Highlights of Istria 8-day Bike & Boat Tour

The "heart of Europe" is what the Istrians call their peninsula. This is where Central Europe and the world of the Mediterranean meet. .During this one week tour we explore the most popular part of the Croatian coast.

Fall in love with the Adriatic Sea on this tour. Relax while being on a romantic cruiser - your floating home. Get on your bicycle after breakfast, enjoy your lunch break ashore or meet your ship in one of the pretty harbors for a crossing. Enjoy the outstanding cuisine aboard after getting to the next harbor while watching the sunset or stroll around historical harbor towns before going to sleep under the stars… either on deck or in your cabin.

Highlights

• Culture: A visit to the impressive amphitheatre in Pula 
• Nature: The beautiful Limski-Canal 
• Activity: A walk through the artist's village of Groznjan 
• Culinary: The famous white truffles from Istria 
• Souvenir: Bukaleta - typical hand painted clay jugs for wine

Accommodation:

Comfort Ship: At 31 x 6 m, the sleek wooden motor yacht was rebuilt as a passenger ship in 2006. There are 14 friendly guest cabins each with a private shower and WC. The spacious and tastefully furnished salon with its wooden tables and upholstered benches provides a welcoming atmosphere. The large sundeck and the two shaded decks at the stern are furnished with sun mats and comfortable lounge furniture. Perfect to unwind for a relaxing cruise.

OR (dependent on date selected)

Deluxe Ship: At 40 x 8.5 m this is an extraordinary, elegant steel ship, built in 2012. With its impressive length it is one of the largest ships in our Croatian fleet. The 17 spacious guest cabins are air-conditioned and include a shower and WC. The ship also offers a cozy salon on the top deck and numerous comfortable spaces on deck to relax. At the stern of the ship, a swimming platform provides effortless access to the sea.  

Level 1-2:

The cycle tours require a basic level of fitness from participants, which they should have acquired from steady cycling. The tours will take us up to a height of 300 m above sea-level. The day-tours from 16 mi./20 km will take us through hilly terrain and will be completed without any time-constraints. We traverse mostly asphalted roads, which are rarely traveled on outside the holiday seasons. Unpaved or gravel roads will be cycled at times, during which participants are, however, also permitted to push their bicycles. 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. Helmet use is mandatory on all cycle tours. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own (well-fitted) helmet. Rental helmets are available in limited numbers (reservation requested).

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.). 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. The catering consists of 2 x full board and 5 x half board. Catering starts with the dinner on the arrival day and ends with the breakfast on the departure day.

Language:

This tour is conducted bilingually, in English and German

Included in the Bike and Boat Tour:

• 8-day-trip on a motor yacht with crew
• 7 nights in a twin cabin above deck with shower/toilet (upgrades available)
• 2x full board 5 x half board
• Guided cycling tours and sightseeing as described in the itinerary
• Overview-maps for the daily tours (on board)
• Bed linen and towels
• English speaking tour guide
• Tourist taxes

Not included in the tour:

• Journey to Pula
• Water flat rate, 25 EUR or 15 EUR for children up to age 16 (to be paid to the captain)
• Drinks on board (tally sheet to be paid to the captain)
• Entrance fee for sights not included in the tour price
• Meals and beverages ashore 
• Tips for tour guides and crew
• Helmets (mandatory. Rental helmets are available, reservation required)

Rental bike with Ortlieb pannier: hybrid bicycle: 80 EUR/week; e-bike: 180 EUR/week (limited). Please email [email protected] 

Extras: (on request)

• Shared twin cabin
• Surcharge for double cabin above deck: 150 EUR p.p (Comfort ship)/ 250 EUR p.p (Deluxe ship)
• Surcharge for double cabin single use above deck: 600 EUR p.p (Comfort ship)/ 800 EUR p.p (Deluxe ship)
• Surcharge for double cabin single use below deck: 400 EUR p.p (Comfort ship)/ 600 EUR p.p (Deluxe ship)
• Insurance against theft and damage of the rental bike: hybrid bicycle: 10 EUR/week; e-bike: 20 EUR/week (not insured: grossly negligent damages)
• A safe parking space: motorcycle: 30 EUR/week; car up to 6 m in length: 50 EUR/week, vehicle longer than 6 m: 100 EUR/week (to be paid on-site to the tour guide)
• Collective transfer from/to Zagreb on day of embarkation/disembarkation only (11:30 am from Zagreb Center or 12:15 pm from Zagreb Airport / return transfer from Omisalj to Zagreb Airport starts at 8 am: 60 EUR person/way and 60 EUR bicycle/way (reservation required two weeks in advance, booking incl. complete transmission of flight details)
• Customized transfers
• Additional night (B&B) in Omisalj available - email [email protected] 

Price reductions:

• With three persons sharing a cabin, we allow a 50 % discount on the basic tour price for the third person, regardless of age. Three-bed-cabins are furnished with one double (floor level) and a single bed (bunk bed level).
• Children up to age 16 receive a discount of 25 % on the basic tour price (not combinable with the 50 % discount); Surcharge for single cabin use will be added

Slow Tours offers a number of other Bike & Boat Tours in Europe

Read More