Umag 2020

In September it was time for our first longer tour in our Malibu Van, and our plan was a round trip through Slovenia. On Wednesday morning, well rested, we set off from Springe, and the first 500 km went smoothly. According to the satnav, we were due to arrive at our first destination, Bovec, at 6 p.m.

At 1 p.m. a big accident on the A9 put paid to our plan. We were stuck for almost 4 hours in a complete closure just before Denkendorf, and our destination for the day moved far into the distance.

We promptly changed our plans, drove on as far as Austria and stayed overnight at the motorhome pitch on the Salzach in Golling.

A great view of the mountains.

The cost is 9.90 euros per motorhome and 1.50 euros tourist tax per person; ADAC members get a 1-euro discount. The pitch is beautifully situated, only 3 km from the motorway and very quiet.

The next morning, a quick shop and then on to Slovenia – that was the plan. In the supermarket car park the engine juddered and the engine warning light stayed on. Message on the display: have the engine checked.

A quick search on Google Maps for a Fiat workshop and a phone call. 30 minutes later we were at the workshop of Autohaus Grödig near Salzburg. Our van was examined immediately, and the fault was quickly found and fixed: an injector was slightly leaky.

So we were able to continue our journey with a little delay. Top service at Autohaus Grödig – quick help, great service and very obliging. Many thanks.

On the way to the motorway we saw a sign for a very interesting event.

After crossing the border into Slovenia, the weather just wouldn't improve: rain in places, very thick, low clouds – real autumn weather. The weather app confirmed our suspicion that it would stay like this, at least in the higher parts of Slovenia. We promptly changed our plans and headed for the Adriatic coast. We didn't find any great campsites on the Slovenian Adriatic coast – all the reviews on the well-known search engine were negative. But we found a great campsite on the other side of the border, in Croatia.

The way there took us over hills and gave us a great view of Koper.

The Lighthouse campsite in Savudrija near Umag was newly built in 2019. With 30 pitches it is very small, and it has a top-notch washroom, even with a dishwasher and washing machine. The pitches are marked out and separated by small hedges, and each has electricity and water. https://www.camp-lighthouse.hr/

An overnight stay costs 30 euros.

This price covers everything, and there is good Wi-Fi too. The site is named after the lighthouse in front of it. It is very quiet and has a great view of the sea.

Umag is only 8 kilometres from the campsite. But the cycle paths there aren't good to ride, so we chose the alternative route along the main road to Umag.

Umag has everything, from large shopping centres to dreamy little lanes. The old town is particularly beautiful. We rode past Umag's tennis stadium. The washroom on the campsite is of a very high standard and was cleaned 3–4 times a day.

We spent the next few days cycling, swimming, relaxing and so on. There is a small restaurant right at the campsite, which is OK but nothing special. We had good experiences at the restaurant at the roundabout 300 metres away: great atmosphere, attentive service and fair prices.

The report continues here: Jama Baredine Cave 2020