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Croatia

Croatia: Highlights of Istria | Plus

Experience the Heart of Europe
Omisalj Round tour.
From €1490 p.p.
Premium Experience the higher levels of comfort, smaller groups and extra’s.
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Croatia highlights Istria
Amphitheatre of Pula Pula
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Croatia: Highlights of Istria | Plus
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Highlights of this tour

The largest peninsula in Croatia offers an incredible backdrop for our e-bike tour Istria Highlights Plus. Situated between the Kvarner Bay and the Gulf of Triest, Istria is an oasis of superlatives. The 500m long coastline offers countless picture perfect beaches and fascinating historical harbor towns such as Pula, Porec and Rovinj. The fertile hinterlands in contrast, are characterized by their medieval hilltop villages and colorful vineyards and the silver-green olive groves. Much like the landscapes typical for Tuscany. In addition, Istria is graced with over 2300 hours of sun […]

Mainland of Istria

Historical harbor towns

230 km / 143 miles

Motoryachts with max. 29 passengers

Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance Guided cycling
Difficulty
  • Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
  • Level 2: quite easy tours, mostly flat terrain
  • Level 3: requires a higher level of exertion, medium hilly terrain
  • Level 4: for experienced cyclists, hilly terrain with climbs
Difficulty level 2 Difficulty level 2
Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch.
8 days

About this tour

The largest peninsula in Croatia offers an incredible backdrop for our e-bike tour Istria Highlights Plus. Situated between the Kvarner Bay and the Gulf of Triest, Istria is an oasis of superlatives. The 500m long coastline offers countless picture perfect beaches and fascinating historical harbor towns such as Pula, Porec and Rovinj. The fertile hinterlands in contrast, are characterized by their medieval hilltop villages and colorful vineyards and the silver-green olive groves. Much like the landscapes typical for Tuscany.

In addition, Istria is graced with over 2300 hours of sun each year, assuring with great certainty that your visit will be a sunny one. The region has also made itself a name for its culinary delights: home to some of the world’s best truffles, olive oil and wine. Discover the vast diversity of this delightful region on board your deluxe ship, your floating accommodation for the week, and a reliable e-bike as your means of transport on land.

The itinerary of the Istria Highlights PLUS tour is the same as the itinerary of the Istria Highlights tour, making them both great alternatives to each other should you have difficulties finding availability on this trip.

E-Bike Tour
The riding pace is determined by the cyclists on e-bikes. Guests who are taking part on this tour on a regular bicycle should have the necessary physical condition to keep up with this pace. The day-tours (12 mi./20 km to 31 mi./50 km and 656 ft./200 m to 2624 ft./800 m of elevation gain) will take us through hilly terrain and will be mainly on asphalt roads. Thank you for your understanding.

The ship – Your sailing hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board.

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Day to day program

All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours.

The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons. We reserve the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements. If necessary the tour will be operated in reverse.

Day 1: Omisalj (Embarkation) – Cres

Individual arrival to Omisalj, a charming pirates nest on the island of Krk. If you decide to arrive by car, we can gladly organize a secure parking space for your car for the week. If you are arriving from Zagreb, we can also arrange a transfer for you to the harbor of Omisalj. Check-in on board is possible from around 2pm. The first cruise to the Island and city of Cres takes place shortly after. If the weather permits we will stop for a refreshing swim stop along the way. In the evening your guide will take you for a walk through the charming old town, characterized by its Venetian heritage. The night is spent in Cres.

Day 2: Cres – Liznjan – Pula (aprx. 29 mi./47 km)

Enjoy breakfast in the morning with a longer cruise from Cres to the south-west coast of Istria to Liznjan. The old fisher village with its small harbor is the starting point of your first bike tour on the istrian peninsula. Enjoy quiet country roads and picturesque towns as you make your way to Pula, the secretive main town of Istria. You will have time to explore this enticing city characterized by decades of Roman rule. Explore the mighty amphitheater, the Augustus Temple and the Golden Gate. The night is spent in Pula.

Day 3: Pula – Vrsar – Porec (24 mi./39km)

Before breakfast the boat will depart Pula so that you arrive in Vrsar just after breakfast. Vrsar is the town where the famous seducer, Casanova took refuge from the furious husbands of his lovers. From Vrsar your bike tour will take you along the Limski Channel to Klostar in the hinterlands. After a strengthening afternoon break, and the possibility to try a delicious suckling pig for lunch, we continue by bike to Porec. We will have a chance to indulge in the multifaceted history of Porec in the company of our city tour guide in the afternoon on a walk through this enchanting town. The shopping streets are vibrant with life. A visit to the Euphrasian-Basilica with its intricate pre-Christian mosaics is highly recommended. The night is spent in Porec.

Day 4: Porec –Novigrad – Vrsar (aprx. 40 mi/65 km)

During breakfast, the boat will bring you to Novigrad, where your cycling tour today will begin. You cycle through vast vineyards and olive groves to the picturesque hill top village of Buje, overlooking the fertile pastures surrounding it. From here you follow the “Parenzana”, an decommissioned railway line, which will bring you to the artists town of Groznjan. You will have time to visit the numerous galleries, situated in quaint stone houses. Back on our bikes we continue through the neighboring villages and rural Istria all the way to Vrsar. Here the boat awaits you in a protected harbor for the night.

Day 5: Vsar – Rovinj | Rovinj (aprx. 10 mi/17 km)

After a short crossing by boat we will enjoy a cycle tour along the coastal promenade from Rovinj to the outskirts of this wonderful seaside village. We taking time for a lengthy swim in the Adriatic before returning back to the boat. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided city tour through this picture perfect town squeezed on a small peninsula surrounded by blue sea. It is not without reason why this idyllic city is a haven for artists from all over the world whose work can be admired in the numerous galleries in town. This night is also spent in Rovinj.

Day 6: Rovinj – Fazana – Rabac (aprx. 21 mi/35 km)

Today’s bike tour takes us along the coast mainly on natural paths and through forests to Fazana with its delightful harbor and splendid promenade lines with the colorful facades of the local houses. The ship awaits us here and once on board, takes us around the southernmost point of the Istrian Peninsula to the city of Rabac. Undoubtedly one of the most popular holiday towns in Istria. The night is spent in Rabac.

Day 7: Rabac – Omisalj (aprx. 22 mi/37 km)

Today starts with a longer climb from Rabac, to the hilltop village of Labin where we can enjoy a coffee break with an incredible view over the bay of Rabac. We continue by bike through the incredibly diverse scenic landscapes and villages of the Istrian hinterlands before returning back to Rabac. We board the boat and enjoy an afternoon cruise back to Omisalj where we enjoy a festive evening meal in the company of our fellow travelers, crew and guides.

Day 8: Omisalj (Disembarkation)

After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am and individual trip home.

Good to know
  • Itinerary changes We reserve the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements. Should it be the case for example that the harbors on the above mentioned tour sequence are overcrowded, the tour will be operated in reverse.
  • Language aboard Due to our international audience all tours are conducted bilingually, in English and German.
  • E-Bike Level 1 / Hybrid Bike Level 1 – 2 Our cycle tours are suitable for both: hybrid and e-bikers. You should decide beforehand, which bicycle you wish to rent. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or to spend time on board the boat, instead of taking part on a planned cycle tour.
  • Requirements for hybrid bikers (level 1-2): The cycle tours require a basic level of fitness from participants, which they should have acquired from steady cycling. The day-tours (12 mi./20 km to 31 mi./50 km and 656 ft./200 m to 2624 ft./800 m of elevation gain) will take us through hilly terrain and will be mainly on asphalt roads. Up to 30% of the tours offered will take place on forest paths and gravel roads. Pushing your bike is allowed. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the boat, instead of taking a planned cycle tour.
  • Requirements for e-bikers (level 1): Exclusive E-bike tours for Islandhoppers with a good fitness level. The tours, including the meters of elevation, can be ridden comfortably by e-bike (20 – 50 km with 200 – 800 meters of elevation per day). All bike tours require a healthy basic level of fitness from the participants and prior experience in bike riding. Please take note that around 30% of the tours take place on natural paths and gravel roads. The described tours are primarily designed as fully guided e-bike tours. If you wish to cycle alone, please talk with your tour guide on site about the options available.
  • Guided group pace: On our e-bike tour programs, the riding pace is determined by the cyclists on e-bikes. Guests who are taking part on these tours on a regular bicycle should have the necessary physical condition to keep up with this pace. Thank you for your understanding.
  • Requirement to wear a helmet: Helmets are mandatory on our bike tours. It is advised to bring your own, well fitted, helmet with you as our rental helmet numbers are limited (reservation required).
  • Bringing children We believe that only children in a good physical condition and with a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the cycle tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.20 m (4 ft.) for hybrid bikes and 1.50 m (4.5 ft.) for e-bikes. There is a helmet duty for all children up to age 16 in Croatia.
  • Catering The on-board chef is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and one or two warm meals a day.  Catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day. The catering consists of 2 x full board and 5 x half board.
  • Our ships Please do not forget that the ship is your hotel as well as a machine, which has to be maintained and operated – day and night. A certain level of noise is therefore inevitable.

Prices & availability

To view the availability of this tour and/or book online please click on the button below. A new screen will open.

Below you see an overview of the available (blue) dates; the yellow dot means that this date has 2 or less cabins available, orange is ‘on request’ and red means that on this date there aren’t any cabins available. Then click on the preferred date. After this, choose your ship (some tours have only one ship, and therefore there is no choice), the number of cabins in the required (and available) category, any desired additional products, and ‘local costs’ (such as special dietary needs, which you usually pay for onboard). On the right side, you’ll find the ‘Booking Summary.’ After completing your preferences and necessary information click ‘Book now’ to finalize your booking.

  • Available
  • 2 or less available
  • On request
  • Not available
Departure date -

Choose preferred ship

Please select your cabin(s)


Prices & information

Pricing overview - 2023
Cabin type For Season A Season B Season C
Twin cabin below deck 2 pers. € 1490 € 1590 € 1690 Twin cabin above deck 2 pers. € 1740 € 1840 € 1940
Included in this tour
  • 8-day-trip on a motorized yacht with a crew
  • 7 nights in a twin cabin below deck with shower/toilet
  • 2 x full board and 5 x half board
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Guided cycling tours and sightseeing as described in itinerary
  • Bed linen and towels
  • Tourist taxes
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Overview-maps for the daily tours on board
Excluded in this tour
  • Transfer to Omisalj
  • Flat rate for bottled water €25 for adults or €15 for children up to age 16 (to be paid to the captain)
  • Rental bicycle or E-Bike (optional)
  • Rental bicycle helmet (optional)
  • Entrance fees & excursions
  • Meals and beverages ashore
  • Parking fee
  • Other transfers
  • Drinks on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
  • Personal (travel) insurances
  • Tips for tour-guides and crew (at your discretion)
  • SGR Insolvency protection
Bicycles/E-Bikes

All hybrid bicycles are reliable, low maintenance, aluminium frame bike in the suitable size. The hybrid bikes are equipped with 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture-proof touring tires, high-quality derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a sturdy bike stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack. Please be aware that these rental bikes are only available for participants that are taller than 1.50 m.

E-Bikes: High-quality pedelec, powered mainly by a Bosch motor capable of covering long distances, and characterized by their light weight and great components. Alternative drive systems may also be used. Standard components of our e-bikes in varying frame sizes include, 28 inch hollow chamber rims with puncture-proof touring tires, high-quality derailleur gears and break systems, a carrier and a sturdy bike stand, touring saddle as well as mudguards and a pannier rack. We offer a trapeze frame for all guests up to 1.79 m, and a diamond frame for people taller than 1.80 m.

Weight Limit of Clients Bicycles Brought on Board Please be aware, that we have a weight limit of 22 kg (48.5 lb), if you bring your own bicycle on board of one of our boats. This limit is important to protect the health of our guides/crew members, than they have to lift the bikes on board. If we consider it necessary, we will check the weight on site. If the weight limit is exceeded, we reserve the right to refuse taking the bike on board. It is not possible to bring your own E-Bike on board.

Additional options & information - 2023
  • Rental E-bike with Ortlieb pannier: e-bike: € 180 per week
  • Rental hybrid bicycle: € 80 per week
  • Insurance against theft and damage of the rental bike: e-bike: €20 /week; hybrid bicycle: €10 /week (not insured: grossly negligent damages)
  • Shared twin cabin (on request)
  • Surcharge per person for a cabin above deck: €250
  • Surcharge for a double cabin for single use below deck: 600 euro, limited availability
  • Surcharge for a double cabin for single use above deck: 800 Euro, limited availability
  • A safe parking space: motorcycle: €40 /week, car until 6 m of length: €60/week, vehicle above 6 m of length: €120 /week (to be paid on-site to the tour guide)
  • Transfer from/to Rijeka airport (on embarkation and disembarkation days only): price on request
  • Collective transfers between Zagreb and Omisalj on day of embarkation/disembarkation only (11:30 am from Zagreb Center or 12:15 pm from Zagreb Airport / return transfer from Omišalj to Zagreb Airport starts at 8 am: €60 person/way and €60 bicycle/way (reservation required two weeks in advance, booking incl. complete transmission of flight details)
  • Exclusive transfer

 

Requirement to wear a helmet
Helmets use is mandatory on all cycling tours. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet. Rental helmets are available on board in limited number (on request).

Weight Limit of Bicycles Brought on Board Please be aware, that we have a weight limit of 22 kg (48.5 lb), if you bring your own bicycle on board of one of our boats. This limit is important to protect the health of our guides/crew members, then they have to lift the bikes on board. It is not possible to bring your own E-Bike on board. If we consider it necessary, we will check the weight on site. If the weight limit is exceeded, we reserve the right to refuse taking the bike on board.

Participants
Minimum: 14
Maximum: 29

Legal notice:
Boat Bike Tours is not the operator of this tour; this is a so called ‘partner tour’. Tour operator is: Inselhuepfen/Radurlaub Zeitreisen GmbH, Konstanz, Germany. Other conditions may apply to this tour: further details on request.



Reviews

based on 3 reviews on
16 Oct 2022

David Morris

Our tour of the Southern Dalmation Islands from September 30 through October 7 on the Magellan was an incredible experience. The beauty and majesty of this area of Croatia is unmatched. The staff worked well together and our guides complemented each other well. I marvel at the technical operations behind the scenes that operated like clockwork. Swimming in the Adriatic off the boat was exhilarating. The ebikes worked well, and I was thankful for a replacement battery provided by our guide near the end of the 37 mile ride. I am totally impressed with my first BoatBike tour, highly recommend this tour to others, and look forward to other BoatBike tours in the future. The only reason I did not rate 5 stars is that the food was advertised as exceptional, and it was not (heavily salted fish entrees). Future excursions might consider replacing some onboard dinners with dining out in area restaurants, and eliminating the packed lunch in the same manner.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 26 Oct 2022

Hi David, Thank you very much for sharing your incredible experience with us. We are very sorry that the food did not meet your expectations. Your feedback helps us improve the quality of service for everyone. Best Romy

29 Aug 2022

Krista

Loved the tour We’ll organized Great guides A way to visit hard to see places

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 22 Sep 2022

Thank you very much for your 5-star rating. Warm regards, Romy

9 Jun 2022

Barbara Nicholson

Our bike and boat vacation on the ‘Melody’ exceeded our expectations. The crew and tour guides were professional, attentive, and very accommodating. The accommodations—from our spacious, well-appointed and comfortable cabin to the first-rate meal provisions—receive our highmarks! The icing on the cake was the camaraderie developed amongst fellow passengers. It was an interesting and fun group of people with whom to spend a week discovering the beautiful islands of Southern Dalmatia.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 21 Jul 2022

Thank you for your positive review. We are so happy to hear that the trip exceeded your expectations and that you had such a great time on board! We are happy to welcome you on one of our tours again in the future! Kind regards, Team Boat Bike Tours


Available ships for this tour

Motor ship Andela Lora Croatia

Sea access

Deck chairs

Cosy lounge area

Several sun decks

max. 34 passengers
17 cabins
2 tours available with this ship

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