Istria Bike+Boat
from/to Omisalj
The Heart of Europe
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 behold! Medieval hilltop villages, antique monuments, picturesque vineyards, and delicious cuisine. During the guided bike tours, you will learn all about the region from knowledgeable and friendly guides.
Dates 2025:
Arrival: Friday
Duration: 8 days
Dates:
Ship Linda
Season 1: April 18., May 02.
Season 2: May 16./30., Oct 03./17.
Season 3: June 13./27., Sept 05./19.
Min.number of participants: 14 persons
1st Day: 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. 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.
2nd Day: Cres – Pula (approx. 17 mi./28 km by bike)
In the morning we enjoy our breakfast on board with a pleasant morning cruise to Pula. In the afternoon 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 where we can take part on an inspiring guided city tour before enjoying our evening exploring the town further at our leisure. The night is spent in Pula.
3rd Day: Pula – Vrsar – Poreč (aprx. 25 mi/40 km by bike)
After breakfast on board we start with another pleasant morning cruise this time to Vrsar. It is in Vrsar that the heartbreaker Casanova is believed to have sought temporary refuge from the husbands of his lovers. From here we cycle along the Limski Canal to Kloštar in the rural hinterland to our destination of Poreč. The town has a lively vibe with its long promenade and shopping streets. A visit to the famous Euphrasius Basilica with its magnificent early Christian mosaics is worth a visit and there is also plenty of time to go for a swim and relax in the afternoon. The night is spent in Porec.
4th Day: Poreč – Novigrad (aprx. 36 mi/59 km)
Today 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 can enjoy the evening and spend the night.
5th Day: Rovinj (aprx. 12 mi/20 km)
In the morning, during breakfast, the boat takes us to Rovinj, the starting point of today’s cycle tour. You leave the town and follow an old railroad line to the Lim Canal. Near the town, the vast green wilderness of the local park is the perfect backdrop for an optional extension to the cycle tour past picturesque bays where you can stop for a refreshing swim. After a pleasant morning on your bikes and on the beach, you return to the ship and in the afternoon, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you have plenty of time to discover the secrets of the town of Rovinj, often called the “Pearl of Istria”.
6th Day: Rovinj – Fažana – Rabac (aprx. 20 mi/32 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. We board the boat and enjoy a cruise along the coast 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.
7th Day: Rabac – Njivice – Omišalj (aprx. 26 mi/43 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.
8th Day: Omisalj (Disembarkation)
After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am and individual trip home or extended stay in Croatia.
Important Information
We reserve the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements.
YOUR ACCOMMODATION:
YOUR ShiP – LINDA
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.
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.
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 1.30 m (4.3 ft.) for hybrid bikes. There is a helmet duty for all children up to age 16 in Croatia.
YOUR BICYCLES:
21-speed ladies or gents
E-Bikes
- Quality brand bicycles
- Touring bikes with derailleur
- Touring bikes with derailleur
- Odometer
- 1 Ortlieb-pannier bag
Insurance against theft and damage of the rental bike bookable:
hybrid bicycle: 20 euro/week; e-bike: 30 euro/week (not insured: grossly negligent damages)
ATTENTION:
–Bringing own e-bikes not allowed on our ships!
–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).
ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
Airport
- next airport: Rijeka (RJK), Pula (PUY) or Zagreb (ZAG)
Train station
- next train station: Omisalj
Parking
- A safe parking space:
motorcycle: approx. 50 euro/week
car up to 6 m in length: approx. 80 euro/week
vehicle longer than 6 m: approx. 130 euro/week
(to be paid on-site to the tour guide)
Transfer
- Transfers bookable- see Prices
- 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
- Access to RideWithGPS app for individual cycling (if desired)
- Overview-maps for the daily tours (on board)
- Bed linen and towels
- English speaking tour guide
2-day extension program Zagreb
pre or post-tour bookable
Included services:
- Overnight stay in the centre of Zagreb
- Sightseeing tour in Zagreb (entry fees for sights not included)
- Dinner in a typical, local restaurant
- Exclusive transfer from Zagreb Airport to the hotel in Zagreb (if booked before your Islandhopping tour) or from the hotel in Zagreb to Zagreb Airport (if booked after your Islandhopping tour)
Exclusive transfer from the hotel in Zagreb to the boat in Omišalj (if booked before your Islandhopping trip) or from the boat in Omišalj to the hotel in Zagreb (if booked after your Islandhopping tour) - Taxes
- Detailed travel information booklet
4 star hotel | |
Double room | upon request |
Single room | upon request |
Ship Linda | Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 |
2-bed cabin lower deck | 999,- | 1.149,- | 1.299,- |
2-bed cabin above deck | 1.249,- | 1.399, | 1.549,- |
2-bed cabin for single use lower deck | 1.499,- | 1.724,- | 1.949,- |
2-bed cabin for single use above deck | 1.874,- | 2.099,- | 2.3424,- |
Flat rate for local taxes and bottled water
Adults: 60 Euro per person/week
Child up to 16 years: 30 Euro per person/week
(to be paid to the captain)
Discounts additional bed/children
With three persons sharing a cabin (limited availability), we offer a 200 euro discount per person on the tour base price (not combinable with other discounts). Children 16 years and younger receive a discount of 200€ off the tour base price (double occupancy, not combinable with other discounts).
Additional bookable
Rental bikes | ||
21-speed | 80,- | |
E-Bike | 225,- |
Additional nights Krk Island incl. breakfast | upon request |
Transfer on arrival-/departure day | price per person/way |
Airport Rijeka- Omisalj harbor | upon request |
Airport Zagreb – Omisalj harbor | upon request |
Zagreb-centre – Omisalj harbor 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) | upon request |
Operator: Inselhüpfen/Zeitreisen
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.