Istrian coast - Four days of old Roman architecture and castles that make up the western coast of Croatia, Slovenia, and eastern border of Italy.
Day 6 (Text from Kimmy)
Starting in Pula, the southern tip of Croatia’s istrian peninsula, we spent a morning walking around old temples, arches, and the huge Pula arena, one of the best-preserved Roman Colosseums where they hosted gladiator fights and wild animal hunts. From Pula we biked north along the coast, through the coastal cobble-stone towns of Rovinj and Poreč, and onto the first established bike route of our trip, the beautiful Parenzana gravel rail trail. My cousin told us that Mussolini dug up all the train tracks and shipped them to Africa when Italy was trying to colonize Ethiopia, but then the ship SANK! I fact checked this, apparently it’s just a legend. Regardless of why, this is still one of the first rail trails. Mostly used by tractors, actually.
Entering Pula by pedestrian-only ferry
Temple of Augustus, 27 BC
Arch of the Sergii, 27 BC, Roman arch that was the old city gate.
Pula Arena, one of the six large remaining Roman amphitheaters
The Pula Arena is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheaters. Used for Gladiator games, hunts, and entertainment.
The Parenzana Trail took us to the interior of the peninsula and away from the tourist crowds. We passed the land of olives on our way to Motovun, a castle on top of a hill that overlooks the valleys in a 360 degree view. One of the best 75€ hotel rooms!
I forgot to start garmin until this point
Idyllic rural farm roads
Olive land
View along Parenzana Trail
Motovun!
View of vineyards from Motovun
Motovun streets
Motovun Castle
Castle Walls
After Motovun, we finished the Parenzana trail by taking it through the town of Grožnjan, a medieval village known as the town of artists. We continued through Croatia and entered Italy for our stay in Trieste. The bike riding went from rail trail and idyllic farm roads to the chaos of Italy. The most effective way to ride in Italy is to throw your helmet in the trash, smoke a cigarette, and sprint through the city like the scooters.
Grožnjan
Town cat
Salt flats
Trieste, an Italian port city
Good luck in the elevator
After Trieste, we had more perfect Slovenian roads and castle stops. The day turned into a bit of a slog after biting off more than we could chew. There were a lot of steep rolling hills and Kimmy mildly bonked.
Slovenian roadside rest stop
Not high carb, but sufficient
3000 year old castle at the top of Štanjel
Solkanski Bridge, the longest stone arch bridge in the world
Finished in wine country
The 2025 Giro d'Italia came through these roads!
We took an extra rest day enjoying the wine country. They specialize in Rebula grapes, a white wine cousin of viognier. From here, we started the climb up into the Slovenian Alps, passing through World War 1 bunkers and tunnel forts at the top of ridgelines and hills. This was the Eastern Front of the War where Italians fought for the Soča River (Izonzo River).
Alps
WW1 tunnels
Church dedicated to the WW1 fallen soldiers
Soča River
Tunnel that Italians built to attempt to connect through the alps for miles.
Finishing in the mountains!
More Soča River
