17 independent reviews for Trieste to Pula cycling tour, self guided
Reviews for Trieste to Pula cycling tour, self guided
Sue Lejay review 25 Jun 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I enjoyed all of it.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I am happy I opted for an e bike.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Enjoyable.Els Termaat review 17 Jun 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Riding into a new place each night.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Worth getting a bit fit for. Day 6 Porec to Rovinj we opted to transfer by boat to avoid a long day (about 70km?) of riding, much of it on gravel. Knowing about this alternative may be useful for other travellers. Instead of riding and the probability of being rained on, we enjoyed a few hours on a boat including a sightseeing stop along the way and a delicious mackerel lunch.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We used a tour company that we understand is local and we would not have found independently of Responsible Travel. No special emphasis on minimising carbon footprint or conservation. Did notice as someone who has travelled extensively over many decades that hotels now offer few plastic bathroom giveaways.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very happy with our holiday, choice of region and the tour organiser who was attentive and delivered as promised.Susan Holtby review 10 Jun 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The scenery of the cycling paths and the small towns that we stayed in were amazing! There were vineyards, beaches, historic cathedrals, and Roman ruins .2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for some longer hills and perhaps rain.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, it benefited local people and the environment as we stayed in small bed and breakfasts, ate at local restaurants and cycled.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was an excellent holiday. It was well organized, the downloadable app was easy to use for directions, the bikes were excellent, and the staff organizing our trip were so friendly and helpful!Michael Crewe review 22 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Villages that our route took us to. Very well organised trip2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book the holiday!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Travelling on e-bikes and using all independent restaurants, whilst visiting many historical sites.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant experience! The local team ensured that.Nicky Thacker review 9 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Groznan and Mitovun and cycling it all2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for all weathers and consider a portable padded saddle cover. Consider ebikes3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We’ve eaten and drunk at small local places where they are open (still a bit early season). We cycled instead of driving so yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The overall organisation, app, communication by emails and Marco who did our welcome chat were all outstanding. Exceeded expectations and will definitely recommend and hopefully use again.Mark Rowney review 12 Jul 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Motovun2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Istria in July is very hot - get an e-bike unless you enjoy steep hills in the searing sun !3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The Cycling was zero emissions4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Beautiful countryside , lovely hotels and all went smoothly and very well organisedFrema Bram review 5 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The views of and from the hilltop villages and in our case, the rain!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Steep ups and downs so not for beginner riders. The ebike was a good choice but bike quality could have been better3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes it benefited locals of course because we stayed at local hotels, ate at local restaurants etc.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a great adventure and the host company tours were very responsive and helpful when needed I would recommend them.Sue Halpern review 5 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Riding through a variety of terrains.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
1. Bring a hydration pack because you have to keep your water bottles in your pannier.. 2. Go to the jazz bar in Bale and Kanoba Malo Selo in Buje.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We spent money in small towns and by riding got a first-hand view of the Istrian peninsula. (Because our bags were transported, we probably did not reduce our carbon impact, but greatly appreciated being able to ride unencumbered.)4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was phenomenal. One recommendation is NOT to have people ride through the streets and traffic of Trieste. It is dangerous. Better to drop the bikes and riders at the skeet shooting club, where they can start on the bike path. Also, the app was so so helpful. It could be even better with more info about local culture and common phrases.) We would like to give it ten stars!Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for your feedback and your comments we will take in consideration to improve our services. We are glad that you enjoyed your trip and that you were satisfied with our services. To clients who don't like to ride in the town with the traffic, we will suggest to take a boat from Triest to Muggia instead of driving clients to Muggia. I wish you all the best! I'm glad that you liked our APP and wea already work to add information about the POI's along the way.
Greetings from Croatia!
Sarah Myers review 24 Jul 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The cycling that we did from Motovun to Porec2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
—Be sure you understand what the temperatures might be. —The vast majority of the riding was on quiet roads without much traffic. —Do your research about how you will return from Pula at the end of the trip, particularly if you are coming from outside of Europe.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes! It seemed like almost all of the employees that we encountered were from the local area. The food also was from nearby, and I noticed that most hotels made an effort to reduce waste. One thing I would like to see is more effort at recycling, our own cans and bottles at the hotels, especially in Pula. Also, I think the hotel staff in Rovinj needs to be taught how to keep granolas/cereals fresh in such a humid environment. It needs to be put in the refrigerator and sealed up each day.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I would give it five stars; We suggest that days 4&6 be listed as “difficult. The Uphill to Motovun, and the 41 miles is quite long. I think this one word is some thing people take a note of immediately. You want to make sure everyone is prepared.Andrew Cushman review 8 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The organisation did a fantastic job with the route - exploring the villages in the hill country and on the shore. Ride distance was just right, enough time for exploring along the route and once you got to the destination. Optional routes to Piran and to Grozjnan were special!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Tell the organizers if you prefer to be in the city or not (some hotels are some distance from the village (Buje) or the city center (Pula)). Also about diet preferences - one location offered steakhouse or oizza - no fish. I’m sure had I given that to info Fiore I would have had different lodging. If you really want the gravel ride experience you need to ask. We loved our ride but we’re a bit surprised (based on the description) that it was almost entirely paved. Get the e-bike :-)3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Riding a bike was definitely lowered our carbon footprint and Croatia has a tourist economy - so this question is a “yes, but”4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Highly recommend this trip!! Awesome route (and great route directions), countryside is fantastic, people are welcoming! Cities and villages are spectacular! Well done and Hvala!!Philippa Davies review 18 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our route was excellent, we were taken to places we would not have seen otherwise.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check the routes and distances, ask for information about using the route app.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes we went through many villages and stopped for food and drinks, an purchased items4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good and we would definitely recommend the local operatorJoan Regan review 17 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The climb up to Motovun was difficult but the reward was the views and the stunning sunset.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The route is very hilly so consider taking an E-bike3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We were supplied with water bottles and encouraged to fill them in restaurants rather than buy bottled water.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Holiday was very good. Bikes were of a good standard and the company was very quick to source our missing bag on the last day. Would have preferred to stay closer to Buje for the the first couple of nights but that said the accommodation overall was very good.Kelly Neelands review 6 May 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Beautiful scenery, especially in the smallest villages.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be aware that you're only going to be on the Parenzana Trail on the first day, and mostly on roads after that, some with a lot of traffic. The description could be read to suggest you're on the Parenzana more than you actually are.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We mostly spent money in small, local markets and casual restaurants owned by local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.Fergus O review 3 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were many, but justSuzanne Gray review 20 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Cycling through beautiful countryside, lonely roads and great views.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Unless you are super fit consider the E-bike option, there's quite a few hills in Istria and we're glad we did.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the accommodation was mainly small and family run. It was good to get away from the main tourist spots, though we enjoyed the coastal swimming.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, it all worked smoothly and the operator met all our expectations. Very enjoyable with a sense of personal achievement at the end.Mary Fox review 5 Jun 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
My two friends and I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery and historic sites experienced as we cycled through Istria. We particularly enjoyed the lush green countryside as well as the clean coastal towns. We were impressed with the support that was available and how cycle friendly the area was.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you allow time to explore towns and historic sites that this route offers. It is worth going off route to visit towns that are not necessarily included on the route. Take the opportunity to visit local wineries, olive oil farms and small villages which are known for local produce and delicacies. We were grateful that the latter were noted on our route directions.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We regularly opted to eat in smaller local restaurants as opposed to hotels we stayed in. We also enjoyed purchasing form local artists and deli shops.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We thoroughly enjoyed this holiday. The service and support we received from the operator who provided the bikes, route maps and directions was excellent. The bikes were of very good quality and comfortable to ride. The route directions were clear, accurate and contained extra information on particular places to stop. We were very impressed at how accomodating the staff were in particular when they willingly and positively changed some of our route distances at our very short request notice. Staff were also very knowledgeable about the area and were happy to share this. Booking this holiday through Responsible Travel was easy and queries were dealt with very promptly. Communication with both Responsible Travel and the operator before, during and after the holiday was excellent. We would certainly recommend the companies and look forward to using them again when booking another cycling trip.Peter Caldwell review 28 Jun 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The second day's circular route from Lovac via Umag took us through some beautiful countryside.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes I think so. Nearly all of the hotels were small, family run hotels.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent holiday. The ride from Rovinj to Pula could perhaps be changed to allow for a coastal route. Journey to Bale is on reasonably busy road and is a reversal of the journey into Rovenj. The first day's cycling (Trieste to Lovac) concludes with a difficult border crossing (from Slovenia to Croatia). The road is very busy and there is little chance for drivers to overtake the cyclists.Holiday Reviews
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