8OK220A The green paradise of the Adriatic Sea

We leave the blue coast of the Kvarner Bay behind us and cycle west along the northern edge of the Ucka National Park.It's a constant up and down - just like real life. Small roads winding through dense forest, which later one opens up and gives place for blooming meadows. We reach Buzet which is located high above the lush green Mirna valley. The patrician houses are built very snuggly next to each other and are framed by the Cicarija mountain massif. The abundant tree stock of this area served as a foundation for the whole of Venice. Climbing up in the Ucka national park Porcini  We found the last charcoal maker in Istria The Kanova Lovac By the way the charcoal maker is his brother  It looks like department of correction - but it is the border fence to Slovenia Buzet - on the hill The arrival in Buzet is always tricky. We'll done girls everybody made it Our beautiful Boutique Hotel Vela Vrata. Thank you Sarah.

We follow the river Mirna and reach the Motovun truffle forest. It is the only way to reach the mountain villages of the surrounding countryside. Motovun is probably one of the most romantic villages in the inner part of Istria. You should not miss to walk the city wall, enjoying the views down into the Mirna valley and to the high plateau. We are welcomed by Porec, a little town entirely built of white limestone. It is home to the Euphrasian Basilica, which is world heritage.  

We leave Porec and cycle a few kilometers into the hinterland with its fertile olive groves and vegetable gardens. The fishing town of Vrsar with its 2000 inhabitants and its narrow streets offers hardly any space for cars. Beautiful views to the numerous small, wooded islands. A 35 km long bike path leads us along the Limski Fjord, which geologically is not a fjord at all. At its mouth, a viewing platform offers good views inland. The lunch stop is picturesquely situated at the foot of the fjord. The bike path along the Limski Canal is mostly gravel and leads us through dense, shady forests. Rovinj, a small town on a rocky island in the Adriatic Sea, is our destination. Ok is the official version and was the plan. Today was the day for plan B  

Along the coastline we travel south today. Pula (Italian Pola), the ancient heart of Istria, has its own charm. Pretty much everybody of the ancient time has been here - the Romans, the Venitians, the Byzantine, the Austrians, the Italiens - and all left their cultural monuments. The amphitheater is comparable to the Colosseum in Rome. Pula also has been built on seven hills

Goodbye Pula!! We cycle to the east coast of Istria, the Barban Riviera, which is still an absolute insider tip. Delicious mussels are farmed here. Labin is our destination today. The former wealth of the town can be seen in the palaces. Sweet ravioli with nuts, sea bass with truffle sauce are the local specialties and of course olive oil of best quality. 

Pouring rain and storm. We hopped on the shuttle and got dry and safe to Opatija.