TRADITIONAL CUISINE WITH FRIENDLY HOSTS
An old Roman proverb says: “To get to know a people - sit at their table, taste their food and drink their wine. Only then will you know what kind of people they are ”.
We offer you the opportunity to learn everything about the Istrian peninsula, its customs and traditions.
Those who value typical Croatian cuisine are best off going to one of the “traditional” taverns. “Konoba” translates as “cellar”, but they have nothing to do with a dark, damp cellar. The only thing that could be reminiscent of a cellar would be its size: a typical tavern is cozy. There people talk, eat and sing with the locals ...
Experience a traditional Istrian family in everyday life who still pick up the wooden spoon themselves, enjoy home-made wine and home-baked bread. One of the most important autochthonous Istrian products with the authenticity mark, besides the protected ham "Istrian pršut", is also the Istrian sausage. We invite you to small typical farms that are hidden in idyllic Istria and where you can easily be seduced by the explanation of the production of house products such as pršut, Istrian “salamin”, olive oil and wine and good food.
INCLUDED SERVICES:
- Welcome with our tour guide and an information hour
- Welcome drink
- 4x overnight stay with buffet breakfast
- 4x buffet dinner
- Guided tour of Poreč or Labin
- All-day tour guide for the excursion Impressions of Istria: Pula, Vodnjan and Rovinj
- Full day tour guide for the excursion Traditional and romantic Istria Motovun and Trviž
- Tasting of the Istrian homemade pasta on the excursion Impressions of Istria
- Tasting of Istrian delicacies as well as lunch including drinks and music in a private tavern in Trviž in central Istria on an excursion to traditional and romantic Istria
PROGRAM SUGGESTION:
DAY 1: arrival. Welcome drink in the hotel with our tour guide
DAY 2: Poreč - feel the flair of eternity or Labin - one of the most beautiful towns in Istria, city tour
Poreč, formerly a Roman colony, is an exceptional example of a city that developed Romanesque architecture with beautiful Venetian Gothic palaces and whose orthogonal urban street structure has been preserved to this day. During the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, Poreč experienced its climax. The basilica Euphrasiana, a cultural and historical monument that leaves no one unimpressed, bears witness to this. The whole complex has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Enter the Euphrasiana and feel a touch of centuries past and touch eternity. These and other sights await you on today's city tour.
When choosing a hotel in Rabac: Labin - one of the most beautiful towns in Istria
Only five kilometers above the fishing village of Rabac, with a wonderful view of the coast and the island of Cres. A beautiful old town center. The birthplace of Matthias Flacius Illyricus, the "comrade-in-arms" of Martin Luther, is today a cultural and administrative center. Hardly anywhere else is there such a charming mix of architecture and cultural and historical monuments.
DAY 3: Impressions of Istria Pula - Vodnjan - Rovinj:
During the city tour in Pula, we visited the magnificent arena - one of the best preserved Roman amphitheaters
(Entrance fees exclusive) in the whole world and the most important monument of Pula, immediately upon arrival in the city, we walk through the old town to the old town center. The old Roman city is still famous for the Temple of Augustus, the Forum and the Hercules Gate, the oldest Roman sight. After the city tour, we recommend a stroll through the small alleys of the pretty old town or a visit to the green market.
Vodnjan, a small town in the southwest of Istria not far from Pula, is an area of old traditions, built on the foundations of the fortified hill settlements that have existed in this region since Jeherah, in the form of concentric circles or elliptical shapes and built using the dry stone technique. Vodnjan developed and existed over the centuries with its special characteristics of a medieval rural village. In the old town of Vodnjan, which is full of narrow streets, there is probably the narrowest and shortest street in all of Istria. A special feature of the Church of St. Blaise are the mummified bodies of saints. Behind the great altar lie the immaculate bodies of three saints. An irrefutable scientific explanation for its preservation has not yet been found - there are some theories. (Visit possible on request)
At lunchtime we return to a local restaurant (included)
In Rovinj you will experience true love again ... and end the day after the city tour with a walk in one of the most beautiful harbors in Istria - directly in Rovinj with a view of the Katarina Island - an enchanting island of the Rovinj archipelago. The tour through the cozy alleys takes you back into the long history that you would like to photograph immediately. From the sea side, the city is protected by high cliffs with houses built on top of them, and from the land side, the city is protected by high city walls.
Insider tip: add a visit to “Park Kažuna” to your program. Kažun is an ancient Istrian stone house built using drywall technology. They traditionally served as a shelter for farmers and shepherds. Their specialty lies in the size and the specific construction technique - drywall: one laid stone on stone without connecting material. Park kažuna is a unique open-air museum where visitors can see the Istrian building tradition.
DAY 4: Excursion to traditional and romantic Istria with a visit to Motovun and the romantic Istrian village of Trviž.
Tasting, lunch, music
Istria counts as a land of friendly people, tradition, good cuisine ... The town of Motovun offers one of the most spectacular views in the hinterland of Istria. The city has a rich history, today it is the truffle center of Istria. After the city tour you have free time to explore this town on your own. Many souvenir shops also invite you to try truffles, where many delicacies with truffles are also offered for sale. Then we drive to Trviž - still unknown but in the heart of Istria where a hard-working Istrian family is waiting for us. Welcome drink and music in the courtyard. We see a typical Istrian tavern, try numerous delicacies: sausage and bacon, Istrian “salamin” and homemade bread. In spring we taste “Fritaja with asparagus”, in autumn “Fritaja with forest mushrooms”.
Fritaja is one of the most popular Croatian egg dishes, which is very often prepared in Istrian households. It tastes best when it is prepared with seasonal vegetables such as asparagus or wild mushrooms.
Depending on the season, our host will prepare a gastronomic surprise for us. Entertainment with music and
Drinks included - at the end of this wonderful trip.
This excursion is perfect for bike groups.
DAY 5: journey home
Hotels: Novigrad, Poreč, Pula, Rabac, Rovinj, Umag
If you choose a hotel in Novigrad, Umag, Rovinj or Pula, we will send you a changed, adapted program.
Extension days possible
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JOURNEY:
- The most beautiful parts of the Istrian coast and hinterland
- Gastronomic pleasure in all seasons
- On request: visit to the "Park Kažun", old traditional Istrian stone houses in the open air