South Istria and Plitvice Lakes

Medulin is an old fishing village with a rich cultural heritage that has become one of the Croatian coast’s popular tourist destinations. The city is known for its beautiful sandy, pebble and rocky beaches, the most famous being Bijeca. Because of its extensive sporting infrastructure, Medulin is a favorite destination for sports and other activities throughout the year.

Before sunset we will meet for a welcome drink, dinner and brief orientation, during which we will have a chance to discuss the upcoming holiday and get to know our guides and fellow travelers.

Accommodation: Medulin guesthouse; Meals: Dinner.

There is a well known saying that “all roads lead to Rome.” Today after breakfast our road will lead us to Pula, a town that, just like Rome, is situated on seven hills. Rich history fills every corner of this town, but the most famous monument is a large Roman amphitheater dating back to the first century BC. There will be time to enjoy a walk and a refreshing drink in Pula before we continue on beautiful country roads towards Vodnjan. Although the town might look like any other small town in Istria at first, Vodnjan is home to some of the best olive oils in the world. The town is also our ending point for this cycling day. You will have a chance to try some local olive oils, get some lunch and drinks and enjoy wandering around the town.

In the afternoon you will have time to relax near Medulin, go to the beach for a swim and enjoy the beautiful Adriatic Sea.

Accommodation: Medulin guesthouse; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Brijuni National Park includes many little islands that are made of layers of limestone from the Cretaceous period. Roman builders appreciated the qualities of the stones from Brijuni Islands and used them to build many towns on the Adriatic coast. The main characteristic of the Brijuni archipelago is the extraordinary biological diversity. We will walk around Veliki Brijun – the largest island of the archipelago – which was cultivated into a harmonious landscape of meadows and parks. Along with Roman ruins and other traces of the area’s rich architectural heritage, the island has also preserved vegetation typical of the west Istrian climate.

Accommodation: Medulin guesthouse; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

After having breakfast in Medulin, we have a 1.5-hour drive to the starting point for our hike through Ucka Nature Park. This area marks the convergence of Croatia’s Mediterranean and continental climates, resulting in a unique spectrum of flora and fauna, The park is home to many protected, endemic plant and animal species, including the Ucka Bellflower.

Our destination is Vojak peak. Located 1,401 meters above sea level, Vojak is the highest mountain on the Istrian Peninsula. At the summit we are rewarded with a breathtaking, panoramic view of Istria’s rolling green hills, the sparkling Adriatic Sea, Kvarner Islands and Velebit mountain range in the distance. On a clear day, it is possible to see down the Croatian coast all the way to Zadar on one side, with the Italian Alps and Venice on the other. After the hike we have a one-hour drive to the picturesque town of Motovun, where we will spend the next two nights.

Accommodation: Motovun guesthouse; 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:

Wine Safari: Explore the best Istrian wineries and taste the best local wines and traditional Istrian gourmet cuisine. Spend a day driving through the region’s breathtaking hills and valleys, enjoy the view and let all your senses take in the best of Istria.

Istrian Villages Sightseeing: Take a guided tour to the towns of Motovun and Groznjan in the heart of Istria and follow the Mirna River all the way to the Adriatic sea.

Accommodation: Motovun guesthouse; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

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 area; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

The area around Plitvice Lakes National Park provides a perfect landscape for cycling – lush countryside filled with endless green fields and meadows. There are very few cars on these roads, making them peaceful and safe for cyclists. We’ll follow the winding country roads through rolling hills and beech forests until we reach Barac Caves. We will leave our bikes and take a break before starting a guided tour of the interesting karst formations, then cycle back to the starting point.

The afternoon is reserved for relaxing and exploring the area if you’d like.

Accommodation: Plitvice area; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Today marks the end of our trip. 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 tourist guidebooks.

Meals: Breakfast.