Istria, sometimes referred to as the 'new Tuscany', is a peninsula located in the Adriatic Sea. Although the 2800 kilometer-square peninsula is divided between three countries – Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, the largest part belongs to Croatia, making it the westernmost county of Republic of Croatia. Due to its beautiful landscapes, green valleys, rich history, clean sea, sunny beaches and excellent cuisine Istria has become a hit destination for tourists all over the world.
Probably the most known landmark of the region is the colossal Roman Amphitheatre in the town of Pula. The Amphitheatre, dating from 1st century AD, was built to host gladiator fights and had a capacity of twenty thousand. The majority of the construction remains preserved to this day, now serving as a concert venue and hosting other cultural events.
Other notable historical monuments are the Euphrasian Basilica in the town of Poreč, a sixth century world heritage site and a first class example of Byzantine architecture and the Cathedral of St Euphemia in Rovinj, built in the 18th century and representing baroque architecture.
But for those not so interested in exploring history, Istria offers other options: visit the beautifully preserved Istrian coastline, with its intact beaches, bays, reefs, all combined with the warm and clean Adriatic Sea. Although major beaches in the vicinity of largest tourist centers are never quite peaceful, those inclined to find a small unpopulated beach for themselves will certainly manage to do so, especially if they rent a boat and explore the coastline to the fullest. There are many boat charters that are offering this service.
Istria has literally dozens of natural attractions, but perhaps the greatest are the Brijuni Islands. Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the whole Mediterranean, the islands are located near the southwest coast of Istria (near Pula). These fourteen islands are remarkable for their unique animal and plant life and the whole archipelago holds the status of a National Park, with significant efforts being made to preserve the untouched nature. Various sightseeing tours are organized from the nearby towns and villages.
But it’s not only the shore of Istria that’s exciting - the often overlooked interior of the peninsula offers an unique countryside experience – small villages, old fashioned wine cellars and inns, rural households and Istrian woods which create an idyllic peaceful atmosphere so easy to slip in. And everywhere you look around there are fields, famous Istrian vineyards and gardens; you can explore various olive oils and wine routes to grasp a dash of Istrian cuisine.
And although the food of Istria has various influences (most notably the Italian cuisine, due to Istria's centuries long connections with Italy) its main features include a lot of spices, wild plants, vegetables, and the previously mentioned olive oil and cooking wine.
For those interested in an active vacation, the town of Umag is the center of sport in Istria, having many sport and recreational facilities for football, golf, horse riding, cycling, diving, swimming, fishing etc. And is best known for its 'Umag Open' ATP tennis tournament held every year in July. The town itself is mostly adapted to the needs of mostly younger tourists seeking night life and excitement, but is also an important health resort for the elderly.
The tourism in this region continues to develop, with more and more guests coming every year to discover Istria, the pearl of the Adriatic.
