Istria hike course of the tour

Course of the tour

Introduction

Romantic old town centres, delightful waterfront promenades, impressive monuments of times gone by - Istria offers a fascinating mixture of the past and the present. Here, in the heart of Europe, the most diverse ethnic groups and cultures have melted together in the course of many centuries. Romans, Venecians, Turks, tribes from inland Eurasia, Austrians and pirates have all left their traces.

With Island Hopping you discover on foot for a whole week the most beautiful places on Istria's east and west coast. Enjoy the peaceful silence during your hiking trips and the magnificent views on a picnic.

Relax after hiking on deck of your boat and let yourself be pampered by the friendly crew, or go for a stroll through the lovely Istrian ports.

Course of the Tour - Day 1 (Sun) Omisalj – Opatija Riviera (2 hours)

Individual arrival at Omisalj. If you come by car, we will gladly organize a guarded parking space for you. After 11 am you check in on board and move into your cabin of your motor sailer. Before noon you have the opportunity to have a first walk through the quiet historical centre of Omisalj. Around 1 pm the boat takes off for Lovran; during the one-hour trip you will be served a delicious lunch. After a brief stop for swimming, the hike takes you along the famous promenade of the Opatija Riviera with its impressive villas dating back to the time of the Austrian-Ungarian empire, on to Opatija, where your ship is already waiting for you.

Day 2 (Mon) Opatija – Rabac (3,5 hours)

In the morning the TARIN takes you from Opatija to Brsec. After a short walk around town the hike to Plomin begins. The routes takes you through small woods and meadows to the heights of Sisol. After a short, stony stretch you reach the summit. To one side you are rewarded with the gorgeous view of the Istrian inland, to the other, with a fantastic outlook over the islands in the bay of Kvarn. Back in Plomin you go on board and cross over to Rabac.

Day 3 (Tue) Rabac – Pula (3 hours)

Starting from Rabac you follow the course of a lovely creek, crossing and recrossing it on several bridges. After 1 hour you reach Labin whose beautiful old town centre entices you into a walk. Many Croatian artists were born here. From Labin the hike continues to Duga Luka, where you go on board to sail to Pula. Pula'a lively centre is waiting to be discovered by you during an evening walk.

Day 4 (Wed) Pula – Brijuni-Islands (4 hours)

Today's route takes you from the harbour of Pula to the peninsula of Muzilj. Thanks to this peninsular, Pula is protected from adverse winds, and its sheltered location was the reason why the Romans settled there. Passing beautiful bays for swimming, you reach the historical heart of Pula where you can admire the important well-preserved Roman monuments. In the afternoon the journey proceeds to the BrijuniIslands.

Day 5 (Thu) National Park of Brijuni – Vrsar (2 hours)

Until Tito's death in 1980, the paradisiacal islands of Brijuni were a prohibited area reserved for government elites and state visitors. With the "island train" you reach the remotest corners of this subtropical nature park and get in touch with its luxuriant flora and exotic fauna. Impressive Roman excavation sites testify to the fascinating history of the islands. After the guided tour you still have plenty of time to explore the islands on foot or just to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. In the afternoon you cross over to Vrsar for the night.

Day 6 (Fri) Vrsar – Porec (5 hours)

In the morning you make a circular hiking tour along the Limski Canal, a fjord-like cleft in the Istrian peninsula. On the way you visit one of the countless caves along the canal. On shady paths you return to Vrsar, where the ship is waiting to take you to Porec. On a walk through town, with its delightful old quarter full of buildings from all epochs, you encounter evidence of Porec's ever-changing history at every turn. The shopping lanes are bustling with life. A visit to the famous Euphrasius Basilica with its gorgeous early Christian mosaics is also highly recommended.

Day 7 (Sat) PorecÃÂ – Rovinj (4 hours)

In the morning crossing from Porec to Rovinj. Your walk takes you along the lively waterfront promenade and then out of town. You follow the course of the coast and enjoy the atmosphere of the quiet bays before returning to Rovinj. In the afternoon a town-guide will take you through the singularly beautiful old centre, recounting stories and legends of Istrian history.

Day 8 (Sun) Rovinj Disembarkation

After breakfast you check out until 9 am. Transfer bus back to Omisalj (ca. 2 hours) and individual return home.

General information

Alterations:
On account of unpredictable wind and weather conditions as well as organisational requirements we reserve the right to change routes.

Requirements:
Easy to medium difficult hikes lasting 2 to 5 hours. Mostly good paths, partly stony karst terrain. Hiking boots are necessary.

Catering:
The cook is part of the crew and each day prepares breakfast and one hot meal. Meals begin with dinner on the day of arrival and end with breakfast on the day of departure. One meal per day is taken on land and is not included in the overall price.

Participants:

Minimum: 14 participants
Maximum: 26 participants

Services

Services included:

8 -day trip on a motorised sailing boat with crew
7 nights' accommodation on a motorised in a double cabin below deck with shower/WC
7 x breakfast and dinner on board of the boat
6 x lunch or lunch box
Bed linen and towels
7 guided hikes (as described in the itinerary)
Entrance fees and guided tours of the National Park of Brijuni
Guided town tours in Porec and Rovinj
English speaking tour guide
Transfer from Rovinj to embarkation port Omisalj

Additional costs:

Visitor’s tax and local charges 20 Euro (to be paid to the captain)
Drinks on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
International banking fees 50 Euro
Tips for crew and tour-guides

Additional optional services:

Surcharge for a cabin above deck: 50 Euro/person
Surcharge for a single cabin below deck: 200 Euro (limited, on request)
Surcharge for a single cabin above deck: 300 Euro (limited, on request)
A safe parking space: 40 Euro (to be paid on-site)
Additional night in Rovinj incl. breakfast: from 35 Euro p.p. (double room) or 45 Euro (single room) can be booked on request
Collected transfer: train station Rijeka - Omisalj and back to Rijeka: 10 Euro p.p. Collecting transfer Rovinj – Rijeka is not charged.

Reductions:

If you choose to combine this trip with our sail and bike tour in the Kvarner Bay or with hiking-cruise in the Kvarner Bay you will receive a 50 Euro total reduction per person.
If three guests share an on-deck cabin, the third person (for example a child) receives a 50 % discount on the basic overall price. These cabins are equipped with a French bed and a single upper bunk.