Catamaran Journey from Italy to Rovinj to Strengthen Cross-Border Cyclotourism
30/07/2026
Catamaran Journey from Italy to Rovinj to Strengthen Cross-Border Cyclotourism
ROVINJ, July 29, 2026 – As part of the EU project CYROS, the Region of Istria, together with its partner, the Institute for Transport and Logistics (Istituto per il trasporto e la logistica) from Bologna, organized a joint event in Rovinj. In the morning, the partners from Bologna boarded a Righetti Navi catamaran with their bicycles, traveling from Cesenatico (IT) to Rovinj (HR) to conduct a practical test of multimodality and connectivity between the two Adriatic coasts.
Upon arriving at the port of Rovinj, the Italian delegation was welcomed by representatives of the Region of Istria and the City of Rovinj. This was followed by expert presentations on the CYROS project, multimodality, and the development of cyclotourism in the Region of Istria. The central part of the meeting was a round table where Tea Batel, Head of the Administrative Department for the Italian Indigenous National Community, National Minorities and Youth of the Region of Istria, presented the indigenous Italian community in Istria and emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation. Tommaso Simeoni, representing the Emilia-Romagna Region, presented successful cycling policies and strategies in that Italian region. Meanwhile, Gilberto Righetti, owner of Righetti Navi, outlined the maritime connectivity between the two countries, as well as the technical possibilities and challenges of transporting bicycles on high-speed vessels. "This meeting confirms that sustainable mobility and cyclotourism know no borders. By linking maritime transport with cycling infrastructure, we are creating the necessary conditions for eco-conscious tourists and strengthening the bonds between Istria and the Emilia-Romagna Region," it was highlighted during the meeting.
The CYROS project is funded under the Interreg Italy – Croatia cross-border cooperation program.
It aims to transform the Adriatic-Ionian region into a recognizable and sustainable cyclotourism destination through integration with other modes of transport. The total budget of the Region of Istria in this project amounts to 370,000.00 euros.
