October in Croatia was glorious. Not traditionally a big tourist month, potential visitors are missing out. A wander around Rovinj on October 31, 2017 illustrates the point.
Being a Dalmatian boy living on the idyllic island of Hvar, I became acquainted with Istria quite late in life. Apart from one Hvar real estate deal where the seller lived in Pula, I don’t recall visiting Istria for the first ten years of my time in Croatia. Being patriotic, Dalmatia was Paradise on Earth, and nothing that Istria could offer could beat the Dalmatian experience.
I then I visited, and then I visited again. And again. I still prefer Dalmatia I think (something to do with the fact that, a little like malaria, once Dalmatia gets into your blood, you never quite get over it), but Istria impresses more and more with every visit. Having begun my Total journey on a Dalmatian island, I was not prepared for the organisation and efficiency of Istria in dealing with large numbers of tourists, a region where tourist workers routinely speak four languages and have been schooled in the art of customer service. After my first visit to Istria, I wrote that Istria only had two things which Dalmatia lacks – truffles and organisation.
I am keen to expand my knowledge of Istria and get to know its charms, and I was fortunate last week to have a 2-day trip in the region meeting various partners on the Total Croatia project. An excellent trip in absolutely glorious weather – has the tourist season really finished? The absolute highlight was an hour-long stroll through charming Rovinj, the pearl of Istrian tourism, followed by a visit to arguably Croatia’s most stylish hotel, Lone which is part of the Maistra group.
Pictures tell the story better than words – a snapshot of one of Croatia’s top destinations as November approached. Delightful.
