Alluring Istria
Istria, croatia
From verdant cycling trails in spring to truffles and wine in autumn, the off-season is when Istria truly comes into its own
With its crystalline shores, enchanting forests and picture-postcard villages, Istria has secured its place among the most beguiling destinations in southern Europe – and has the swollen summertime crowds to prove it. Those who flock to Croatia’s heart-shaped peninsula only during the warmest months, however, miss out on the innumerable pleasures of its less-travelled seasons, when milder temperatures and thinner throngs translate to more meaningful local experiences, more personalised attention and more enjoyable conditions for exploring all that this captivating destination has to offer. From cycling through the region’s blossoming countryside in spring to sampling local wines and hunting for truffles in autumn, Istria’s off-season charm remains unmatched.
With temperatures consistently hovering in the low twenties, April and May offer ideal weather conditions for discovering Istria by e-bike. Leisure travellers can glide through medieval hilltop villages and along scenic coastal routes, stopping in quaint fishing towns to savour the catch of the day or to fuel up with hearty Croatian specialities and a glass of local wine. Adventurous spirits, on the other hand, can tackle the legendary 120km Parenzana trail between Trieste and Poreč, a former railway line that twists through verdant valleys and sidles up to the sea – rewarding cyclists’ heart-pounding efforts with breathtaking vistas at every turn.
When summer fades and the forests go from green to gold, the hunt begins for Istria’s most coveted culinary treasure: white truffles. These antioxidant-rich gems of pure umami flavour thrive in the woodlands of the Mirna River valley and – with the help of highly trained truffle-hunting dogs – can be sought and found from late September through early January.
Travellers are invited to join guided foraging trips at one of Istria’s many truffle estates, where they’ll learn firsthand how local communities live sustainably and responsibly, in tune with the seasons. After listening to experts reveal how the people of Istria have made the most of the natural bounty for generations, guests will get the chance to follow in their footsteps and search for a truffle treasure of their own.
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