Riddle Ride in ISTRIA - the green paradise 8OK2501

31 May 2025

/Julia Marie Joy Hamm

/Ernst Altenberger

Dear friends, even though our last tour wasn’t that long ago – we’re back on the road! This time, our e-bikes are taking us through the stunning region of Istria – joined by just two familiar and dear guests, full of energy, traveling light, with open minds and hearts, and a route that promises nature, history, and indulgence. We begin in Opatija, where the Riviera still carries the scent of Habsburg times and the waves greet the promenade first thing in the morning. From there, we head west into the rolling hills of Istria, past twisted olive trees, vineyards, and sleepy villages that seem untouched by time. In Buzet, we follow the scent of truffles – earthy, irresistible. We taste, laugh, and marvel. Then we roll onward toward the coast, where Poreč and Rovinj await – two harbor towns, each lively, colorful, and full of stories. Cobblestones under our tires, bell towers above, a quick espresso by the water – and we’re right in the middle of it all. In Pula, history welcomes us with open arms. The Roman amphitheater, ancient alleys, the salty air – here, past and present meet face to face. From there, we ride on via Labin to the eastern coast, along steep cliffs and quiet coves, where the sea grows wilder and the roads more winding. This journey isn’t a race – it’s a slow exploration. Every mile brings new views, fresh conversations, and well-earned breaks. We’re looking forward to the adventure ahead. And you are more than welcome to join us on our journey!

"Dobrodošli" means "Welcome"! We are delighted to welcome Peggy and Mark to the beautiful Istrian peninsula! In the early afternoon, we stroll through the charming coastal town of Opatija. The botanical garden with its small bamboo forest is particularly impressive. The Wall of Fame showcases the distinguished visitors Opatija has welcomed. Albert Einstein, Zucchero, and Louis Lumiér are among the figures depicted on the wall. The horizon and the sea magically merge into a soft blue. The air is warm and pure, the water so clear that you can see all the way to the bottom even in the distance. For this reason, Opatija was already considered a spa resort in the 19th century, even without hot springs. After our leisurely stroll, we settle in at a beach bar. We've planned a very special welcome briefing for Peggy and Mark, with the sea in the background, a cold drink in hand, and Istria in 3D small enough to fit it in your pocket. Not only do we introduce the tour to Mark and Peggy, Mark also introduces us to some specific tour rules: 1. The customer is always right. 2. We are ALL having fun. 3. Drinks and lunch are on us (thank you very much for your generosity!) 4. What ever happens, it´s always Joy´s fault (this one was invented by Ernst) The expectations for the tour are raised! The weather gods are on our side, and we can hardly wait to finally hit the pedals tomorrow! Beforehand, we write a few postcards. Yeah, those cute pictures you can physically touch, write on, and hang on the wall. You may call it old school WhatsApp. Greetings go out to Oakland, San Francisco, Kaprun, and Cologne. In the evening, we head to a great Osteria. Italy plays a significant role in Istria's history, which you can not only see and hear in many places, but taste as well! Last but not least, we share tips and tricks on the fastest way to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius and vice versa. As we come up with Rule Number 5: we can convert Celsius to Fahrenheit by the end of the tour! Do you know off the top of your head how much 20 degrees Celsius is in Fahrenheit?

Good morning in the morning! We start our day with an entertaining briefing on the sunny terrace. Short after we are back on our bikes! We follow the bigger road for just a few minutes before we turn off and end up on a wonderful little road which leads us along all the tiny village. We enjoy the beautiful surrounding, climb the stairway to heaven and the view upon the sea in the distance. As we are in the middle of nowhere, there is no cafe to be seen anywhere. But as we roll down a hill we spot the big Edelweiss van. Joy has prepared a little snack and some ice coffee for us! A perfect break for a hot day like this! As we sit together and share funny stories the next riddle comes up: Why do our blueberries float on the sparkling, but sink in the still water? Passing by and climbing on some ruins we eventually arrive in Motovun, a pictures little town on the top of a hill. Time for lunch in the shade underneath several chestnut trees today. Mark wanted to see if others knew why it was cooler under the trees. Ernst solved the mystery. After our light lunch we stroll around the beautiful old town and visit the city wall which allows a breathtaking view down on Motovun and the Mirna valley! After a little more cycling our day ends in Poreč, one of the romantic cities at the Adriatic coast. Our hotel was build on where a Roman House used to stay. The stone floor in the entry room is more than 2000 years old!! Imagine those stones could talk and tell you what has happened in all these years! We enjoy some delicious Istrian red wine on the terrace as Ernst comes up with a new riddle (to be found in the pictures). At the dinner table we get three different kinds of olive oil! Istria is known for great olive oil and they take this topic very serious. You get different kinds of olive oil, which go best with either fish, meat or just the homemade focaccia! Dinner was fantastic, a toast to the chef of the kitchen. The sun is about to set as we discover the wonderful old town of Poreč. The feeling to walk through those tiny alleys, surrounded by wonderful old houses with their pictures facades. It´s a wonderful summer night that can only be topped with one little delight: a second dessert, Italian Gelato. Have you ever been eating ice cream in Croatia? The way they hand you your cone in a lot of fun. If you don´t know what we are talking about, it´s time for you to book a tour in Istria and figure out yourself ;) Even great days end eventually. See you tomorrow! Mark, Peggy, Ernst & Joy

A new day begins, a day full of stones and water. We visit the ruined town of Dvigrad. Here, one or two houses stand vacant. Or rather... all of them. The renovation work might be a bit time-consuming. Dvigrad was once ruled by the Venetians; we're talking the 15th century, quite a while ago. The fate of this beautiful town was not a good omen. Several wars and diseases caused a host of problems. When malaria broke out in the 17th century, only 10% of the 700 inhabitants survived. They relocated to neighboring villages. Since then, nature has reclaimed the small town, including the basilica. A true spectacle! From the ruined city, we head to Lim Fjord, which, well... isn't a "real" fjord at all. Fjords are formed by glaciers. And that certainly wasn't the case here. If you want to experience real fjords, you should definitely try the Norway tour! Peggy and Mark have already experienced it! We all remember the strawberries in particular, we realize during our conversation. Nowhere are strawberries sweeter than in Norway. But back to Istria: Whether it's a fjord or not, the sea tongue is truly impressive. We cycle along it for a while, enjoying the view. We eat lunch right on the beach and cool our feet in the fresh water. In the late afternoon, we arrive in the picture-perfect town of Rovinj! Our boutique hotel is located in one of the narrow streets right in the old town. After a refreshing shower, which we more than deserve, we stroll through the impressive town. Many artists have settled here, presenting their paintings, jewelry, and sculptures in small exhibitions. If you continue uphill, you'll eventually end up at the imposing Basilica of St. Euphemia. Built at the top of the mountain, not only is the church a real eye-catcher, but so is the view of the horizon from the observation deck. The vastness has something magical about it. In the evening, we eat at a fantastic restaurant. The black risotto, in particular, blows us all away. The main course is accompanied by music, and the children at the next table jump up and dance in a circle. A truly lovely, lively atmosphere! We decide to pick up our dessert from the nearby ice cream parlor and walk back up the hill with our dark chocolate and orange ice cream, only to... well, miss the sunset. Oops. The nighttime stroll, however, holds more than one surprise for us: As we walk down the steps, a dozen cats scurry around. A slender man had spread out a lot of food on the street. "According to our law they are free, but protected" he explains proudly. A truly lovely end to the day.