski Canal, a day of rest by the sea or a cycling tour. The Brijuni Islands consist of a total of twelve smaller and two larger islands and are now a national park, the fjord-like Limski Canal attracts with shimmering blue water and, with a little luck, dolphins and on the cycling tour you will discover the beautiful, hilly hinterland of Porec.

Today you cycle along the rocky coast with its small bays to Rovinj, a pearl of the Croatian coast, in a scenic landscape. Look forward to an idyllic old town, because the small town of Rovinj used to be its own island, which was only connected to the mainland in 1763. The old town is enthroned by the three-aisled baroque church of St. Euphemia, which you should definitely visit. Stroll through the narrow streets, enjoy the fantastic scenery and take a detour (1 km) to Zlatni rt (Golden Cape). On the peninsula protruding into the sea, a more than 100-year-old park that is now under nature protection extends.

On the last day of your journey of discovery through Istria you will cycle towards the climax. At the southwest tip of the peninsula you reach Pula. Look forward to the oldest town in Istria, an ancient town with numerous sights. Marvel at the old amphitheater, the Arena of Pula. The second largest arena in the Roman Empire was built by 2 BC. Built between AD 14 and AD 14, it is the sixth largest of its kind worldwide. During a stroll through the old town you will discover interesting buildings from the time of the Romans, Venetians or Byzantines, walk through the triumphal arch in the middle of the old town, which is also the gateway to the lively shopping street of Pula and enjoy the unique flair on the forum. The main square is flanked by ancient houses and the Augustus temple from Roman times.

The wonderful time passed by far too quickly along the wonderful Mediterranean backdrop. The tour ends after breakfast at the hotel.