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Croatia Bike Tour

Explore the Istrian Peninsula and the stunning medieval town of Rovinj

Tour Duration

6D / 5N

Trip Style

Signature, Classic Guided

Rider Level

3

Hotel Level

Combined

Bikes

Trek Domane SL 7
Trek Electric-Assist Verve+

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Starting from

$4,599.00 per person

See dates

Unlock the secrets of Croatia's Istrian peninsula with its historic villages and the beautiful coastline.

Get ready for a time-traveling adventure spanning over two millennia as you pedal along the Adriatic coastline and unlock the secrets and deep history of Croatia’s Istrian peninsula. Beginning on the coast of Slovenia, you'll enter Croatia to meander through rolling vineyards and olive orchards, where you'll discover the hidden medieval villages perched on verdant hillsides. Your time away from the bike will be a culinary delight, savoring the gastronomic treasures of the region, from earthy truffles to the legendary Istrian prosciutto of Tinjan. At the end of each day, bask in the timeless luxury of your accommodations before preparing for the grand finale: a visit to the enchanting Mediterranean gem of Rovinj.

Trip Wows
  • Ride the entire Slovenian coastline before crossing the border by bike into Croatia

  • Visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Euphrasian Basilica, an early Christian masterpiece dating back to the 6th century and Pula's Roman arena

  • Discover the hidden charms of medieval towns, perched atop forested hills in the Istrian countryside

  • Indulge in the exquisite flavors of authentic Istrian delicacies, from the earthy delights of truffles to the finest wines and delectable prosciutto.

  • Take in the beauty of the Adriatic Sea as you pedal along the coast and sample its fresh fish during expertly-prepared meals

Biker between colorful houses

Ride through medieval villages, the hidden gems of Istria

Medieval villages of Istria

Away from the touristy coast you'll uncover the genuine gems of Istria in the small medieval villages: vibrant houses, winding alleyways, cobblestone streets, art galleries, and, of course, the coveted truffles.


What Guests are Saying
A cyclist with their bike alongside a classic old bicycle

Croatia & The Istrian Peninsula have been popular holiday destinations among Europeans for a long time. This trip is designed to get you away from those crowds and show you the hidden gems of the region - and this is exactly my favorite part. The medieval villages of Grožnjan and Motovun are stunning surprises along the way, and the views of the Adriatic sea are as beautiful as you’d expect. Imagine cycling along secluded roads, meandering through vineyards and olive groves, indulging in the flavors of truffles and prosciutto... Could you ask for anything more?

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Suzy, Trek Travel Trip Designer

Loved the overall experience. Loved both guides. Far exceeded my expectations.We just had the best time. Loved that the roads were smooth, little traffic and you could see vineyards forever. Then periodically we would ride through these super cool villages. Just beautiful riding.

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Kathy, Trek Travel Guest

We LOVED it. Truly the time of our lives. We lost ourselves in the landscape, the slow pace of life, and the incredible wine. We were challenged by the rides and left so proud of ourselves that we did it. We are also so thankful to have found a trip in our budget and it was worth every penny. Our memories and our experience was something we will always cherish and we are SO excited to plan our next Trek Travel trip!

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Olivia, Trek Travel Guest


A distant view of a town on a hill.

Great Ride

San Canzian to La Grisa

Discover peaceful pathways winding through medieval villages, expansive vineyards, and olive groves. Take a pause in Tinjan, renowned as the prosciutto capital and pedal all the way to La Grisa, your second hotel in the quaint town of Bale.


Dates & Pricing

Book early for the best price

  • Guaranteed

  • Join Waitlist

  • Private

  • Limited Availability


Itinerary
Rider Information

Hotels
Outdoor pool and bar at San Canzian Village & Hotel
Double bedroom at San Canzian Village & Hotel
Brick building outdoor property view of San Canzian Village & Hotel
Double bedroom with seating area at San Canzian Village & Hotel
Candlelit spa jacuzzi at San Canzian Village & Hotel
Muzolini Donji, Croatia
San Canzian Village & Hotel
Luxury Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection

San Canzian Village & Hotel is a beautifully restored property that offers a unique blend of modern comfort and rustic charm. Located in the heart of Istria, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and picturesque landscapes, this luxurious boutique hotel provides a serene and tranquil setting away from the hustle and bustle of busy coastal towns. The hotel features traditional Istrian architecture with stone walls and terracotta roofs, giving it a rustic and authentic feel. It seamlessly combines historical elements with contemporary design.

...

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Double bedroom and sofa with exposed brick walls at Hotel La Grisa
Double bedroom with sofa and stone walls at Hotel La Grisa
Indoor pool and wellness area with plants at Hotel La Grisa
Front street entrance of Hotel La Grisa
Restaurant patio at Hotel La Grisa
Bale, Croatia
Hotel La Grisa
Explorer

Heritage Hotel La Grisa derives its name from the oldest and main street of the enchanting medieval town of Bale (Valle) in southern Istria. The hotel was established when the owner acquired an old, vacant residence in the heart of Bale and an additional 11 abandoned properties, which were then transformed into a charming boutique hotel and restaurant. Its air-conditioned rooms are elegantly furnished and each of them is made special with a personalized and unique touch.

...

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Double bedroom with chairs and table at Hotel San Tommaso
Outdoor dining area and edifice lit at night at Hotel San Tommaso
Double bedroom with pendant lighting and large mirror at Hotel San Tommaso
Pool and patio at Hotel San Tommaso
Dining area with stone walls and wood beam ceiling at Hotel San Tommaso
Bale, Croatia
San Tommaso Relais and Wine
Explorer Hotel Variation. See dates for details.

Nestled in an idyllic Istrian hinterland village, this serene, family-run boutique hotel near Bale boasts charming, well-appointed rooms with stylish bathrooms and air conditioning. Relish exquisite wines, rooted in their longstanding viticultural tradition, at the esteemed on-site restaurant. Refresh with a dip in the jacuzzi or outdoor pool after a day of cycling, and experience the exceptional friendly, attentive service for which the hotel is renowned.

...

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Double bed with painting, wood beam ceiling, and basket at Hotel San Rocco
Sunshine on the patio and outdoor pool at Hotel San Rocco
Double bed and champagne glasses at Hotel San Rocco
Evening view of dining patio and pool in the garden of Hotel San Rocco
Outdoor patio and pool with water fountain at Hotel San Rocco
Spa and indoor pool at Hotel San Rocco
Brtonigla, Croatia
San Rocco Heritage Hotel
Explorer Hotel Variation. See dates for details.

Hotel San Rocco is a boutique retreat in Istria, Croatia, blending traditional Istrian architecture with modern comforts to offer a serene and luxurious experience. This charming hotel offers well-appointed rooms, a restaurant serving Istrian and Mediterranean cuisine, and a spa. The outdoor spaces, including a garden and pool, provide a tranquil environment to unwind. Set amidst the verdant Istrian landscapes of vineyards, olive groves, and historic sites, it’s the perfect base for exploring Istria’s unique beauty and coastal towns while enjoying the comforts of a boutique getaway.

...

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Bikes & Gear
Ride the Best Bikes in the Industry
New in 2023 Domane SL 7 Road
Trek Domane SL 7

Experiencing your cycling vacation of a lifetime is not complete without a world-class bike and the latest Trek Domane is the best way to enjoy the ride. It raises the bar to deliver incredible endurance road bike comfort without sacrificing performance and features highly responsive disc brakes and electronic shifting. This new bike is lighter than ever before, and carbon wheels come standard on every bike. The road-smoothing IsoSpeed technology lets you ride as long as you want with less fatigue. The bike you ride on a biking vacation matters. That is why we provide the newest and best bikes in the business.

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Verve+ electric assist lowstep bike E-Bike
Trek Electric-Assist Verve+

Fun from the first pedal stroke, our e-bikes give you the boost you want to venture further on your bike tour. With its low-step frame design, hopping on and off the Trek Verve+ is super easy. The front suspension will take the edge off any bumps in the road and the Bosch system will keep you smiling from ear to ear. The integrated battery keeps this bike looking sleek as you pedal through amazing terrain, with energy to spare.

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Two cyclist and one rider

Trek Travel Guides

The World’s Best

From the moment you meet our guides, you'll understand the difference. You'll feel the genuine care they take to make your vacation perfect. From their expert support to sharing their favorite hidden spots, they tailor every moment to you.

Certified Guides

Additional Gear
  • Trek Travel Santini cycling jersey to keep
  • Trek Travel water bottles to keep
  • Cinch sack day bag to keep
  • Bontrager saddle
  • Bontrager helmet
  • Bontrager front and rear Flare R lights
  • Garmin Edge 1030 GPS computer with pre-loaded routes
  • Shimano SPD-SL road style pedals, Shimano SPD mountain style pedals, caged, or flat pedals
  • A flat pack containing a tube, levers, and a CO2 cartridge with inflator
  • For the most comfortable ride, we recommend you bring your own saddle. If you prefer, you can bring your own pedals and helmet on the trip and our guides will install your gear on the first day during your bike fit.
A collage of cycling gear guests will use on a Trek Travel Classic Bike Tour.

Trip Inclusions

Additional Details

Know Before You Go!

We want you to be fully prepared for your cycling vacation of a lifetime. This involves making sure that you choose the appropriate trip for you and that every aspect of your experience is flawless. Each Trek Travel trip is unique to ensure maximum enjoyment every time.

Your Trip Need to Knows:

  • Even though you will be visiting three countries on your first day of the trip, you won’t need to show your passport at border crossings, nor will you have to change money between Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia.
  • Euro is the currency of your trip.
  • Your American Express credit card might not work in Slovenia. While you’ll only pass through Slovenia on the first day of the trip, you may wish to bring a Visa, Mastercard, or euros in cash just in case.
  • Enjoy the gastronomy of the Istrian Peninsula. Dinners will take longer than in the US but it’s part of the cultural experience – so just relax and indulge in the tastes of Croatia! You’re on holiday after all.
  • This trip is not only about biking, it’s also a cultural trip. This means that we will stop for different cultural activities and experiences along the way, and at times enjoy more leisurely lunches during the day.

Before and After Your Trip

Weather

Average monthly temperature and precipitation

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High (°F) 48.0° 50.0° 57.0° 66.0° 72.0° 80.0° 86.0° 85.0° 76.0° 66.0° 58.0° 50.0°
High (°C) 8.9° 10.0° 13.9° 18.9° 22.2° 26.7° 30.0° 29.4° 24.4° 18.9° 14.4° 10.0°
Low (°F) 31.0° 30.0° 35.0° 42.0° 49.0° 55.0° 59.0° 57.0° 52.0° 44.0° 39.0° 32.0°
Low (°C) -0.6° -1.1° 1.7° 5.6° 9.4° 12.8° 15.0° 13.9° 11.1° 6.7° 3.9° 0.0°
Rain (in) 3.27° 3.17° 3.17° 2.12° 3.61° 2.59° 2.65° 3.32° 4.06° 3.49° 4.71° 3.96°
FAQs

The climate of the Istrian peninsula is typically Mediterranean along the coastline, but inland it gradually changes to mild continental climate. The ideal time to visit this part of Croatia is in the fall. The daily average temperature in September ranges between 68°F and 79°F and in October from a high of 64°F (18°C) to a low of 50°F (10°C). Rain is always a possibility, so be prepared with layers. The weather can be cool at night, so please bring a light jacket and walking shoes for short evening walks to and from dinner. Please note, one or two dinners per trip are casual with shorts being acceptable attire.
View our Packing List

To reserve your space on a trip, you can either call us at 866-464-8735 to speak with an expert Trip Consultant or book online any time by clicking the “BOOK THIS TRIP” icon near the upper right of each destination’s overview page.* Once you have submitted your reservation online, a Trip Consultant will contact you within one business day to answer any questions you may have and to confirm space, bike, and room availability on your desired trip. Your booking will be finalized once your no-risk deposit is paid. If you make a reservation more than 90 days prior to the trip, a $750 no risk deposit is due at the time of booking.** If you reserve your trip less than 90 days prior to the departure, the full balance is due at the time of booking. Once your booking is complete you will receive an email confirmation with important information pertaining to your trip.

*Please note that select trips cannot be booked online at this time. For those trips, please call a trip consultant at 866-464-8735.

**Deposit amounts vary for all Race, Cross Country, Special Edition, Ride Camp, Discover, and Self-Guided tours. Please confirm deposit amounts for all trips with your Trip Consultant at time of booking.

When a trip is booked, a guest confirmation email is immediately sent out. One week prior to the trip start, you’ll receive an email containing your trip start meeting location reminder and any last-minute information that you’ll need to know. You will also receive instructions to download the Ride with GPS app before your trip to provide you the day to day plan and daily route guides.

With one person booked on a date, the trip becomes guaranteed.*

In the case where trips are at one or two guests, we will contact you prior to final payment to give you the following options:

Pay a small trip fee of $500 per person for two guests or $1000 for one guest, which ensures your preferred trip date will run. If there are three or more guests before departure date, the fee will be refunded in full.

or

Switch to a different trip or different departure date. Should there be any difference in trip price between your original trip and the new one, you will be expected to pay the difference, or we will refund you accordingly.

Offer only valid if Trek Travel contacts a guest to discuss these specific options. Trips with fewer than three guests may operate with only one guide. The guide will support all rides with a Trek Travel van. If you would like to discuss the option of having two guides, please speak with your trip consultant.

The small trip supplement for Ride Camps is as follows – for two guests an additional $250 or for one guest an additional $500.

*Cross Country, Discover, Race, and Special Edition trips as well as a small number of select departures have a minimum guest count to guarantee. Please check with your Trip Consultant for more information.

Unforeseen events may make it necessary to cancel or modify a trip. Our Guest Services team will update you with any changes. We reserve the right to cancel departures in cases of force majeure or the failure of third parties—such as hotels—to honor their reservations, in which case all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes full settlement. Trek Travel is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled trips, such as airline tickets, or for costs that are incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, or illness. We strongly encourage Travel Protection for complete coverage.

We understand things happen in life and sometimes you have to cancel or change your bike tour. We want to make it as easy as possible to do so and below you’ll find our timeline.

Have a question? Just give us a call, 866-464-8735.
Read our Cancellation Policy

Trek Travel recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help safeguard you and your travel investment against the unexpected. We offer a travel protection plan through Arch RoamRight that provides coverage for unforeseen events that could affect your ability to travel with us. Learn more about our Travel Protection

We've collaborated with a specialized travel agency committed to delivering tailored vacation planning, ensuring your entire Trek Travel journey is nothing short of unforgettable. Learn more about our Travel Services

Sharing the joy that comes with wow moments

Trek Travel guides are dedicated to making moments that last a lifetime, and we invite you to thank them with a trip gratuity. These are customary and at your own discretion, to recognize service, hospitality, and the little extras that surprise and delight. For this Signature trip, we recommend $240-$300 per guest and, of course, you may choose to give more if your guides made your trip an unforgettable experience.

Like everything else about your vacation, the Trek Travel team is here to make this experience easier for you. While local currency is preferred, you may also tip through the following options:

Via PayPal (please have this account set up in advance when possible) or with your guest services representative on the phone before or after the trip.

Gratuities will be divided among the guide team, so feel free to leave your gratuity with whomever you choose at the end of your trip.

You cannot put a price on a wow. But you can show your thanks for an exceptional experience.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Check out our General FAQs section. You will find answers to the most common questions that don't necessarily pertain to a specific trip. See FAQs


Guaranteed Trips

Our trips are guaranteed to run once we have one confirmed booking on the trip. Click here to view our full guarantee policy.

Trek Travel reserves the right to cancel trips with zero guests, therefore you must book with Trek Travel before making travel arrangements for the trip. We are not responsible for travel arrangements made prior to confirming your Trek Travel Trip. Select trips are not guaranteed.

Sold Out/Waitlist

This trip is currently sold out, but you may be added to the waitlist in the case of availability.

Limited Availability

If a date is marked with Limited Availability, there are few spots left to book. We will secure additional rooms from our hotels before confirming your reservation.

Looking to travel with a small group? Ask our trip consultants about private trips and learn more.

What are your trip styles?

Classic - Reserve:

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discovor:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Ride Camp:

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

Pro Race:

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Private

If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.

Looking to travel with a small group or looking for a custom date?
Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735

What is the Difference?

Ultimate Luxury:

Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Luxury:

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

Explorer

These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.

Combined

On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of hotel levels, from Explorer to Luxury to Ultimate Luxury. Rest assured, no matter which level of hotel you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.

Activity Level

Level 1:

Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Level 2:

Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Level 3:

Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Level 4:

Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic - Reserve:

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discovor:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Ride Camp:

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

Pro Race:

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself