Experience the Heart of Europe by MTB & Boat

MTB & Boat Highlights of Istria MTB

Experience the Heart of Europe by MTB & Boat from/to Omisalj 8 days/7 nights, aprx. 140 mi./225 km / aprx. 11154 ft./3400 m elevation by bicycle, level S1 – 2, S0 – 2

„The heart of Europe” is what the Istrians call their peninsula. This is where Central Europe and the world of Mediterranean meet. Explore this unique coastal destination for one week on your bike. The Istrian Peninsula is perfect for off-road fans: fascinating landscapes, thrilling and sometimes challenging single trails with relatively few meters of elevation in a diverse range of terrain. Truly enticing for a MTB holiday by the sea!

This MTB tour takes place parallel to our hybrid bike tour on board of the same boat. Both itineraries are fully guided.

For more and updated info please visit www.inselhuepfen.com/en/kvm

1st Day (Fri) Omišalj (Embarkation) – Cres Island

Individual arrival to Omišalj, a charming pirate’s 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 Omišalj. 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.

2nd Day (Sat) Cres – Ližnjan – Pula (approx. 28 mi./46 km; 1740 ft./530 m of elevation, S1)

Enjoy breakfast in the morning with a longer cruise from Cres to the south-west coast of Istria to Ližnjan. The old fisher village with its small harbor is the starting point of your first bike tour on the Istrian peninsula. We will start the tour on asphalt roads through the village of Medulin before entering the Kamenjak Nature Reserve with its 30 bays and a vast variety of flora and fauna. After a great coastal MTB session we arrive in Pula, the secret capital of Istria where we 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.

3rd Day (Sun) Pula – Vrsar – Poreč (approx. 18 mi./30 km; 1410 ft./430 m of elevation, S1-2)

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 off road along the Limski Fjord and into the Kontija Forrest. After a strengthening afternoon break, and the possibility to try a delicious suckling pig for lunch, we continue through local villages to Poreč. Along the way it is worth taking a small detour to ride the St. Bencic trail.

We will have a chance to indulge in the multifaceted history of Poreč 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 Euphrasius-Basilica with its intricate pre-Christian mosaics is highly recommended. The night is spent in Poreč.

4th Day (Mon) Poreč –Novigrad – Vrsar (approx. 41 mi/66 km; 3440 ft./1050 m of elevation, S1 – S2)

During breakfast we cruise to Novigrad, where we will start today’s ride. At first we bike through the scenic Mirna Valley before climbing to 300 m above sea level to reach the town of Grožnjan. After a tasty lunch we continue on a fast paced enduro trail back into the valley, with the alternative to take a more relaxed descent if preferred. We cycle through Vižinada and onto the Parenzana, a decommissioned railway line which now acts as a wonderful cycling path. Following the Parenzana we make our way to Vrsar where the ship awaits our arrival and we spend the night.

5th Day (Tue) Rovinj (approx. 20 mi/32 km; 1740 ft./530 m of elevation, S1 – S2)

After a short crossing by boat to Rovinj we setting out through the forests south of the Limski Fjord. After returning to Rovinj 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.

6th Day (Wed) Rovinj – Fažana – Rabac (approx. 25 mi/41 km; 950 ft./290 m of elevation, S0 – S1)

Today’s bike tour takes us along the coast mainly on natural paths and through forests to Fažana 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.

7th Day (Thu) Rabac – Omišalj (approx. 16 mi/26 km; 3215 ft./980 m of elevation, S1 – S3)

Today we can enjoy a variety of great trails in the Bike Center Rabac. Over 11 km of shaped single trails and flow trails on sandy and rocky terrain at varying levels of difficulty from beginners to experts will offer a highlight to the week! The bike park is situated on a hilly coastline with incredible views across the Kvarner Bay and the islands. After an action packed morning we can reward our efforts with a refreshing swim in the crystal clear sea. Back at the boat we can relax for an afternoon cruise back to Omišalj where we enjoy a festive evening meal in the company of our fellow travelers, crew and guides.

8th Day (Fri) Omišalj (Disembarkation)

After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am and individual trip home or extended stay in Croatia.

Itinerary changes

We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary, depending on wind and weather conditions or organizational requirements. Sometimes the tour will be run in reverse order.

MTB Level S1 – 2

Easy to moderate daily tours with stages of about 15 to 31 mi./25 to 50 km and 980 to 2,952 ft./300 to 900 m of elevation gain. Istria is a mountain biker’s paradise with a range of trails from easy to moderate to choose from. We ride on mainly unblocked flow trails, wide natural paths and quiet asphalt roads. It should not be required to carry your bike over any blocked paths. Wearing a protective bike helmet is mandatory – we recommend bringing your own helmet with you. Rental helmets are available in limited numbers on board (reservation required). Instead of taking part on a MTB tour, you are also welcome to either join the hybrid bike group or to remain on/near the boat. The daily tour program is dictated by the weather and the decisions of the captain.

Single-Trail Classification
To ensure that you are well prepared for your bike tour with Islandhopping and know what technical difficult level to expect, we have created a classification for all single trails that could be ridden on our tours. The difficulty levels included in our classification coincide with the Single Trail Scale which can be found at here.

Blue (easy, S0 – S1): small obstacles such as small roots, small stones, some erosion, gradients of up to 40 %, loose surfaces, tight corners but no hairpins, obstacles can be rolled over. Skilful braking and weight shift required, riding while standing.

Red (medium, S2): loose surfaces, larger stones and roots, steps and shallow stairs, gradients of up to 70 %, light hairpins. Constant readiness to brake, shift of centre weight to overcome obstacles, accurate braking, consistent body tension required.

Black (difficult, S3 – S5): blocked single trails, many large boulders and roots, smooth/slippery surfaces, loose scree slopes, large steps/drops, extremely steep gradients of over 70 %, tight hairpins. Expert level of bike control/handling required.

Riding in a group
On a guided MTB tour the speed of the group is determined by the mountain bikers on regular bikes. If you have hired an e-MTB, we ask you to respect those in the group who are riding without electric support. Those on regular bikes require more time and recovery when biking up hill. We 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). Furthermore, we recommend riders to carry arm and leg protectors during the bike tours.

Bringing Children/Teenagers
We believe that only children in a good physical condition with a minimum age of 14 who have previous MTB riding experience can keep up with the demands of our mountain bike tours. In addition, they should have prior experience with riding techniques needed for descending on narrow trails and technical terrain. Please be aware, that our smallest rental mountain bikes are suited to a body height of 1.50 m and above (XS frame). Croatian law requires children under the age of 16 to wear a bicycle helmet when riding a bike.

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

Due to our international audience all Islandhopping tours are conducted bilingually, in English and German.

Comfort Ship LINDA (all cabins with shower/toilet)

At 31 x 6 m, the Linda is a sleek wooden motor yacht rebuilt as an Islandhopping 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.

For more detailed information about the Linda please visit: https://www.inselhuepfen.com/en/linda/

Andela Lora (Deluxe)

The Andela Lora is an elegant steel ship and one of the larger vessels in our Croatian fleet. Her spacious guest cabins have quality furnishings and include an A/C as well as a private bathroom and WC.

The elegantly furnished saloon on the top deck and the countless comfortable sitting and sunbathing areas on deck provide an ideal place to relax. At the stern of the ship a swimming platform provides easy access in and out of the sea making it possible to swim directly from the ship when anchored in a secluded bay. The friendly crew and amenities on board the Andela Lora are the perfect foundation for a truly care free Islandhopping travel experience.

For more detailed information about the Linda please visit: Andela Lora – Islandhopping

Basic tour price per person (in a twin cabin below deck *Prices refer to the 2023 season*)

– from 1.090 eur/8.212,61kn (comfort ship Linda) & 1.490 eur/ 11.226,41kn (Delux ship Anđela Lora)

Included services

· 8-day-trip on a motorized yacht with crew

· 7 nights in a twin cabin with shower/toilet

· 2 x full board and 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

Additional optional services (on request)

Shared twin cabin

· Surcharge for a cabin above deck: 150 euro/person (Linda) // 250 euro/person (Andela Lora)

· Surcharge for a double cabin for single use below deck: 400 euro (Linda) / 600 euro (Andela Lora) limited availability

· Surcharge for a double cabin for single use above deck: 600 Euro (Linda) / 800 Euro (Andela Lora) limited availability

· Rental bike: Full suspension MTB (fully): 180 euro/week; full suspension e-MTB (E-fully): 240 euro/week (limited)

· Insurance against theft and damage of the rental bike: fully 20 euro/week (not insured: grossly negligent damages)

· A safe parking space: motorcycle: 30 euro/week; car up to 6 m in length: 50 euro/week, vehicle longer than 6 m: 100 euro/week (to be paid on-site to the tour guide)

· Transfer from/to Rijeka airport (on embarkation and disembarkation days only): 20 Euro per person/way (minimum 2 persons)

· Transfer from/to Rijeka train station (on embarkation and disembarkation days only): 30 Euro per person/way (minimum 2 persons)

· Collective transfers between Zagreb and Omišalj 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 euro person/way and 60 euro bicycle/way (reservation required two weeks in advance, booking incl. complete transmission of flight details – minimum 2 persons)

· Exclusive transfers: on request

· Additional night on Island Krk: on request

· 2-day extension module Zagreb in a 4 star hotel – Detailed Itinerary on request.

· 3-day extension module Varaždin und Trakošćan in a 3 star hotel and 4 star hotel– Detailed Itinerary on request.

Not included in the tour price

· Journey to Omišalj

· Flat rate for bottled water, 25 euro for adults or 15 euro for children up to age 16 (to be paid to the captain)

· Beverages on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)

· Meals and beverages ashore

· Entrance fee for sights are not included in the tour price

· Tips for crew and tour guides

For more and updated info please visit www.inselhuepfen.com/en/ISM

If you would like to book this trip directly, please follow this booking link:

Direct booking of the MTB & Boat trip Highlihts of Istria

If you have any questions about this trip before booking, please contact us by email at:
info@islandhopping.com