Itinerary
Islandhopping by Boat & Bike: Highlights of Istria
8 days / 7 nights | Ship: Linda | from / to Omisalj
Istria, also referred to as the “green heart of Europe” by the locals, is Croatia’s most famous peninsula and travel destination and its popularity is not without good reason. Together with Islandhopping, you can experience the highlights of Istria from multiple perspectives on this week-long trip; from the maritime perspective on board and on land you explore the beautiful coastlines, the fruitful hinterlands and the fascinating harbor towns such as Pula, Poreč and Rovinj.
There is so much to discover along the way! Medieval villages, ancient monuments, picturesque wineries and impressive caves are to be discovered along the way. During the guided bike tours, you will learn all about the region from our knowledgeable and friendly guides.
Back on board the boat local specialties are prepared in in the galley and you can enjoy all the benefits of a mobile accommodation. The floating hotel eliminates the need to pack your bags each day as you travel from one highlight to the next and you have the possibility to enjoy a refreshing swim directly from the boat in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. Arriving at the next port, picturesque old towns entice you to take an extended stroll. Vacation pure! What more do you want?
The itinerary of the Istria Highlights tour is the same as the itinerary of the Istria Highlights PLUS tour, making the PLUS tour on board the Deluxe ship a great alternative should you have difficulties finding availability on this trip.
Highlights of this bike and boat trip
✔ Culture: A visit to the impressive amphitheatre in Pula
✔ Nature: The beautiful Limski-Canal
✔ Activity: Visit to the famous Baredine Cave with its underground lake
✔ Culinary: The famous white truffles from Istria
Itinerary 2024
Day 1 (Fri) Omisalj (Embarkation) – Cres
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. Once we have made ourselves comfortable in our cabins, we enjoy the first crossing to Cres. If the weather is good, we stop for a swim in a beautiful bay and you can take a dip in the Adriatic Sea. Our destination is the island capital of the same name, where we spend the night. The Venetian-influenced old town of Cres, with its beautiful alleys and many churches, entices you to take an extensive evening stroll
Day 2 (Sat) Cres – Pula (aprx. 11 mi./19 km by bike)
After breakfast on board, the first task is to adjust our bikes in the idyllic harbor of Cres and take a first bike tour to the lighthouse. Afterwards, we take a longer crossing to Pula at the southern tip of Istria, where a guided tour of the old town awaits us. The secret capital of Istria awaits us with impressive evidence of its Roman past. Take your time for an extensive stroll and explore impressive ancient monuments, such as the famous amphitheater reminiscent of the Colosseum in Rome, the Temple of Augustus and the Golden Gate.
Day 3 (Sun) Pula – Vrsar (23 mi./38 km by bike)
In the morning we explore some picturesque places in and around Pula. Via Galizana we go to Vodnjan and further through the fishing village Fazana before coming back to Pula. Once there, the boat takes us to Vrsar with the chance for a swim break at the Limski Fjord. In Vrsar, where you will spend the night, the heartbreaker Casanova is believed to have sought temporary refuge from the husbands of his lovers.
Day 4 (Mon): (Mon) Vrsar – Poreč (aprx. 18 mi/29 km by bike)
From Vrsar we cycle along the Limski Canal to Kloštar in the rural hinterland. During a longer break we fortify ourselves with a local meal before the tour continues onwards to the destination of Poreč. In the afternoon, we encounter the colourful history of Poreč at every turn as we stroll through the charming old town with its beautiful buildings from bygone eras. There is a real energy to be felt in the shopping alleys. A visit to the famous Euphrasius Basilica with its magnificent early Christian mosaics is also worthwhile.
Day 5 (Tue) Poreč – Novigrad – Rovinj (aprx. 36 mi/59 km)
In the morning we follow the "Parenzana", an abandoned railroad line, which leads us to the famous artists' village of Groznjan. The picturesque artists’ village is a medieval jewel in the Istrian hinterland. It awaits us with romantic alleys, flower-filled squares and diverse galleries that have made their home in old natural stone houses. In the afternoon, we bike through rural Istria via Buje to Novigrad, where we hop on board, with the chance for a quick swimming break, before continuing onwards to Rovinj for our overnight stay.
Day 6 (Wed) Rovinj – Fažana – Rabac (aprx. 25 mi/41 km)
Our morning bike ride takes us near the coast, mostly on natural forest paths to Fažana, with its quaint little harbor and promenade lined with colorful houses. Afterwards, we continue to Pula, where our boat will take us on a longer crossing to Rabac. Here, located on a picturesque bay on the east coast of Istria, we can enjoy gorgeous white pebble beaches, crystal clear waters and a beautiful harbor. Not to be missed is an evening cocktail in a local bar.
Day 7 (Thu) Rabac – Njivice - Omišalj (aprx. 23 mi/38 km)
In the early morning, we cross to the island of Krk, where a final cycling stage awaits us. The route will lead us from Njivice to Omišalj. The largest island in Croatia and home of the delicious Zlahtina white wine impresses with its diverse landscapes. Don’t miss the opportunity to cover yourself in the mineral rich mud in the bay of Soline – it will not only leave you looking ten years younger, but also makes for a wonderful holiday memory! Back in the harbor of Omišalj, our boat awaits us with a delicious last evening meal on board which can be spent in great cheer in the company of the fellow travelers, crew and guides.
Day 8 (Fri) Omisalj (Disembarkation)
After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am and individual trip home or extended stay in Croatia.
Changes: We reserve the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.
Map
MS Linda
MS Linda
Captain Damir’s Linda is a spacious wooden motor yacht. She was built in 1955 and renovated in 2004/2005 to meet the requirements of island-hopping. 102 ft./ 31 meters long and 19,5 ft./ 6 meters wide the Linda is among the bigger ships in our Croatian fleet. The spacious saloon can accommodate 32 guests, and the middle sundeck is constructed in a way that meals can also be served outside. The upper deck measures 131 sq ft./ 40 square meters and is big enough for sunbathing.
Cabins
Three cozy cabins below deck are equipped with separate beds and two portholes each. Another one has got a double bed with an additional bunk bed above the large bed, so that they can also be booked by three persons. On deck there are ten double cabins. Six of those have a double bed and four double cabins are equipped with separate beds. Captain Damir and his crew look forward to welcome our guests on board of their Linda. All cabins have air condition.
Travel Dates & Prices 2024
Islandhopping by Boat & Bike: Highlights of Istria
Travel Dates and Prices 2024 per Person
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Route:
Price per person in a cabin below deck
1.290 €
Linda
1.290 €
Linda
1.290 €
Linda
1.290 €
Linda
1.290 €
Linda
1.290 €
Linda
Optional services / Notes
Surchage for cabin on deck
150,- €
Surcharge for a single cabin below deck
400,- €
Surcharge for a single cabin on deck
600,- €
Bicycle rental 21-speed hybrid/week
80,- €
E-Bike 8-gear/week
225,- €
Bike insurance 21-speed hybrid/week
10,- €
Bike insurance E-bike/week
25,- €
Parking place (cars up to 6 m)/week
70,- €
Parking place (cars longer than 6 m)/week
120,- €
Collective transfer airport Zagreb
o,r,,- €
- Minimum number of participants: 14
Included
- 8-day-trip on a motorized yacht with crew
- 7 nights in a twin cabin with shower/toile
- 2 x full board and 5 x half board
- Guided cycling tours
- Guided tours in Pula and Rovinj
- Overview-maps for the daily tours (on board)
- Bed linen and towels
- English speaking tour guide
Not included in the tour price:
- Journey to Pula
- Flat rate for bottled water and zourist taxes 60 euro for adults or 30 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
Rental bikes
E-Bikes: Clients who wish to be supported by a tail-wind and seek to hire an e-bike will receive a 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. Unfortunately there is no possibility to reserve one particular bike-brand in advance.
Hybrid Bikes: Those choosing to rent a hybrid bike will receive a reliable, low maintenance, aluminum frame bike in the suitable size. Our 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. Unfortunately there is no possibility to reserve one particular bike-brand in advance.
Helmet use is mandatory on all bike rides. You are strongly encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet. Rental helmets are available on board in limited number (reservation requested).
Pannier: For the duration of the tour we supply you with a waterproof pannier by Ortlieb, a practical way of carrying drinks, bathing gear, camera etc. The use of our the panniers is free of charge.
Level 2–3
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 43 mi./70 km and 656 ft./200 m to 3280 ft./1000 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.
Group riding pace:
On our regular cycling tours, the cyclists on regular bicycles determine the pace. We ask guests who have reserved an e-bike to be mindful of this and to acknowledge that the regular cyclists need time to rest and take longer to climb the hills. 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).
Bringing Children
We believe that only children with a good physical condition and previous bicycle tour experience and a minimum age of 10 are able to master the cycle tours with 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 (5 ft.) for e-bikes. In Croatia there is a legal helmet requirement for all children up to age 16.
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. Andela Lora provides 3 and 4 bed cabins, while the Linda only has 1x 3 bed cabin below deck (double + single).
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.
Language
Due to our international audience all Islandhopping tours are conducted bilingually, in English and German.
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.
Transfer
Transfer from/to Rijeka airport (on embarkation and disembarkation days only): prices on request (minimum 2 persons)
Transfer from/to Rijeka train station (on embarkation and disembarkation days only): prices on request (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: prices on request (reservation required two weeks in advance, booking incl. complete transmission of flight details - minimum 2 persons)
A safe parking space: motorcycle: 40 euro/week; car up to 6 m in length: 70 euro/week, vehicle longer than 6 m: 120 euro/week (to be paid on-site to the tour guide)
