Travel PROMOTION
Alluring Istria
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.
Saddle Up in Spring
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.
Forage for Truffles in Autumn
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.
Savour the Off-Season
Istria is a feast for the senses at any time of year, but the shoulder seasons each offer their own unique kind of magic, with autumn painting the valleys in warm hues and spring bathing the Adriatic in soft light. Before the summer crowds descend and after they’ve dwindled, life here takes on a slower rhythm, with locals and visitors alike sipping coffees in cosy cafes and strolling quiet cobblestone streets.
Istria leaves visitors feeling truly enriched – which is why it has long been known as Terra Magica and proudly bears the slogan: Life as it should be, only in Istria.
Superlative Stays
San Canzian Hotel & Residences
Set among the vineyards, gardens and olive groves of the medieval village Mužolini Donji, near Buje, this picturesque property (a Virtuoso preferred partner) features 26 elegant rooms, suites and villas charmingly modelled after traditional Istrian architecture.
[Photo: San Canzian Hotel & Residences]
Meneghetti Wine Hotel
No need to choose between viticulture and beach culture at this 58-key village-style resort (a Virtuoso preferred partner) blessed with its own private stretch of Adriatic shore as well as a 5ha vineyard, from which the restaurant’s exquisite wines and the spa’s indulgent vinotherapy treatments are sourced.
Monte Mulini Adults Exclusive Hotel
The cinematic sea views at this beachfront hotel (a Virtuoso preferred partner), perched above a winsome cove, are eclipsed only by its ultra-relaxing, adults-only vibes and its convenient location within walking distance of the cobbled lanes of Rovinj.
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj
Boasting Piero Lissoni-designed interiors, two Michelin-anointed restaurants, an award-winning spa and incomparable vistas overlooking both the marina and the Rovinj old town, Grand Park Hotel Rovinj (a Virtuoso preferred partner) has more than earned every one of its five stars.
[Photo: Grand Park Hotel Rovinj]
Grand Hotel Brioni Pula
Commanding an enviable position by the Adriatic Sea, just a stone’s throw from the ancient Roman city of Pula, this beach resort is a veritable choose-your-own-adventure offering up 227 rooms and suites, five restaurants and a full-service spa and wellness centre.
Pical Resort
Whether the goal is to make the most of the three beaches and 3,000sq m of sports and leisure facilities, or simply to relish Michelin dining and spa delights after completing the Parenzana trail, Pical Resort in Poreč will cater to active and indulgent guests alike upon its opening in spring 2026.
