Adria: 3 countries tour Venice - Istria

Arrive early, because you can quickly reach the center of Venice from the bus stop near the hotel or by train. The "Serenissima" with all its magnificent buildings invites you to a first visit. The canals are so tempting - waterways that have remained mysterious to this day, the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, which formed the secular and spiritual center of Venice, as well as the Rialto Bridge and gondoliers.

Take your time for Venice, because your destination for the day can be reached quickly and easily. You cycle the first kilometers of your beauful bicycle tour into the lagoon city before you leave the city "through the back exit" and ferry. From Punta Sabbioni, make a short detour to the lighthouse at the extreme end of the narrow headland and once again enjoy a wonderful view of Venice. You cycle wonderfully flat from one seaside resort to the next, past numerous fishing boats, souvenir stands and promising cafes or through the hinterland along the Sile river (long variant) in the direction of Jesolo. Overnight in Jesolo or Caorle.

Today you follow the wide shallow coast, enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea, admiring the colorful fishermen's cottages and let yourself be tempted by a café in the historic center of Caorle. Now there is a change of direction and scenery. You roll flat and relaxed inland towards the Julian Alps. Look forward to Portogruaro, which was during the heyday of the Venetian Republic a major river port of Venice. Take a walk and discover the ancient splendor of the many magnificent buildings and palaces of the city.

There is also a lot to discover beyond the beaches on the Adriatic Sea: Roman ruined cities, ancient churches and lonely landscapes on the edge of the lagoon. From Marano Lagunare you go by ship to just before Aquileia, once a great city of the Roman Empire. Excavations of the Roman city can be viewed in the open-air site and in two museums. Alternatively, you can shorten the route by taking the first stretch to Latisana by train. Or you can cycle the entire route and cover approx. 85 km.

The varied landscape awaits you today. You cycle through barren rocky landscape crisscrossed by caves, before coming back to the sea and a coastline of outstanding beauty. There, where the Karst plateau dips into the deep blue water and the white cliffs rise vertically from the sea to the sky, you follow the coast road through small towns like Duino, Sistiana and Miramare. Take a break and visit the Miramare Castle.
Now there are only a few cycle-kilometers to the interesting town of Trieste that is easily reached on the beautiful beach promenade. Stroll through the Piazza dell'Unita, along the Grand Canal and visit the Serbian Orthodox Church San Spiridone and the historic Cafe San Marco. At the evening you can enjoy on of the fantastic italian restaurants in the old town of Trieste.

You cycle only a few more kilometers in Italy, then you follow the beautiful coast in Slovenia, mainly on well-developed paved cycle paths. Discover well-known seaside resorts such as Koper, Izola, Piran and Portoroz, the charming spa town on the Slovenian Riviera. If you don't shy away from the hills, you can cycle the longer variant through the hinterland in the "Val Rosandra".

Today, you can discover the salt marshes of Secovlje, where sea salt is produced on vast areas through natural evaporation. Then, you will then cycle across the border into Croatia. Enjoy the Croatian part of Istria. Varied you cycle up and down to Porec. Visit the pretty seaside town, and definitely discover the Euphrasian basilica, which was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage Site.

The trip ends after breakfast at the hotel in Porec.