Istria - Based in One Hotel

This self-guided, single-base tour lets riders explore Istria, the largest peninsula on the northern Adriatic, without packing their bags each day. The base is Poreč, the most important town on Istria's west coast, whose Euphrasian Basilica complex has been UNESCO World Heritage-listed since 1997. Each day's ride starts and finishes at the same hotel, mostly following traffic-free side roads through the Istrian hinterland or along the coast.

The first ride loops along the coast to the resort of Santa Marina di Vabriga before heading inland via Višnjan, followed by a day to Vrsar and the fjord-like Limski Channel, a protected area known for its shimmering blue water and mussel and oyster farms. Riders then visit Grožnjan, a medieval hilltop village first recorded in 1102 and now a meeting point for musicians and artists, before descending past Buje to walled Novigrad at the mouth of the Mirna and returning via the Baredine dripstone cave. A short transfer leads to Motovun, the former Venetian stronghold famous for truffles and olive oil, with a return along the Parenzana railway trail via Vižinada.

After a rest day on Poreč's pebble and sandy beaches, a transfer to Kanfanar sets up the final ride to Rovinj, with the option of a boat trip to the Brijuni Islands from Fažana, and on to Pula and its Roman amphitheatre, before a transfer back to Poreč. The order of the day rides may vary.

Highlights:

• Poreč's UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica
• The fjord-like Limski Channel and its mussel and oyster farms
• Grožnjan, the medieval "town of artists"
• Hilltop Motovun and the Parenzana railway trail
• The Baredine dripstone cave
• Rovinj's old town, the Brijuni Islands and Pula's Roman amphitheatre

Surface and terrain:
Mostly traffic-free side roads through the gently rolling Istrian hinterland and along the coast, with a section on the Parenzana railway trail. Daily ascent ranges from 175 to 350 m, with transfers setting up several net-downhill rides.

Weather:
Istria typically has mild spring and autumn conditions and hot, dry summers along the Mediterranean coast.

Suitable for:
Leisure riders wanting a relaxed, single-base holiday with 35 to 70 km day rides. Rated Easy by the operator; minimum age 14.