From Venice to Poreč by bike: a journey between land and sea

Today, you have two options: cycle along the seawall and the lagoon to Venice, or cross the hinterland following the Sile River to Jesolo/Caorle. The first few kilometers in the lagoon city are by bike, then you'll take a ferry across to Punta Sabbioni (ticket not included in the package price). Along the endless beaches of the Litorale di Cavallino, a strip of land north of the lagoon, the route is lined with numerous fishing boats and souvenir stalls. Before leaving Venice through the "Porta do Backseat" (the "back door"), you'll have the opportunity to take a trip to the lighthouse at the tip of the island for a final look at the lagoon city and the surrounding islands. On the way to Jesolo, it's hard to resist the temptation of a refreshing dip in the cool water. You'll spend the night in Jesolo or Caorle.

If you choose the inland route, you'll cycle along the Sile River. This wild river maintains a constant flow and meanders peacefully; hence its name derives from the Latin word "silet," meaning "to be silent." Passing the ruins of the Torre Caligo, a medieval tower located near the eponymous "Caligo" canal, you'll arrive directly in Jesolo. If you're staying overnight in Caorle, you can then continue your journey.

Following the coastline and passing the last of the fishermen's huts, you reach Caorle, a beautiful little seaside resort with a historic center. Once there, you leave the sea for a while, as the route heads inland towards the Julian Alps on the horizon. At the height of the Venetian Republic, it was strategically important for the hinterland to include Portogruaro, which became a vital river port for the "Serenissima." Even today, some Portogruaro residents consider their town the most Venetian of all. They're not entirely wrong when you admire the Venetian ornamentation of the magnificent buildings and squares.

Beyond the Adriatic beaches, there's no shortage of discoveries: ruins of ancient Roman cities, centuries-old churches, and secluded landscapes along the lagoon's edge. From Marano Lagunare, you'll take a boat to the outskirts of Aquileia. Once a major city of the Roman Empire, its remains can be admired at the open-air archaeological site as well as in two museums.

Today's stage continues through the Trieste hinterland, a landscape of arid beauty dotted with rocky outcrops, before returning to the sea and a coastline of unparalleled beauty. Where high plateaus plunge into deep blue waters and white cliffs rise towards the sky, the coastal road then passes through charming seaside resorts such as Duino, Sistiana, Miramare, and Barcola. Take time to visit the romantic Miramare Castle, overlooking the Bay of Grignano and nestled within a magnificent park boasting over 2,000 plant varieties. Overlooking the Gulf of Trieste, the eponymous city—once a major port of the Habsburg Empire—awaits you for your overnight stay.

Today, you leave Italy after just a few kilometers. In Slovenia, the route continues mainly on cycle paths through renowned seaside resorts such as Koper (Capodistria) and Izola (Isola d'Istria), all the way to Piran (Pirano) or Portorož (Portorose), a spa town on the Slovenian Riviera. There is a slightly longer alternative for this stage, which takes you through the Rosandra Valley inland.

Cycling past the Sečovlje salt pans, where sea salt is harvested through natural evaporation over vast areas, you cross the Croatian border. The route then traverses the Croatian part of Istria, the largest peninsula in the Adriatic, whose gently rolling terrain leads you to Poreč, the most important coastal town on Istria's west coast. Be sure to visit the Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Individual departure from the hotel