Istrian Delights

Arrival to Poreč. Accommodation in hotel. Free time at leisure for personal arrangements. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

POREČ – a town located in a harbour protected by the sea by a small island St. Nicolas, today represents one of the most significant Istrian, and Croatian, tourist centres. It was developed and created by the Romans 2000 years ago after winning it over from the first citizens – Histrians.

Roman heritage in Poreč is evident even today in the old town centre – the position of two main streets Decumanus and Cardo Maximus represents typical roman castrum preserved in its ancient form.

The most important sight in Poreč, on the other hand, has been made by the Byzant – complex of Eufrasius Bazilica with diocese from 5th century. UNESCO has protected and listed this valuable monument to the World Heritage List in 1997.

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Galizana where we will visit olive groves and get introduced to the process of making the olive oil, and enjoy some olive oil tasting.

OLIVE OIL – Olive oil production in Istria is known from the ancient times, which is confirmed by numerous findings of oil tanks – amphora’s, and it is assumed that the olive tree was brought in Istria by the Greeks and Phoenicians. Istria grows two types of olives, typical only for that area: 'buza' and istrian 'bjelica'. Due to specific land and climatic conditions, application of modern methods in farming and processing olives, Istrian virgin olive oil is known for its high quality today, just as it was in the ancient times when it was enjoyed by the Roman emperors, that planted their own olive groves here.

In town LOBORIKA we will visit family business of one of the most famous Istrian producers of cheese and winner of many product quality awards. You will be able to taste and get familiar with the production process through the presentation and by observing a part of production process – live!

Ending our visit and tasting at cheese manufactory, we continue towards VODNJAN where we will visit famous prosciutto production.

ISTRIAN PROSCIUTTO – prominent place among the delicacies Istrian prosciutto owes to, primarily, the strict respect of traditional rules: from pig breeding, through special pork leg processing, till its drying and unique spice combinations, which gives it a distinctive flavour.

Within this program we will visit prosciutto production 'KOD MILANA', one of the largest, most famous and most appreciated prosciutto producers – winner of many golden quality awards.

After the visit, return to Poreč. Free time at leisure for personal activities. Dinner. Overnight.

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast departure towards Buzet to private estate owned by one of the most famous Istrian truffle finders. Here we will be able to, not only taste truffles, but also organize and participate in truffle hunting!

TRUFFLES – this unattractive underground mushroom, shaped as a potato or a ball of mud, on whose aphrodisiac abilities is often debated, is a true treasure of Istrian region. They can be found beneath soil, on depth from 10 – 30 cm, which means that in nature men can only find them with help of specially trained dogs or pigs. These animals, actually, trace and discover with their smell the exact spot where truffles are located. Two most important types of truffles are white and black truffles. In Istria we can find both kinds, best white ones can be found from September till December, and best black ones can be found from May till November.

After truffles search continue towards MOTOVUN. Sightseeing of this historical little Istrian town.

MOTOVUN – monument city! Best preserved medieval Istrian fortress that was built on top of a steep 277m high hill, to which the longest Istrian staircase of 1052 steps leads to. According to the legend, Motovun is one of Istrian towns built by the giants, but according to the history it was built by Ilirian or Celt tribes. Motovun forest that spreads miles away along the valley of river Mirna, is the biggest Istrian truffles habitat.

After guided sightseeing of Motovun, departure for late lunch on agritourism Stefanic. After lunch and short break in the nature surrounding the estate, say goodbye to your hosts and departure back towards Poreč.

Free time at leisure for own arrangements. Dinner. Overnight.

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast departure to Visnjan for a visit to famous Istrian winemaker that will, along with the story of grape vine in Istria and production process of wine making, offer tasting of his wines.

ISTRIAN WINES – Istrian inland offers plenty of taverns and wine cellars where you can taste the selected sorts of high-quality Istrian wines. Autochthonous Istrian wines are: white wine – Malvasia and red vine – Teran and Refošk, and the most famous dessert wine is Istrian Muscat.

Today in Istria we have marked six wine roads with nearly 70 wine cellars.

After wine tasting continue towards ROVINJ.

ROVINJ – picturesque, and by many the most beautiful Istrian little, small coastal town. Along with Poreč, Rovinj is also the most important tourist centre of Istria from the beginning of tourism development in Istria.

Rovinj panorama is distinguished by its high and slim bell tower of St. Euphemia Church, that is also the most significant cultural and artistic site of Rovinj. The town is located in the area of Red Istria – or in other words it is located in the area of red soil called 'crljenica'. In Rovinj archipelago there are 22 small islands from which we have to point out St. Andrew and St. Catherine as the two biggest ones.

After the sightseeing tour of ROVINJ, departure for lunch at agritourist FERLIN. Gastronomic tour is always best to finish with a visit to authentic rural household where you will be offered with homemade specialties by the hosts.

After lunch transfer to the departure airport.