From Venice into Croatia - BVEC
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From Venice into Croatia
Cycling along the beautiful sandy beaches of the Italian Adriatic to the stunning Croatian Coast
8-day cycling tour with different bases in beautiful hotels
This tour brings you along the varied coast of the Upper Adriatic Sea. You’ll cycle through the Italian Veneto and Friuli regions, between Venice and Trieste, along the Slovenian sea shore near Koper and Piran, and along the Croatian coastline onto the stunning peninsula of Istria, through very diverse landscapes, which offer some of the nicest views of the whole area. While around Venice long sandy beaches and low lying lagoons are interspersed with lush cultivated fields, near Duino and Trieste high vertical lime stone cliffs plunge down to the Mediterranean. In Slovenia and Croatia, ample coastal plains make way for rolling hills looking out over the sea. All the while little sea side villages and tourist resorts as well as large busy port cities are spread out along the coast.
Then of course there is the famous lagoon city of Venice (UNESCO World Heritage), once the seat of an almighty sea republic reaching as far as Constantinople, and now brimming with art, architecture and above all an unique atmosphere only the ‘Serenissima’ can offer. Less well known are the city of Trieste, located at the very eastern border of Italy, the Venetian port city of Portogruaro and the Roman colony town of Aquilea. In Slovenia and Croatia, Koper, Piran and Poreč will surprise you with their historical centres and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
This tour then will take you from the spectacular art city of Venice situated in the middle of its lagoon along the Veneto coast and through the cultivated fields of its plain to the provinces of Udine and Trieste in the region of Friuli. Here you will find both small fishermen’s villages and isolated monumental castles perched on high limestone cliffs. You will cycle on easy bike paths and along small country lanes, as well as on coastal roads offering spectacular views. The inland of the Veneto and Friuli regions are known for their very good wines, that you will have the opportunity to taste while sampling honest Italian cuisine. After all this Italian beauty, the Slovenian and Croatian parts of your tour will add a welcome sprinkle of exotica.
The first days you will make your way from the lagoon city of Venice along the sandy beaches of Cavallino and Jesolo to the inland scenery of Portogruaro and Aquilea. You will then return to the coast, passing again through the lonely landscapes at the edge of lagoons to the fishermen’s village of Grado and then on along the high cliffs and steep peaks of the Karst plateau to the melancholic city of Trieste. Your evenings’ bases are well chosen, allowing you to explore some of the prettiest cities of the region, walking through their historical centres and enjoying local cuisine in cosy restaurants of your choice. The next couple of days you will then be heading into Slovenia and Croatia, passing through large coastal plains and slightly hilly country. Here you will find honest little villages and large busy port towns.
Making your way from west to east through the Veneto and Friuli regions, and then heading south into Slovenia and Croatia you will not only visit some of the area’s most famous cultural and natural highlights, but also discover smaller and largely unknown places, that are however more than worth a visit of their own.
Please note: this is an easy tour suitable for all those with a basic physical condition. Rides are not very long and generally include very few climbs, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing. Average cycling times: approx. 2,5-5 hours each day.
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Genius Loci Travel Walking Hiking Kayaking Cycling Trekking Tour holiday
Day 0 Venice or Treviso
Arrival in Venice or Treviso in case you arrive a day earlier.
Both cities have an international airport. Venice Airport has daily flights from Milan and Rome, while the Treviso airport is served by several low cost companies. From Treviso, there are several regional (R) and fast regional (RV) trains a day to Venezia (Mestre): time about 30 minutes. Both in Treviso and in Venice or Mestre, several hotels can be booked according to your wish (either ‘downtown’ centrally located, or near the train station, ranging from 3 to 5-star).
N.B. If you arrive one day earlier you have the possibility to already explore the city of Venice or pay a visit to one of its many museums. Alternatively, when arriving at Treviso you may want to discover its wonderful historical centre where you can wander through little back alleys and along narrow canals.
Day 1 Arrival in Venice
After your arrival at your hotel on the mainland you will have plenty of opportunity to visit the great city of Venice, world famous for its canals lined with old renaissance ‘palazzi’ and splendid churches, as well as for its traditional carnival. While walking through the city, you must not miss ‘Piazza San Marco’, the ‘Palazzo Ducale’ (Duke’s Palace), the ‘Ponte di Rialto’ (Rialto bridge). Also obligatory is a boat ride, by public boat taxi, or perhaps in a ‘gondola’, over the Canal Grande and through the many smaller side canals. You can also stroll through some less well known parts of the city, such as the Hebrew ghetto, where the sudden lack of tourists can make you wonder if you have maybe all of a sudden left the ‘Serenissima’. Art lovers will want to visit one of the many museums, galleries or ‘pinoteca’ in the town. In the evening you may enjoy a pre-dinner ‘aperitivo’ and after-dinner stroll, immersed in Venice’s romantic atmosphere.
Hotel in Venice/ Mestre – BB
Day 2 From Venice to Jesolo/Caorle and environs
Today you will start cycling through the lagoon city to the ferry that will take you across to Punta Sabbioni. From here you will ride along the endless beaches lined with numerous fishing boats and more prosaic souvenir stalls. Before leaving Venice, you could take a short trip to the lighthouse at the tip of the island for a last view of the city that seems to float on the water and the surrounding islands. From Cavallino, which takes its name from the fact the ancient Venetians used this area to breed horses (‘cavallo’ in Italian), you will then cycle on to the famed seaside resort of Jesolo. During your ride, do stop for a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean. Also don’t forget to enjoy the wide views on the lagoon at the other side of the peninsula, where nature lovers can observe several species of migrating birds. When arriving at your hotel you can freshen up and go out for a pre-dinner ‘aperitivo’.
Distance : 35 km – Cycling time : 3 hours
Hotel in Jesolo or environs – BB
Day 3 From Jesolo/Caorle to Portogruaro/Bibione
On your second day you will leave Jesolo and head slightly inland to the ancient port city of Portogruaro. You will first cycle to the small seaside resort of Caorle with its wonderful historical centre. After a stroll through the little alleyways, make sure to visit the Duomo with its characteristic cylindrical clock tower and the sanctuary of the ‘Madonna dell’Angelo’ on the little town’s sea boulevard. From Caorle you will then start cycling inland in direction of the Julian Alps on the horizon. After a relaxing ride on small, quiet country roads along canals and through cultivated fields you will arrive first at the small city of Concordia Sagittaria and then at Portogruaro. During renaissance times the latter city was a very important river harbour serving the town of Venice, which is the reason why several of the ancient ‘palazzi’ in the town carry clear Venetian decorative motifs. After settling down in your hotel in the evening, you may want to go for a stroll in the well preserved historical centre of the town for an ‘aperitivo’ before finding a nice place to eat.
Distance : 60 km – Cycling time : 4,5 hours
Hotel in Portogruaro – BB
Day 4 From Portogruaro/Bibione to Aquilea/Grado
After a last stroll through the centre of Portogruaro, you will start cycling in direction of Aquileia, once an important Roman colony. Cycling on small country lanes you will stay slightly inland, keeping the Lagoon of Marano to you right. This lagoon preserves a delicate ecosystem home to several plant and animal species typical of brackish water. You can easily cycle to the town of Marano for a good view over the quiet waters of the lagoon. Further east you will pass by the small city of Aquileia, one of northern Italy’s most important Roman sites. Worth a visit while walking through the town are the 4th century AD basilica, and several remains of the Roman colony, such as the forum, the river port, and the ‘Via Flavia’. Also have a look at the local archaeological museum, where the objects found during excavations can be admired.
Distance : 65 km – Cycling time : 4 hours
Hotel in Aquileia/Grado – BB
Day 5 From Aquilea/Grado a Trieste
Today’s trip will take you from the banks of the lagoon of Marano to the port city of Trieste, Italy’s most eastern city before entering Slovenia and crossing towards Croatia. From the Marano lagoon you will head inland towards the carsic plateau situated high above the coast. Here you will cycle through a barren landscape full of rocky caverns, before returning to the sea. You will then follow the road offering wonderful views of the dramatic coast line full of vertical cliffs jutting out of the sea, to the tiny resort of Duino. Here you can visit the castle of the Thurn and Taxis princes. Further along the road to Trieste you will pass through Sistiana and Miramare, famous for its castle that nowadays hosts a tropical garden open to the public. Few km then take you along the port of Barcola to the city of Trieste proper. This was once an important Roman city and has always been a crossroads between east and west. You may well take your time to visit the historical town centre and its lively port. After a cup of coffee or a refreshing drink you will then cycle up to the hamlet of Trieste, situated high above the gulf, where you will be spending the night.
Distance : 73 km – Cycling time : 4,5 hours
Hotel in Trieste – BB
Day 6 From Trieste to Portorož/Piran
Before leaving for Slovenia this morning, it may be worth spending some more time at the wonderful city of Trieste. From here it takes only a short stretch of road to get to Slovenia, where we continue our trip on small, well maintained cycle paths to the seaside resorts of Koper and Izola. Along this part of the road you may well halt for a refreshing dip and some sun bathing on the beach. You then pass through Piran and arrive at the Slovenian spa resort of Portorož. A alternative, slightly longer route may take you through the beautiful Rosandra valley of the inland. Once you arrive at your hotel, you can freshen up and then wander throughthe towns little back alleys where you are sure to find a nice spot for dinner.
Distance : 31/56 km – Cycling time : 3/4 hours
Hotel in Portorož or Piran – BB
Day 7 From Portorož/Piran to Poreč
The last cycling day of your tour takes you into Croatia to the sea side resort town of Poreč. Immediately before leaving Slovenia you will pass through the immense salt pans of Sečovlje, where up to this day salt is gained by evaporation of sea water. On entering Croatia you will head down the Istria peninsula over slightly hilly country, passing through cultivated fields and patches of woods. Here you will come by several small hamlets well worth a short break. At the end of the day you will arrive in the city of Poreč, the most important coastal city on the west coast of Istria. After settling down in your hotel, make sure you visit the old town and the 6th century Euphrasian basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. In the evening you may relax on a terrace overlooking the Adriatic.
Distance : 65 km – Cycling time : 5 hours
Hotel in Poreč – BB
Day 8 End of the tour
On your last day you will turn back to Venice by boat, giving you the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the views of the stretch of coast you cycled during your tour. The tour then ends in Venice/Mestre. A train transfer can take you to Venice or Treviso airport. A taxi transfer to other destinations can be arranged on request.
Genius Loci Travel Walking Hiking Kayaking Cycling Trekking Tour holiday
STARTING DATES
Arrival every Wednesday and Saturday starting on 10th of April 2024 (first available date) to 28th of September 2024 (last available date). No start possible from 31st of July to 27th of August 2024 (incl.).
For non-schedule arrival dates a minimum of 5 persons is requested.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels 3*** and 4**** category. Attention: Tourist tax – if requested – has to be paid on the spot.
ON THIS INDIVIDUAL SELF-GUIDED CYCLING TOUR WE PROVIDE YOU WITH:
- Accommodation in hotels 3*** and 4**** category
- Breakfast buffet or full breakfast
- Video briefing
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- Ship transfer on Day 4
- Well planned routes
- Detailed documents (maps, route description, places to visit, important telephone numbers)
- Navigation App
- Telephone service hotline for the entire tour
NOT INCLUDED
- Arrival to the starting point of the tour
- Departure at the end of the tour
- Drinks, tourist tax and all extras
- Lunch, Dinner
- Train tickets
- Not mentioned entries
- Rental bikes and travel insurance
- All not expressly mentioned under the item „Included services“
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
Moderately easy (2/3): Mostly easy rides with only few moderate climbs, especially on the last cycling day, but mostly not longer than 50 km. All roads are well paved. They are mostly quiet with little traffic. Extensions or shortcuts are possible on some days.
Fitness: The trip requires a basic physical condition. Some rides may be a bit longer (up to 60 km) but mostly on easy, flat roads. This means that you’ll have plenty of time for sightseeing and sampling local culture, and cuisine.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Arrival: The tour starts in VENICE which can easily be reached by train or bus from the Venice and Treviso airports. Tours start every Saturday during the trip season with a minimum of 2 participants.
Departure: The tour ends on day 8 in POREC. From Porec Venice is easily reached by boat. From the local train station both the Venice and Treviso airports are easily reached.
 | You can book this tour with a minimum of 1 person. |
 | There are a very limited number of available places on these dates. Immediate booking is recommended. |
 | Availability and prices on request. |
- Prices are per person and based on the season within which the first night of the tour falls.
- Prices are based on 2 people sharing double or twin accommodation. Single rooms (double rooms – single) are available on most trips however the supplements listed apply.
- If you are travelling alone then on some trips (which include taxi transfers) a ‘Solo Traveller Supplement’ will be applied instead of the normal single supplement.
- Prices are expressed in Euro’s. There will never be a currency surcharge.
- Actual exchange rates: GB £ - US $ - CAN $ - CHF - DKK - SEK - NOK - Other currencies.
Genius Loci Travel Walking Hiking Kayaking Cycling Trekking Tour holiday
EXTRA NIGHTS
It is possible to include extra nights in any of the accommodations ‘en route’. Extra cycling and/or sightseeing options can be provided! As well is it possible to extend your tour with a few days in the Veneto region or at Venice itself. Details and prices on request.
UPGRADE
It is possible to book an upgrade in some of the places en route. Details and prices on request.
