Ancient Venetian Empire by Bike
8 Days Starting in Venice / Mestre and ending in Porec
Visiting: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia
Tour Overview
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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Mestre/Venice
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.
Day 2 : Ferry To Punta Sabbioni, Cycle To Caorle Or Surrounds (40 Or 65Km/25 Or 40Mi)
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 seacoast, 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 (included): 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 +0m/0ft
Day 3 : Head North Towards The Julian Alps To Portogruaro (60 Or 35Km/37 Or 21.8Mi)
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 +0m/0ft
Day 4 : Cycle By Ancient Roman Towns To Aquileia (70Km/43.5Mi)
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 catching the train from Portogruaro to Latisana.
Elevation +30m/98ft
Day 5 : Cross The River Isonzo And Cycle Towards The Gulf Of Trieste (55Km/34Mi)
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 with a train transfer 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 +420m/1378ft
Day 6 : Cycle Across The Slovenian Border To The Spa Town Of Portorož (45Km/28Mi)
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 +470/1542ft
Day 7 : Continue To Secovlje, Cross The Croatian Border To Porec (55Km/34Mi)
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 +470m/1542ft
Day 8 : Trip Concludes
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-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 hours. (If the ferry boat is not available the service will be replaced by a land transfer.)
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in 3 star hotel -
7 breakfasts - varied buffet breakfasts are served
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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)
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Digital information pack including route notes, maps and navigational App (can be used offline) with GPS Tracks (smartphone required)
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Luggage transfers, 1 piece maximum 20kg per person - supplement applies for excess
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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)
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Bike insurance against theft and damage
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Day 2 ferry and vaporetto transfers Tronchetto-Lido-Punta Sabbioni, note: bike not included, allow EUR4
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to Mestre/Venice and from Porec
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
What's Not Included
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Transport to Mestre/Venice and from Porec
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Lunches, dinners and drinks
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Local hotel taxes
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Tour guide - this is a self guided tour
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Items of a personal nature including optional train tickets
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Ferry from Porec to Venice at the end of the tour - ask for our rates.
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Hotel taxes (allow €10-15pp, payable locally)
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Venice Municipality Access Fee: it is expected to apply from January 1st, 2023 (approx. 3-10€/day, to be paid on site)
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We recommend bringing a holder for your mobile phone to fix to the handlebar to cycle smoothly following the app
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Guide - this is a self guided tour
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Entrance fees
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Venice Municipality Access Fee: it is expected to enter into force in Spring 2024 (approx. 3-10 €/day to be paid on site)
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Ferry from Porec to Venice at the end of the tour - ask for our rates. Must be requested at time of booking.
Accommodation
7 nights in 3 star hotel
On this trip you will stay in 3 star hotels, mainly in the historic centre except for Caorle where we offer various options along the coast. All rooms have en suite facilities. All category A hotels have air conditioning while in category B (standard trip) some accommodations are without air conditioning. All accommodations have been chosen for their comfort as well as their proximity to cycling paths and local sites.
Grading
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.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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