Istria in Croatia is located on the northeastern part of the Adriatic Sea. Istria is proud of its miles of coastline full of dazzling beaches and its green inland full of forests and vineyards. During a stay in Istria, you will also find numerous villages and towns that breathe culture and history. The beauty and diversity of the region make Istria a popular holiday destination. For sun worshippers, for culture lovers, but also for those who love adventurous, but also exciting roads.

This is a northern route through Istria, starting on the eastern side in Opatija and ending on the western coast in the famous Poreč.
Due to the favourable climate of the place, Opatija has developed into a real tourist resort. The mountains of the Ucka massif protect the city from cold winds. Opatija was also declared an official health resort in 1889. The promenade on the coast of Opatija is about 11 kilometres long and is full of flowers and tropical plants. You can enjoy good restaurants and cosy terraces here. In the centre you will see many old hotels and pastel-coloured villas. The city is also rich in historical buildings, including those in classical and baroque style. The church of St. Jacob was built as a colony of Benedictine monks in 1420. The history of Opatija is closely linked to this church and its monastery, as this is where the name comes from (Opatija is the Croatian word for abbey). However, there is not much left of the original. In 1506 it was modified, then renovated at the end of the 18th century and expanded again in 1930. In front of the church of St. Jacob there is a copy of the Madonnina sculpture, which is the symbol of Opatija. The sculpture is a girl with a seagull and was made by sculptor Zyonko Car in 1956. Of special note is Villa Angiolina which was built by Hignio Scarpa, one of the first noblemen to come to the area and had a house built in 1844.
You leave Opatija in a southerly direction to refuel and then start the hairpin bends ascent to the Ucka massif with magnificent views over the Kvarner Gulf.

500 meters above the sea on the hills of the Učka mountain lies the medieval Veprinac. Venerable churches and historical fortifications characterize the extraordinary atmosphere. The visitor also gets a free magnificent view of the Kvarner Bay.

At the top of the mountain pass is the visitor centre for all visitors of the Učka Nature Park. This regional park consists of 160 km² of untouched nature, beautiful rock formations, mountain peaks, small villages, rare flora and fauna and impressive panoramas. The unique landscape with forests, meadows and mountains owes its wealth to the warm, rising sea air that cools down above the mountains and provides a lot of rain. As a result, the mountain area has its own microclimate. On hot summer days it is wonderfully cool here compared to the coast.
The central place of the reception building is a multimedia exhibition, which presents in a modern and interactive way the natural, cultural and historical values of the Učka Nature Park and its surroundings, with an emphasis on the needs of protection and preservation. The centre was built with the reconstruction of an old, destroyed and abandoned farm building in the centre of the park. After the visit, a ride to the top Vojak is of course a must.
The Vela Draga gorge is a unique geological phenomenon and a protected natural monument. The rock formations have been formed by nature over the centuries into high limestone columns, sometimes as high as a hundred meters. Two hiking trails run along the edge of the gorge, with information boards explaining the formation of the gorge. The easy walk goes to the lookout point, where you have a beautiful view of the rock towers in the gorge. The challenging walk goes all the way down from the lookout point.

But it gets even better! In Učka lies Hum, which according to the Guinness Book of Records is the smallest town in the world with 17 inhabitants, 14 houses and can be easily combined with the nearby waterfalls of Kotli. Hum is located in the municipality of Buzet and was completely renovated in 2012 because many houses were in bad condition. The road to it alone is worth visiting this place once; winding roads, nostalgic houses and authentic villages can be expected along the way. In addition, parking costs only 10 kuna, which is the equivalent of €1.20. The nice thing about Hum is that you go back in time here. The town is very old. Hum already appears in the books in the year 1102, then still under the name 'Cholm'. So what looks old here is really very old.
The medieval church and the watchtower attract a lot of attention. In the narrow, flowery streets you will find a few shops with souvenirs and drinks. And a brewery. At AurA Hum you can taste and buy local Biska (a kind of brandy).
Furthermore, it is especially fun to look around here. The streets are photogenic and the views beautiful. Those 30 inhabitants do not show themselves, their faithful furry four-legged friends keep watch in front of the door.

About 7 kilometers further lies the town of Roč, also so small. Between Hum and Roč lies a footpath called the 'Glagolitic Alley'. Along this footpath you will find monuments and sculptures in honor of the Glagolitic alphabet that was designed for the Slavic language. That is also why you buy souvenirs in Hum with completely illegible signs for us, with triangles and circles.

Your next destination is the Kotli waterfall. A jewel among the local waterfalls, about four kilometers from the source of the Mirna river, which flows into a limestone gully at the Kotli waterfall. On the limestone walls of the waterfall stands an old water mill, which gives the location an extremely rustic atmosphere. Children can enjoy themselves for hours in the water while you can enjoy an ice-cold beer at the adjacent restaurant. By the way, you don't do that, because you have to move on. Kotli is still a relatively unknown attraction, but is increasingly visited by tourists. The water mills were used until 1964 and they have remained completely intact to this day. The dilapidated houses, the old water mill and the location of Kotli take you back in time.

Buzet is strategically located on a hilltop in the interior of Istria. The town has a rich and fascinating history dating back to Roman times. Originally known as Pinquentium, the town played an important role throughout the centuries due to its location on trade routes. During the Middle Ages, Buzet was fortified with city walls and watchtowers to protect itself from invasions, which is still visible today in the well-preserved old town. In the 15th century, the town came under Venetian rule, which heralded a period of growth and prosperity. Today, Buzet is best known for its truffle hunting. Truffle lovers can indulge themselves in the Croatian Istria. The inland, around the towns of Buzet and (a little further away) Motovun has an optimal microclimate for truffles. They are therefore sought and found in abundance there. Truffles are sold everywhere in this region. Truffle paradise Buzet is a nice town on top of a hill. It is not so well-known and therefore still very rustic. Old houses that are close together, with a small square here and there. Narrow streets that you can stroll through. There is also a new part, downstairs. You don't have to be there, unless you are interested in the local liqueur distillery Aura. Buzet is also famous and loved for its wine, in addition to its truffle culture. It is therefore not surprising that the city is a paradise for food lovers with a passion for nature. Whether you are interested in the centuries-old architecture, a walk through the picturesque streets or tasting the famous Istrian truffles, Buzet will not disappoint you. For now, limit yourself to coffee, because that is slowly getting old and there are not that many opportunities here in the interior of Istria.

Motovun is an enchanting little walled town, perched on a 277-metre-high hill in the valley of the Mirna River. The setting is stunningly beautiful and a large part of its appeal lies in the lost view across the green valley, with the town towering over it like something out of a fairy tale. The damp, dark Motovun Forest at its foot also has a mythical quality, especially as it contains a hidden treasure in the form of the famous Istrian truffles.
It was the Venetians who decided to fortify the city in the 14th century by building two thick walls. Within the walls, an atmospheric cluster of Romanesque and Gothic buildings houses a number of artists' studios, restaurants and tourist-oriented shops. Newer houses and shops have sprung up on the slopes leading to the old town.
Here the table is set for your lunch.

Although it is tempting to stay put, there comes a time to move on. You pass Livade and via hairpin bends you reach the nice Italian-looking town of Oprtalj on the hill. From there it is a short distance to the beautiful village of Grožnjan. It has fewer than eight hundred inhabitants and has been inhabited by many artists and musicians since the sixties. This immediately gives the village a special character, because in the narrow streets you will find many nice shops with creative products and on the street you regularly hear live music playing. Grožnjan is also very photogenic, with beautiful views of the green surroundings, narrow streets lined with blooming flowers and nice squares to have a drink.

Now follows a route to and along the Slovenian border. In the valley around the border town of Momjan, the Istarska Malvazija grape thrives. This grape is a descendant of the Malvasia grape that is grown throughout the Mediterranean region under various names such as Malvasia, Malvazia and Malmsey. In addition, there is the Teran grape, which is the basis for beautiful full red wines that are legendary with dishes with truffle. A third grape that is important for the region is the Muškat Momjanski. This is a very aromatic white grape that grows exclusively around the village of Momjan and nowhere else in the world. This grape is used to make (semi) sweet wine as well as dry white wine.

You follow the border with Slovenia to the west. Soon you approach Umag, the northernmost seaside resort of Istria. Thanks to its ideal location and of course its unique flair, Umag has become one of the most popular destinations in the country. The picturesque harbour town of Umag has a long coastline with beautiful rocky, pebble and sandy beaches. The azure blue water of the Adriatic Sea is a real attraction. Like most towns in Istria, Umag was also once founded by the Romans. A number of churches, stylish Venetian mansions and remains of the old city walls are reminders of this. The old town centre is situated around a harbour, with cosy fish restaurants, taverns and tourist shops on the waterfront.

Novigrad is a real pearl along the Adriatic coast in Istria. The most impressive is the beautiful, romantic old town and a small beautiful harbor. Also the promenade at the water with numerous good restaurants and cafes invites you to walk over.

The ancient Roman city of Poreč is perhaps the most touristic place in Istria. The history of Poreč goes back to Roman times. The old town still has a typical Roman street layout. The two main streets cross each other, the Decumanus Maximus (which stretches from east to west) and Cardo Maximus (which stretches from north to south). In addition, you will find more ancient Roman ruins in the city. The Euphrasian Basilica, built in the 6th century under the Byzantine Empire and Bishop Eupharsius, is the most important historical sight in Poreč. In 1997, this basilica was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. And not without reason, because the Euphrasian Basilica is one of Europe's most beautiful intact examples of Byzantine art. The complex consists of the basilica itself, an atrium, a baptistery and a memorial chapel. The highlights of this place are the beautiful mosaics from the 6th century.