Istria an untouched gourmet destination on the Mediterranean

According to the Irish Independent, Croatian cuisine continues to soar in global popularity. In fact, the former Yugoslav Republic’s coastline is an untapped haven for tourists and fine dining aficionados. For those lucky enough to discover the northern peninsula of Istria, an oasis of serenity and five star restaurants awaits. While Dubrovnik and Split have traditionally catered to holiday guests, Istria is now the premier gourmet destination for locals and visitors alike. Over the years, Croatia has become synonymous with world class chefs and mouth watering food. Whether for business or pleasure, the Croatian countryside offers a culinary and sightseeing experience like no other.

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In Istria you will indulge in eating Fish

Istria is blanketed by local eateries and unsuspecting dining establishments. These, of course, are set to a backdrop of captivating architecture and sunsets. Whether you are in the mood for fine wine or mouth watering dishes, this hidden gem of the Mediterranean simply has it all. The northern peninsula is also home to a number of small motels and cottages. This is perfect for weekend getaways or for extended family trips. Like the magic of the Adriatic Sea, Istria simply soothes the soul with captivating and compelling scenery. Whether traveling from Dublin or the North, this marvel of the Mediterranean will dazzle your senses and taste buds.

Istria captures the true allure and essence of the exotic Balkans. This is especially true when it comes to its selection of local and regional cuisine. From home made olive oil to black truffles and sea bass, there are countless delicacies and scrumptious entrees available. The Italian influence has also propelled the Croatian wine market to heights never before seen. In fact, Istria’s wineries can easily compete with the finest establishments in Paris and Venice. Whether you crave deep red or sparkling white wines, these tantalizing beverages are must with any meal or snack.

For the kids, Istria offers plenty of fun filled activities. This includes boat rides, along with seaside artists that specialize in portraits. Like other Croatian cities, Istria has a vibrant nightlife consisting of bars with ocean views. This is perfect for couples that want to dance the night away to their favorite tunes. There are even restaurants that feature candlelight dinners for a more romantic and relaxed atmosphere. When it comes to visiting Croatia, don’t waste your time on overcrowded hotels and saturated nightspots in Zagreb. Simply rent a car and take a nice scenic drive up the coast. If you love good food and want to experience Mother Nature at her finest, Istria will truly achieve your desired results.

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Fazana in Istria Capital of the grilled Sardin
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Crystal clear sea

 

 

Discover the Flavours of Istria: Truffles, Olive Oil and Wine!

Croatia…to most people the name of this country will conjure up images of kilometres of beautiful coastline, brilliant beaches and bays, and sparkling azure water – the perfect place to go for a beach holiday. But lovely Croatia is not just about beaches and the ocean, and visitors will be delighted to discover that Croatia, and the Istria Peninsula in particular, is also home to a particularly good history of gastronomy. Istria is most famous for the wonderful truffles that come from the Motovun forests, but there is still more…! The region is also a producer of excellent Olive Oil and several Istrian wines that are starting to make a name for themselves in the international marketplace. Add to these the other elements of this very healthy Mediterranean diet, such as air-dried Istrian prosciutto (cured ham) and the enormous variety of seafood which is readily available all along the coast, and you have all the elements of a feast!

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Istrian beaches are the best known features in the area

Truffles: In Istria, the truffle (tartufi) is king! In fact, the very largest truffle ever found in the world came from this region and weighed over 1.3kg! The most sought-after truffle is the more elusive white truffle, but both white and black truffles are eagerly “hunted” from late summer to early winter, using specially trained sniffer dogs or pigs to indicate where these gems are hiding beneath the soil in the Motovun forests. To learn all there is to know about truffles and to taste some of the best truffle dishes, you should try to visit Istria when one of the truffle festivals is on, usually during October and November.

Olive Oil: Istrian Olive Oil has been produced in the region for hundreds of years, since Roman times, and has a delightful delicate flavour, making it especially suitable to add to other Mediterranean foods to enhance, rather than over-power. Beautiful Olive Oils are produced all over Istria, but predominantly in the north western parts, and the best way to find your particular favourite oil would be to go on an Olive-Oil tasting tour.

Wine: What would good food be like without a good wine to accompany it? Luckily, in Istria you need not worry, as there is plenty of great wine to enjoy with your food. Wine has also been produced in Istria for centuries, since the Romans began the tradition. Recently wine-producing methods have been modernized and Istrian wines are ready to make their mark internationally. It is believed that the unique soil found in Istria is responsible for the quality of the delicious Malvazija Whites and rich Teran Reds produced here. The best way to find your personal favourites is to get onto the wine-roads and taste, taste, taste!

Grilled meats and fishes.

Once you are in Istria you will soon discover that the dishes are mostly cooked according the Mediterranean tradition that demands for grilling. Huge fireplaces with spit roast facility are very common in Croatia. In fact along busy road it is not uncommon to see the grilling of whole pigs that will be served at the nearby restaurant. But the grill is not reserved for meat you can eat BBQ ordada (sea bream), and sardelle (sardines), and as the Croatian will say: Adriatic fish is the best. Enjoy.

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spit roast pork is ubiquitous in istria

Some Traditional Istrian Dishes to Try:

Before you leave you have to try some of the delicious specialities of the region: Beautiful Prsut ( Istrian air-dried prosciutto) is often served thinly sliced with some of the very traditional local sheep cheese as a starter…just wonderful accompanied by a glass of Malvazija. One of the most popular ways of enjoying the fabulous truffles is to grate some fresh truffle over eggs, Pasta or a grilled steak; the latter should be teamed with a glass of Teran, for a true taste of Istria. Also very popular is fresh shell fish of all descriptions and calamari. All of these are often combined in a seafood stew or added to a risotto – famous black risotto includes squid- ink and is a delicious speciality. Enjoy with a fruity Malvazija. Salute!

 

 

 

Escape Venice: discover Pula in Croatia!

Everyone loves Venice, but after a few days, especially at the height of the tourist season, you may feel the need to escape the crowds and try something completely different. Have you considered visiting Pula in Croatia? Yes, it is in another country, but it is very easy to reach from Venice by car (in under 4 hours), bus (about 5 hours) or by high-speed ferry (less than 3 hours, but unfortunately only operating during the summer). The pretty town of Pula lies at the southern-most tip of the Istria peninsula and has a very rich and interesting history, many beautiful protected beaches with crystal-clear water, a mild climate and many unspoiled spots to enjoy nature.

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The Pula’s amphitheatre

What to do in Pula

Historic Sights:

Pula has been around since Roman times, (ancient Polensium) and there is a wealth of remarkably well-preserved buildings dating back to this period. The most impressive of them all is the Arena, a Roman Amphitheatre which overlooks the harbour, and is the 6th largest surviving amphitheatre from the Roman Empire. This very large structure dates from the 1st-century and could accommodate 20 000 spectators who came to watch the gladiators fight to the death. The 30mt high outer wall has survived almost entirely and contains two rows of 72 arches – it is most impressive and imposing. These days, people come to the amphitheatre to enjoy pop and classical concerts in summer and the Croatian film festival is held there every year in July. What a wonderful setting!

After exploring the Arena, you should take a walk towards the centre of the town to see the Arch of the Sergii, a Roman triumphal arch, before going to see the Temple of Augustus, a Roman temple built to honour the first Roman emperor. This is the only one of a group of three temples to have survived until today, although it required extensive reconstruction after WWII when it received a direct hit and was severely damaged. There are also some remaining ruins of the Temple of Diana.

Beaches: Pula has over a hundred km of coastline with some superb beaches waiting to be discovered. The beaches are generally pebbly, unfortunately, but at many beaches concrete terraces have been built out to the edge of the water, so that you can slide into the clear, warm Adriatic sea without walking over the pebbles! The one exception is the Bijeca Beach in Medulin, where there is a sandy stretch, making this the best beach for children. Some of the best other beaches are in Punta Verudela, Banjole, Fazana and Premantura. If you have your own transport just drive along the beautifully scenic coast and find your own favourite beach. Many water-sports are available, such as windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling.

Accommodation in Pula: Pula has plenty of accommodation for visitors and you will find many hotels all along the coast, and some excellent luxury resorts, and a few hostels. The mild weather makes camping in Pula very popular; there are several campsites right on the beach for campers to enjoy.

Food: Pula has an interesting selection of restaurants where you can sample the local Istrian cuisine, which is a bit of a fusion of Italian and Croatian traditional dishes, with a large emphasis on fish and meat, while pork, seafood and wine feature very prominently. (Many local wines are produced in Istria and you can drive along the Istrian Wine Roads and visit some of the cellars if you enjoy wine). There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants, making Pula an ideal holiday destination for families.

 

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Istrian beaches