8 Day Istrian Wine Roads Tour From Porec

Istria is a perfect combination of the blue sea and a green hilly inland and this 8 Day Istrian Wine Roads Tour From Porec invites you to discover it. There is something magical in Istria, the largest Croatian peninsula, immersed in the blue of the Adriatic. Its green forests, historic hilltop towns, vineyards, olive groves and gentle rivers are a perfect combination of the beauty of nature, history and culture. When you add to this the seductive tastes of excellent Istrian wines, you just know that this is an area which offers you everything you need. Enjoy an easy bike ride and explore Istria, passing through the hidden medieval towns of Groznjan, Oprtalj, Motovun, and the former Roman colony of Porec whose charm will leave you breathless. Passing through a landscape of hills framed by rivers, with forests, vineyards and olive groves, you’ll enjoy every moment. Take a break at the winemakers and taste indigenous wines such as Malvasia and Teran, treat yourself to tasty delicacies and experience all the charms of Istria, this exciting Croatian wine region. 1. DAY - ARRIVAL Arrival in Porec. Meeting in our office in Porec (map with the location of our office will be sent to you) where we will provide you with the package including hotel vouchers, the bicycle with all equipment, maps, and a road book. Our minivan will drive you to Buje from where you will start cycling the next day. Overnight in hotel "Casa la Parenzana". Rural house in the heart of Istria, a peaceful oasis for relaxation and an ideal starting point for daily exploration of this beautiful area. Accommodation: Hotel 3* "Casa la Parenzana" or similar 2. DAY – BUJE - UMAG - BUJE - 43 km / 27 miles /elevation gain 505m This tour starts with easy downhill ride to the coast on the northest point of Istrian the peninsula. There is a lighthouse which you can visit, according to the legend build by count Metternich as his love nest. Savudrija is one of the oldest lighthouse in the Adriatic, built in 1818. It is also the northernmost Istrian lighthouse. Its building is 36 meters tall and there is a keeper living inside it. The trail continues south to Umag. Llittle town with about 45 km of the coastline and interesting hinterland integrates special features of the whole region and might be the best introduction to a different experience of the Mediterranean. Umag's history is extremly interesting; it was founded by a 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 fortifications 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. Overnight in Buje area. Accommodation: Hotel 3* "Casa la Parenzana" or similar Meals:Breakfast included Distance: 43 km / 27 miles Points of interest:Savudrija lighthouse, Umag, local wineries, and restaurants. 3. DAY – BUJE - BRTONIGLA -NOVIGRAD - BUJE - 39 km / 24 miles / elevation gain 390m From Buje area, you're cycling through Kršete pitoresque village and arriving in small town Brtonigla. It has churches and monasteries from XV century. Further down, 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.Overnight in hotel in Buje area. Accommodation: Hotel 3* "Casa la Parenzana" or similar Meals:Breakfast included Distance: 39 km / 24 miles Points of interest:Novigrad, Olive oil mill, local wineries, and restaurants. 4. DAY - BUJE - MOTOVUN - 35 km / 22 miles / elevation gain 690m From Buje you will continue towards Grožnjan. Typical istrian medieval town sprout high on top of a hill along the right coast of the river Mirna, renaissance loggia dating from 1585 and the beautiful St. Vitus and Modesto’s baroque church. If you just occasionally pass along its streets in which almost every door leads to art studios or galleries, and which windows from every direction echoes the sounds of different music genres, from classical to jazz, you’ll understand why Grožnjan is known as "The town of artists". Oprtalj, unchanged urban medieval style of building , the narrow streets, the shops, the beautiful Venetian palaces, portals and covered passages, and particularly the unique view to the Istrian peninsula from the town loggia, according to many the most beautiful of Istria. From Oprtalj you are going downhill enjoying the view on Mirna river and eventually arriving in Livade, the truffle center of Istria where you can visit the local truffle shop and taste it in various forms. The truffle is a underground malodorous fungus believed to be an aphrodisiac. On the hill in front of the Livade is Motovun, surely the most famous and attractive istrian medieval hilltown. Around Livade is the Motovun forest which streches along Mirna River valley is especially rich with truffles. Overnight in hotel "Kaštel" in Motovun. Accommodation: Hotel 3* "Kaštel" or similar Meals:Breakfast included Distance: 35 km / 22 miles Points of interest: Grožnjan the city of artists, Livade (truffle center of the world), Wineries and restaurants, Motovun 5. DAY - MOTOVUN - POREC 39 km / 24 miles / elevation gain 380m This part of the trail goes from inland to the coast. It follows the road to Višnjan where you will pass by an observatory. It's one of the 5 most famous observatories in the world. The road continues to the town of Visnjan which is at 246m altitude and from there you'll be able to catch a view on the west Istrian coast and the coastal town of Porec. In Visnjan surroundings is possible to visit many wine cellars with wine from Porec area, especially malvasia. Tour continues 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. Overnight in Porec. Accomodation: Hotel 3* "Porec" or similar Meals:Breakfast included Distance: 39 km / 24 miles Points of interest: Visnjan observatory , Wine cellars with local sorts malvasia and teran, Baredine cave 6. DAY – POREC - VRSAR - POREC 43 km / 27 miles / elevation gain 510m From Porec, the trail starts with sightseeing the Euphrasiana, the most valuable monument in Porec, a church build in the 6th century. Follow the road until you reach the village of Bacva village. Bačva is the highest point of this stage and there is a 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. With a commanding view of the coast, it was natural for Vrsar to become a defended fortress. Only parts of the fortification system, built in the 12th century, have been preserved but the fortress-castle used as summer residence of the Porec bishops, is well worth a look. After Vrsar the trail passes Funtana fishing village, Zelena and Plava Laguna touristic villages are the south doorstep of Porec. Accomodation: Hotel 3* "Porec" or similar Meals:Breakfast included Distance: 43 km / 27 miles Points of interest: The Euphrasian Basilica, Vrsar, Wineyards 7. DAY – POREC - KANFANAR - ROVINJ 31 km / 19 miles (optional) 31 km / 19 miles / elevation gain 602m ( 159m) After breakfast you can, choose to be transfered to Kanfanar or reach it on your own. 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 toolhouses (kazun). After reaching Bale you can visit the Bebmbo palace, city square and museum. Continue to Rovinj and on the way you'll seed "Palud" an ornithological reserve in which you can cycle around. After village Kokuletovica you can turn in Monkodonja. Monkodonja is a prehistoric hilltown 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 belltower on the hill by the sea its 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. Overnigt in hotel vila Lili in Rovinj. Accomodation: Hotel 3* "Vila Lili" or similar Meals:Breakfast included Distance: 31 km / 19 miles (optional) 31 km / 19 miles Points of interest: Dvigrad, Bale, Monkodonja historical site, Rovinj and its coast and archipelago, Local food. 8. DAY - DEPARTURE Departure after breakfast. Meals: Breakfast