Self-guided ToursItaly - Slovénie - Croatie
Italy, Slovenia and Croatia by Bike :
From Venice to Istria
Three countries, one Venetian legacy! After Venice, La Serenissima, set out by bike along the Adriatic coast and cross the rich Friuli plain to the gulf, before reaching the beautiful city of Trieste. The route then continues along the Istrian coast, on the Croatian side, offering a complete discovery of coastal landscapes, picturesque villages and historic sites.
The tour combines flat roads in the Venetian and Friulian plains for the first stages, then slightly rolling sections toward Trieste and Istria. Most of the route takes place on safe bike paths, with a few sections on busier or secondary roads, ensuring an enjoyable rhythm and full immersion in the heritage and landscapes of the three countries.
Highlights
Crossing the Adriatic coast between Venice, Trieste and Istria
Picturesque villages, historic palaces and Venetian heritage at each stage
Bike paths and quiet roads
Itinerary
The markers on the map locate each stage approximately. They do not correspond to the exact address of your accommodation. The overnight stays indicated in the itinerary may change depending on availability. The exact address appears in your travel booklet.
Day 1 | Mestre – Venise
Arrival in Mestre. Enjoy your free time to reach Venice and discover it on foot, between lanes, canals and lively squares, easily accessible by train or bus.
Day 2 | Mestre – Jesolo/Caorle or Oderzo (40 to 65 km)
From your hotel, you reach Venice by bike in a few kilometers. You then board the ferry to the Lido, passing in front of St. Mark’s Square.
From the Lido, a boat takes you to Punta Sabbioni. You get back on the bike along the Sile River, then the coastline, between lagoon and traditional fishermen’s huts known as “casoni”. The stage ends in Jesolo or continues to Caorle, depending on your accommodation.
Alternative: Oderzo. If the overnight stay is planned in Oderzo, you leave the coastline earlier for an inland itinerary, between canals and agricultural plains.
Day 3 | Jesolo/Caorle or Oderzo – Portogruaro (35 to 60 km)
You leave the Adriatic Sea to head inland. The landscape changes quickly. The “valli da pesca” stretches out on both sides of the road, separated by long dikes where you ride peacefully. The “casoni”, fishermen’s huts made of wood and reeds, line the route.
Arrival in Portogruaro marks a return to history. A former center of the Republic of Venice, the town retains palaces, arcades and bridges that are naturally discovered by bike.
Alternative: Oderzo. A more direct stage of about 45 km through an agricultural plain dotted with canals.
Day 4 | Portogruaro – Aquileia (50 to 70 km)
Today, pass through Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region where rivers, canals and Roman remains tell centuries of history. Along the way, you can make a detour to Palmanova, nicknamed “the star-shaped city,” whose nine-pointed star plan is best appreciated from above. The route then leads you to Aquileia, famous for its Roman archaeological excavations and ancient mosaics.
Shortcut : train (-20 km). Possibility of shortening the stage during the day.
Day 5 | Aquileia – Trieste (55 à 75 km)
You gradually return toward the sea in the direction of the Gulf of Trieste. Along the way, pass through Duino and its castles, the bay of Sistiana, then follow Miramare Castle. Arrival in Trieste marks a change of atmosphere, between Italian influences and Austro-Hungarian heritage.
Possible detour: Grado (+24 km). Historic seaside resort accessible by a long dike across the lagoon.
Shortcut: train at the end of the route. Possibility of reducing the stage before arriving in Trieste.
Day 6 | Trieste – Piran/Portoroz (Slovénie) (45 km)
You leave Trieste and, after a few kilometers, cross the first of the two borders of your trip to enter Slovenia. You follow bike paths along the coast, passing through Koper, a town with a Venetian and then Austrian past, before reaching Piran. The itinerary finally leads you to Portoroz, known for its thermal resorts and its wide bay protected from the winds, ideal for swimming.
Day 7 | Piran/Portoroz – Poreč (Croatie) (55 km)
This morning, you ride south along the Sečovlje salt pans, where the wetland attracts many bird species. A few kilometers farther, pass through the second border and enter Croatia, in the heart of Istria, the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The itinerary leads you to Poreč, with its Euphrasian Basilica, listed as World Heritage in 1997. Rental bikes are returned to the hotel, and you can then stroll through the lanes or go for a swim !
Day 8 | End of tour
End of stay after breakfast. Possibility of returning to Venice by ferry from Poreč (about 4 hours). Option to be booked with your travel specialist.
Dates et pricing
All prices are indicated per person and in CAD. They vary depending on the period and availability at the time of booking.
Possible departures : Saturdays, from April to October
Double Occupancy Package :
- Comfort trip type : starting from $1,650
- Charm trip type : starting from $1,865
Single Occupancy Supplement :
- Comfort trip type : starting from $700
- Charm trip type : starting from $825
Hesitating between trip types? Consult our guide to comfort levels.
Bike Rental :
- Hybrid : $315
- Electric assist : $570
These prices cover bike rental for the entire stay, including transport accessories and safety essentials.
Options Offered :
- Flight booking
- Airport transfer
- Triple occupancy on request
- Additional nights before, during and after the stay
- Bike helmet rental
The Price Includes
- 7 nights in a double room in the chosen accommodation category, breakfasts included
- Luggage transport from one hotel to the next
- A welcome meeting with an English-speaking guide
- Boat transport on Day 2 from Tronchetto Island to Lido and from
- Lido to Punta Sabbioni, bike not included
- GPX tracks to follow the itinerary by bike
- A digital travel kit 30 days before departure, including the essential logistical details for your trip
- An assistance service with an emergency number
- Participation in the Fonds Plein Air 1% for the Planet program: Ekilib donates 1% of its revenue to support nature protection projects in Québec
The Price Does Not Include
- Air transportation and all costs associated with transporting your bike if you choose to bring your own
- Transfers from the airport to the hotel and vice versa
- Bike rental
- Train transfers on Days 4 and 5, depending on the chosen itinerary, about €7 per journey
- Return by boat to Venice at the end of the tour, about 4 hours (allow between $125 and $160 per person for the ferry, as well as $20 per personal bike. Rental bikes are left at the hotel in Poreč).
- Entrance fees to the city of Venice (about €16 per person, if applicable)
- Personal expenses, including drinks and all personal costs
- Meals not mentioned in the “The price includes” section
- Tips
- Accommodation taxes, about €15 to €20 per person
- Travel insurance
- File processing fees of CA$75, plus taxes
- Financial protection from the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents. Free of charge as of January 1, 2024
Practical information
Accommodations and Meals
Accommodations
The accommodations provided are 3- or 4-star hotels, depending on your choice. Please note that the price shown for this trip is based on standard room accommodations. If you’d like to stay in a higher category room, it’s generally possible to request this for an additional fee, subject to availability.
Meals
Breakfast is included every morning.
For lunch, you’re free to organize your own arrangements as you wish. You can plan a stop along the way to eat at a restaurant, or stop at a grocery store, depending on your preference.
For dinner, most hotels have an on-site restaurant where you can have your meal. You can also choose to explore local restaurants nearby.
Bike Type and Equipment Provided
Bike Type
For this trip, you can choose between a hybrid bike and an electric-assist bike.
It is possible to bring your own personal bike on this trip for an additional fee. We encourage you to contact us to check the terms for transporting and storing the bike box. However, electric-assist bikes are not accepted when the trip requires air travel, due to battery restrictions. You may also bring your own saddle or pedals if you wish. However, we recommend discussing this beforehand with an Ekilib advisor, as in some cases you will need to provide your own tools to carry out the installation.
Equipment Provided
Regardless of the type of bike chosen, the equipment provided includes a rear pannier for carrying your personal belongings during the day, a puncture repair kit with tire levers, an inner tube, a small pump, and a lock. A helmet is not always included, so we recommend bringing your own for added comfort and safety.
Bottle cages are uncommon on the bikes. We therefore recommend bringing a bottle that can be placed in your pannier. You may also want to bring an elastic cord with hooks at each end to secure the bottle to the rear rack and keep it more accessible.
Difficulty Level
The route travels through hilly terrain with a few more demanding sections. Using an electric-assist bike can be especially helpful for fully enjoying the trip and tackling the hills in greater comfort.
Return to Venice
If you’d like to return to Venice at the end of the trip, you can take a ferry connecting Poreč to Venice. Please note that personal bikes are not allowed on board this ferry. This option is therefore reserved for travelers who are not using their own bike during the trip.
This crossing can be booked with an Ekilib travel specialist when planning your trip.
Guidance
This is a self-guided trip, meaning there is no guide. You must therefore be comfortable following the route using the provided app, since very few places still offer paper maps. You must also be able to handle a small basic repair, such as a puncture.
On self-guided trips, you navigate independently, but you’re never alone. A local partner remains available throughout your stay, and an emergency number is accessible 24/7 if needed. This support allows for quick assistance with any logistical questions or unforeseen situations.
Extending Your Trip
It’s possible to add extra nights at the beginning or end of the trip.
However, the added days do not include additional cycling routes. If you wish to extend your cycling adventure, you’ll need to organize these outings independently.
Luggage Transport
Throughout your trip, a luggage transfer service is arranged between accommodations. Each morning, your main luggage is left at the accommodation’s front desk and transported to the next stage. The usual limit is one bag per person, weighing approximately 20 kg (44 lbs). You therefore cycle with only your personal belongings for the day, generally carried in the pannier provided with the bike.
Formalities
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for participating in an Ekilib trip. It should cover emergency medical expenses abroad, assistance, and repatriation, in particular. Cancellation and trip interruption coverage is also strongly recommended. Cycling travel involves physical activity and daily movement. Suitable insurance allows you to handle unexpected events calmly. Before departing, check that your policy covers cycling as part of a trip. We also recommend checking the protections offered by your credit card or insurance company.
Plane Tickets
For this trip, international flights are not included in the trip price. We recommend waiting for official confirmation of the trip before booking your flights. You can book them yourself or ask our team to assist you with this process. In any case, it’s advisable to check arrival and departure times to help facilitate the transfers included in your itinerary.
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