
Countryside in Istria

Ancient Istria Tour from Pula, Medulin & Rabac
Istria is a melting pot of cultures where historic towns and delicious dishes vie for your attention. This full-day tour takes in some of its star turns, including Bale, Rovinj & Porec. You'll also tuck in to a lunch of tasty local specialities in Grzini.Your adventure kicks off in Bale, a hilltop village of narrow cobbled alleys lined with medieval stone houses and Venetian palaces and churches. Find your inner compass in its mazy old town before heading to Rovinj on the Adriatic. Occupying an egg-shaped peninsula, it's a treasure trove of winding streets that lead to the baroque Church of St Euphemia, whose Venetian belfry dominates the skyline.Then it's on to the hamlet of Grzini to feast on a typical Istrian lunch. From here, it's back to the coast to Porec. This ancient town on a headland is now as famed for its modern bars and clubs as its Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Baredine Cave
This tour takes you into a mystical Istrian underworld – the Baredine Cave, one of Istria's best-kept secrets. You'll walk down the stairs through five chambers, brushing against stalagmites and stalactites that have been shaped to perfection over thousands of years. The 40-minute walk is illuminated by your guide and atmospheric lights. Back on the surface, and you'll get to delve into Istrian agricultural life and visit the exhibition on historical tractors at Tractor Story.
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Ancient Istria Tour from Rovinj
As a crossroads between Latin and Slavic Europe, Istria offers up the best of both worlds. It packs a lot into its small size, so this tour gives you the best bits – rustic villages, Roman ruins, Byzantine basilicas and a taste of its world-class food scene. You'll visit Pula, Gržini and Poreč, enjoying scenic landscapes along the way.We kick off in Pula, in the south of the peninsula. It's home to a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, where you'll get shown around by centurions. But that's just the tip of the iceberg – the town boasts a wealth of ancient relics. Must-sees include the Temple of Augustus and the triumphal arch, while there are also Byzantine and baroque churches as well as a Habsburg fortress.Next, we'll head inland to the hamlet of Gržini for a traditional Istrian lunch, washed down with local wine. It's a showstopper. Rounding off the day is Poreč, which is set on a compact headland. Stroll along the cobbled Decumanus, which dates from Roman times, to the sixth century Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Summer escape to Lake Bled
Slovenia is easily accessible from Istria. And this tour explores one of its most picture-postcard areas. Lake Bled is pure Alpine tranquillity. The pine-clad slopes, the picturesque dwellings and the fairytale wooded islet with 99 steps leading to St Mary's Chapel are irresistible. First up is medieval Bled Castle, set into a towering cliff face. With its cone-shaped turrets and lofty parapets, it's something special. Then it's into your locally made wood boat, to be rowed across to the incredibly pretty chapel. The chapel is steeped in legend, from how you ring the bell to how a groom carries his bride.
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Natural wonders of Plitvice Lakes
Croatia boasts some of the most beautiful parklands in Europe. Journey inland through the scenic Croatian hills, arriving at the heavily forested Plitvice Lakes National. Admire how the park's 16 crystalline lakes seem to almost tumble into each other across the landscape. Follow the 18km of wooden bridges and pathways around the lakes learning all about the local flora and fauna from your knowledgeable guide. Explore the lakes by foot, and also take a pleasant boat journey across Kozjak, the park's largest lake. Without doubt, one of the highlights of the excursion is a trip to the magnificent 78-metre-high Veliki Slap waterfall.
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Motovun and Flavours of Istria
Like something out of a fairytale, Motovun is the sort of town you dream of eloping to. Your first stop of the morning is hilltop Motovun – a medieval monument in itself with views over the vineyards sprawling out below. Walk around the old town, soaking up an atmosphere that's both bohemian and old-world at the same time. Next, you'll continue towards our next stop, a distillery. Learn how they pick wild herbs and fruits on the slopes of the Ucka Mountains, process them and create delicacies like brandy, jams, cookies and chocolates. Then it's time to taste them.
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