If you decide to explore and discover Istria on your own, we have prepared a few suggestions for you:
Poreč - Jama Baredine
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The historical core of Poreč is abundant in unique cultural & historical monuments from the past. The Euphrasius Basilica complex, under UNESCO's protection, is among the most valuable Byzantine buildings in the world, and the beautiful mosaics it boasts are also renowned.Decamunus, the main old-town street featuring magnificent gothic palaces, is an inevitable place to take a walk. After refreshing ice cream or cocktails in one the well-known pastry shops of Poreč, we suggest you visit Baredine Cave in Nova Vas, only 7 km from Poreč. Escorted by a professional guide, you will go on a 40-minute walk through five beautiful underground halls, and you will also see the human fish, an endemic species living only in karstic areas. |
Bale - Vodnjan - Pula
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Traces of dinosaurs and other animals from the Mesozoic have recently been discovered in the coastal area of Bale, and you can see their remains in Bale Museum.We also suggest you visit Vodnjan with its Church of St. Blaž, featuring the highest bell tower in Istria. The Church keeps a sacral art collection, as well as preserved bodies of saints, the so-called "Istrian mummies".It is safe to call Pula, the biggest Istrian city with a history going back 3,000 years, an outdoor museum of antique history. The most famous antique monuments are surely the Roman amphitheater, the Temple of Augustus, Sergius Triumphant Arch and the Forum.We are sure you will find a nice souvenir that will remind you of your stay in Istria in one of the numerous stores, boutiques or retail outlets in Pula. |
Motovun - Beram - Pazin
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Set off for the interior of Istria!
The medieval town of Motovun, surrounded by town walls, rises proudly on a lone hill above the Mirna River valley. You will enter the town through gothic gates and arrive at the square where the Church of St. Stepehen with its bell tower is situated. Motovun forest hides a veritable "forest treasure" - the world famous and highly esteemed Motovun truffle. Every year in August, the town gets occupied by the film industry and fans of the seventh art. Namely, Motovun is the summer stage of a film festival.In Beram, you will find beautiful frescoes in the cemetery church of St. Mary of Škrljine, which were painted by Vincent of Kastav in Pazin, the administrative center of Istrian County, has a valuable Ethnographic Museum with a permanent layout. If you decide on a short voyage back in history to learn about the material traditional culture, you will see the folk costumes of this region, typical tools for farm work, an exhibition of church bells from bell towers of Istrian churches, etc. It would surely be interesting to see the Pazin Cave, where Pazinčica, the only lost river in Istria, flows in. |
Buzet - Hum
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You will get to Buzet via Mirna River valley and Istarske Toplice. The town lies at the foot of Ćićarija massif, and it is characterized by a magnificent baroque fountain, one of the most beautiful in Istria. If you go further toward Lupoglav and Učka Tunnel, you will arrive at a Glagolitic center - a place called Roč. The famous Glagolitic Boulevard begins here, and ends in Hum, the smallest town in the world. This will also give you a chance to have a good biska (type of domestic brandy) in fresh air and have some deliciously prepared domestic specialties for lunch.
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