Self-Guided Cycling on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula
OutdoorHub 01.14.13
Europe’s active travel leader Pure Adventures http://pure-adventures.com, that designs game plans for adventure vacations, assures that clients will fine-tune the fun on its new-for-2013 self-guided cycling tour exploring Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula.
If a variety of activities and leaving all the details to a guide is preferred, a second Croatian multisport program (minimum of four people) offers biking, hiking and sea kayaking excursions through the Dalmatian Islands.
Loren Siekman, founder of Pure Adventures, calls Croatia “a lovely surprise” with more than 1,000 miles of coastline along the main land and over 1,100 islands, 66 of which are inhabited, adding another 2,500 miles of coastline.
The seven-day tour (average daily rides are 58 km) of the Istrian Peninsula, likened to a “tiny Tuscany”, begins with transfers from Venice or Ljublijana to Buje, a medieval village, where, after orientation, the ride begins to Motovun, a film and truffle center. Through vineyards the tour approaches the sea past prehistoric Illyrian fortified settlements to Porec, part of the Venetian republic for centuries, long before the next stop, Vrsar, became the surfing center of Croatia. The preserved medieval village of Bale, famous for annual jazz and olive oil festivals, embraces guests who have cycled along the coast overlooking the Brioni islands, once a residence of Yugoslavian president Marshall Tito. The last night is in Rovinj, regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Croatia, and an overnight at Villa Tuttorotto, a meticulously restored 16th century Venetian palace.
Included in the per person, double occupancy rate (1,475 euros from Venice, 1,430 euros from Ljubljana) are six nights accommodation, daily breakfast, arrival transfer, luggage transfers, orientation meeting, local emergency support throughout the trip, route book with all cycling route maps and cue sheets, sites, visit information, suggested places to eat lunches and dinners, all taxes, pre and post travel planning, and a set of pre-travel documents to help prepare for the upcoming trip. Bike rental (distance-equipped Marin San Rafael hybrid) is not included in the price but is available for a supplement of 120 euros for the duration. See: http://pure-adventures.com/tours/croatia1.php.
A small-group (minimum of four), seven-day guided multi-sport tour of the Dalmatian Islands begins in Dubrovnik and concludes in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Split after two days each of cycling, sea kayaking and hiking the islands of Lokrum, Mljet and Korcula.
Included in the person double rate of 2,299 euros (for group of four – as low as 1,980 euros per person for group of seven or eight) are services of a professional guide, six nights accommodation, breakfast and picnic lunches daily, two dinners, all land transportation, all ferries, arrival and departure transfers, equipment rentals, vehicle support, luggage handling, park entrance fees, taxes, pre and post travel planning, and a set of pre-travel documents to help prepare for the upcoming trip. See: http://pure-adventures.com/tours/croatia2.php.
“Although we specialize in self-guided cycle tours we felt it best to assign a seasoned guide to our programs in the Dalmatians simply because it is a challenging region logistically to do on your own,” explained Siekman.
