Whether you choose hidden coves with white pebbles, small or larger bays, or rocky sun drenched fragrant reefs, the pure and intact Istrian beaches are true wonders of nature. Though it has always been easier to capture them in paintings than describe them in words, you just have to think about them and the sight will emerge before your eyes. While the sun is at its zenith, and the maestral wind (landward breeze) blows lightly over the pine-trees crowns whose branches yearn for the azure of the high seas, you can leisurely sprawl on a warm white rock in a hidden cove enjoying the sound of cicadas.
Run your fingers through the pebbles sparkling under the crystalclear waters of the Adriatic, while your lungs fill with fragrances of the Mediterranean. Here, time is irrelevant. Enjoy the peacefulness of infinity that can only be interrupted by a sea gull or some small boat just spreadingits sails somewhere in the distance.
Surrounded by the fullness of scent, flavor and summer noises, you will jump from a rock deep into the blue sea and rise to the surface among the fireworks of the flaming red sunset... Sounds unreal?
This is only the beginning…
Holidays in the Istrian interior
We are inviting you to return to nature in search of tranquillity, to discover your true self. Istria, this tiny subcontinent below the Alps, immersed in the Mediterranean is perhaps the right choice for you. Change your journey from the familiar one, along Blue Istria, and explore the Green one – the mysterious enchantress...
Feel the atmosphere of the homes of your hosts, taste their homemade food, have a sip of their homemade wine. Find out your own paths, chose your own itineraries, make some lengthy steps. Magnificent landscapes, green waves of hills, villages, streams and forests, small churches and ivy-covered old citadels … legends are still alive here.
But, be careful, Enchantress may seduce you and you will remain faithful to her for the eternity.
Istrian cuisine
What is Istrian cuisine? Is it composed of dishes that were eaten by Istrian field labourers in the distant past? Or those once served in patrician houses? Or is it the food that is today served on Istrian tables? The wealth of this cuisine is not at all negligable. Istria’s turbulent past has certainly left a trace on its cuisine. Various traditions are interwoven in the local cuisine, which is based on nature (aromatic spices, wild growing plants, vegetables, seafood...) but there is also the influence of
Franconian and German feudal rule, Roman dishes, and the cuisine that from the 7th century appeared with the settling of the Slavs. However, all dishes that were brought to these areas bear a characteristic stamp. The main feature of Istrian food, generally speaking, would be: predominance of boiled over roast food, a lot of spices and wild growing plants, plenty of fish, vinegar that is always wine vinegar, and oil that is always olive oil, whereas wine is an important ingredient in cooking. ..
The preparation of food has always been characterized by exceptional imagination, since- with few ingredients a great amount of love, effort and above all culinary imagination must be put in to make the dish even more appealing.
Eco oasis in the heart of Europe
The Istrian Peninsula has managed to preserve true and original natural values. The protection of such natural treasures, passed on from generation to generation, has also become an unwritten rule for today’s new generations - to preserve the unspoilt, sun soaked hills, highlighted with flourishing Mediterranean greenery, forests shading the Adriatic sea…
From the distant past Istrian people have benefited from and preserved the great natural wealth of Istria. Hard work and efforts have yielded the recognizable quality of olive oil, grapes from which top quality wine is produced, health food sprouting from the natural and unpolluted soil.
Mild Mediterranean climate with 2,387 hours of sunshine a year, sea temperature reaching 25°C and average air temperature of 25°C in summer, are all reasons why Istria justly claims the title of an ecological and healthy tourist destination.
Brijuni Islands
Surrounded by the fullness of scent, flavor and summer noises, you will jump from a rock deep into the blue sea and rise to the surface among the fireworks of the flaming red sunset... Sounds unreal?
This is only the beginning…Holidays in the Istrian interior
We are inviting you to return to nature in search of tranquillity, to discover your true self. Istria, this tiny subcontinent below the Alps, immersed in the Mediterranean is perhaps the right choice for you. Change your journey from the familiar one, along Blue Istria, and explore the Green one – the mysterious enchantress...
Feel the atmosphere of the homes of your hosts, taste their homemade food, have a sip of their homemade wine. Find out your own paths, chose your own itineraries, make some lengthy steps. Magnificent landscapes, green waves of hills, villages, streams and forests, small churches and ivy-covered old citadels … legends are still alive here.
But, be careful, Enchantress may seduce you and you will remain faithful to her for the eternity.
Istrian cuisine
What is Istrian cuisine? Is it composed of dishes that were eaten by Istrian field labourers in the distant past? Or those once served in patrician houses? Or is it the food that is today served on Istrian tables? The wealth of this cuisine is not at all negligable. Istria’s turbulent past has certainly left a trace on its cuisine. Various traditions are interwoven in the local cuisine, which is based on nature (aromatic spices, wild growing plants, vegetables, seafood...) but there is also the influence of
Franconian and German feudal rule, Roman dishes, and the cuisine that from the 7th century appeared with the settling of the Slavs. However, all dishes that were brought to these areas bear a characteristic stamp. The main feature of Istrian food, generally speaking, would be: predominance of boiled over roast food, a lot of spices and wild growing plants, plenty of fish, vinegar that is always wine vinegar, and oil that is always olive oil, whereas wine is an important ingredient in cooking. ..The preparation of food has always been characterized by exceptional imagination, since- with few ingredients a great amount of love, effort and above all culinary imagination must be put in to make the dish even more appealing.
Eco oasis in the heart of Europe
The Istrian Peninsula has managed to preserve true and original natural values. The protection of such natural treasures, passed on from generation to generation, has also become an unwritten rule for today’s new generations - to preserve the unspoilt, sun soaked hills, highlighted with flourishing Mediterranean greenery, forests shading the Adriatic sea…
From the distant past Istrian people have benefited from and preserved the great natural wealth of Istria. Hard work and efforts have yielded the recognizable quality of olive oil, grapes from which top quality wine is produced, health food sprouting from the natural and unpolluted soil.
Mild Mediterranean climate with 2,387 hours of sunshine a year, sea temperature reaching 25°C and average air temperature of 25°C in summer, are all reasons why Istria justly claims the title of an ecological and healthy tourist destination.
Brijuni Islands
The Brijuni island group that lies off the southwest coast of Istria in the vicinity of Pula, was once the meeting place of the European and world jet set. As the only national park in Istria, Brijuni with its 14 islands covering an area of 736 square hectares presents a unique play of nature that brings together remarkable animal species and rare and rich flora all at one place. It ranks as one of the loveliest archipelagos in the Mediterranean.
Day by day the long forgotten splendour of the past from the beginning of the 20th century is slowly returning to Brijuni which is once again becoming the elite meeting place of the business world. Each guest knows that on this small, yet unique area there is a chance to enjoy the simple and often forgotten charms of nature – clean air, crystal-clear sea and untouched Mediterranean vegetation.
The islands can be reached by boat departing daily from the nearby fishing village of Fazana. Registration at the reception of the Brijuni National Park is required. Sightseeing tours of the archipelago by boats start as well from the Pula waterfront with longer or shorter stops in the Brijuni Islands waters.
Cape Kamenjak
The unusually indented southernmost cape of the Peninsula is equally interesting viewed from land,
air or sea. It is one of the last oases of the coastal region that has preserved its original appearance - a mosaic of cultivated fields, pastures and green groves immersed in the deep blue sea. Resembling at first glance scorched land of the southernmost tip of Istria, Cape Kamenjak conceals great secrets of nature.Lovely coves and beaches, as well as crystal-clear sea make this area a particularly attractive destination. Although camping is not allowed in this area, there are various other opportunities for visitors to enjoy the beauties of Kamenjak. One of the marked Istrian bike tracks passes here, and since it is not demanding, everyone can enjoy the easy ride and magnificent views. Or one can also spend the entire day walking and discovering the beauties of Kamenjak.
This protruding peninsula offers numerous possibilities for summer sports. Due to the extremely strong sea currents that meet here, diving is allowed only for professionals, but always accompanied by experienced and certified divers. Favourable winds offer great possibilities for windsurfing, however one should be careful and first check the weather forecast, because sudden changes of weather conditions, wind and sea currents on the southernmost tip of Istria are nothing unusual at any time of the year.
Učka Nature Park
Located in one of the northernmost spots of the Mediterranean area, Mount Učka visually dominates the Istrian peninsula and the Bay of Kvarner. The Nature Park covers an area of 160 km2.
To experience one of the most stunning panoramas in this part of Europe, climb the highest peak of Učka - Vojak (1401 m). Its stone tower offers a breathtaking 360-degree-panorama of the Istrian peninsula, northern Adriatic islands, mountains in the Gorski kotar region, and all the way to Venice and the Alps.
Učka is the only place in the world where you can take a photograph of the Učka (Tommasini) bellflower, and one of the last European sites where you can watch griffon vultures or golden eagles.
Apart enjoying good vibrations, here you can also taste sweet local dishes made of chestnuts, asparagus and other specialities of the healthy traditional cuisine.Učka Nature Park includes two educational trails (the Plas that passes over the top ridge of Mount Učka, and the 2-km-kong Vela draga) and the Slap hiking path.
