SelfSelf----GuidedGuided Hiking tour

Tour description

Day 1 Arrive Day 2 13 kms Exploring the Hidden Circular Route Imagine walking through green countryside full of vineyards, olive trees, rivers and forests, Day 3 16 or full of beautiful villages and medieval hilltop towns. Experience the natural beauty every To 24 kms step of the way and with every new winding road. Learn about the culture and heritage of Istria and visit picturesque towns on the hills with unforgettable views which will leave you Day 4 13 or breathless. Visit Hum, the smallest town in the world and experience the spirit of the past to Buzet 20 kms in Grožnjan, the town of artists. Highlights of the tour are your walks through Učka Nature Park the climb up to Mount Vojak experiencing stunning views of Kvarner Bay. Day 5 12 or

Choice of 2 walks 24 kms As the route takes you inland, that's when the adventure starts - this area has preserved its Day 6 6 or charm and beauty with many remote villages immersed in rough nature and extensive for- Mount Učka to Lovran 11 kms ests. Something you won't forget is when the imposing hill-top town of Motovun looms in front of you. For many Croatians, this is the most beautiful medieval town in the country, Day 7 with houses scattered all over the hill interspersed with vineyards producing great wines. Tour ends The area you will explore features outstanding natural beauty, and traces of a glorious past. Medieval towns - all protected cultural monuments - stand on hill tops as if they were some kind of strange hill cap, and each one of them will fascinate you with its special charm. During your walks you won't suffer either hunger or thirst, since each larger village Tour Details accommodates at least one tavern, inn or restaurant, all offering the delicious homemade foods and the fine local wines. Daily from March to November Cost: $1495 per person Fast Facts Single Room: Add $350 • Lovely accommodations, always with • Walking distances each day are mod- GPS Rental: $75 private facilities with 6 breakfasts erate, allowing you to hike at your

Length: 7 days / 6 nights pace • Luggage transport Grade: Moderate with hills • Local transfers to starting point of • Route notes and maps Starts: Buje walks where stated in itinerary

Ends: Lovran • Welcome meeting on Day 1 • Emergency number for local assis- tance

Active Journeys Contact: 11----800800800----597597597----55945594 or 416416----236236236----50115011 Email: [email protected]

ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival in Buje Arrival in Istria. Info meeting with our local representative at 7pm at the hotel reception area where you will learn about the walk. Overnight in a rural guesthouse in the heart of Istria, a peaceful oasis for relaxation and an ideal starting point for exploring this beautiful area.

Day 2 Circular walk from Buje 13 km After a short transfer to , known for the superior wines and olive oils, you start your walk surrounded by pathways that lead through mead- ows and woods. After 3 hours of walking through vineyards and olive groves you reach Buje, a small hilltop town. From here you can enjoy the views of terraced fields of vineyards and olive groves. Enjoy sightseeing in this town full of history and culture. The route finishes by walking on old railway tracks to the front of your hotel where you will overnight.

Day 3 Grožnjan to Motovun 16 or 25 km After a transfer to Grožnjan you start your countryside walk along the old Parenzana railway tracks, an old Austrian railway that connected Trieste with Poreč through a series of small Istrian towns for 123 kms and today, the track has been repurposed for cycling and hiking, winding through the Istrian hills. After passing through several tunnels and across old bridges you reach the village of Livade, the truffle centre of the world where you can taste some local products. In a view from Livade is the hill town of Motovun where you overnight.

Day 4 Oprtalj to Buzet 12 or 20 km After breakfast and a short transfer to Oprtalj a picturesque little town, is where your walk starts on the Istrian Mountain Trail. The route goes downhill into the untouched forest passing through the villages of St. Ivan and St. Lucija with its beautiful church. Later you will get to the Con- trol point offering one of the best views of the river valley. The trail passes by the Pietrapelosa castle and leads down into the valley. After passing an aqueduct the trail continues towards the village of Mali Mlun. Your walk ends with a beautiful view on the town of Buzet.

Day 5 Buzet - Hom - Buzet 12 (one way) or 24 (circular route) km You have 2 choices for your walk today. Your path from Buzet to Hum can be a circular trail or one way if starting from Hum. Nice, and not too steep you walk through forest, waterfalls and lakes leading you to Korita, with its water springs, natural pools and an old watermill. The trail continues passing trough Benčići, an abandoned village where you can see tradition- al Istrian stone houses. From there you'll see Hum recognizable by the church tower in the distance. Arriving to Hum, take a walk through the smallest town in the world. Enjoy a lunch of traditional Istrian dishes in the "konoba" before heading back along the ‘Mistletoe Way’ back to Buzet. Approx. 3 hours of hiking one way.

Day 6 To Učka 6 or 11 km Transfer to Poklon saddled between two hills for the start of your walk in Učka Nature Park. You will be ascending through oak and chestnut for- ests to the top of Učka (Vojak) mountain, the biggest mountain in Istria at 1401 m. Stunning views of Kvarner bay includes sea and coastal towns and the whole Istra peninsula. Overnight in Lovran.

Day 7 Tour ends after breakfast.

What to Expect Getting There Flights: The airport closest to the What will the weather be like? starting point is Trieste Airport. The daytime temperature will be around 22 to mid-30’s C (70’s to 90’s F), with very There is also the main airport in Ven- little rainfall. Traditionally April/May/June and September/October have always been the most popular time of year because the weather is cooler. July and August are bet- ice. ter to avoid as it can be too hot for walking. Ferries: From Venice there are sum- How many hours of walking a day? mer passenger boats to , Be prepared to hike between 4 to 6 hours daily. We have offered mileage choices for Poreč, Rabac and — departing at your walks on most days. Good hiking boots with ankle support are a good bet. 5:00 PM and arriving about 7:30 PM. (*Note that the season does not How fit do I need to be? start until April 27). Cost is about 85€ The fitter the better, so you will enjoy the rides each day. There are a few hills but per person. much of it is rolling hills and one climb up to Mt. Učka (Vojak). By Bus: The main train stations in What is the food like? Istria are in Pula and . Buses can We have included a buffet breakfast each day. Most of the hotels offer some cheeses, get you almost anywhere and are fruits, meats and yogurts. For lunch, you can stop in a local restaurant for a full meal or fairly inexpensive, but scheduling mid-day snack. We do not include dinners, but our notes will offer some suggestions may be sporadic. for you to enjoy. Transfer: is included from Buje bus/ What are the hotels like? They are chosen for their charm and location. Properties are charming 3* hotels for 3 station to start point. You can also nights and 4* for 3 nights, well- located in the towns. All the rooms have private facili- meet us in our local office. ties. Private transfers from/to Trieste air- port can be arranged. Contact our office for details. Extra Day: An extra day can be added to the tour to spend walking in and around the beautiful city of Motovun or sightseeing part of the day.

How to book your holiday

• Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of our travel planners will walk you through the entire pro- cess.

• Download the reservation form from our site and send in completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent.

• A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & conditions are outlined in our Reservation Form.

• Plan your air travel as soon as possible.

• We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either through us or a travel insurance provider directly.

• Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact us, for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and fitness requirements.