Best of Istria Multisport

Our journey starts in Rovinj, a beautiful seaside town in the region of Istria. We will meet you at the airport, train/bus station or harbor of your choice in Istria and take you to our hotel in Rovinj (Zagreb pick-up is also available). You are welcome to arrange your own transportation if you prefer. Pick-up from Venice, Trieste or another location outside of Istria is possible upon request. Our groups typically meet around mid-day, so please keep this in mind when booking your flights. In the evening, we will meet for a welcome drink, dinner and trip overview. You’ll have the chance to get acquainted with the guides and fellow travelers as we discuss the adventures that await us in the week ahead.

Accommodation: Rovinj; Meals: Dinner.

The ancient Roman town of Rovinj is one of Istria’s most acclaimed seaside retreats. The historic town rises from the sea on a small peninsula surrounded by 14 stunning islands, creating a stunning environment for kayaking. You’ll paddle around Old Town Rovinj, to the Golden Cape, and to Sveta Katarina Island and its hidden beaches. One of our stops includes optional cliff jumping into the crystal clear sea. After kayaking, you’ll have some free time to relax at the hotel, or enjoy a walk through the meandering, narrow streets of Rovinj.

Accommodation: Rovinj; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Today we will visit Pula, the largest city in Istria, for a mix of outdoor adventures and visits to historical sites. Our day begins with a 3-hour kayaking adventure around the sea cliffs and islands along the coastline. Next, we’ll head to the city center to explore Roman ruins. Pula is known as one of the oldest cities on the coast. It is also home to the Pula Colosseum or Pula Arena – a Roman amphitheater known to host up to around 20,000 people for gladiator fights and other events. Today, the Arena is used for a very different type of entertainment and hosts concerts throughout the summer. After exploring the Arena, we will visit The House of Istrian Olive Oil, an olive oil museum in Pula. We will take a tour of the museum and you will have a chance to learn about this tradition as you taste some high-quality olive oil. 

In the afternoon, we’ll return to Rovinj, where you’ll have the evening to explore on your own.

Accommodation: Rovinj; Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

This morning, we leave the Istrian coast and head inland, where some of the peninsula’s most beautiful landscapes await. Our destination is Skojan Caves, part of Slovenia’s fascinating karst landscape. This large cave system looks like something out of Lord of the Rings. Over the course of a 3-hour walk, you’ll get to see impressive pillars, stalactites and stalagmites, an underground river and waterfalls, and a huge cavern nearly 500 feet from top to bottom.

After the cave visit, we will drive to the captivating town of Motovun, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval hilltop settlements in Istria. After settling into our accommodation, we’ll take a stroll along the old defense walls, have dinner with truffles – a local specialty – and enjoy a gorgeous sunset over the Mirna River Valley.

Accommodation: Motovun; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Today there is an option to take a rest day or go on a day trip that your guide will help you organize. Possible options include:

Pazin Zip Line: Get an adrenaline rush as you soar over the Pazin abyss, a sinkhole in central Istria, and take in views of Pazin’s castle and cliffs. There is also an option to visit the Pazin cave on a speleo adventure, which includes two smaller underground ziplines and an underground lake.

Hiking Ucka Mountain: Hike to the top of the highest mountain on the Istrian Peninsula. This area is known for its unique climate and lush forests. Ucka’s meadows and woodlands are home to many protected, endemic plant and animal species. At the summit, we are rewarded with a breathtaking view of Istria’s rolling green hills, Adriatic Sea, Kvarner Islands and Velebit Mountains in the distance. On a clear day, it is possible to see the Italian Alps, and even Venice!

Wine Tour of Istria: Istria produces some of the best wines in the world. Taste the region’s Teran and Malvazija wines at family-owned wineries and enjoy a scenic drive with stunning views of the countryside.

For those who have decided to do the 5-day version of the tour, today marks the end of the trip. Our guides will help you plan the rest of your holiday and recommend places to visit throughout Croatia – don’t hesitate to ask them for any suggestions.

Accommodation: Motovun; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Today’s adventure is a cycling trip through some of the most scenic areas in rural Istria. Our e-bikes will take us on country roads that wind through vineyards, olive groves, forests and medieval hilltop villages, including Oprtalj and Groznjan.  Known as the “town of artists,” Groznjan hosts numerous art galleries and is known for its jazz festival. We’ll stop for a lunch break and explore the quaint village.

The second half of the route follows the Parenzana, an old railroad bed popular among cyclists and hikers. We’ll pedal through old railroad tunnels and over bridges until we reach the Mirna River Valley, enjoying spectacular views of the countryside along the way. The route is 31 miles (50 km) in total, but e-bikes make it a pleasant and not too demanding ride. It should take us about 6-7 hours, including our break for lunch in Groznjan.

After the e-bike tour, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to relax in Motovun and have dinner as you please.

Accommodation: Motovun; Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Today we visit one of the most beautiful and unique natural areas in Europe – Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 due to its stunning sequence of turquoise lakes separated by travertine barriers and over 90 waterfalls.

As we walk along the park’s wooden paths and bridges, we’ll take in views of 16 gorgeous lakes, fairy-tale forests and cascading waterfalls fed by both the Black and White Rivers. The seemingly endless beech and pine forests surrounding the lakes are home to extensive wildlife including deer, brown bears and wolves, numerous caves and an interesting karst landscape. There is an option to enjoy a picnic lunch in this pristine, natural area. After the hike, we’ll have the chance to admire the lakes from a different perspective on a short bus ride that will take us back to the starting point.

Accommodation: Plitvice Lakes NP; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Our tour comes to an end today. You are welcome to schedule your homeward transport for any time, but we suggest avoiding booking departures early in the morning and recommend arranging ground transportation from areas that are close to Plitvice National Park. When booking your return flights, please keep in mind that Plitvice is around a 3-hour drive from Istria. If you decide to extend your stay in Croatia, our guides will happily recommend other wonderful things to do and places to visit – especially local favorites that you won’t find in most guidebooks.

Meals: Breakfast.