Istria: The Heart of CroatiaTowns and places of interest on the Istrian Peninsula Istria can be defined as heart shaped peninsula, situated in the north-west part of Croatia, bordering with Italy near Trieste. One of the best developed regions for tourism in Croatia, it's popular with Italian and Slovenian visitors in particular, being its closest neighbours. Istrian peninsula is lapped by the Adriatic Sea coastline on the east and south.
Heading to the interior reveals the ancient villages, farmhouses, green valleys, ancient ruins, all lapped by the sea! After leaving the beautiful Istria coastline, you are welcomed by pine trees into the virgin countryside. The vine yards, amazing valleys, pine forests and grapes farms make Istria a tourist hub! Once in the farmhouses, you can either go to hunt for Truffles or picking wild asparagus.
Getting around the areaHiring a car is the best options since getting a bus or a train in the area is very sporadic! Nevertheless, the sea lies only a short distance from the area; you can take a cruise around the great Istria coastline, enjoy a cool breeze or dive into the blue waters! Take the rare chance to visit Pazin - it is a 100m abyss in which river Pazinčica sinks to form three underground lakes! The lakes have been known to inspire Croatian writers not forgetting Jules Verne imaginations! Places you must visit while you are in Istria: GracisceMany define Gračišće as a medieval town while others refers to it as the highlight of Istria. The fascinating thing is the surrounding rolling hills and its ancient buildings. Skimming the Guinness book of record reveals a Truffle weighing 1.31 kg - the biggest truffle in the world. It was found in Istria by Gianario and Diana, his dog. Truffles are locally known as 'tartufi'.
MotovunAnother alluring site is Motovun; it is a fortified town built by the Venetians in the 14th century. It comprises of Gothic buildings, thick walls and a Romanesque. The ancient houses are now used as art studios and exhibition halls. Well, if you want to feel the true spirit of this town, attend the summer film festivals! VodnjanThe medieval town of Vodnjan lies some ten kilometres north of Pula, popular with the lovers of macabre. In amongst its attractions are remains of centuries old saints, whose bodies unexplainably failed to decompose. They're believed to possess magical powers! It's also home to many old churches, including an early Roman church, one of the largest parish churches in Istria. You will find many sporting activities in Vodnjan as well as a number of summer festivals. Butterfly houseThe Butterfly house lies in Majkusi, a small rural village overlooking the sea. You can enjoy a refreshing local drink as you also enjoy the sun rays over Mount Učka, Italian coastlines and the Adriatic Sea. It is interesting to note that the two century house comes with a dance floor and a pool too! Other great sites include:
ActivitiesSome of the must do activities include, overnight camping, bird watching and water sports. On a sunny afternoon you can go for a dive or skiing at the Adriatic Sea. Istria offers an ancient and a natural feeling taking you back to the venetians periods! These are just some of the highlights of the Istrian peninsula. Next time you visit this reagion, you will find plenty of things to do and places to explore on this beautiful Croatian peninsula. Author bio Ruby Andrew lives in Bristol, UK and is an avid reader and blogger. Since her early years she’s had a passion for writing. Her articles have been published in leading UK newspapers. Her areas of interest are food, book and movie reviews, travel, fashion, lifestyle, fitness and health. She works as a guest blogger on her chosen areas of interest.
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