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Istria & Kvarner Riviera
From rolling hills separated by valleys shrouded in dense woods to impregnable medieval hilltop and coastal towns; it is hard to sum up this area in just one sentence.
Comparisons are inevitably drawn between Istria and Tuscany and, as recently as 1945, Istria was ruled by Italian masters - as a result, many Istrians speak the language fluently.Yet Italy is just one part of the historical fabric here, and few places in Europe can boast such a wide range of influences in such a small region.Traces of Roman architecture rub shoulders with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Slavs,Venetians, ancient Greeks and Austro-Hungarians all left their imprint. The Venetians maintained a presence on the coast for the best part of 500 years, and homes are painted in elegant time-worn shades of ochre, umber and terracotta. Rovinj is a picturesque and atmospheric scramble
SLOVENIA
of Venetian stone houses, narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards. Myth maintains that the Argonauts founded Pula, on the southern tip of the peninsula, at the end of their voyage, but the Roman influence is certain, with the town boasting arches, mosaics and an impressive amphitheatre. The green interior has a handful of delightful, medieval hilltop towns. From its dramatic rocky perch,Venetian Motovun surveys a river valley and woodland rich in truffles. Groznjan is a brochure writer's dream - a glorious jumble of stone houses tossed haphazardly onto the hillside, and now home to artists' studios hidden in the alleyways and courtyards.
Portoroz
N
Umag Brtonigla Novigrad Lanterna Lupoglav
Rupa Ruzici Opatija Pazin Cerovlje Pican Lovran
ki Rijec
Zaljev
1528 Veliki Risnjak
Rijeka
Porec Vrsar Rovinj Bale
Follow... one of the four officially recognised wine routes with varieties such as the ruby-red Teran and white Malvasija -and along the way stop in on one of the small farmsteads which advertise their wine and the potent rakija - Croatian grappa - by the side of the road. Taste... the influence of Italy in the homemade pasta and gnocchi served up with seafood and Istrian truffles " fresh fish in coastal towns such as Rovinj " smoked ham and cheese made from sheeps milk " succulent meats, traditionally grilled on a kamin, a wide open hearth, which is still the focal point of many homes. Visit... Porec to admire the Byzantine,World Heritage listed Basilica of Euphrasius which boasts a quite stunning apse " one of the hilltop towns of the interior and explore the narrow stone alleyways between the sandstone houses with wrought-iron balconies and open windows from which colourful geraniums tumble. Festivals... Pula Film Festival in July, with screenings held in the towns incredible amphitheatre " Krk Summer Festival in July and August, with opera, drama, ballet and folklore " Histria Festival in Pula in July and August, featuring a string of spectacular concerts and ballet performances by famous artists from all over the world " Street Art Festival in Porec in August featuring street theatre, clowns, acrobats, jugglers, music and dance performances, pantomime, artistic projects and workshops.
At a glance
Istrian and Kvarner Riviera
Pula
Pjescana Uvala
Kv
ar
ne
r
Adriatic
Climate
Istria & Kvarner Riviera Apr May 20 22
Sea
Ripenda Barban Rabac Ravni
Krk
Cres
ISTRIAN AND ISTRIAN RIVIERA KVARNER RIVIERA
12 km
© TUI 2006
Average daily maximum temperature (ºC) Jun 27 Jul 29 Aug 29 Sept 24 Oct 14
126
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