Istria is the largest Croatian peninsula, unique and magnificent, around which the Adriatic Sea has deeply etched itself into the land, sprinkling its jagged coastline with a thousand lagoons and islands, and surrounded in the northeast by the Cicarija and Ucka mountains, Istria is prepared to reveal its thousand years of history to the chance traveller. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner The peninsula lies mostly in northwestern Croatia, in the Istria county. A small slice in the north belongs to Slovenia and a tiny region encompassing the town of Muggia (Slovenian Milje) belongs to Italy.
Buje | Buzet | Grožnjan | Labin | Rabac | Medulin | Motovun | Novigrad | Pazin | Poreč | Pula | Rovinj | Umag | Višnjan | Vrsar
Important towns in Istria include Koper/Capodistria ("head of Istria"), Pula/Pola, Porec/Parenzo, Rovinj/Rovigno, Pazin/Pisino, Labin/Albona, Motovun/Montona, Buzet/Pinguente and Buje/Buie. Of special mention are the smaller towns of Visnjan, Roc and Hum.
The larger geographical features of Istria include the Ucka (Monte Maggiore) mountain in the east, the rivers Dragonja, Mirna, Pazincica and Rasa, and the Lim bay.
The peninsula Istria is the most popular destination for foreign visitors to Croatia. Umag and Porec continually top the annual poll of best holiday resorts in Croatia, as organised by the Croatian National Tourist Board and Croatian TV. Most visitors arrive by car, but you can fly in to Pula Airport. Istria is also easily reachable from Trieste or Venice-Treviso airports, where Ryanair fly to, or Venice Marco Polo airport, where Easyjet fly to.
Istrian Lifestyle" is a local saying that sums up all that is great about the place. The people are rightly proud of their fine wines, truffles, Istrian Ham, olive oil, the classic stone houses, gastronomy, history, traditions and landscapes – come and live the 'Istrian Lifestyle' with the Istrian!
Relaxed Istria
After a breakfast of coffee and still-warm pastries, follow any quiet inland road (no frenetic motorways here) and chance upon a quaint church festooned with frescoes. Or simply stop at the roadside, awe-struck, at the sheer natural beauty of the fertile valleys, the rich dark orange-coloured earth, the oceans of olives, figs, almonds and grapes, the waterfalls, the steep pine-clad sides of so many fiords.
For lunch a shady roadside tavern serving the crisp white, and temptingly quaffable, Malvasia wine - as good as anything from France or Italy - an excellent liquid accompaniment to the simplest tastiest pasta, fish or roasted pork dishes. One of these dishes will probably be flavoured liberally with white or black truffles.
An afternoon stroll may lead you to chance upon a village celebration, the locals dancing the ancient balun dance in the main square with swirling costumes and music from age-old instruments - and always a genuine welcome.
The twilight evening road brings you to fairytale coastal towns such as incredibly picturesque Rovinj or Vrsar, complete with their own island entourages. Time for aimless unhurried wanderings around quaint stalls and shops. An alfresco dinner set next to a vast panorama of calm sea or maybe a bustling square with squadrons of swallows, performing impossible aerobatics, wheeling and chirruping overhead. Afterwards, join the locals in a slow amble, in the cool scented air, over the characteristically shiny pink flag-stones reflecting the lively colours from different shop doorways. Or maybe a quiet stroll around a sleeping port, boats gently bobbing, and guarded by the ever present yellow-lit Venetian campanile.
Alternatively, take a road that will lead you to a lazy day at the sea-side, but no ordinary bucket-and-spade day this - Istrian seas are, without exception, clean, clear and every shade of pure azure blue. Sitting at the water's edge on bright white pebbles, gaze out to misty islands, themselves all green pine forests and white beaches. Many are reachable by boat so why not spend a day exploring them or else just relax on your chosen island with a picnic?
Don't miss the Brijuni Islands – a fabulous seven kilometer long necklace of fourteen islands, a paradise national park where the abundance of unusual flora and fauna mingle happily with numerous bird species, deer and mouflon. Join the celebrities and world statesmen who rightly choose these islands as their private holiday hideaway.
Local food
Istrian food is similar to Italian food, but with its own identity, nurtured over the last ten years. There are 600 restaurants in Istria, quite a feat for such a small region, so the choice is huge.
Yet quality is assured because the tourist office vets all restaurants and tavernas and recommends a fine-tuned 80 of them. Ask your local tourist office for the Istria Gastro Guide.
Original dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients and with a bygone level of service await you in these eateries.
Here is a 'hit parade' of Istrian food that simply must be tried: Creamy fusi al tartufo, little pasta cylinders, with white truffle shavings; scampi alla buzzara, with tomato, garlic and lemon - serviettes in collars are a must for the delicious soup that comes with this dish!; Cevapcici – herby little sausages – eaten with a side dish of onions and ivar (a red, peppery sauce); fresh wild asparagus in April, sold at the roadside by charming old ladies; Istrian ham, cut thicker than the Parma variety and very flavourful on its own or as an ingredient. Istrian truffles (both white and black) are even exported to Italy. And it is the white truffle that is most highly prized.
Local wine
And all this washed down with wines that compare with the best French and Italian. The most notable of these are: Malvasia or Malvazija, a crisp, straw-yellow, fruity wine – the most popular white, while lively Terran, a ruby coloured red is used as the prime ingredient for making supa, a red wine soup. Other notables are the Muscats of Momjan and the Muscat Rose of Porec¡ with good Chardonnays and white and grey pinots bringing up the not inconsiderable rear. To finish, Kruskovac, a delicious pear liqueur.
Istrians are renowned as particularly hospitable people, especially in inland Istria, and you may be invited in for some locally dried ham washed down by a drink of home-made Rakija, a grape or fig brandy.
How to get
The only airport in Istria is Pula Airport, which is served by scheduled and charter flights from Europe.
Airport - Pula
Contact Information:
Address: Valtursko polje 210
Postal code: 52100
Town: Pula
Phone: (052) 530 111 (052) 530 105
Fax: (052) 550 914 (052) 550 915
Webpage: www.airport-pula.hr
Sport airport- Pula
Contact Information:
Address: Alda Negri 41
Town: Pula
Phone: (052) 550 914
Fax: (052) 550 914
Bus Treminal Autobusni kolodvor Pula
Contact Information:
Address: Sijanska cesta 4
Postal code: 52100
Town: Pula
Phone: 052 500 012
Fax: 052 535 158
Buje - The town of Buje, rich in history, lies inland only twenty kilometers from Novigrad and thirteen kilometers from Umag. Traces of life in this region date back to prehistoric times, through the Roman Bullae, the Slav necropolis, to a medieval town.
Stone fortifications dated from that time (fifteenth century) protect the old town centre with its narrow streets and central square dominated by a gothic palace and the baroque church of St. Servula from the sixteenth century, built on the foundations of a Roman temple. A modern development has sprung up outside the old town centre as a cultural, economic and traffic centre on which the influence of the gentle mediterrenean climate and nearby sea is discernable. For those who love peace and quiet, who want a vacation away from the everyday hustle and bustle, this picturesque town offers the best possible haven, and for lovers of good food, it offers selected Istrian fish and game specialities.
Buzet is standing on the top of hill, above the fertile river Mirna valley. It was first mentioned as the prehistoric ruin of a castle, made like the acropolis, which top people could reach climbing circularly, like to the edge of a snail shell.
The settlement runs downward slope of the hill from the north to the south. It has two town gates, four squares connected with three main streets. The main square with the parish church is chiseled out in the live rock. The water well which dates from the 18th century was once the heart of the town.
The new, modern part of the town is gathered nowadays in the bottom of the hill, in Fontana. The fairs were held there during the 19th century and the National home was built in 1907.
Groznjan is a small town in the central part of Istria, 8 km southeast of Buje; situated on the northern offset of the plateau above the Mirna valley; elevation 260 m; population 193. Tourism has been developed in an organized way since 1965, when Groznjan was turned into an art colony. Deserted houses were converted into studios and art galleries.
Today Groznjan is the meeting point of young musicians from all over the world because the International Cultural Centre of Young Musicians has its seat here. Every year Groznjan organizes music courses (violin, cello, viola, piano, organ, etc.), orchestra courses, ballet courses, recital, directing, video and audio recording courses, seminars for architects, panel discussions about environmental protection and yoga courses.
The area offers good opportunities for walking, cycling, hunting and spelaeology. A restaurant in Groznjan offers Istrian specialities. During summer months concerts and music events are held almost every day. At the end of summer, the international art ex tempore is held.
Labin lies at the southeast of Istria. The nearest harbor Rabac is 5 km away. This town, founded in the early medieval period, consists of two parts, the old town on the hilltop and the new part. Walking the streets of the old town is like visiting a museum: the city gate is from the 15th century, palaces are decorated in a Rennaisance style, while the Baroque facades are decorated with aristocratic families' coats of arms. Due to its rich cultural heritage Labin is ideal for guests interested in art and history, not looking only for sun and sea. The old town has a great view of Rabac, Kvarner, Gorski kotar and Velebit. The nearby bay of Prklog has been proclaimed a protected area due to its beauty. The wooded hills and valleys surrounding Labin are a great place for hunting.
Rabac, placed in a beautiful bay close to Labin, is a tourist center and harbor on the south-east coast of Istria. The bay is known for its beautiful pebble beaches and rich vegetation, while the place itself is known for its wide range of tourist services. In Rabac, a small fishing settlement until the 19th century, many beautiful houses have been built, turning Rabac into a world renown tourist center and health resort. We recommend it for a family holiday due to its crystal-clear sea, terrific beaches and wide range of tourist services. The promenade along the coast suitable for bike riding, jogging or roller blading, numerous restaurants offering gastronomic specialties for the entire family and many sporting facilities make Rabac the most attractive destination on this part of the Istrian coast. This year, Rabac received the Blue Flag, the international award for ecological quality and standards, for its entire coastline, making it unique in Croatia.
Medulin lies in the extreme south of Istria, 11 km southeast of Pula, on the north-eastern part of the well-indented Medulin Bay and has a little population of 1,805. Chief occupations are farming, fishing and tourism. Sandy bottom, the pine forest on the peninsula south of the town and a relatively easy access have accounted for development of tourism. The port of Medulin is extremely shallow (0.9 to 2.5 m) and therefore suitable only for smaller vessels. The protected Medulin Bay is -ideal for camping and swimming, so that a campsite was arranged on the south-eastern coast of the Kasteja Peninsula (2 km from Medulin). Medulin lies on the regional road Pula - Pomer - Medulin - Liznjan.
The rise of tourism in Medulin is linked to the end of the 19th century, when in the Tourist Guide of Pula and the Surroundings from 1889 the excursions to Medulin were recommended. The appearance of the first residential tourists coincided with the establishment of the Society for Beautification of Medulin and Its Surroundings in 1909. The first were Czech tourists, who used to come here already before the First World War. Between the two world wars, tourist trade in Medulin experienced a period of stagnation. Immediately after the Second World War the city of Zagreb undertook to organize a children's summer colony in Medulin. The Tourist Board Medulin, founded in 1958, and the Tourist Company Riviera of Medulin, established in 1969, built three hotels with pavilions from 1969 to 1971 and started the construction of a nudist resort.
Once a farmer's and fishermen's village, the present Medulin is one of the most important tourist resorts in southern Istria. The coast of Medulin is low, sandy and well-indented. The Medulin archipelago, with its ten islets and the coastal phenomenon called "primosten" or "tombolo", represents a special natural attraction, together with its lavish vegetation cover and extremely favourable climate.
Apart from hotels and campsites, Medulin also offers rooms and apartments in private family houses, so that Medulin's total daily accommodation capacity is 17,000 tourists. Everything here is subject to tourism. The mainstay of tourism in Medulin are sports. Young generations are familiar with the Medulin disco, while the lovers of live music and dance can find entertainment on many of the open terraces in Medulin. The town is also famous for its high quality concerts of classical music which take place in the summer. About 40 restaurants found in Medulin represent a real challenge for gourmands, either for the lovers of modern cuisine or for those who favour original fish, meat or vegetarian dishes.
The summer in Medulin is abundant with various music and sport events as well as entertainment, including the traditional carnival (in February), St. James the Apostle's Day, the patron saint of Medulin (in July), and the Sanpjero Cup, a traditional competition in the games of skill organized for the young people from five villages within the Medulin Municipality (in July and August).
With its six grass football fields, track and field facilities and favourable Mediterranean climate, Medulin represents an ideal training centre for football players and other athletes. In addition, there are facilities for many other sports: tennis, miniature golf, bowling, boccia, beach volley; surfing, yachting, horseback riding, diving, water skiing; boats, beach canoes, pedal boats, water scooters, bicycles and motorbikes on rent.
The Izula Peninsula features the ruins of a Roman country villa and antique graves. Prehistoric hill-forts (stone fortification) can be found on the hill Vrcevan and Cape Kasteja (Punta Kasteja). The parish church of St. Agnes keeps a silver-plated processional cross from the 15th century
Motovun is an example of an acropolicaly situated Istrian city that has existed from prehistoric times to the present. It is located about twenty kilometers from Pazin, the county seat.
As an entity, Motovun is a firs-class architectural landmark. Within the historical nucleus, many individual architectural works of great value have been preserved. The belt of town fortifications on the hilltop is one of the rare fortification entities that have been preserved throughout the entire length. Within the bulwarks is a communal palace, a monumental Romanesque house in which the base formed the passageway of the interior municipal gates. The palace was built in the 12th century and enlarged during the 16th and 17th centuries.
The new gates are located on the outer square. They were built in the first half of the 16th century, as was a tower with Renaissance characteristics. On the opposite side fo the same square is a Renaissance-baroque loggia, one of the characteristics of communal life. The central square of Motovun is dominated by the parish church of St. Stephen, built at the beginning of the 17th century, beside which rises a 13th century mediieval belfry. The belfry was built when the original church was constructed of this site, and in the past has also served as a defensive tower. The church inventory is of enivable artistic value.
The narrow streets of Motovun preserve the medieval character of the city. There are three more churches of particular interest - the Madonna of the Servites (Madonna od Servita) 1584., St. John the Baptist and Our Lady of the Gate (sveti Ivan Krstitelj i BDM od Vratiju) 1521, and St. Anthony of Padua (16th century, renovated in 1855). Thirteen archeological localities contribute to a knowledge of the past in Motovun and the environs.
Motovun is famous for his film festival.
The Motovun Film Festival is dedicated in its entirety to films made within small film industries and independent productions, films that, competing with expensive blockbusters, have managed to win attention owing to their originality, ideas and energy. In every sense - except in its ambition and quality - Motovun wants to be a small festival, showing small films - 'small' in the most heartening sense of the word.
The Motovun Film Festival is primarly an international festival. As such, it is mostly focused on foreign films. Nevertheless, it was conceived to fit Croatian standards and needs. The Festival hopes to become a focal point where local film-makers will re-establish contacts with their foreign collegues, a meeting point, a place that would serve as breeding-ground of new ideas.
By its contents, the Festival is very informal in nature: there is no protocol, no VIP lounges, no places open to some and restricted for others. Such an approach has created a unique laid-back atmosphere, which has become the Festival's hallmark.
Novigrad (4000 inhabitants) is a small picturesque fishermen's town settled on the Western Coast of Istria, 15 km to the north of Porec, where once lied Emonia, a Roman settlement. Narrow streets, antique monuments made out of stone, interesting old-time houses and their facades together with the partly preserved old walls remind us of the tumultious times in the past and form a specially beautiful seaside town, which thanks to the hospitality of its villagers has turned out to be town, meeting modern tourism necessities. Small hotels, old-time buildings and a marine make the centre of the town look even more idyllic.
Novigrad lies on a peninsula with well protected harbour. It says that here the Greek sailors had established their colony and the Romans the fortification called Civitas Novum. Once the seat of the bishopric (520 - 1831), nowadays it is an urbanized green peninsula, tourist resort on the western coast of Istria. The town has developed on an island which was connected to the land in the l8th century. Novigrad has preserved its medieval streets, the old town walls and towers. In the old town there are a few Gothic houses. Municipal Loggia and residential palaces. Although the parish church bearing three names - ST. Mary, St. Maximilian and St. Pelages had been restored in the Baroque style, it has retained its Romanesque, as well as Early Christian fragments. Underneath the shrine there is a tree-naves Romanesque crypt a very precious sacral treasury. To the north of the town, on the peninsula called Karpinjan, there are remnants of the late Baroque palace of the Rigo family. This was only a fragmentary historical frame of Novigrad, the town the existence of which has always been based on tourism.
The town represents today one of the most visited touristy towns on the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea with the cleanest sea and the coast with more than thousand islands.
The Novigrad Riviera stretches from the village Dajla in the north to the mouth of the river Mirna in the south The pine forest, rocky and shingle beaches and the clear blue sea represent the ideal Mediterranean combination and the reason for the unforgettable holidays.
Novigrad is peculiar also as an example of the successful development of the town trough the melting of the ancient, medieval and modern architecture in the harmonious unity. Walking along the well preserved city walls you'll notice the whole amount of medieval buildings (towers, loggias, houses, palaces) which are not only the monuments of the rich history are the parish church of St. Pelagius (dating back to the 13 th century, restored in the 18 century) ant the thee aped church of St. Agatha (from the 10 century, dated from old Christian period).
Well-equipped little port-marina is the witness of the eternal connection between inhabitants and the sea. The wide offer of different catering, accommodation and other touristy facilities appears as a result of longtime development of Novigrad from the small port and fisherman s town into the prestigious tourist centre. Since the other parts of infrastructure are positively solved (roads, post office, banks, a services of security, doctor's services four tourists, specialized shops, other shops...) you can surrender yourself to the sea, gastronomical, enological and other pleasures of our country.
Novigrad, like the most Istrian tourist towns, has extremely well offer of touristy facilities. Next to hotel Maestral there's the whole complex of sports grounds for tennis, beach volley, football, basketball as well as for mini golf and table tennis. This combination of the pinewood and the sea gives the excellent conditions for sport and recreation, which defines Novigrad as a destination for many sports teams during the period of preparations. The hotel has the indoor swimming pool and the sauna.
If you are interested in the top-level tennis, don't miss the ATP Croatia open-the famous tennis tournament that is held in July in the nearby town Umag. If you want to see the Novigrad riviera the other perspective, we recommend the panoramic delta plan flight from Karigador (about 5 km from Novigrad). Specific quality of the ground that is winding towards the inland is the ideal challenge for the cycling fans. Here you can find several arranged paths that extend over the picturesque medieval settlements in the inland.
Pazin is a town of long and rich tradition. It is situated in the very centre of Istrian peninsula, only 30 km away from well-known tourist centres. The intensity of life here is pretty much the same in
winter and summer.
The Castle of Pazin is the biggest and the best-preserved medieval fortress in Istria. It was first mentioned in written documents in 983. Since that time, the Castle and the growing civil area that surrounded it have been given as present, conquered and sacked, destroyed, rebuilt and sub-leased many times.
The miraculous Cave of Pazin has since long ago attracted the attention of many who had a chance to see that unique work of natural forces. We can find it, together with the Castle of Pazin, in the works of many travel writers (Valvasor, Petronio, Yriarte).
Poreč is a town of pleasant sun and warm sea, as well as town of many cultural monuments (Euphrasius Basilica from VI st century, The temple of Neptun, Romanesque house and many others.). It is a town of good wine, ham, cheese, olive oil and more then 70 sports activities. It has 165 tennis courts located near to the sea. There are plenty of well-known bars, night clubs, disco clubs and restaurants.
Plenty camps, hotels, apartments and beaches provides pleasant summer holidays.
Organized tours can take you to Venice, Islands of Briuni, City of Pula etc.
There is no doubt that Porec is the Croatian tourist capital. It has been competing for this title for more than a half of century, since the rise of tourism. In all different actions organized by the Croatian media and National Tourist Organization there is no one else but Porec when it comes to taking the first place. 80 many rewards and certificates which no other Croatian tourist city has. This position is achieved through the mutual efforts of hotels and city authorities. In order to meet its guests properly, during the last few days of winter it is being prepared for the incoming season. The number of residents exceeds the number of tourists during summer months. Porec tourism is more than sun, sea and perfect tourist image. The summer visitors know how to recognize the city that is still keeping its historical values, which can be seen in the historical city center. You can find museums, galleries in the most valuable city pal aces, many of them are the homes for people as they have been centuries ago. Many of our guests probably do not know that they are walking on the streets, built during the Roman times. One part of the city ramparts and towers is still preserved, in the Pentagonal tower there is a restaurant and in the Round tower a pub. Besides Basilica, now it is possible to visit Euphrasius' bishopric, opened in the year 2000 as an architectural monument and the church museum.
The capital of the Croatian tourism has one more face - sports. Many individuals, teams and selections of different sports choose Porec for training. The sports offer satisfies even those most demanding tourist amateurs.
Tourists regularly return to Porec Riviera ten, twenty years in a row to celebrate birthdays and family anniversaries at their favourite tourist resorts and hotels where they are so familiar with the people that serve them that they call them by their first names. What makes this part of the western Istrian coast so special and attractive to tourists that they don't want to change it for another summer or winter destination? On the fifty kilometer coastline from the Mirna River to the deep natural bay of the Lim Canal there is such diversity for those with a sense of adventure to enjoy and explore for years to come. It is here because of the natural beauty, cultural monuments and a half-century of investments in tourism where the elite zone of Croatian tourism evolved.
Pula is situated at the southern part of Istria. Pula has been in existence since 3 thousand years. It represents a very fine combination of the old and modern city where many famous writers and composers have found inspiration for their masterpieces. Many cultural and historical monuments dominate its panorama and represents today the unique setting of various cultural and artistic events. Tourist facilities are located outside the town in woods close to the sea. Beaches stretch along, 100 km of beautiful and indented coast. The city is best known for its many surviving ancient Roman buildings, the most famous of which is its first century amphitheatre, sixth largest in the world, locally called Arena. Arena is one of the best preserved amphitheaters from antiquity and is still in use today during summer film festivals. Two other notable and well preserved ancient Roman structures are the first century triumphal arch, the Arch of Sergius, and temple to Apollo built in the 1st century AD Roman emperor Caesar Augustus. You can still walk through the city's old quarter of narrow streets, lined with Medieval and Renaissance buildings, on ancient Roman paving stones.
The natural beauty of Pula's surrounding countryside and turquoise blue water of the Adriatic have made the city an internationally popular summer vacation destination. The pearl nearby is Brijuni national park visited by numerous world leaders since it was the summer residence of the late statesman Josip Broz. Roman villas and temples still lie buried among farm fields and along the shoreline of the dozens of surrounding fishing and farming villages. The coastal waters offer beaches, fishing, wreck dives to ancient Roman galleys and World War I warships, cliff diving, and Sailing to unspoiled coves and islands large and small.
Pula is the end point of the Euro Velo 9 cycle route which runs from Gdansk on the Baltic Sea through Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
You can track dinosaur footprints on the nearby sea shores; certain more important finds have been made at an undisclosed location near Bale.
Pula has a local airport, but like the nearby Rijeka airport it is not a major international destination. Nearby international airports include Trieste in Italy and Zagreb, Croatia's capital.
Rovinj is an important centre on the Western coast of Istrian region, Pula airport is only 37 km away, is a meeting point of North Adriatic. It has the status of a city and it it the seat of numerous municipal and regional boards and administrations. Rovinj has about 15.000 inhabitants. Its geographical location is very good: in the hinterland is the lowland part of southern Istria; in front of the coast are numerous islands and shallows abounding with fish. The town core developed on a peninsula, which had been a coastal island under natural conditions, and was connected with the mainland in the 18th century by levelling and filling up. Climate is Mediterranean; an average air temperature in January is 4.5 °C and in July 20.9 °C; an average annual temperature reaches 12.1 °C. Vegetation is sub-tropical
The Rovinj coastal area is very well articulated with numerous bays, creeks, and capes. There are places of great natural and ecological value: forest park Punta Corente-Muntrav, St. Andrea's archipelago, the Palud marsh, the Limski kanal Fjord, and Monfiorenzo cave. Along the coast, with a markedly Mediterranean flora and fauna, a sup-Mediterranean climate with a moderate humidity level prevails.
The presence of man reaches ba05-Jul-2012 11:27 AMns of an insular fortification which was a prehistoric settlement (Bronze Age - Iron Age), dates from the 2nd-4th century, and also presents a unique Venetian urban and architectural model, built upon late antiquity and high medieval foundations.
The historic nucleus is piled up on a hill, on a very narrow building area of former island, with houses bunched together up to the door-step of the baroque church of St. Euphemia. The church and its slender bell-tower dominate the city, with the ample Valdibora bay on North side and the pictoresque bay of St. Catherine on Southern side of the city.
Rovinj is an important economic centre. The most important companies and enterprises are those connected to hotel-and-tourist sector (hotels, camps, bungalows, private accommodation, etc...), industrial sector (above all tobacco manufacturing and fishing industry), and seamanship and fishing.
Rovinj is a seat of numerous sporting associations, important scientific and research institutions (the "Ruđer Bo¨ković" Institute with the Aquarium, Historical research centre), socio-humanistic institutions (the City Museum, Open University Extension, Matica Hrvatska, Italian Community, Cultural clubs "F.Glavinić" and "M. Garbin", theatre, cinema "A. Gandusio", Visual Arts Centre "Batana", Artistic Colony, Brass Band, Majorettes, and Summer Festival of Classical Music), and educational instituitions (preschool facilities, primary, secondary and vocational schools). Adria (I), Camaiore (I), and Leonberg (D) are twinned cities of the city of Rovinj.
Rovinj has two harbours: the northern, which is more open, and the southern, which is much smaller and better protected. North of the old town core is the cove of Valdibora (Sjeverna Luka, Northern Harbour), and south of it the coves of Juzna Luka (Southern Harbour) and Vestar; the harbours are well protected from the bora and the sirocco, however they are exposed to westerly and south-westerly winds. In front of the coast are numerous islands, islets and rocks: Figarola (Figarola Vela, Big Figarola), Figarolica (Figarola Mala, Small Figarola), Sveta Katarina (St. Catherine), Banjole, a double island called Crveni Otok (Red Island - Sveti Andrija (St. Andrew) and Maskin), Samer, Sveti Ivan (St. John), Sveti Ivan na Pucini, Sturag, Pulari, Piruzi, Dvije Sestrice (Two Sisters), Montauro, Skolj Magaraca (Donkey's Shore) etc. Anchorage for larger vessels is provided 500 m northwest and 300 m southeast of the island of Sveta Katarina, as well as 600 m southwest of the islet of Banjole. Ships drawing up to 5 m may dock along the wharf of the Northern Harbour (filling station); a buoy in front of the wharf is provided for large vessels (sea depth 20-24 m). The Southern Harbour has a jointed breakwater. Vessels drawing up to 5.5 m are berthed on the outer side, while those drawing up to 3 m may dock on the inner side; along the wharf are berths for sports boats and smaller yachts. Economy is based on farming, viniculture (malmsey), fishing, food-processing industry (fish cannery, production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), tobacco industry and tourism. In Rovinj is also the Maritime Research Centre of the Ruder Boskovic Institute. The regional roads Rovinj - Rovinjsko Selo and Rovinj - Bale connect the town with the main road (M2, E751) Slovenian border - Buje - Pula
Umag is a town and a port on the north-western coast of Istria, 13 km northwest of Buje. Umag has a population of 4,838 inhabitants. The old town core is situated on a peninsula, between two shallow bays. The northern, more spacious bay is protected by a breakwater and converted into a harbour. Economy is based on farming, viniculture, fishing and tourism. The hinterland of Umag abounds in fertile and cultivated land, with fields reaching the coast (vine is the main crop). A number of shallows were formed by erosion of soil, which provide excellent fishing grounds. The new part of the town faces the open bay and is connected with the tourist part of the town in the north-west.
Umag is nowadays a well-known tourist and sports centre, especially known for tennis. Besides sports and holiday tourism, health, business and congress tourism are also well developed. Accommodation is available in hotels, apartments, bungalows and camping sites. There is also a marina for boaters. The economy includes agriculture, wine growing, fishing and tourism. The town is characterized by the town plan from the Middle Ages and well-indented shoreline surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation.
Umag ACI Marina is situated in the northern part of the town port, in front of Hotel Adriatic, offers 500 berths in the sea for yachts up to 18 m, as well as 150 places on the land. Umag is also a permanent maritime border crossing with an outpost of the port authority and the customs office.
Those interested in diving courses can visit the diving clubs Bori Libra, Hidrobiro and Tiemme. Hotels Sol Koralj and Kristal have congress centers. Guests can also unwind in the casino. The sports and recreational activities include tennis, soccer, bowling, mini-golf, horseback riding, hunting, cycling, sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, diving, swimming and underwater fishing. The most famous cultural and entertainment events include the celebration of sv. Pelegrin, patron saint of Umag, held at the end of May, the celebration of Majka Bozja Gospa od snijega in Materada, held on August 5, classical music concerts in the parish church, Summer Concerts in July and August, and the ATP tournament Croatia Open in Stella Maris at the end of July.
Visnjan, is a village and municipality in Istria, Croatia. Višnjan is the site of Višnjan Observatory (an astronomical observatory).
Višnjan is located 12 kilometers east of Poreč and 3 kilometers west of Pula-Koper road. Višnjan is located on elevation of 244m and average municipality elevation is between 200-300m. One of the most notable sinkholes in Istria, Baredina, is located in the municipality.
Vrsar is a town and small harbour on the western coast of Istria, 3 km north of the Limski Kanal Fjord. Vrsar is a well-known tourist resort with great opportunities for visitors. In front of Vrsar is one of the most beautiful archipelagos with 18 unpopulated islets covered with Mediterranean plants. Hotels are located close to the sea, along nice beaches, and Vrsar campsites are world-famous. This applies particularly to the Koversada nudist camp, which is the largest nudist resort in Europe.
