Travel guide Istria

Until the ^15th century, Croatians wrote in Glagolitic characters. The modern Latin alphabet has thirty letters. However, some letters differ from our own: đ, š, ž. Furthermore, the letters q, x, y and w do not exist in the Croatian alphabet, nor do any silent letters; all letters are pronounced.

Istria was the first territory of present-day Croatia to be colonized by the Roman Empire. Under Augustus, it became Regio X Venetia et Histria, Italy's ^10th administrative region. The region's cultural heritage lives on, especially in Pula, where regular festivities featuring costumes, shows, entertainment and gastronomic events bring the past to life.

A northerly wind from the Velebit, a large mountain range, which skirts the Dalmatian coast before plunging into the Adriatic Sea. The coastal towns of Istria, Trieste, Pula, Rijeka, etc. are subject to this wind, as is the entire Dalmatian coastline. Refreshing in summer, this violent wind makes you feel like you're losing ten degrees on the thermometer in winter.

One of the few words that French owes to Croatian(hrvatski). Its origins date back to the Thirty Years' War, when Croatian hussars came to France to support the monarchy, wearing a white scarf on their uniforms. In 1666, the cavalry regiment was given the name Royal-Cravates by Louis XIV, hence the name Croate.

From the Greek gastro and nomia, knowledge of dishes. It's not an empty word in Istria. On the calendar, many convivial events are dedicated to local foods and recipes: herbs, seasonal fruit and vegetables, mushrooms, truffles, honey, cheese, meat and sausages, fish and seafood, pasta, risotto ravioli, gnocchi.

The Croatian flag, in Yugoslavian colors (horizontal stripes of red, white and blue), features the historic coat of arms in the center. The red and white checkerboard is surmounted by five shields forming a crown, symbolizing the five components of the country. Istria's coat of arms is represented by the Istarka goat, with red horns and hooves on a blue background.

As in Italy, the tradition of coffee is inescapable. Espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato and instant coffee in a bag are drunk at any time of day. Here we say kava! Even on working days, people take coffee breaks at bars and restaurants close to their place of work. At home, kava can be prepared Oriental-style.

Admittedly, the working-class tradition is fading, supplanted by breakfast or brunch, but (non-touristy) bars still display the word in front of their windows. Around 10 or 11 a.m., people bring out their salty snack, a sandwich of charcuterie/cheese or fish, which allows early-morning workers to take a break before lunch (around 1 p.m.).

All along the Croatian coast, on the islands, beaches and coves are dedicated to naturism. The king of England Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson would have launched the fashion. The sign FKK(Freikörperkultur) indicates these protected areas. In Istria there are naturist campsites, like holiday villages in Vrsar, Rovinj, Umag, Poreč and Funtana.

Croatian tourism accounts for 20% of the national GDP, which is a major economic activity, and it was in the Istrian-Kvarner region that it all began in the 19th century, with the arrival of the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy. In Opatija, the Villa Angiolina, which was one of the first princely bathing residences, a museum of tourism was opened.

In Istrian gastronomy, the truffle is by far the most famous! Near the Slovenian border, in Buje, we are proud to recall that it is here, in the countryside, that a farmer found the biggest in the world: 1.3 kg. Every year, the Truffle Days are dedicated to the mushroom and every good Istrian chef/restaurateur introduces it to the menu.

While Istrian olive oils gain in excellence every year, regional wines have long been renowned throughout the country. Among Istria's star grape varieties are malvasia istriana, a dry white, moscato momiano (Momjan muscatel) and red teran, a variety native to Istria. Don't miss the wine and oil route.