Istria
The interior is untouched and mountainous with prehistoric walled cities on the top of hills with surrounding fertile fields. The
Istrian shoreline is arguably the most urbanized tourist destination in Croatia. Hordes of Italian, German and French tourists enjoy package tourism in the jam-packed high season.
Although
Pula is the main municipality according to populace and culture, relatively rural Pazin is the managerial hub of the peninsula. Istria is a fine region to practise hill-walking and biking, as much in the mountainous inland as on the shore. The Southern end of Istria is arguably the best point for biking. Ask for a bike map in Pula Tourist Office, showing well-marked routes around the coast and in the Cape Kamenjak.
Croatian is the formal and most common language, but in these previously Venetian lands Italian is nearly universally understood. There is still an Italian cultural community in countless coastal towns. German is also very generally spoken. Most restaurants in the main town also have an English speaker or two.
How to reach to Istria
Pula is the main transport hub for Istria so most people will arrive there if they are not driving. Buses run from Trieste in Italy, Zagreb and other main cities to
Pazin in the centre of Istria, and most to Pula in the South. Ryanair provides a connection London (Stansted) to Pula three days a week, and Dublin Pula also. Germanwings also serves Pula. Trains run daily between Ljubljana in Slovenia and Pula, and from Rijeka to Ljubljana. Unfortunately Venezia Lines is a high speed ferry operator that operated its first trip in May 2003. Operating in the North Adriatic, Venezia Lines links the North Adriatic's coasts of Italy and Croatia. From May 2003 to October 2009, Venezia Lines has carried more than 450.000 customers between Venice and the Northern Coast of Croatia. They are currently deployed on routes between Venice, Italy and the Croatian ports of Mali Losinj, Porec, Pula, Rabac and Rovinj.
Tourist Sights in Istria
Roman structures in Pula, including the Arena and Forum. The old Venetian town of
Rovinj. St Euphrasius Basilica in Poreč.
