The author of CNN`s tourist travel guide, Brendan Francis Newman has recently visited Istria and described his impressions in a long article under the title «Istria is not the new Tuscany?!». He states that the Istrian region is not very populated but that by the houses and walls from the Bronze Age it is very visible that there was civilization in this area from the time it was ruled by Ilirians, and then Romans, Venetians and Austrians.
He described Istria as a region made up from two parts – the coastal heaven and the rustic hilly hinterland. Taking into account that this area is not large, Newman points out that one can enjoy both parts in the same day. He describes the coast covered in small tourist towns and fishing villages. He mentions Pula, a harbour city with an As up its sleeve – an amazing Roman amphitheatre where gladiator fights used to take place, and which is today used for less threatening entertainment, such as music concerts by the worlds leading music stars.
The author of the article was especially impressed by Rovinj, which in his opinion is the most beautiful coastal town in Istria, and perhaps the whole of Croatia. It has a reputation for being the place with the best view of the sunset, and is a town of pastel houses and buildings, with excellent restaurants and bars from which one can witness the sun disappearing on the horizon. Rovinj is ideal for the Croatian triathlon – swimming, sailing and lounging in a café, says the author, who although mesmerized by this town, points out that his favourite part of Istria is the heart of the peninsula which some refer to as the «New Tuscany ». He describes it as a green interior full of surprises such as domestic mistletoe schnapps, tiny villages and towns on hills and Hum, the smallest town in the world. Even though the air smells of the sea which is close by, the inland of Istria is a world apart from the busy beaches and ice cream sellers and whichever motorway exit you come from, you will find small, charming and unique villages.
During his visit to Istria the author did not miss tasting the local cuisine, truffles to be precise, a noble and expensive mushroom as well as the olive oil, which he describes as the second best in the world after Italian olive oil. A well prepared local lunch can measure up to any meal in Europe. «While I was finishing my tasty truffle meal, I started thinking how Tuscany used to be like this before the arrival of Hollywood, chefs and masses of tourists. This is Tuscany before it could be found on the radar and before it became expensive. No, Istria is not the new Tuscany, Istria is the old Tuscany» concludes the author.
The Tourist Board of Istria County
www.istra.com
CNN
http://edition.cnn.com