2025 - Seaside Croatia
Updated: 2 days ago
As a break in proceedings, I took several weeks out in Croatia by the sea on the Istrian Coast, which was a somewhat risky prospect given it was August high season and I had chosen Rovinj, not an unpopular place.
While it was generally busy on the peninsula, it was also very beautiful and dripping in history with ancient hilltop towns and stunning seaside villages all connected by that remarkable Mediterranean Sea with its azure colours, rocky swimming spots, coves and err congregations of nude northern Europeans making best use of the sun for an all-over tan. I certainly did my share of swimming.
I stayed with a great host who introduced me to Pelinkovac liquor, another herbal concoction of olden days - good for all that ails you. One of my side quests in each country is to discover and sample liquors that are based on plants / herbs (if possible), seems every country has something that's been passed down from some long ago forest recipe.
Highlights of my time here include Rovinj itself despite the crowds, the bike ride along the coast to the south of the town and its various coves to pull in for a swim, the arena at Pula, wandering the Dvigrad Ruins, the hilltop town of Motovun in late afternoon when it's quiet, and the coastal hamlet of Porec as well as the interesting port area of Rijeka.
Undoubtedly one of my favourite countries, Croatia. Always drawn to seaside locations and port towns, and neither of those are in shortage in Croatia with its very long coastline!
