Cres e Losinj, motorcycle trip

Cres and Losinj lived from the saddle of my “Up”. Ecco come è andata e tutto ciò che devi sapere per il tuo prossimo viaggio sulle splendide isole della Croazia.

Cres e Losinj, two exotic names for two locations very close to us and easily accessible: that's all you need to know for your next motorcycle trip in Croatia, in small and pretty Cres and Losinj.

There are plenty of reasons to stay on the islands of Cres and Losinj, in northern Croatia, two of the many pearls of “our” beloved Adriatic Sea and in this post we will see them all, but first things first.

It must be said that we centaurs Italian – and we vacationers Italian – we do not give too much attention to the beautiful islands of the nearby Croatia although they have in their past much Italian. While they are known and famous locations of Istria, lets look at even less forthcoming islands of the northern Adriatic, tanto belle e selvagge da farci dimenticare in fretta lo stereotipo da riviera edificata, busy and with wide beaches and scientifically organized. Needless to tell you that this is a sin – for those who do not go there – but a more valuable for those, like you, is considering to bring their own wheels in Cres and Losinj.

If you love camping, the outdoors and good fish, Cres and Losinj are the right place for you.

We start with a little’ geography. Cres and Losinj – to put Italian – sono due isole separate da uno strettissimo tratto di mare, talmente stretto che un piccolo ponte lo supera agevolmente unendole di fatto e non facendoti neppure accorgere quando passi dall’una all’altra. But how do you get to Cres and Losinj and what differentiates them?

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To the islands:

Return to us: was not the first time I went to Cres, but it was the first that I pushed myself to explore all Losinj. Getting there is quite simple: in my case I left Milan, then A4 to Palmanova in Friuli for a step closer. Like the good Franco Battiato I did “Direct flights to Degree“. I stopped a couple of days in the pleasant town of Friuli to greet my old on holiday and then I continued on the coastal highway SP35 fino ad entrare in Slovenia a Kozina sotto un vero e proprio diluvio con i grossi camion di legname che alzavano nuvole d’acqua. Here the choices are limited: I took the E61, a busy street, narrow and full of Tir although amidst the charming hills Slovenian, and are therefore entered in Croatia and dropped, along the Istria Abbey fino a Brestova, tiny town from which side the ferry to Cres. The road starts right from the ferry landing in Porozina and climbs quickly on the spine of the island: this is THE road that runs along Cres in length and, and then, will do likewise with Losinj. The crossing of the Strait of sea lasts about fifteen minutes, and in the summer there is a ferry that leaves every half hour, so the wait is never much.

This is not the only way to bring your wheels on the islands of Cres and Losinj: for there is a ferry that connects Venice with Mali (Mali Losinj) that, despite the name, is the biggest port of. If you prefer this route, I suggest you take time for the ticket. There are great sites that allow you to do it quickly, eg I am very happy with Ferry Lines.

Better Cres or Losinj?

A common question I am asked is this. My answer can only be: better both! Go see them both, it makes little sense to consider them – speaking tourists – due mete separate, precisely because they are so small and united to represent two sides of the same island. The first, Cres, is the face of the most wild and rustic, the second, Losinj, is the most lively and equipped especially for the presence of Mali Losinj (Mali) which despite its name is the most modern and developed island. Point out that if you love the night life in any case find the two islands a bit’ deficient, but if you love the sport, nature, sea ​​then are both special. There are many routes for hiking and cycling (species Losinj), restaurants to the good and not really miss anything. The town of Cres is always quieter, even in high season, compared to Veli Losinj or even more than the “chaotic” Mali Losinj: there are plenty of bars where enjoy a fresh Pivo for two euro to pint (you see why I love these posts?) and attractions such as boat trips in the creeks and natural caves.

Do not lie the great beaches that are on our Adriatic, but rocks or, most, gravel or concrete slabs that combine various rocks. Even this, believe me, is part of the rustic charm of these two islands although it is indisputable that the sand is more convenient. There are no bathing facilities, There are small coves (Best reachable only by boat) or bays accessible through small paths in the vegetation. Even the larger beaches, close to the centers, are always of small size, not many people are home and have a small bar where you can always find the excellent beer and nearby most likely there will be a restaurant that cooks grilled fish!

Staying in Cres and Losinj: how to choose the arrangement and how to book

Both Cres Losinj offer both abundant and diverse possibilities for a comfortable stay, short or long. The best ways to live them fully, in my humble experience, are two: camping or renting a room (“rooms”) at the homes of the islanders. Obviously I tried them both and, obviously, There are also great accommodation in hotel. However campsites of the two islands are definitely the best way to enjoy nature and the simplicity that characterizes. I selected the best campsites, find them here. If you're planning to go there in high season, I recommend booking campsites for time because they are in great demand by Austrian and German tourists on all.

Clicking here, instead, you can quickly find an accommodation Cres or Losinj.

Things not to miss

• Buy (see photos) is a tiny village perched on a promontory in the northernmost region of the island of Cres, called Tramontana. The old village is very impressive and is reached via a steep descent a beautiful cove and its camping.
• Price a Cres, in the best restaurants, on all Shore and Saint Lucia. And since you're in these parts, make a leap in the nearby hamlet of Losnati, there are the trattoria Bukaleta, the best on the island.
• A stop in Valun.
• A few days in Veli Losinj, maybe in the small port of Rovenska, soon you'll understand why.
• One night in a tent.

The trip summary

• moto: Honda XL700V Transalp “Up”
• period: July 2014
• Total kilometers traveled: 1.700 about
• days of travel: 7 (it may be enough even less)
• the accessory you can not miss: crema protettiva per il sole e un paio di sandali in gomma per le rocce
• reception: perfect for lovers of camping, Cres is wild and properly structured. Click here for camping main Cres. Even more organized Losinj, on which you can find camping in remote areas where practice naturism in total contact with nature. Absolutely widespread option of SOBE, or of the rooms at the homes of local, or the same houses for rent, more frequent hotels.
• food: i sapori del Mediterraneo e la cucina italiana incontrano le influenze balcaniche. The result? Always great!
• dangers: the road is narrow, especially in the area of ​​Tramontana (the northern part of Cres ed) and with a lot of gravel.
• Avoid the: August. Already in July the islands are filled with tourists, August plus the station wagon and camper Italian, forget it!
• the council: take it easy, qui non serve sfogare i cavalli, rather vented appetite in taverns. One in all: the restaurant Bukaleta, does an amazing lamb, I dream even after months.

All images in this report have been taken with a smartphone! In particular it is the Nokia Lumia 1020 that this link you can buy discounted! 😉