Cycle from Venice through Trieste to Istria

This self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour starts in Venice, "la Serenissima", and follows the Adriatic coast past the classic beach resorts of Jesolo and Caorle to Trieste, the former Habsburg seaport at the foot of the Karst, before finishing on Croatia's Istrian peninsula. With the sea never far away, there are plenty of chances for a refreshing swim, while the Julian Alps rise majestically to the north. The route is flat until shortly before Trieste, then gently hilly through to Poreč.

From Mestre, riders choose between the lagoon route, with a ferry to Punta Sabbioni and the beaches of the Cavallino peninsula, or a quieter inland ride along the River Sile past the medieval Torre Caligo. Beyond Caorle's historic centre the route turns inland to Portogruaro, which proudly considers itself the most Venetian of towns, and the Roman colony of Concordia Sagittaria. A boat from Marano Lagunare crosses the lagoon towards Aquileia, once a great city of the Roman Empire, with its vast patriarchal basilica, and the golden island resort of Grado.

The Karst hinterland leads back to a dramatic coastline of white cliffs via Duino, Sistiana and Miramare Castle into Trieste. Crossing into Slovenia, cycle paths link Koper, Izola and Piran on the Slovenian Riviera, before the route passes the Sečovlje salt pans into Croatia and gently rolling Istria to Poreč and its UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica. Nights are in 3 and 4-star hotels, with luggage transferred daily.

Highlights:

• Venice's lagoon and the beaches of Jesolo and Caorle
• Portogruaro and the Roman colony of Concordia Sagittaria
• Boat across the Marano lagoon to Roman Aquileia and Grado
• Duino and Miramare Castle on the Karst coast into Trieste
• Piran's Tartini Square and the Slovenian Riviera
• Poreč's UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica

Surface and terrain:
Flat coastal and lagoon riding on cycle paths and quiet roads as far as the Karst near Trieste, then gently hilly through Slovenia and Istria. Daily ascent is minimal for the first three stages, rising to 400 to 500 m on the final three.

Weather:
Expect mild spring and autumn conditions and hot summers along the Adriatic coast, with plenty of swimming opportunities.

Suitable for:
Leisure riders comfortable with 35 to 85 km days, mostly flat with some hills towards the end. Rated Easy by the operator; minimum age 14.