A Taste of Istria: Three Countries, One Unhurried Journey

Day 1 — Welcome to Istria

Settle in, meet your hosts and enjoy your first taste of the peninsula.

Your journey begins with an included transfer from Pula, Zagreb, Ljubljana or Trieste airport to Hotel Amfiteatar in Pula. Just a short stroll from the city’s magnificent Roman amphitheatre, this small boutique hotel makes a welcoming base for your first four nights.

Take some time to settle in before a welcome dinner at Restaurant La Perla. Fresh local ingredients, Istrian and Italian flavours, and a glass of Croatian wine set the scene for the days ahead. Meet your fellow travellers, get to know your hosts and ease into the spirit of pomalo.

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Day 2 — Roman Pula and Istria’s Liquid Gold

Ancient streets, olive oil and an evening beside the marina.

After breakfast, discover Pula with a private guide. Explore its impressive Roman Arena and wander through the Old Town, where ancient landmarks sit alongside lively squares and everyday local life.

Enjoy a light lunch at Bistro Alighieri before heading to Vodnjan, a town known for its historic churches and olive oil traditions. At nearby Kažun Park, discover the distinctive dry-stone shelters that once offered farmers protection while working in the fields.

A guided tasting at Chiavalon introduces you to Istrian extra virgin olive oil. Learn about its production and discover how to recognise the aromas, flavours and peppery finish of a good oil.

Dinner is at Ribarska Koliba overlooking Marina Veruda, where fish and seafood celebrate the flavours of the Adriatic. Afterwards, return to Hotel Amfiteatar.

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Day 3 — Rovinj, Local Wines and a Chef’s Kitchen

Colourful coastal streets and a hands-on taste of Istrian cooking.

Following breakfast, travel to Rovinj for a private guided walk through its atmospheric Old Town and along the waterfront. Winding lanes, colourful houses and harbour views make this a lovely place to explore on foot.

Pause for a light lunch at Veli Jože, then enjoy some time to yourself. Browse artists’ studios, wander towards St Euphemia’s hilltop church or find a waterfront café and watch the boats come and go.

In the afternoon, visit Stancija Collis Winery for a guided tasting of Istrian wines, followed by time in the stone-built town of Bale. Wander its quiet lanes around Soardo-Bembo Palace or linger over a coffee.

Back in Pula, join chef-owner Deniz Zembo at Amfiteatar Restaurant for a hands-on cooking lesson. Discover his creative approach to Mediterranean cooking using Istrian ingredients, then sit down together to enjoy the dishes you have helped prepare.

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Day 4 — Truffles, Hilltop Towns and Country Cooking

Discover the woodland flavours and welcoming traditions of inland Istria.

After breakfast, leave the coast behind for a day among Istria’s green hills, forests and medieval towns.

Near Buzet, join a local truffle hunter and trained dogs for a two- to three-hour woodland experience. Watch the dogs at work, hear stories from your hosts and discover the patience behind finding these prized ingredients. A truffle tasting and light lunch bring the experience to the table. Your hosts will be the Karlić, Prodan or Zigante family, depending on availability.

Explore the tiny town of Hum, with its stone lanes and local tradition of biska, a mistletoe brandy. At family-run Aura Distillery in Buzet, taste spirits and liqueurs made with wild herbs and fruits.

The day also takes you to Motovun, perched above the Mirna Valley, and to Rossi Winery & Distillery near Vižinada for a cocktail stop. In Grožnjan, enjoy time to wander medieval lanes dotted with galleries and artisan shops.

Finish with dinner at Konoba Malo Selo near Buje, where rustic surroundings and hearty Istrian cooking provide a welcoming end to a day in the countryside. Return to Hotel Amfiteatar for the night.

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Day 5 — Poreč and a New Countryside Retreat

Family wines, coastal dining and a stylish stay beneath Motovun.

Enjoy a final breakfast at Hotel Amfiteatar before checking out and travelling towards Poreč.

Visit Damjanić Winery in nearby Fuškulin for a tasting that introduces you to the family’s winemaking traditions. Then explore Poreč’s historic centre with a private guide, discovering the stories behind its old streets and landmarks.

A light lunch awaits at JAZ by Ana Roš on the waterfront, where seasonal Adriatic ingredients meet a creative approach to relaxed dining. Afterwards, stop at MintIQ for a speciality cocktail featuring the bar’s own liqueurs.

Later, check in to Roxanich Winery & Design Hotel, your base for the final three nights. Set beneath Motovun overlooking the Mirna River Valley, the hotel combines individually styled rooms with a working winery and a countryside setting.

In the evening, return to Poreč for dinner at Gourmet & Cardo in the Old Town, before heading back to Roxanich for the night.

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Day 6 — The Flavours of Slovenian Istria

Olive groves, hillside vineyards and Venetian seaside towns.

After breakfast, cross into Slovenian Istria, beginning with free time in Koper. Explore its narrow Old Town streets, admire the Venetian architecture around Tito Square or settle into a café.

Continue to the Lisjak family olive mill for a guided visit and tasting. Discover the journey from freshly harvested olives to finished oil, and compare the aromas and flavours that give Slovenian Istrian olive oil its character.

At Santomas Winery in Šmarje, enjoy a wine tasting and light lunch among the hills above Koper. Discover local varieties such as Refošk and Istrian Malvasia as you learn more about the estate.

The afternoon brings time to explore two contrasting coastal towns. Stroll along Portorož’s seaside promenade, then discover Piran’s narrow lanes, waterfront and elegant Tartini Square.

Dinner is at Srebrna Vilica in Piran, where Mediterranean cooking draws on Italian influences and Istrian traditions. Return to Roxanich Winery & Design Hotel afterwards.

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Day 7 — A Taste of Italy and a Farewell to Remember

Italian coffee, Trieste’s culinary heritage and a final toast to Istria.

After breakfast, travel across the Italian border to Muggia. Enjoy time to wander its Venetian-style lanes, explore the small fishing harbour and pause for an Italian coffee.

Continue to Trieste, where grand Habsburg architecture meets the Adriatic. Explore at your own pace, taking in the seafront Piazza Unità d’Italia, browsing the shops or discovering one of the city’s historic cafés.

Lunch at Buffet da Pepi introduces you to Trieste’s Central European culinary heritage, with traditional specialities including pork gently simmered in broth.

Back in Croatian Istria, visit Mate near Savudrija for a guided tasting of organic extra virgin olive oils. Then raise a glass at Monte Rosso Winery, where vineyards and olive groves look towards the Adriatic and the Slovenian and Italian shores.

Your farewell dinner is at Restaurant Toni in Zambratija near Umag. Enjoy Mediterranean flavours, share favourite moments from the week and savour one last evening together before returning to Roxanich.

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Day 8 — Until Next Time, Istria

Take home new memories, favourite flavours and a little pomalo.

Enjoy a final breakfast before checking out. Your airport transfer will be arranged around your departure from Pula, Zagreb, Ljubljana or Trieste.

Leave with stories to share, new flavours to seek out and perhaps a reminder to take life a little more slowly.

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Where does the journey begin and end?

Your eight-day culinary adventure begins in Pula, Croatia, and concludes at the beautiful Roxanich Winery & Design Hotel near Motovun. Airport transfers can be arranged from Pula, Zagreb, Ljubljana or Trieste, giving you flexibility when planning your journey.

What experiences are included?

This is a journey designed around the flavours, traditions and people of Istria. Highlights include truffle hunting with a local expert and their dogs, visits to family-run wineries and olive oil producers, a hands-on cooking experience, guided explorations of charming historic towns and memorable meals showcasing regional cuisine. There’s also plenty of time to relax and discover Istria at your own pace.

Is there free time during the tour?

Absolutely! Embracing the local spirit of pomalo—taking things slowly—is at the heart of this journey. Alongside your planned experiences, there will be opportunities to wander picturesque streets, enjoy a leisurely coffee, explore independently or simply soak up the beautiful surroundings.

Can you accommodate dietary requirements?

We understand that everyone has different tastes and dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, specific dietary preferences or would prefer alcohol-free alternatives, please let us know when booking. We'll work with our local hosts and restaurants to accommodate your requirements wherever possible.

How active is the tour?

The journey is designed to be relaxed and enjoyable, with a comfortable balance of guided experiences, gentle walking and free time. Some historic towns have cobbled streets, steps and uneven pathways, while the truffle-hunting experience involves walking through natural woodland. If you have any mobility concerns, please speak to us before booking.

Who is this journey best suited to?

This experience is perfect for curious travellers who love discovering new places through food, wine and authentic local encounters. Whether you're a passionate foodie, a wine enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys beautiful scenery and meaningful travel experiences, you'll feel right at home.

What makes this journey special?

Rather than simply visiting places, you'll meet the people who make Istria so extraordinary. From truffle hunters and winemakers to chefs and local producers, every encounter offers a personal insight into the region's rich culinary heritage. Travelling through three countries, you'll discover how different cultures, shared traditions and a love of good food come together on one remarkable peninsula.

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