2
introductory to moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • self guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in 3 star hotels
  • Optional upgrade available
Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1090GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: AVE

Trip highlights

  • Exploring the magical city of Venice
  • Cycling along the Adriatic coast and across two European borders
  • Discovering the history of the Venetian Republic
  • Enjoying the culinary specialties such as marinated sardines and spicy meatballs

Explore three countries by bike in one week, cycling between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. The history of the Republic of Venice provides the background to the entire trip. From the canal city of Venice, pass beaches, simple fishing villages and grand palaces as you make your way along the coastline and to the plain of Friuli. Ancient Roman towns and numerous castles are dotted on the route to the lively harbour city of Trieste. With two border crossings to cycle through, the journey ends on the beautiful Croatian coastline in the town of Porec. Staying in specially chosen hotels in the historic centres or along the coastline, this cycle journey offers a perfect combination of historic towns and seaside landscapes.

Countries:

Italy, Slovenia, Croatia

Starting Point:

Venice / Mestre

Finishing Point:

Porec

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Make your own way to Mestre on the mainland of Venice. On arrival at your hotel you will find your luggage labels and ferry ticket. From here it is easy to venture into the famous canal city. On the morning of day 2 you will collect your rental bike - note that bikes (like cars) are not allowed on the island (in Venice the transit with bicycles is forbidden even when pushed by hand. By bike it is only possible to reach Piazzale Roma or the train station Santa Lucia). The city of Venice will captivate you with its splendour and history.

Meals:  Nil

Today you collect your bike, then after a short ride you take the ferry and then the vaporetto, passing in front of Piazza San Marco. The first part of the day will guide you from Mestre to Tronchetto island, where you will take a ferry to reach the island of Lido. From Lido a motorboat will take you to Punta Sabbioni, the southern-most area of the Adriatic coast, which is north of Venice. From here you cycle along the stunning sea coast, with various opportunities for a refreshing swim in the sea. Stay overnight in a town along this famous coastline, eg Jesolo or Caorle. By boat: about 35 minutes Tronchetto to Lido S.Niccolò, about 25 minutes S.Maria Elisabetta to Punta Sabbioni (this is a smaller boat (motonave) and it is the captain’s decision re the number of bikes accepted on board. It may happen that you have to wait for the next ferry.) Elevation +85m/278ft, -80m/262ft

Meals:  B

Leaving the sea behind you head north towards the Julian Alps. The route follows quiet country roads, traversing a land that is rich in water. You will be passing through an area with a multitude of 'Valli da pesca' (stretches of lagoon enclosed by earthen dikes where extensive fish farming is practised) and 'casoni' (constructions used by fisherman in the past during fishing season). There is a small section (1.8km) along a dirt road near the village of Torre di Mosto. Continue to the town of Portogruaro, one of the main centres during the 'Serenissima Republic of Venice' period and still impressive today with its glorious 'palazzi'. Elevation +/-225m/738ft

Meals:  B

You will continue eastward, traversing the countryside and small villages as far as the city San Michele and the Tagliamento river: its peaceful course marks the border between the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions. Take a break in the beautiful ancient village of Precenicco then will cross the pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Stella river and continue towards the coast of the Adriatic Sea. You will find a short section of unpaved road at the Palmanova exit and need to pay attention to the traffic in crossing Cervignano del Friuli. Overnight Aquileia. You can shorten the stage by about 20km/12.5mi by taking the train from Portogruaro to Latisana. Elevation +/-240m/787ft

Meals:  B

This morning you cross the Isonzo (Soca) river, the scene of important battles during the First World War, before heading towards the sea: the Gulf of Trieste awaits you with many possible stops along the way. Visit Duino with its two castles, Sistiana with its characteristic bay, and Miramare with its white castle built according to the wishes of Maximilian I of Augsburg, situated in a beautiful park of more than 20 hectares. A few kilometres further is Trieste, once the only sea port of the Hapsburg Empire. Trieste has a lot to offer in the way of attractions. It is possible to shorten the cycle by about 30km/18.5mi by taking the train from Monfalcone to Trieste. This also avoids the quite busy 'Strada Statale 14'. Or you can cycle a longer version (extra 24km) and discover Grado in the Marano lagoon, an ancient fishing village with an historic centre. Elevation +/-350m/1148ft

Meals:  B

Today is a more demanding stage than the preceding days. Leaving Trieste, you will face some short but demanding ascents and ride through some stretches of moderate traffic. After a few kilometres the Porec cycle path starts in Rabuiese right before the Italian-Slovene border. The remaining part of the route is often on cycling paths through famous holiday resorts such as Koper, first for a long time a Venetian and then an Austrian town, and Piran, another important centre which was ruled for a long time by Venice. The terrain is a little hilly and there's a 2km ascent to reach Piran. You will finally arrive in Portorož, renowned for its spa and bathing facilities. Elevation +/-530m/1738ft

Meals:  B

Today's cycle takes you south through the salt mines of Secovlje, a large Slovenian town with a humid environment and a key area for ornithology. To reach the lagoon of Secovlje you have a steep downhill on a dirt road. Cross the Croatian border at Istria, the Adriatic Sea's largest peninsula, where the terrain becomes hilly, with small villages and vast forests. Your destination is Porec, the tourism capital of Croatia. We recommend visiting the UNESCO World Heritage listed Euphrasian Basilica complex, dating from the 6th-century and famous for its Byzantine mosaics. Elevation +/-750m/2460ft

Meals:  B

After breakfast the trip concludes in Porec. It's possible to return to Venice by ferry or by van - please ask for our rates (vary by service and season) - must be requested at time of booking. Ferry transfer details: Porec harbour to Venice (San Basilio). Only for passengers, no bikes. Boarding is at 6-7 am, departs at around 7-8 am, travel time is approx. 4-5 hours. If the ferry is not available the service will be replaced by a land transfer. Van transfer details: from Porec to Venice airport or a hotel in Mestre (departs approx 8.30am, journey time approx 3.5hrs). Also possible: from Porec to Trieste or Pula - please ask our team.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts - varied buffet breakfasts are served
  • 7 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (upgrade to Category A hotels - mainly 4 star - supplement applies)
  • Digital information pack including route notes, maps and navigational App (can be used offline) with GPS Tracks (smartphone required)
  • Luggage transfers, 1 piece maximum 20kg per person - supplement applies for excess
  • Rental touring bike with helmet, pannier, puncture resistant tyres and gel saddle (electric & hybrid bike available on request - supplement applies. Tandem bike available on request)
  • Bike insurance against theft and damage
  • Day 2 ferry and vaporetto transfers Tronchetto-Lido-Punta Sabbioni, note: bike not included, allow EUR4
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Mestre/Venice and from Porec
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Guide - this is a self guided cycling holiday
  • A supplement will apply if you are booking a single room
  • Entrance fees not listed as included
  • Transfers not listed as included
  • Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
  • Excess luggage
  • We recommend bringing a handlebar phone holder - to follow the route more easier using the app/GPX files
  • Hotel taxes (allow €13-18pp, payable locally)
  • Venice Access Fee: see https://cda.ve.it/en/ for details (approx. 5 €/day, if applicable) to be paid on site
  • Optional transfer from Porec to Venice at the end of the tour is available - by ferry, or early and late in the season by coach - is available, please ask for our rates. Must be requested at time of booking - see below for information needed to book.
  • Items of a personal nature

Bike information

Standard Bike

During the trip you will be provided with a 27 speed touring bike with handbrakes. Available with a unisex or high cross bar in various sizes, with the size based on your height. You will also receive a pannier to carry your gear for the day and a lock. Also provided: a handlebar bag and repair kit per room. Rental helmets will be provided. A tandem bike is available on request.

Hybrid bike

An optional upgrade to a hybrid bike is available - supplement applies. This is a 27 speed aluminium high cross bar bike, suitable for gravel, road and touring.

Electric Bike

An electric bike is available on request. A supplement applies, see below. The electric bike provided has a low-entry frame and a battery with an average range of 90km.

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. As e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, they should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 18 years (or 14 -17 years on request - note the insurance is not valid for e-bikes under the age of 18) and a minimum height requirement is 147cm / 4ft10in.

Suitability

introductory to moderate

2

The cycling is introductory to moderate (2) grade with daily cycles of around 40 to 70km/25 to 43.5mi. The accent is on keeping a steady pace with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need a reasonable level of cycling fitness to participate fully in this adventure. The first three days are mainly on flat roads, across the Veneto and Friuli plain, while the last three stages are slightly hillier. This is a popular area so we have a range of hotels - on some days this may alter the distances cycled and the towns you sleep in. Where a route may be longer or shorter on one day, the distance will be adjusted the following day so you will still cover the same route. You need only carry your camera and water bottle as your luggage is transported for you between hotels. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.

Departure dates

Weekly on Saturdays from 29 Mar to 12 Jul and 23 Aug to 4 Oct

Notes

H
High Season
M
Mid Season
DN1
High season is from 17 May to 12 Jul and 23 Aug to 19 Sep. Mid season is from 19 Apr to 16 May and 20 Sep to 3 Oct. A supplement applies for mid and high season departures.
Note:
Due to logistics this trip is not suitable for solo travellers. It can be possible for single travellers to book on a date which already has bookings. Contact our team for more details. Price is based on category B accommodation (3* hotels) - upgrade to category A (mainly 4* hotels with some 3*) is available - supplement applies
Note:
Other departure dates are available for groups of 6 or more.

Priceper person from

£1090GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Hybrid bike supplementGBP£40
  • Upgrade to Category A hotelsGBP£90
  • Electric Bike SupplementGBP£130
  • Single Supplement - Category BGBP£320
  • Single Supplement - Category AGBP£350
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.