Colours of Istria

Enjoy the longer days. ☀️ Take the scenic route home. 🚴🏼

Spring days in #Umag feel like this.🌸🌿 A slow walk through Humagum Park, fresh green lawns, flowers in bloom, and the sea just a few steps away.🌊 Boats rocking gently in the marina, coffee in hand, nowhere you really need to be. This is how the season begins.

Sun kissed #Oprtalj ☀

Perched above the #MirnaValley near Nova Vas, the remains of #SvetiJuraj whisper stories from the medieval past. 🌿 Once the heart of a vibrant town, this fortress still guards the ruins of the old Church of St George. A quiet corner of #Brtonigla, echoing with history. 🏰

Welcome to #Butori - a hidden waterfall, a lost stream, a silent abyss. 🌊🌿

Mario Andretti, born in #Motovun, grew up racing pot lids around his home. Decades later, he became a legend, winning Formula 1, IndyCar, and NASCAR championships. You can walk in his footsteps right here in Motovun, where his suit and helmet are displayed at the Kaštel center.

The day ends slowly here. Sea, hills and sky take their time. Sunsets in NW Istria hit different. 🌅

#Piski, near #Grožnjan, is one of those landscapes that stops you mid-step. Known as Istria’s “desert”, this fragile terrain tells a story of nature’s patience, carved slowly over time, right on the edge of cultivated land.

Perched above the Dragonja Valley, the remains of #Momjan Castle tell a great story. Built in 1234 and later transformed by knight Simone Rota, this medieval fortress once symbolised power, protection, and prestige. 🏰

Above: open meadows and still water. Below: Škarline canyon, cool air and shade shaped by the stream. Two landscapes, a short walk apart.

January asks for less. After the rush of December, northwestern #Istria settles into a slower rhythm. Roads are quieter, towns breathe easier, and days are shaped by simple routines rather than plans. 🎣

A pop of colour to brighten your day! 🌈☂ Beautiful postcard from #Novigrad-Cittanova 🧡

If you are ever near #Grožnjan, make sure to stop by this beautiful village of #Kostanjica.

Just 2 km from #Brtonigla, #NaturePark #Škarline reveals a hidden canyon carved by the Škarline brook on its way to the #MirnaRiver. Shaded trails, fresh air and untouched greenery make it a perfect escape. 🌿

Did you know there's a desert-like landscape hidden in the green heart of Istria? Welcome to #PISKI, a natural phenomenon made of marl dunes, located near the village of Šterna in the #Grožnjan area.

High above the #Mirna #River valley, #Motovun rests like a crown on a hill. Layered with history, wrapped in green, and infused with a scent of #truffles and #wine. 🍷

Did you know? The #Museum of #Umag is housed in the Bishop’s Tower - a 14th-century sea fortress turned cultural hub. Inside: ancient Venetian coats of arms, gravestones, and even fine art. A real deep dive into #Istria’s layers.

#Brtonigla is a unique gem of #Istria, home to four different types of soil - black, white, red, and grey - where the same #Istrian #Malvasia and #Teran grape is grown in each soil, resulting in four distinct wines with unique flavor profiles.

#Oprtalj from above reveals a hilltop village shaped by time - terracotta rooftops, winding alleys, and layers of green fading into the horizon.

Aerial shots of Novigrad/Cittanova 😍😍