Istria, MS Morena

Welcome to your bike and boat tour in Istria. Embarkation on the MS Morena takes place between 11.00 and 12.00 in the harbour of the picturesque coastal town of Poreč. After the crew weighs anchor, you will get to  know the tour guide, the ship`s crew and your fellow passengers over a delicious welcome drink and snacks. Arriving in Novigrad, you will board your bike for the first time and cycle along the sea via Sveti Ivan, Lovrečica and Dajla to Umag. Back on the ship, a delicious dinner awaits you.

Today`s tour takes you through two countries: After breakfast, you cycle along the coast via Karigador, past the Savudrija lighthouse to Slovenia. In Portorož you have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious lunch. Afterwards, take the opportunity to make a detour to the Venetian town of Piran, 5 kilometres away. The route takes you back to Umag through the Slovenian and Istrian hinterland. The boat will take you to the small town of Novigrad, where you will spend the night after dinner on board.

Today your bike and ship journey in Istria starts a little more leisurely. The MS Morena leaves the port of  Novigrad behind and sails towards Poreč. After a swim break and lunch, you disembark in Poreč and get back on your bike. Along the sea, you continue via the Plava Laguna and Zelena Laguna resorts to Funtana and past the Djamonja sculpture park to Vrsar. In the evening, visit one of the numerous restaurants in Vrsar, the town where the heartbreaker Casanova temporarily sought refuge from jealous pursuers.

The green hinterland of Istria is on the programme today. You cycle through the Kontija forest first to Danijeli before reaching the fertile Limska Draga valley via the ruined town of Dvigrad. You cycle through the valley and soon reach the Limfjord nature reserve, a narrow, fjord-like bay that extends about 10 km into the mainland.  Back on the ship, head to Rovinj, dominated by the Baroque church of St. Euphemia and its 60-metre-high bell tower. After dinner on board, be sure to stroll through the narrow, winding streets of what is probably the most
picturesque old town in Istria.

The bike and boat trip in Istria takes you once again along the sea through the Palud bird reserve to Pula. Here you will board the ship again and take a leisurely swim in one of the nearby bays, where you will also have lunch. In the afternoon you return to Pula, whose landmark is the Roman amphitheatre. During a guided tour of the city you will get to know the other ancient sights. In the evening, the Captain`s Dinner will be served on board.

The day starts with a bike ride to the Cape Kamenjak Nature Park, which is also the southernmost point of the Istrian peninsula. Cape Kamenjak has a unique flora and fauna. Back in Pula you go on board again. During lunch you leave Pula behind and in less than an hour you reach the National Park of the Brijuni  Islands. During a one-hour round trip by mini-train you will see remains from ancient times and the unique flora and fauna. You can discover 680 plant species, over 250 bird species, as well as free-roaming deer and mouflon. But also
an elephant, llamas, zebras and many other animal species have found their home in the island`s own safari park. A visit to the Interactive Boathouse Museum and the Tito on Brijuni exhibition round off the experience.

After a hearty breakfast, you will cycle leisurely around the island of Veliki Brijun. Afterwards, the bikes will be loaded onto the boat for the last time before returning to the mainland. On the crossing to Poreč, you will take a break for a swim in one of the bays on the west coast of Istria. Enjoy the flair of the beautiful old town once again, climb the Round Tower or visit the Euphrasius Basilica before you finish the last evening of your trip in one of the numerous restaurants.

After breakfast you start your individual return journey home or extend your stay.