Cabotage of islands in islands, beaches, connected seaside resorts or small perched and intimate villages, cycling in green, gastronomy and wine route, all tourisms are possible in Istria, certainly the most diverse region in tourist potential.
Between sea and countryside…
There are several ways to approach Croatia's largest peninsula. By road, from Venice or Trieste, along the northwest coast, we cross twenty kilometers in Slovenia and then it is Istria. Today, this proximity with Italy is expressed in the art of living Istrian Croats. We speak about the Venetian language, prepare its home cluster, its antipasti, pasta and other polenta or gnocchis. In the nineteenth century, the habsburg influence permeates the north-west of Istria, the interior of the lands, the aristocrat Opatija in Pazin and Rijeka by borrowing the numerous passages of Slovenian passages. Istria has now become one of Croatia's most rated tourist regions, thanks to low-cost flights, in particular, bringing France and Belgium to less than 2 hours of Pula aircraft. On this small territory of 2,820 km 2, you will be tempted to leave the motorway, a major Y-shaped axis, which runs across the region, to stop in nature and discover historic villages. Without too many trips you can enjoy the beach in the same day. The most beautiful? Kamenjak beach (Medulin) which attracts surfers, Maslinica beach (Rabac), Kanegra beach (Umag). You can easily choose quiet accommodation in the countryside and enjoy the seaside pleasures… or vice versa. Those who have the chance to sabotage this northern Adriatic will be able to exit the ports of Umag, Novigrad, the Poreč Marina to enter the Lim Fjord, an impressive natural channel. As they arrived on the archipelago of the Brijuni Islands, they will surely find a desert creek south of Pula before approaching the wild cape of the Premantura peninsula.
… by bicycle
Many agencies in Poreč, Vrsar, Pula, Labin or Buzet offer two-wheeled rental. Among the small departures, the green and hilly paths, Parenzana, 123 km of cycle paths, which take up the route of the old rail network. Of course, it goes up and it goes down, but nothing terrible for those who love soft travel.
When you are in turquoise blue istria, emblematic color of the crystal clear sea, don't forget the green Istria. This controlled appellation evokes the interior of the land, the greenery of forests even in the middle of summer, and agro-tourism. The authenticity of the land is linked to the perched villages (Motovun, the capital of white truffle, which dominates the valley of the Mirna River, Roč and Hum, cradles of glagolitic culture, but also Pazin, Buzet, Labin, Grožnjan) and with prehistoric caves (Barenjan) Dine, Mramornica, Festinsko kraljevstvo, Romuald and Pazin).
Touring in Istria allows short circuits, visits of small chapels where you never stop by car! It's also the pleasure of walking paths, bucolic picnics. To you fresh market products or those sold on the roadside by the farmers themselves: asparagus, cherries and chanterelles in the spring. And in autumn, blessed season of greedy gods, figs, apples, nuts, almonds, grapes, etc.
In Konobas, family hostels, the menu makes a harmonious blend of Croatian and Italian flavors, such as istrian manestra, thick vegetable soup, fuzi, fresh pasta generally served with white truffle sauce, cheese and smoked ham. The culture of the istrian celebrities draws other roads. The visit of a wine cellar or olive-growing area is required. You will be told about the extra virgin olive oil of the house, the regional red wine, the Malvoisie, this wine created from traditional white grape varieties.
From Pula to the Brijuni Islands
Non-motorized tourists can safely use the coach network, which is reliable throughout the country. All villages are served from the towns, ports and seaside resorts. Most of them have their bus station, Pula ensuring the most interconnections. Located on the Adriatic coast, this modern city of 60,000 inhabitants is often the starting point for holidays in Southern Croatia. Ancient monuments in perfect conservation status, Byzantine churches, a fortress, a port, museums invite to spend a few days there. See a show in the Roman amphitheater or take a drink on the forum facing the temple of Auguste, as many moments as the istrian capital offers to visitors.
Also in the Pula area, Brijuni National Park, which has been classified since 1983, is unavoidable. We run on foot or by bike. Today, the Brijuni Islands are home to 700 plant species, typical of the Mediterranean, with other imported allochthonous plants.
The visit continues in the peaceful bay of Verige near the remains of a Roman villa (i century ap). ), part of which is dedicated to Neptune. For bathing, plan a good time on this enchanting site. In summer, Underwater Trail Tour, kind of pedagogical diving, with mask and tuba, leads you to discover the coastal funds of this natural and archeological site.
Detours along the east coast
By quietly returning to the east coast of Istria, you can stop at the perched village of Labin, make a hook in the anse of Rabac then resume the road from the Riviera to the festive and very nasty Opatija. Inside the land there are other beautiful medieval squares, but you can also go back to the east coast and see Poreč, its magnificent Euphrasian basilica, built in the middle of the Byzantine century, classified by Unesco in 1997. Then there is Vrsar, the port where Casanova laid his sea foot and Rovinj, pearl of Istria. The only way to walk in the old town, to admire its polychrome facades in the sea, is to delight the walker. All the steps lost from the magnificent peninsula of the peninsula lead to the high church of Sainte-Euphemia, the patroness of Rovinj.
Outside the walls, south of Rovinj, a beautiful pinewood (Zlatni Rat), several pontoons to bathe, a pleasant coastal walk, some good tables, charming hotels drive holidaymakers to take time here. In one of the most attractive parts of Istria, count a day or even more!
Smart News
When is it? The summer period, but you won't be alone! Prefer the average season to avoid the crowd on the coast: spring bloom or Indian summer. From November to April, many schools close, especially inland.
Go there. By plane, Croatia Airlines offers weekly flights between Paris and Pula.
CROATIA AIRLINES - More information on the site
AIR FRANCE - More information on the site
Useful. To best prepare his trip.
◗ ISTRIE REGIONAL TOURISM OFFICE - More information on the site
○ CROATIAN TOURISM OFFICE IN PARIS - More information on the site
