Tour the Istrian Peninsula

This romantic medieval town, 10 km inland from the Adriatic Sea, is also known as the "Sentinel of Istria" for its strategic hilltop location, from where you can see the important historical and commercial routes of Pula-Trieste and Umag– Buzet. 

The city went from being a Roman and Venetian settlement to a medieval city, from which its Venetian Renaissance architecture survives which you can recognize in its narrow streets and in the old town protected by stone fortifications. 

Visit in the central square and the baroque Church of Our Lady of Mercy, built on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple in the 16th century. Enjoy the regional cuisine and quiet surroundings of Buje, away from the coastal resorts of Istria but with easy access to the beach.

Overnight in Buje

Start this beautiful walk by travelling on to Brtonigla, a small village, a centre for viticulture and rural tourism located northwest of Istria, which was originally on top of a hill but eventually spread and then occupied it completely. 

Visit the church dedicated to St. Zenone, Bishop of Verona and patron saint of the city. If you prefer, change direction and discover on the coast of the municipality one of the largest campsites in Croatia, "Park Umag" or Istralandia Water Park, one of the two best of its type in Europe.  

Walk the paths while enjoying the views it offers of the surrounding landscape rich in agriculture, dominated by Mediterranean flora, cornfields, vegetable orchards, vineyards, olive groves and the mild Mediterranean climate. 

Once you return to Buje, you can take a stroll on the promenade outside its walls to appreciate the landscape of Istria.

Overnight in Buje

We will take you to Groznjan, one of Croatia's most charming and evocative villages in Italian Tuscany. In the 1960s, it was "redesigned" by a group of artists, who gave their own, distinct and abstract style to entrances, portals and cobblestoned streets. 

Visit in this bohemian village, where they play jazz and blues , the Spinotti Morteani Palace with its courtyard of Venetian architecture and one of its many galleries or shops, where you can buy handmade souvenirs: lavender chocolates, truffle oil or soaps with the symbol of the country.

Climb steep slopes and venture on a stretch of one of the most popular routes with cyclists: The Parenzana Trail or the Path of Health and Friendship, which runs through Italy, Slovenia and Croatia crossing the old Parenzana railway.  

It crosses the bridges and tunnels of this railway that was created to introduce Europe to the trade of different native products, such as the salt from the Secovlje salt flats or the famous oil from Istria. 

Then visit the village of Livade, the world centre of the Istria white truffle, where you should definitely try it before continuing on to Motovun. In this medieval village, get to know the most visited place in Istria by paragliders and encourage yourself to take a flight over the valley.

Overnight in Motovun

After a short transfer, you reach the small and picturesque village of Oprtalj, where the Istrian mountain trail begins. Enter wooded paths, cross small villages and farmland in Sveti Ivan and St. Lucija, before climbing up to a wonderful viewpoint over the River Mirna and extending your view to Mount Ucka. 

Traverse the ruins of Pietra Pelosa Castle while enjoying the breathtaking views over the River Mirna Valley before you spot, on a wooded hill, views of your next destination: Buzet.

Explore the old town of Buzet or Pinguente, known as the city of truffles (especially white ones) and for its local "grappa" production. Visit the local brewery to sample some of its different flavours, wines and olive oils.  

If you want to, you can also visit the Captain's Palace, the Parish Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Churches of St. George and the Holy Spirit or Kosmati Grad Castle.

Overnight in Buzet

Start a beautiful and long day of walking along the river until you reach the Korita Trail, a path with an old water mill and natural pools where you can take a relaxing swim before continuing on your walk.  

Hum, a city from in the Middle Ages, just 100 metres long, 30 metres wide and with about 17 inhabitants, is the smallest city in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. 

Visit its 11th-century castle and try some of its natural medicine, such as the mistletoe brandy, before continuing to climb a valley of forests called "The Mistletoe Way" to a viewpoint, the point of return back to Buzet along a picturesque and undulating path with waterfalls.

Overnight in Buzet

You will start the route in the Ucka mountain range, after moving to Poklon, from one of the trails that cross the mountain range to Plomin Bay in the Adriatic Sea. From Poklon (which in Croatian means reverence) the sea, the city of Rijeka and Trsat Hill are first sighted, where pilgrims used to kneel to greet the Virgin of Trsat.

Climb to the summit of Ucka, declared a nature park, towards Vojak Peak, where you'll have one of the best views in Croatia. On clear days, you can see the Istrian Peninsula, the Gulf of Kvarner with its islands, the Gorski Kotar Mountains, Mount Velebit, the Alps and Italy. 

Use your mountaineering and climbing skills in the many speleologists' favourite crevices and caves, or by descending the limestone range to the historic and coastal town of Lovran, to the east of the peninsula. If you prefer, take a taxi from Vojak to avoid this steep descent.

Overnight in Lovran

Discover Lovran, one of the oldest settlements on the east coast of the peninsula, nestled at the foot of the Ucka mountain range. Visit its historical-cultural heritage composed of rural environments and architectural buildings, turn-of-the-century villas with orchards full of cherries and chestnuts, its church with medieval frescoes and the tower in St. George's Square dating from the 14th century. 

Explore the unforgettable coastal landscape that connects Lovran with Volosko and Opatija, on the Lungo Mare seafront, built in 1900, a total of 12 km. Relax on one of the beaches in this town recognized as a climatic and therapeutic centre thanks to its lush Mediterranean vegetation and salt-laden atmosphere. 

Try truffles, chestnuts and asparagus, known as Sparoge, fresh seafood and local wine. 

Overnight in Lovran

For your return from Lovran, you can go to Pula Airport or Trieste Airport, take a bus or private transport booked in advance, which is the most recommended option.

End of our services.