Istria is renowned for its outstanding cuisine, shaped by Italian, Slavic, and Central European traditions. Meals on the tour highlight regional specialities such as fresh seafood, truffles, olive oil, cured meats, handmade pasta, and excellent local wines. Dining is unhurried and convivial, offering a delicious insight into Istria’s distinctive culinary identity.
Fitness Level
Istria is not vast, but somehow manages to fold geography and history in upon themselves to create a peninsula of endless variety, filled with views approaching a sublimity to inspire jealousy in the most talented artist only to become dissatisfied with itself and produce something equally wonderful but entirely different before you’ve gone very far.
You’ll find yourself entranced looking down from its hills at the kind of endlessly recurving coast that Croatia does so well, the deep blues of the sky and shimmering Adriatic separated by inlets and impossibly-shaped islands, studded by picture-perfect port towns with church towers and a sea of terracotta roofs clasping the waters of this famed maritime highway and giving the impression of being frozen in time. Turn in a different direction, though, and you have olive farms with expanses of trees flowing over gentle slopes that would be a draw in Italy, or medieval hill towns wrapped around long limestone ridges which give every impression of having accidentally wandered on set from the Massif Central. So many places you look at could almost be the best of somewhere else, by immersing you in its history, archaeology and food, we’ll show you it couldn’t be anywhere but Croatia.
Like its landscape, Croatia’s past and culture has a lot of strands to it. Being where it is, at the head of one of the great seaways facing Venice and the narrow routes into Italy, and with the expanse of ancient Illyricum and continental Europe behind, with routes that have moved people back and forth for as long as we can trace them, it could hardly be otherwise. Even today, parts of the peninsula are officially bilingual, with town signs written in both Italian and Croatian. While the place names and aspects of local architecture reveal its Slavic essence, the spirit and atmosphere often feel unmistakably Mediterranean, deeply reminiscent of Italy.
We’ll definitely enjoy the modern results of that, evident in the towns and villages filled with pastel-coloured buildings, and the food. Let’s pause for a moment to consider that – Istria is a paradise not just for the visual senses! Its olive oils are among the most award-winning in the world; its wines – from Malvazija to Teran – are celebrated far beyond Croatia’s borders; and its truffles, found especially in the forests near Motovun, grace the menus of some of the world’s finest restaurants. They’ll make perfect accompaniments to appreciative conversations about the landscape not so far off where they grew.
And we’ll have plenty to talk about beyond natural splendours, having spent days amid the array of historic sites, often beautifully set themselves, that reveal the layers and twisted strands of Istria’s story, brought into focus with passion by a brilliant expert guide. From massively-walled hillforts sheltering Bronze Age peoples, we’ll hear of the Histrian tribes who gave their name to the area, and who emerge into history just in time to by overwhelmed by the might of Rome, and for Istria to become part of imperial Italy. That’s left a strong trace, with one of the empire’s grandest surviving amphitheatres still dominating the city of Pula with its fine arcades. Cast your eyes about through Roman Istria and you’ll find stunningly-preserved temples, fine mosaics and villas.
As Rome fades, new actors take the stage. We’ll find the imprint of Byzantium in golden church mosaics and see Istria contested between Franks and the emerging Slavs. Fine basilicas tell that story and carry us into a Medieval period filled with fortified hilltop towns and Venetian outposts. We come closer to modern times, seeing the region recast by the Habsburgs, to whom it mattered so much, and through to recent refuges – from shelters to the more opulent – telling of twentieth century turbulence and those who shaped it. Plenty of tales to tell, which only deepen your encounter with the surroundings, culture and Istria’s welcoming people.
One might say that Istria’s a place that never quite lets you decide what it is; another might say that’s because it is, and has been, many things. This cultural tour certainly brings you all of that historical richness combined with its glorious atmosphere and inspiring beauty.
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Day 1: Transfers from the airport to Pula, where our journey through Istria begins. In the evening, we gather for welcome drinks and dinner, an opportunity to meet your expert guide and the rest of the group. Over a relaxed meal, we’ll outline the itinerary and set the stage for the week ahead - a voyage through three thousand years of Istria’s history, culture, and cuisine.
Day 2: Our first full day begins, fittingly, with Roman Pula, one of the Adriatic’s great classical cities. The immense amphitheatre dominates the modern town just as it did two millennia ago, a remarkably well-preserved reminder of the empire’s northern reaches. But there is much more to discover: temples dedicated to Augustus and Rome, fragments of ancient houses and markets, and streets that still follow the grid first laid down by Roman surveyors. As we walk through Pula’s ancient heart, we bring to life its stories. By evening, we’ll have traced the city’s rise and fall, from empire to medieval port, all in a single day.
Day 3: This morning, we travel back even further in time - long before the Romans arrived - to the Bronze Age settlement of Monkodonja, perched on a hill above the Istrian coast. Its stone ramparts, raised more than three thousand years ago, still stand proud against the sea breeze. Here we explore the life of Istria’s first communities: traders, farmers, and warriors connected to the wider Mediterranean world. From this ancient landscape, we move forward again to Rovinj, a baroque town with pastel façades tumbling towards the glittering Adriatic. An evening walk through Rovinj’s narrow lanes, crowned by the church of St. Euphemia, offers views as beautiful as any in the region.
Day 4: A short ferry trip carries us to the Brijuni Archipelago, a place of extraordinary natural and historical richness. The islands hold secrets from every era: traces of dinosaur footprints along the rocks; Bronze Age hillforts hidden amid pine groves; Roman villas and Byzantine basilicas. In more recent times, Brijuni became the summer residence of Josip Broz Tito, leader of Yugoslavia, and stories of his guests, gatherings and menagerie form part of the islands' modern history.
Day 5: We return to Pula for a very different chapter in its story. The city’s ancient harbour, Roman in origin, became the principal naval base of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the 19th-century fortifications and arsenals that still ring the bay tell of a time when this was the maritime heart of the Habsburg world. Here we explore the empire’s legacy - powerful stone walls, observation towers, and the ghosts of a once-mighty fleet. After a glorious lunch, we leave southern Istria and journey north through rolling countryside to our next boutique hotel in the historic town of Buzet, set amidst vineyards and olive groves in the heart of the peninsula.
Day 6: In the morning we explore Petrapilosa, a dramatically situated medieval castle with commanding views over the Mirna River valley, still quietly keeping watch over the landscape as it has for centuries. Afterwards we head to Poreč, one of the jewels of the Adriatic. The old town preserves traces of every era, from the Roman street grid beneath our feet to the medieval walls and Venetian houses that line the waterfront. The highlight, without question, is the Euphrasian Basilica, a sixth-century masterpiece of Byzantine art and architecture, its golden mosaics glittering as they have for nearly 1,500 years. Recognised by UNESCO as a site of Outstanding Universal Value, it stands among the world’s greatest early Christian monuments. We then spend the remainder of the day exploring Poreč’s layered history and enjoying the town’s graceful seaside setting.
Day 7: Our final full day is dedicated to inland Istria, a landscape of wooded hills and stone villages. We travel to the Mirna Valley, where vineyards and truffle forests frame some of the region’s most picturesque scenery. Rising above it all is Motovun, a beautifully preserved hilltop town whose medieval walls command sweeping views across the countryside.
We explore magnificent Motovun - its massive medieval gatehouse and panoramic loggia framing some of the finest views in inland Istria – and walk around the town’s atmospheric ramparts. We then venture into nearby woods for a guided truffle-hunting experience to learn how these prized delicacies are found and enjoyed, before tasting them in their native environment that makes them so exceptional. We round out the day with a farewell dinner celebrating the flavours of Istria, a fitting finale to our journey.
We explore magnificent Motovun - its massive medieval gatehouse and panoramic loggia framing some of the finest views in inland Istria – and walk around the town’s atmospheric ramparts. We then venture into nearby woods for a guided truffle-hunting experience to learn how these prized delicacies are found and enjoyed, before tasting them in their native environment that makes them so exceptional. We round out the day with a farewell dinner celebrating the flavours of Istria, a fitting finale to our journey.
Day 8: After breakfast, our tour draws to a close. We part ways enriched by Istria’s stories.
I would like to book, what else do I need to know?
For information not covered below please refer to our FAQ’s or contact us directly on [email protected]
Arrival Airport – Pula Airport (PUY)
Departure Airport – Pula Airport (PUY) or Rijeka Airport (RJK)
Check in time at your hotel in Pula is after 15:00 so we recommend choosing a flight that arrives mid to late afternoon. Check out time from your hotel in Buzet is 11:00 am. We will arrange local transfers from Pula Airport and to Pula or Rijeka Airport on the first and last day of the tour.
Booking Flights:The cheapest way to book flights to Pula is directly with the airline online.
Please note: Flights are subject to change. Please contact the airline for exact details.
If you prefer to book with a travel agent, we are happy to recommend specialists in a number of countries around the world, please contact our office for more details.
Travel Insurance:We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. You should ensure that you take out a suitable policy, to make sure that your trip is properly covered.
The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries using the system. The EES will modernise border management of the Schengen countries, gradually simplify border controls and prevent identity fraud. ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for non-EU visa-free nationals.
You find out more about EES & ETIAS using the link below
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/pb
Visas: Citizens of European Union or Schengen Treaty member states need no visa for Croatia. Those from the United States, Canada and Australia do not need to apply for a visa to visit Croatia for trips of less than 90 days duration.
United Kingdom citizens will not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Different rules apply to Croatia. If you visit Croatia, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. Other nationalities should contact their local consulate or ask us for further advice.
All non-EU nationals travelling in Europe before arriving in Croatia must register for the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
For more details, please visit the website of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Custom tours or additional travel in Croatia: If you are planning to spend any additional time in Croatia before or after your gulet trip, we are happy to assist you either directly or via our trusted family-run partner agency in Croatia. In addition to our gulet trips, we also offer personalised tours and travel arrangements throughout Croatia. Whether you’re seeking a bespoke tour or simply need recommendations on things to see and do, we’re dedicated to making your Croatian experience unforgettable. Please contact us, we’ll be delighted to help.
Tour Includes:
Accommodation: we stay at two different hotels:
In Pula, we stay for four nights at the waterside 5* Hotel Monumenti, located on the grounds of a former Austro-Hungarian military barracks, meticulously renovated in accordance with heritage conservation guidelines.
In the old town of Buzet, we stay for three nights at Vela Vrata, a small heritage hotel nestled within the medieval walls, offering a quiet and atmospheric retreat with sweeping views over the Mirna River valley.
All meals (except 1 lunch and 1 dinner) including water, tea and coffee and wine with dinner
The services of your expert tour leader throughout the entire trip
Airport transfers on the first and last days of the tour
Travel by private minibus
All entrance fees
All tips to restaurant and hotel staff
Hotel taxes
Not included:
Flights and airport taxes
Visas
Travel insurance
Tips for drivers
Tips for guides
Mislav Files
We are delighted to welcome Mislav Fileš as a full-time member of the PST Team. A good number of you will already know Mislav, because he has been leading tours for us for the last 5 years – with stellar feedback. Mislav will continue to guide for us in Croatia and Montenegro as well as doing many other new and exciting things for PST.
Mislav has directed and been involved in many archaeological projects over the years and is also a licensed ski instructor and an apprentice in alpine mountaineering. With his extensive knowledge and experience, positive can-do spirit, boundless energy and ever present smile, he makes for a wonderful travelling companion and great person to work with.
After graduating from high school, Mislav enrolled in the Department of Archaeology and continued his education through graduate levels to PhD studies, which he is currently attending at the University of Zagreb. He received Excellence Awards from the Faculty of Humanities and Social sciences for his accomplishments in both undergraduate and graduate studies, and was awarded a scholarship of excellence from the City of Zagreb for his undergraduate and postgraduate studies, and from the Department of Archaeology for his PhD studies.
Mislav has participated in numerous excavations in both Croatia and abroad (Israel and Austria) and, after graduating, started leading some of the excavations independently. While studying, Mislav became a licenced ski-instructor as well as an alpine mountaineer apprentice.
What previous guests have to say about Mislav:
"Being guided by Mislav with his upbeat personality, knowledge of local history and sites, and general enthusiasm throughout the trip was definitely a highlight. He worked well with local guides, to give us a comprehensive understanding of the location." Rebecca Dillon
"Mislav Files was an outstanding guide, knowledgeable, friendly, humble, enthusiastic and consistently professional. Notably, he did not look after us as a group, he looked after us as individuals." Helen Curran
"Mislav was the best tour guide I've ever had (and I've traveled quite a bit). I'd love to have him on all my tours. Full of zest and knowledge, fun and charming. Perfect English. His enthusiasm made all the trips fun, educational and informative. The trip was such a great learning experience, the most unique of any trip I've taken. I highly recommend!" Kathy Robbins
"Our superior guide, Mislav, added immensely to every place we visited. It was ‘great fun was had by all’! I would consider Mislav a Guide’s Guide… who is THE guide that all others look up to as the standard to strive to meet. Our guide, Mislav, aside from being the consummate knowledgeable ‘Guide Supreme’,was constantly focused on the comfort & inclusion of all of his ‘guests’." Ruthie and James Henderson
"The knowledge of our guide was topnotch. This is probably the best tour I have ever taken. Mislav gave it his all. Mislav, had a depth and breadth of knowledge that made our discussions exciting and engaging, his patience and expertise were remarkable." Karen Tarapata
What kind of food and dining experiences can we expect?
What makes this tour ideal for travellers interested in history and culture?
Istria is a crossroads of civilisations, especially shaped by ancient Illyrians tribes, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and the Austro-Hungarian empire. Our expert guides bring this layered past vividly to life, exploring Roman amphitheatres, Byzantine marvels, medieval hilltop towns and castles and Austro‑Hungarian architecture with insight, context, and a sparkling narrative. The result is a journey of discovery through one of Europe’s most fascinating regions.
How large is the group?
Our Exploring Istria tour has a maximum of 18 guests. This ensures a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and allows our guides to offer personal attention, answer questions fully, and foster the sense of shared discovery that defines all of our tours.
What kind of accommodation can I expect?
We stay in just two carefully chosen small hotels that reflect the character and contrasts of Istria. In Pula, our base is the elegant 5‑star Hotel Monumenti, a waterside property set within the grounds of a former Austro‑Hungarian military barracks. Meticulously restored in line with heritage conservation guidelines, it combines historic atmosphere with contemporary comfort. Later in the journey, we spend three nights in the old town of Buzet at Vela Vrata, a charming boutique hotel set within the medieval fabric of the hilltop settlement. Together, these two properties offer a wonderfully balanced experience of Istria’s coastal and inland worlds.
Who leads this tour?
Your guide on this journey is Mislav Fileš, an expert archaeologist and one of our most experienced and engaging tour leaders. A full‑time member of the Peter Sommer Travels team, Mislav has been guiding for us for more than five years, earning consistently outstanding feedback for his knowledge, energy, and unfailingly positive spirit. He has directed and participated in numerous archaeological projects across Croatia and continues his academic work through PhD studies in archaeology. Alongside his scholarly expertise, he brings a warm sense of humour, boundless enthusiasm, and a genuine love of sharing Istria’s history, landscapes, and food traditions. With his deep local insight and ever‑present smile, Mislav is a wonderful travelling companion and an exceptional guide to this fascinating region. Please click on the tour expert’s name under the tour dates to read a full bio and testimonials.
How much walking is involved on this tour?
Exploring Istria includes regular walks through medieval hilltop towns, archaeological sites, coastal promenades, and rural landscapes. Some terrain is uneven and a few sites involve gentle inclines, and occasional longer site visits, but we take everything at a relaxed, unhurried pace. Comfortable walking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness will help you get the most from the experience. The tour is rated 2 out of 5 on our intensity scale, meaning it is classed as moderate. You can find out more by visiting the fitness levels page on our website.
