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This popular cycling holiday leads you around the northern shoreline of the Adriatic Sea from Venice, through the Friuli plains into Slovenia and finally to Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula. A pleasant mix of history, culture, coastal towns and wonderful sea views await on this enjoyable cycle tour.
Highlights of this cosmopolitan cycling holiday are many and varied. To start with there are the sights and sounds of captivating Venice. Then there’s the beaches and sea views between Lido di Jesolo and Caorle, the beautiful historic towns of Portogruaro, Aquileia and Palmanova and the ancient hilltop castles of Duino and Miramare.
Piran
In Slovenia you will love wandering the narrow streets of picturesque Piran and Portoroz and finally a wonderful ride through the beautiful countryside of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula brings you to bustling Porec with its 6th century Euphrasian Basilica and charming old town.
This is definitely a tour of two halves. The first three days are along relatively flat paths and lanes while the last three stages are noticeably more undulating. Its not too bad however and over the whole tour you will only ascend a total of 1390 meters in total. There is also the option to shorten days 4 and 5 with a train ride.
On arrival into Mestre/Venice, make your way to your hotel, which is located in Mestre on the mainland opposite Venice itself. After checking-in, it will take around 20 minutes to get into Venice itself by bus or train. There is much to see and do in Venice and besides visiting the well known landmarks, we highly recommend losing yourself in the quieter backstreets to get a real flavour of this most unique of cities.
After a short ride on a cycle path across the causeway to Venice you catch a ferry past St Mark’s Square to the island of Lido in Venice lagoon, You then take another short ferry ride across the lagoon entrance to Punta Sabbioni on the other side. From here the ride starts in earnest, up the Adriatic Coast. The going is easy and level and before long you will reach the traditional resort town of Lido di Jesolo. Therafter, the route leads you along the Sile River and then along the coastline dotted with "Casoni", small wooden fishing huts, to the lovely old seaside town of Caorle. You will spend the night in either Lido di Jesolo (40km) or Caorle (65km).
Today's route leads you inland, away from the Adriatic and towards the impressive distant outline of the Julian Alps. The going is slightly more undulating than yesterday but still relatively easy. The route leads you past a sucession of small fishing lakes, eventually delivering you to the beautiful medieval town of Portogruaro. Thanks to its connection the the sea, via the Lemene River, and close proximity to Venice and Trieste, the medieval town became very affluent and this is still evident in its impressive architecture and ornate "alazzi" (palaces). Take a stroll around the lovely old town, admiring the palaces the watermills and the arched bridges.
Today's route leads you between the Veneto and Friuli regions, alongside rivers and canals past ancient roman towns to the small town of Aquilea with its roman excavations. If you are feeling energetic, you can also bolt on an additional ride northwards to the old town of Palmanova, known as the ‘star city’ as its layout looks like a 9 pointed star from above.
Please note: You can shorten today's route 20 kms by catching a train from Portogruaro to the town of Latisana and starting the ride from there.
Today you head back towards the sea and the gulf of Trieste. Consider stopping in Duino to admire the Sistiana Castle perched on a bluff overlooking the bay and the equally fabulous Miramare castle which also enjoys a splendid coastal setting. Your destination today is Trieste, the ancient port of the Habsburg Empire, which has many attractions. But before then, if you are feeling energetic, you could also consider extending the ride by cycling across the lagoon to visit the pleasant beach resort of Grado.
Please note: Today's ride can be shortened by 30km by taking a train from Monfalcone to Trieste for the last stage.
Cross the border today into Slovenia and enjoy riding along cycle paths through beautiful coastal towns such as Koper and Piran. In particular be sure to allow time for a stroll around the narrow streets of Piran, stopping also to admire the lovely square. You will spend the night in nearby Portorož renowned for its spa and lovely beaches.
We suggest an early start today so that you can have time to explore Porec, your final destination. Cross yet another border today as you leave Slovenia and cycle into Croatia. Ride through the glorious countryside of the Istrian Peninsula to the picture-postcard setting of Porec. Take time to explore the gorgeous old town with its narrow alleys, churches and of course the Basilica Euphrasis with its wonderful mosaics.
After breakfast it’s time to check-out and head for home or your next adventure. A fast ferry service connects Porec to Venice – ask for details at the time of booking.
On this tour you can choose between a regular bike, a regular plus bike or an E-bike.
Regular bikes: They are modern alloy framed touring models with 27 speeds and gel saddles which offer a very comfortable riding position. Minimum height for unisex/step-through bike is 150cm. Minimum height for male specific bike is 160cm. Bikes come equipped with a pannier and per room a front bag, lock and repair kit.
Regular plus bikes: They are 27 speed hybrid bikes which have a lighter, more compact frame and more sporty riding position. They have disk brakes, gravel tyres and do not have mud guards. Minimum height for unisex/step-through bike is 150cm. Important: Anyone, male or female, who is 160cm or taller will be assigned a male specific bike. Bikes come equipped with a pannier and per room a front bag, lock and repair kit.
Electric bikes: The 9 speed electric bikes have unisex low-entry frames feature gel saddles and ergonomic grips. The Bosch powerpack offers a range of 90km (over flat terrain at an average speed). Minimum height for unisex/step-through bike is 150cm. Minimum age for e-bike is 18. Electric bikes come equipped with a pannier, battery charger plus, per room, a front bag, lock and repair kit.
We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons. Alternatively, helmets for adults only, are available for rent at the time of booking.
Below you will find examples of the accommodations typically used on this tour. Please note that the hotels we book for you may differ slightly from those described but they will certainly be of a similar standard.
Comfort: Comfortable hotels and guesthouses.
Venezia: Best Western Quid Hotel Mestre
Jesolo: Hotel Rosa
Portogruaro: Albergo La Meridiana
Aquileia: Hotel Patriarchi
Trieste: Hotel Italia Trieste
Portoroz: Hotel Villa Park
Porec: Hotel Porec
Superior: Good quality hotels and guesthouses.
Caorle: Hotel Maregolf
Portogruaro: Hotel Spessotto
Trieste: Hotel Roma
Portoroz: Hotel Neptun
Local taxes
Some hotels have started to charge a local/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 checkout at the hotels. This fee varies and is ever changing but as a guide, you may be asked to pay between €1-€4 per person per night
Fly into Venice and out of either Trieste or Pula. You can also arrange return flights to Venice and take the hi-speed ferry back to Venice from Porec after your tour. Full details on request.
Research flights from the UK here.
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