Croatia Travel Tours

Active Rural Tour with Cooking in Istria, Croatia 7 days/6 nights 2012 Tour Departure Dates: Anytime. Contact us and let us know when you'd like to go. Spring is the best time for asparagus! Agrotourism or Ecotourism offers the traveler an authentic comfortable rural atmosphere to experience firsthand daily activities and customs in farms in the Croatian countryside. In this informal setting enjoy the chance to visit vineyards and help with cooking while you learn about the history and culture of the Istrian Peninsula. All the while you will gain insight into the impact of human beings on the environment and learn to appreciate our natural habitats.
Day 1: Transfer from Zagreb airport to your accommodation in Istria, a small romantic hotel or an Agrotourism villa. Your host will welcome you with some homemade canapès and "Rakija" (local brandy). An afternoon visit to the beautiful small picturesque town of Groznjan, known as a "haven for artists" with its many art galleries. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 2: Breakfast. Drive to Pula, the largest city on the Istrian peninsula. Get familiar with town's 3000 year history, visiting the famous farmer's market and fish market in Istria. Lunch in a rural setting of Agrotourism. An afternoon visit to lavender fields. Enjoy a "tractor tour" or an "herbal walking tour" with an Istrian herbalist, where you will learn all about lavender and different herbs. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 3: Breakfast. The first part of our cooking course will start with tastings. We will visit one of the best olive oil producers in Istria. You will taste different sorts of virgin olive oil and learn about them, and our olive oil producer will give you some helpful tips for everyday use of olive oil. Lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit the beautiful coastal town of Porec and its most important cultural monument, Euphrasius Basilica, known for its famous mosaics. Next you will visit the romantic town of Rovinj, also known as "Little Venice." Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 4: After an abundant buffet breakfast, we continue with our cooking course, learning the basics of Istrian cuisine. Early risers are welcome to join the landlord and get groceries from the local green market. Together we will prepare a 4-course typical Istrian meal. The landlord will join you at the table for lunch to enjoy everything that we have prepared together. After lunch we will take you to the smallest town in the world, Hum, famous for its "Biska" (homemade mistletoe grappa). On the road to Hum you will pass Glagolic Alley and will learn more about this part of our history. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 5: Breakfast. An active day starting with a walk in nature and picking wild asparagus (typical for Istria) for next day's breakfast. Next visit the town of Umag, which was discovered by Roman noblemen who decided to make it their summer residence. Lunch in a fish restaurant. In the afternoon, enjoy one of the most famous Istrian wineries and, of course, wine tasting. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 6: After breakfast made of fresh asparagus picked by yourselves the previous day, you will visit Motovun, a beautiful picturesque hilltop town, famous for its beauty, history, city walls, and old legends about giants that lived there. The Motovun forest is known for its truffles - in fact the largest truffle ever (1.31kg) was found in this same forest and is now in the Guinness Book of World Records. Tasting of truffles and delicious truffle products. Free time. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Transfer from Istria to Zagreb airport. Departure flight home. TOUR PRICE: (land cost per person) 10 travelers:$1320 8 travelers:$1410 6 travelers:$1520 4 travelers:$1670 2 travelers:$1850 Single Supplement:$470.00 Price Includes: Hotel accommodation on half board accommodation Lunches as indicated in program Motor coach or private car Airport transfer on the arrival and departure Services of driver and English-speaking guide throughout the journey Entrance fees All tastings indicated in program Cooking course Price Does Not Include: Airfare (unless otherwise arranged) Departure and custom fees Gratuities and individual daily expenses Additional beverages Local taxes Travel insurance Trip cancellation Medical and luggage insurance are recommended for coverage against all unforeseen circumstances Payment and Refund Policies If you have any questions or you'd like to book this trip, please contact us. Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to. <-- back to list of Tours to The Balkans
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Croatia Travel Tours

Active Rural Tour with Cooking in Istria, Croatia