Croatia Area Information
Croatia is that rarest of destinations: a natural, unexploited landscape exuding a powerful, soothing charm populated by warm and welcoming people. The Croats are fond of referring to Istria as Europe’s ‘sleeping beauty’ and it is easy to see why.
Country byways snake through vineyards and across stone viaducts and because Istria is so compact, only around an hour’s drive from top to bottom, you are never far from anywhere! Indeed the coastline where the serene Adriatic Sea gently laps the shore is less than 30 minutes away from the houses on the following pages.
Perched atop a lush, green hill, the town of Motovun has a history stretching back over 2300 years. Life here is relaxed and friendly: do not be surprised to be offered a cup of coffee or glass of local grappa (called biska) by the hospitable locals.
This is the heartland of ‘truffle country’ – an area world famous for this rare delicacy, with virtually every restaurant boasting its own truffle related speciality.
Oprtalj is equally impressive but less well known and, consequently, even more laid back. Narrow cobbled streets, the laughter of children playing in the cool shadows of medieval houses and the cherished restoration work being undertaken on several of its beautiful buildings will invite you to explore further.
Groznjan is the city of artists with galleries on each corner and a
musical event taking place almost every week. 
Sleepy Sovinjak offers
one of themost dramatic views in the whole of Istria.
Further south, pronounced hilltops give way to a landscape of rolling fields and woodland dotted with stone built villages, some bustling, some with just a handful of residents, others deserted, but all equally fascinating.Indenting the west of the peninsula, the spectacular Limski Kanal, a fjord like rift stretching inland is rich in fish, oysters and mussels and home to two celebrated restaurants.
Nearby Mrgani, named after the pirate Captain Morgan who reputedly took refuge there is vintage Istria: a quaint and tranquil village of charming stone buildings.
To the south,
Svetvincenat, home to just 300 people, bursts
into life every summer hosting concerts in the
imperious, walled fortress of Grimani and
dance festivals in the town square – one of the
most attractive piazzas in all of Istria.
Vodnjan’s sizeable Italian speaking community dates back to when the peninsula was part of Italy. The towering campanile of St Blaise’s church is the tallest in Istria and as the patron saint of singers it is not unusual for opera stars to visit St Blaise’s prior to performing in the Roman amphitheatre at Pula.
Pula, on the southern tip, is Istria’s capital. It was the Romans who established the city; their rich legacy includes the Forum, the Temple of Augustus and, standing watch over the port, an immense amphitheatre. Built in the first Century BC it is the sixth largest in the world, amongst the best preserved and is a stirring sight by day or night with concerts and festivals regularly held there each summer.
The Brijuni Islands (pictured opposite) lie just north-west of Pula, a small archipelago famous as former President Tito’s summer retreat and now a National Park. Access to this historic conservation area is strictly controlled with ferries running from the quaint little town of Fazana.
The Vinodol is a slender area of mainland south-east of Rijeka, situated between the coastline of the Adriatic and bordered inland by the dramatic Kobiljak mountain range. Indeed, locals describe their surroundings by saying: ‘One step to the sea, two steps to the highlands. The name Vinodol dates from the 13th Century when extensive grape vines populated the region.
Rich in natural beauty, cultural and architectural
heritage the Vinodol offers many activities to
satisfy contemporary interests.
Walking, hiking cycling, horse riding, hang gliding and rock climbing are principal amongst these pursuits whether in the mountains, which reveal plateaux, forests of fir and beech, dewy meadows, caves and canyons, or along the Vinodol channel coast where imposing cliffs mix with beaches and oak woodland.
Inland fishing at Lake Tribalj is another popular pastime: carp, pike, perch, trout and chub are all found here. The Vinodol is generously bestowed with castles and it is said that over 30 churches grace the region.
Notable amongst these is the Gothic church in Belgrad, St Mary of the Snow (Crkva Marije Snjezve), where Glagolitic enscriptions are evident above the door and, inside, a rare bellows organ dating from the 17th Century is housed.
Amongst the castles, Drivenic ki Kastel, dating from the 13th Century and rebuilt 300 years later, merits a visit. Now abandoned, it sustains a lively programme of music and dance events during the summer months.
Be sure to glimpse the castle at night when moody illumination adds an atmospheric charm to the ruin.
One of the Vinodol’s most famous sons is Juraj Julije Klovic´. Born in Grizane in 1498, he became a great exponent of painting detailed masterpieces in miniature, sometimes only the size of a finger nail! He is said to have influenced the work of Michelangelo and Raffael whilst the famous Spanish artist El Greco numbered amongst his students.
Local Cuisine
Istrian cuisine can be compared to a
combination of Italian and French
gastronomy with a distinct central
European influence. Hearty Istrian
goulash, spicy sausages, game and grilled
meats are widely available as well as a
quite outstanding array of fresh seafood.
‘Fuzi’ is a home made pasta often served with asparagus, mushrooms or wild boar.
The Mirna Valley is the heartland of ‘truffle country’ and hence an overwhelming choice of truffle based dishes including: polenta topped with melted truffle cheese, veal in truffles or ‘ombolo’ a semi dried grilled meat softened by rich truffle sauce.
For dessert, try pancakes filled with chocolate and walnuts or chocolate balls immersed in… grated truffles! Accompany your meal with a locally produced wine such as ‘Degrassi’, ‘Koreniki’,‘Arman’ or ‘Matesovic’.
Beaches
Croatia’s coastline is nearly 6,000km in
length, indented with wide bays and
intimate coves lapped by warm Adriatic
waters renowned for their clarity. Most
Istrian beaches are of the shingle or
pebble type although sandy beaches are
found on the surrounding islands and at
Crikvenica in the Vinodol.
Naturism has been widely practiced on the Adriatic coast for many years and there are certain coves and stretches of beach specifically set aside for naturists.
During the summer months the sea is at its most inviting with water temperatures varying from 22–25 degrees centigrade.
All visitors to Istria are required to pay: |
Getting There
Istria is within driving distance of the
cross channel ports.Whilst it is possible
to do the trip with only one overnight
stop each way, why not take it at a
more leisurely pace and allow for two
stopovers, leaving the UK on Saturday
to arrive at your property on the
Monday changeover day.
One option is to fly to Trieste in Italy (approximately 100km from Istria), where we have made special arrangements with our car hire company for you to take your hire car across the border through Slovenia into Croatia.
Alternatively, fly to Ljubljana in Slovenia and make the journey into Croatia, again a journey of about 100km. It is rumoured that Ryanair will offer a daily service from Stansted to Pula in 2007 but at time of writing this was subject to confirmation.
Climate
Istria enjoys a largely temperate
Mediterranean climate. In the
spring and late autumn, days will
be comfortably warm but cooler
at night. Summer months are hot although often with a cooling
north-easterly breeze in the
evenings.
Locals speak of many micro-climates and convincingly claim that where olive trees grow the climate is always milder but where there are no olive trees the climate is more continental.