Venice to Istria

Introduction
Northern Italy Italy
Cycling past the beaches of the classical holiday resorts of Jesolo and Caorle on the Italian Adriatic, an opportunity always presents itself to take a refreshing swim in the sea. Due to this fact, you should never forget to pack your swim gear. Besides these beaches, the inland regions of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia offers countless sites with very special charm waiting to be discovered: Mediaeval fortress towns, Roman archaeological excavations, typical Italian Piazzas and buildings embossed with Venetian influences causing the visitor to forget time and space, and much more!

While on the one side, the Adriatic stretches calmly and silently, the Julian Alps rise majestically to the north. Finish with a trip down the beautiful Croatian peninsula of Istria. The return journey to Venice can be done by boat.
The cycle trip to Istria is flat until shortly before Trieste, then it continues slight hilly until Porec.

Accomodation

Accommodations
During this trip, nights are spent in different locations.

Description
Accommodations consist of a mixture of 3 and 4 star hotels offering private bedrooms with ensuite facilities.

Local tax
Some cities charge a tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels.
This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and the number of days of stay. It is usually between 1 and 5 € per person per night.


Meals
All breakfasts are included.

Riding

Approx. 255-430km total - optional tour: approx. 185 - 360 km

Rental bikes:
21-gears women‘s or men‘s bicycle
TOP bike (unisex model - male model on request)
E-bike (UNISEX bike, 500 W battery; range up to 100 km)

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: 8-day program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival in Venice mainland/Mestre
Individual arrival at the hotel on the mainland of Venice. The “Serenissima” with all its splendid buildings invites to a primary inspection. The city of Venice has a well organised and easily accessible public transport system, there is a bus or train stop near to the hotel.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Mestre

Day 2: Venice mainland/Mestre to Jesolo or Caorle
Today you have two possibilities: either you cycle along the dam and the lagoon to Venice or you cycle through the back-country following the river Sile to reach Jesolo or Caorle.
The first few kilometres in the lagoon city are carried out by bicycle. Then you take a ferry across to Punta Sabbioni (ticket not included). On the endless beaches of Litorale di Cavallino, a spit of land in the north of the lagoon, the route is lined by numerous fishing boats and souvenir stalls. Before you leave Venice through the “backdoor”, the opportunity exists for an excursion to the lighthouse at the outmost end of the island for a last view of the lagoon city and the surrounding islands. On the way to Jesolo one can hardly resist the opportunity to have a refreshing dip into the cool wet. You spend the night in Jesolo or Caorle.
If you choose the alternative through the hinterland you cycle along the river Sile. This natural river carries always a constant amount of water and flows quietly; that’s why its name is derived from the Latin word “silet” that means “keep silent”. Passing the ruins of Torre Caligo, a tower from the Middle Age which is situated near the homonymous canal “Caligo”, you reach directly Jesolo. If you will spend the night in Caorle you continue cycling along.
Biking approx. 35 or 80 km depending on the option chosen
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Jesolo or Caorle

Day 3: Jesoloor Caorle to Concordia Sagittaria or Portogruaro
Along the coast and once you have passed the last fishermen’s cottages, you reach Caorle, a wonderful, small seaside resort with a historical centre. On reaching this destination, it signifies leaving the sea for a while as you take the direction of the Julian Alps on the horizon.
During the spring period of the Venetian Republic, it was convenient for the interior to encompass Portogruaro as a very important River harbour in the “Serenissima”. Even today there are those in Portogruaro who regard their city as the most Venetian. They are not entirely incorrect when you look at the Venetian embellishments of the magnificent buildings and places.
Biking approx. 30-35 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Concordia Sagittaria or Portogruaro

Day 4: Concordia Sagittaria or Portogruaro to Grado or Aquileia 
Besides the beaches of the Adriatic, there is a lot to discover: ruins of former Roman cities, ancient churches and lonely landscapes on the edge of the lagoon... Aquileia, once a large city of the Roman Empire, has some excavations of the Roman city that can be seen in an open-air-site and in two museums.
Biking approx. 65 km if taking the boat from Marano Lagunare / approx. 45 km if taking the train to Latisana / approx. 85 km without boat and train
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Grado or Aquileia 

Day 5: Grado or Aquileia to Trieste
Today’s stage continues through the hinterland of Trieste, soaked in a meagre barren landscape of rocky caverns before returning to the sea and a coastline of unique beauty. Elevated plateaus plunge into the deep blue water and white precipices stand upright jutting towards the heavens. The coastal road follows through suggestive resorts like Duino, Sistiana, Miramare, and Barcola. You should take time to visit the romantic castle of Miramare above the Bay of Grignano situated in the middle of a beautiful park in which a multiplicity of more the 2000 plants prosper. Above the Gulf of Trieste, entrenched is a city bearing the same name, once a harbour metropolis of the Habsburgs Empire and where you will be spending the night.
Biking approx. 80 km (if taking the train approx. 40 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Trieste

Day 6: Trieste to Piran or Portorož
Only after a few kilometres today, you leave Italy. In Slovenia, the route continues predominantly on cycle paths through well-known seaside resorts like Koper (Capodistria) and Izola (Isola d’Istria), to Piran (Pirano) or to Portorož (Portorose), a spa resort on the Slovenian Riviera.
There is a longer alternative of this stage which passes along the valley “Rosandra” in the back country.
Biking approx. 65 km (if taking the ferry from Trieste to Muggia approx. 35 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Piran or Portorož

Day 7: Piran or Portorož to Porec
Cycling past the salt gardens of Secovlje where on enormous surfaces and through natural evaporation, sea salt is recovered, you cross over the border into Croatia. For a distance, the route goes through the Croatian part of Istria, the largest peninsula on the Adriatic with its slightly hilly terrain on the way to Porec, the most important coastal city on the west coast of Istria. It is certainly worth a visit to Euphrasian-Basilica which has been taken up by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Biking approx. 70 km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Porec
*: if choosing the 7-day program, your trip ends in the morning in either Piran or Portorož.

Day 8: Departure
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay in Porec.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Venice to Istria

Dates Note: Custom dates possible for groups of 5+ pax

Other Info
Meeting: Venice mainland/Mestre
Airport: Venice or Treviso
Transfer:

Climate:
                                        Portogruaro area