WORLDWIDE CULTURAL AND CULINARY VACATIONS
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Gourmet Food & Wine Getaway in Istria

(This tour has a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 12)

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Priced From
$3,498 USD *
(For One Person, Double Occupancy)
* Plus taxes. Tours sold on an availability basis.
5 days | 4 nights

Gourmet and Cultural Getaway Istria

With fine wine, artisanal olive oil, local prosciutto ham, organic meats, fresh seafood and that gourmet aphrodisiac jewel, “The Truffle”, experience a made to order culinary vacation. The carefully selected restaurant experiences are ones that will show the most wonderful side of local farm or sea to table cuisine in breathtaking locations that rival Italy. Your experience will be enhanced by Alek, your own licensed tour guide with an art and cultural history background. He is experienced as a sommelier, olive oil and truffle tasting guide and worked as a regional CNBC Asia news correspondent and knows how to tell a story and present it in a memorable way.
Itinerary Accommodations Map FAQ
VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note: Tour inclusions can change depending upon seasonality and weather conditions.
4 Nights Accommodation
Round Trip Transfers
Daily Breakfast
Michelin Star Lunch
Michelin Star Dinner
Traditional Istrian Dinner
Cheese Farm and Tasting
Chivalon Olive Oil Estate and Tasting
Pula Walking tour
Istrian Dinner Experience
Honey Tasting
Truffle Hunting
Motovun Visit
Porec Walking Tour
Groznjan Medieval City Tour
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
Year Round - Based on Your Travel Dates
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
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Day 1
Arrival Trieste Centrale Train Station | Trieste | Picturesque Piran | Porec
You'll be greeted at Trieste Centrale Train Station, visit Trieste in Italy and Piran in Slovenia and then traverse into Istria, Croatia. The romantic melancholy of Trieste's often windswept streets (the bora, a fierce wind that blows down from the Carso plateau, is a source of local pride), the resilient grandeur of its Habsburg buildings, the people (part Italian, part Slavic), the coffee (this is the home of Illy, arguably the best espresso in the world) and the chance to discover why James Joyce spent a decade of his life in this city. One of the most photogenic cities in the Mediterranean, Piran has preserved its unsurpassed charm. Enter the picturesque Piran, get to know its rich history and culture, and listen to the stories of our people. You will be charmed by the narrow streets within the old town wall. On the pier, you can catch sight of fisherman unraveling a fishing net. The proximity to the sea and the rich history, which is mirrored in the architecture, draw magical scenes. Upon arrival at the hotel, take some time to settle into your lavish accommodations literally surrounded by the deep blue Adriatic Sea, greeted by the view of neighboring Sveti Nikola Island.
Day 2
Gourmet Breakfast
Each morning, relax and enjoy breakfast by the sea. The hotel serves a full international buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked to order items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren’t your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk around the marina.
Latus Dairy | Rovinj Walking Tour |Chiavalon Olive Oil Estate
A small family company located in the heart of Istria surrounded by pastures, at the hill above the village of Orbanici has been producing high-quality dairy products based on its own cows' milk since the end of the last century. The love they invest in every liter of milk is transformed into the tastes of the Latus dairy products. Head to Rovinj, also known as the pearl of the Adriatic. Feel the enchantment of the town in its narrow medieval streets, warm Mediterranean setting and magnificent views of the open sea. You'll visit the Chiavalon Olive Oil Estate, one of the leading olive oil producers in Istria and the world. This family-run estate is truly a labor of love and the Chiavalons guarantee the olive oil you taste here will be the best you've ever had. During your tasting, learn all about the cultivation of olive trees and the work it takes to produce this liquid gold while employing special tasting glasses to bring out the best in the Chiavalon oils.
Roman Colliseum | Pula and Rovinj Walking Tour | Istrian Dinner Experience
Following your tasting, head to Pula for a walking tour of historical downtown. The central attraction of this 3,000-year-old city is the Roman amphitheater, one of only six preserved in the world. Follow the paths of the gladiators as your guide leads you through this and the other architectural gems in the town center. Then, enjoy some free time to stroll through Pula before heading to Rovinj, also known as the pearl of the Adriatic. Feel the enchantment of the town in its narrow medieval streets, warm Mediterranean setting and magnificent views of the open sea. After your guided tour, spend some free time in the city before sitting down to an authentic Istrian dinner.
Day 3
Gourmet Breakfast
Each morning, relax and enjoy breakfast by the sea. The hotel serves a full international buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked to order items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren’t your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk around the marina.
Motovun Historical Walking Tour| Honey Tasting
One of the few places outside Italy that grows the tuber magnatum pico - the world’s costliest at $4,500 a kilogram, Istrian forests are rich in black and white varieties. The world’s leading exporter, Zigante Tartufi, discovered the world’s largest truffle here in 1999. At 1.31 kilograms, it made The Guinness Book of World Records. Nowadays, the truffle holds an irreplaceable position in world gastronomy and the best world restaurants rely on its simplicity and powerful attractiveness in creating their menus. But how many of them could boast with the fact that this precious mushroom grows in the untouched nature just outside their courtyard? Restaurant Zigante in Livade is surely one of the rare. Experience a hands-on cooking class with the chef as you taste and smell these amazing jewel and enjoy the fruits of your labors during lunch. You have an opportunity to visit next Zigante Delicatessen Shop, just next door. Giancarlo Zigante is considered an Istrian 'King of Truffles' but the family also produces high end quality olive oil and wine. Apart from fresh truffles, both white and black, many truffle based products are available for purchase at this shop including various other wine, spirits, olive oil and gourmet delicacies from the region as well as from the rest of Croatia and Slovenia.
Motovun Tour |Honey Bee's and Cosmetics | Guided Truffle Hunt | Michelin Rated-Zigante Truffle Lunch
The Jankovic family exclusively adopts the migratory method of beekeeping in Langstroth type of beehives that are spread along the Mirna River Valley in central Istria. In the tasting room as well as the shop in of city of Livade, gourmet aficionados can taste various types of honeys such as acacia, linden-tree, lavender, chestnut and meadow herbs infused honey. Also offered are various types of flavored honeys, honey based organic cosmetic products and honey infused grappa called Medica. You will also learn about the history of beekeeping and various types of hives that were used in the past. Next gear up for one of the most unique and exciting culinary experiences there is—your guided truffle hunt! Set out with a truffle master and his dogs to find one of nature’s rarest gastronomic gift. Motovun is the medieval city at the top of the hill overlooking Mirna river valley with breathtaking views from the city walls. The city holds much historical significance as you will learn from your expert tour guide. The US Formula 1 champion Mario Andretti was born here
Day 4
Gourmet Breakfast
Each morning, relax and enjoy breakfast by the sea. The hotel serves a full international buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked to order items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren’t your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk around the marina.
St. Euphrasius Basilica | Degrassi Winery | Groznjan Tour | Michelin Star Farewell Dinner
The tour continues to Porec as your guide takes you through the ancient quarter of the city where Roman architectural layout is still clearly visible and beautifully blends with Venetian gothic palazzos. Visit St. Euphrasius basilica, 6th Century Byzantine style church, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Day 5
Gourmet Breakfast
Each morning, relax and enjoy breakfast by the sea. The hotel serves a full international buffet breakfast to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, yogurts, breads and pastries, as well as cooked to order items. If long, leisurely breakfasts aren’t your thing, grab a quick bite and take a morning walk around the marina.
Departure | Transfers to Trieste Railway Station
After a final buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be escorted back to the Trieste Train Station. Though the trip has come to an end, you'll forever enjoy the many wonderful memories of your Croatian culinary vacation!
Istria, Croatia
Winner
OUTSTANDING
CULINARY TRAVEL
Category
Member of ASTA Member of ATTA Member of GSTC