The Istrian Peninsula - Adriatic Sea - CROATIA
Istria, or Istra as they say in Croatia, is a small unspoilt triangular peninsula that juts out into the northern Adriatic sea. VILLA KLARICI is in northern Istria near Motovun (which is on UNESCO Tentative list) across the Adriatic Sea from Venice. Approx 10 miles south of the Slovenian border.
LONELY PLANET 2011 ranks Istria 2nd among Top 10 to visit
LONELY PLANET 'Istria - The Heart of Croatia' Gastronomy, History, Hilltop Towns, 'Captivating Motovun' ...........
INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY 15 March 09 - Pula, Croatia & Gastro Tourism
WISH YOU WERE HERE. ITV Istria. ITV Jan '08
Times Online Istria: Food Garden of E Europe
Click for pictures of Our Favourite Local Dishes
ISTRIA GOURMET WEBSITE
What is a Truffle?
Nearer the Adriatic coast, which is a 30 minute drive, restaurants offer delicious fresh fish and shellfish. Order a carafe or bottle of locally produced wine to complement your meal. Local beer (pivo) and pizza is good here too.
Istra Gastro Guide
WINE AND OLIVE OIL
'Wine and Olive Oil Roads' have been set up in Istria and you can explore the countryside whilst visiting the signposted vineyards and olive oil presses.
Hill top Towns and Villages Motovun, Oprtalj, Buzet, Groznjan, Zavrsje, Buje, to name a few, are beautiful local places of interest.
TOURIST INFORMATION
There are many Tourist Information offices in Istria where they speak good English and are very helpful, the nearest being in Buzet old town. There are banks and ATMs and a Post Office (yellow signs) in Buzet, below the old town.
Local Istrian Restaurants - Truffles aplenty
ISTRIA TRUFFLE (TARTUFI) RESTAURANTS
Our romantic holiday villa is in the heart of Istria truffle (tartufi) country, where there are organised truffle gathering walks in the forests below Motovun. This delicacy is proudly served in local restaurants, the standard of many is very high. Zigante Restaurant in nearby Livade (where the annual Truffle Fair takes place), and Toklarija Restaurant in Sovinjsko Polje are two such prize-winning restaurants. Other restaurants and 'konobas' serve local air-dried 'prsut', local pasta and meat dishes, often garnished with grated truffles.
The villa's rural location means that you need to drive to restaurants and shops. However, you don't need to go very far. Zigante is in Livade, also 2 others, which is probably a 10 min drive (you can see Livade from the villa), Karoca in Sovinjak is perhaps an 8 min drive, (it has a beautiful garden for lunch), Konoba Volte in Kozari is at least 15 mins and Zlatni Breg in Prodani is another 2 or 3 km from there. This is our absolute favourite restaurant for steaks and other local meat dishes, with charming host and hostess, Davor & Jasminka.
PLACES OF INTEREST AND THINGS TO DO
The Motovun Film Festival takes place in July every year.
Take a Hydrofoil across the Adriatic to Venice. We suggest you depart from Porec and it is best to book in advance. We recommend booking VL Comfort Lounge.
Visit the Istrian Spa at Istarske Toplice approx 4 miles from Villa Klarici.
Have coffee and icecream in the sun and 'people-watch' at the Marina at Rovinj, a beautiful Venetian town on the W coast.
Visit Palud the Bird Sanctuary near Rovinj
Grocery Shopping
There are no shops near Villa Klarici and you will need to pick up your groceries when you are out and about, visiting nearby towns. There are many mini-marts in the surrounding towns, such as Livade and Motovun, and supermarkets in larger towns. The nearest modern supermarket is Plodine in Buzet (named 'City of Truffles'). This is approximately 12 miles from Villa Klarici, so should you enter Croatia at the border crossing of Pozane-Socerga, you can pop in to this supermarket on your way to the villa, where, conveniently, there is an ATM. A new Plodine has also opened on the road between Motovun and Pazin on the roundabout, which is convenient, should you be making your way to the villa from Pula direction, and one is now open in Rovinj . Fruit/vegetable and fish markets are good value, and the local Istrian people couldn't be more friendly. There are good produce markets in Rovinj and Pula.
Historical Sites in Istria
At nearby coastal Porec you can visit the ancient UNESCO Site Basilica of St Euphrasius and its beautiful gold mosaics.
Pula has many ancient Roman buildings, the most famous being the Roman Amphitheatre or Roman Arena in Pula..
Horseriding Ranch
Marija Berković, Croatian champion in horseriding in 2008 (endurance category), runs a ranch where you can go horseriding. There are also other animals to be seen at her ranch. See Buzet website
Paragliding in Buzet
The hill at Rasapdalica, 15min from Buzet centre is ideal for PARAGLIDING and a popular site. See website tici.com
Hiking Trails in Istria
Information about Hiking Trails is shown on Buzet website
Swimming in the Adriatic
There are some lovely spots where you can swim in the sea, such as those around Novigrad, amongst many. The sea itself is clear and very clean. The beaches are not sandy in Istria, but rocky, and often have small purpose-built sunbathing platforms on the beaches.
Croatian Wine - In the Press
THE INDEPENDENT - Food & Drink - Anthony Rose
The Istrian Connection - Anthony Rose 2
Best Restaurant in Istria - Anthony Rose 3
Tony Aspler's Wine Lover's Diary
Free Wi Fi INTERNET Access in BUZET CITY CENTRE
Wi Fi INTERNET Access in BUZET CITY CENTRE
Free Wi Fi Internet access is now available in Buzet Centre. Buzet City is currently working on expansion of the cover. If you have any questions, please enquire at the new Tourist Information Office up in Buzet old town, which is normally open from 8am to 3pm.
