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Blue Istaria:
Life along the coasts of Istria has always been closely linked to the sea. Seafarers found shelter in the coves' embrace, fishermen respected such mysterious wide open spaces throughout their entire life, travellers discovered new loves in its harbours. And they will all agree on one thing - the beauty of the Istrian landscape has enchanted many a traveller convincing him to stay and have a new start…
Sail with us along Istria's azure coast, set out with the rays of sunlight from the east slowly towards the west, plunging into picturesque Mediterranean motifs - coves and beaches, small boats floating peacefully, awaiting in the beauty of solitude.
On the hilltop in the distance you can see Labin, town that has proudly protected its citizens inside its walls for centuries, and below it lies glittering Rabac spreading along one of the loveliest beaches in Istria. And then further on, until the southernmost tip, Cape Kamenjak, protecting the western coast where you are first greeted by millennia-old Pula. Look around and cherish the view of the city and its magnificent Arena before you are seduced by the Brijuni archipelago. When you set off once again after this breathtaking sight, the beauty of Rovinj calls out from the vast blue horizon, spinning you through its narrow winding streets and twirling you into the warm embrace of Lim Bay. There, you will be invited aboard the boat which, accompanied by melodies and flavours of the Mediterranean, takes you to Vrsar's Sestrice and then on to the beaches of Poreč. Along the way be sure to greet the bathers and surfers, and if you happen to see a buoy, it means that somewhere around, in the silence of the azure, divers are exploring some other worlds.
If you continue north, all the way to Savudrija, you will be guided safely into port by the oldest lighthouse standing by ancient Neapolis, one-time seat of the diocese, and present-day Novigrad. And at the close of the day, in Umag you will hear the enchanting Venetian sounds of its queen of instruments. Take a break in the mandrač, characteristic small Istrian boat harbour. There, along the coast, fishermen are repairing their nets, each of them absorbed in thought about past times. The deep lines on their faces reveal memories of wind and sea, salt and storms. They will be glad to tell you tales of the sea, accompanied by tasty pilchard and a glass of homemade Malvasia.
Green Istaria:
Istria has laid out its wonders in the garden of the Mediterranean, at the foot of the Alps. The blue Adriatic Sea washes its shores, and the towns strung like pearls along the coast: Umag, Novigrad, Poreč, Vrsar, Rovinj, Pula, Rabac - the towns that have made Istria a famous destination.
But there is also another Istria, a hidden Istria, whose treasures are also worth exploring - the inland heart of Istria, green Istria, a land between dreams and reality, a land of beauty and peace of history and clean, unspoiled nature. Its towns and its people will bid you welcome and let you share in their spirit and the times long gone.
Crowned hilltops:
Ancient Istrian towns were built on the peaks of the hills: today they are treasure troves of antiquity. For centuries they have stood on the hilltops, crowning their beauty. Their thick walls witnessed the arrival of master builders and artists who added to their splendour.
The doors to these ancient towns are always open, and the church bells beckon the visitors to enter. There are flocks of doves in there, men chat in the streets, and children play in the shade of ancient lime tress. The sun bathes the tranquil scene in a golden glow.
Istria special – Countryside:
If you wish to feel the atmosphere of good old country households, wholesome dishes of the traditional cuisine, romantic hearths and scented wine cellars, discover the charms of country tourism, small family-run rural hotels and homesteads.
Through the enjoyment in the noble drops and home-made food while sitting on wooden benches under a rosebush or next to the hearth, you will taste all the gentleness of Istria and the beauty of it inhabitants’ lives. When the birdsong wakes you in a warm cosy bed of a traditional Istrian country house, you will feel that everything has an air of tranquility and that time goes by at a slower pace. The view from the window will open on fields, vineyards, olive-groves and gardens; gentle scenes which reflect the work of hard-working hands. If you feel like it, you can mount a horse and go for a ride through the woods nearby. When you get to know these households, you will feel as if you have strolled into an idyllic scene of country life right off the canvas of an old painting.
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