Crowning the hills medieval villages, Roman ruins of the size of the amphitheater of Pula and a handful of beautiful fishing villages on the shores of a sea await you in this incredibly intact peninsula on the Croatian coast that some compare.
This peninsula in northern Croatia, the largest on the Adriatic, in fact comprises two universes. One would be the Blue Istria bathe more than 500 kilometers of coastline, dotted with small doors and beautiful cities fishing tradition as Rovinj, villa with more soul, But also modern marinas where yachts dock and, of course, beaches, more often rocky and sandy platforms. On the other hand would be the Green Istria from within montuno, adorned with medieval villages that crown the top of the hills between the towns of cypress trees, vineyards and olive trees that come to remember those of Tuscany.
Any Istria, located on the border with northern Italy, is flavored well monuments that were first bequeathing to history along the myriad of peoples who passed through here: Roman treasures the likes of Pula Amphitheatre, Byzantine churches and the Basilica of Porec Eufrasiana, Declared a World Heritage Site, and all an exciting network of fortified towns by the Serenissima Republic of Venice Maritime, which dominated the peninsula a handful of centuries. Among them are indispensable, the very photogenic Groznjan and MotovunThat rival the old town of Rovinj to be the favorite destination for travelers with taste.
One evening in this fishing village on foot from Batanes port or opening its steep cobbled passage, the festivals, art galleries and terraces each wave the quiet summer life of his most famous medieval towns, or high food chaired by the truffles that are born in the forests and marshes freshest fish and giving the Adriatic. This is one of the most appetizing ingredients to taste in Istria, a part of Croatia which fortunately suffered little in its territory the consequences of war in the former Yugoslavia and, as the conflict ended, he returned to become the secret voices that it was long before known among Central desperate for sun.
Even in summer the majority is concentrated in areas such as beach tourism tremendously near Umag, Porec, Pula, the coast of Istria also hides much more solitary settings even during a season high, as they dispense the coves between rocky areas and pine, the out beautiful Kamenjak, Among many other corners of all virgins who are the delight of many nudists who, for decades, they are legion in these parts.
And if most of Istria Italian influence is felt to the point that much of the population is fully bilingual, in the last corner of the peninsula will not miss this unusual jewel is the aristocratic city of Opatija, Adorned by elegant summer villas that elites of the Austro-Hungarian erected in the days of the belle epoque, as often now transformed glamorous hotels.
PRACTICAL GUIDE
Best season
Most visitors come in summer, in addition to the historical legacy of Istria, enjoy the sea and beaches. But spring and fall are less crowded, more enjoyable. In winter, many places are closed and the raw months become very cold.
Where to sleep
The offer is huge: from rental apartments and villas to campsites and camper-very popular here thanks to the Central-or modest guest houses or sobes. More unusual, the chance to stay in fog in some parts of the coast And those looking for big hotels with all amenities, one of the 19 establishments in Umag chain Sol Melia, Among which the Sol Garden Istra, which in 2009 won for the second consecutive award as the best hotel of the year in four-star category.
Where to eat
The above hotels Valsabbion San Rocco and also host a first class restaurants. Most famously, the prohibitive Zigante of Livade, truffle specialties appetizers to desserts, although they have much more charm others like Blu Puntulina (Svetog Kriza, 38), along the cliffs of Rovinj, or just six tables Stare Uzance the taverna, easy to find in the old part of town of Premantura (near the Cape Kamenjak) with a small but delicious menu, and allow testing of the most tender beef or boskarin native.
Do not miss
Seafood restaurants along the small fishing port of Moscenicka Draga, Riviera Opatija, or browse the spectacle of the nearby Bay of Kvarner, with authentic paradises as near Mali Losinj.
This peninsula in northern Croatia, the largest on the Adriatic, in fact comprises two universes. One would be the Blue Istria bathe more than 500 kilometers of coastline, dotted with small doors and beautiful cities fishing tradition as Rovinj, villa with more soul, But also modern marinas where yachts dock and, of course, beaches, more often rocky and sandy platforms. On the other hand would be the Green Istria from within montuno, adorned with medieval villages that crown the top of the hills between the towns of cypress trees, vineyards and olive trees that come to remember those of Tuscany.
Any Istria, located on the border with northern Italy, is flavored well monuments that were first bequeathing to history along the myriad of peoples who passed through here: Roman treasures the likes of Pula Amphitheatre, Byzantine churches and the Basilica of Porec Eufrasiana, Declared a World Heritage Site, and all an exciting network of fortified towns by the Serenissima Republic of Venice Maritime, which dominated the peninsula a handful of centuries. Among them are indispensable, the very photogenic Groznjan and MotovunThat rival the old town of Rovinj to be the favorite destination for travelers with taste.
One evening in this fishing village on foot from Batanes port or opening its steep cobbled passage, the festivals, art galleries and terraces each wave the quiet summer life of his most famous medieval towns, or high food chaired by the truffles that are born in the forests and marshes freshest fish and giving the Adriatic. This is one of the most appetizing ingredients to taste in Istria, a part of Croatia which fortunately suffered little in its territory the consequences of war in the former Yugoslavia and, as the conflict ended, he returned to become the secret voices that it was long before known among Central desperate for sun.
Even in summer the majority is concentrated in areas such as beach tourism tremendously near Umag, Porec, Pula, the coast of Istria also hides much more solitary settings even during a season high, as they dispense the coves between rocky areas and pine, the out beautiful Kamenjak, Among many other corners of all virgins who are the delight of many nudists who, for decades, they are legion in these parts.
And if most of Istria Italian influence is felt to the point that much of the population is fully bilingual, in the last corner of the peninsula will not miss this unusual jewel is the aristocratic city of Opatija, Adorned by elegant summer villas that elites of the Austro-Hungarian erected in the days of the belle epoque, as often now transformed glamorous hotels.
PRACTICAL GUIDE
Best season
Most visitors come in summer, in addition to the historical legacy of Istria, enjoy the sea and beaches. But spring and fall are less crowded, more enjoyable. In winter, many places are closed and the raw months become very cold.
Where to sleep
The offer is huge: from rental apartments and villas to campsites and camper-very popular here thanks to the Central-or modest guest houses or sobes. More unusual, the chance to stay in fog in some parts of the coast And those looking for big hotels with all amenities, one of the 19 establishments in Umag chain Sol Melia, Among which the Sol Garden Istra, which in 2009 won for the second consecutive award as the best hotel of the year in four-star category.
Where to eat
The above hotels Valsabbion San Rocco and also host a first class restaurants. Most famously, the prohibitive Zigante of Livade, truffle specialties appetizers to desserts, although they have much more charm others like Blu Puntulina (Svetog Kriza, 38), along the cliffs of Rovinj, or just six tables Stare Uzance the taverna, easy to find in the old part of town of Premantura (near the Cape Kamenjak) with a small but delicious menu, and allow testing of the most tender beef or boskarin native.
Do not miss
Seafood restaurants along the small fishing port of Moscenicka Draga, Riviera Opatija, or browse the spectacle of the nearby Bay of Kvarner, with authentic paradises as near Mali Losinj.
