Croatia - picturesque even in autumn

Labin and Rabac

Once upon a time, there were Celts Labin, a picturesque town in south-eastern Istria, named Albuin - a town on a hill where light is born. Inhabited since two thousand years BC and full of mysticism, it is the ideal starting point for getting to know the part of Istria, which reveals its beauty only to those who expect more from the largest Croatian peninsula than just beaches and stalls with cheap souvenirs. Since Celtic times, the goddess Sentona has been watching over Labin, the protector of travelers and a symbol of protection, beauty and fertility, offering relaxation and invigoration. Today, Sentona is a sign of local quality that ensures pleasure in what Labin and its inhabitants have to offer. The very first encounter with medieval architecture on a 320-meter-high hill, from which a view opens up to the beaches of Rabac and the interior of Istria, will inspire us to explore further. Anyone who wants to learn more about the history of the small town must visit Labin Museum, which reveals the stories of famous people from Labin, an exhibition dedicated to mining in the Battiala-Lazzarini Palace is one of the reasons why Lonely Planet ranked the Labin Museum among the 10 most original museums in Croatia.

It lies not far from Labin, on the coast of the Kvarner Gulf the resort of Rabac, which began to develop from a small fishing village in the nineteenth century into a tourist center, where even the Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne Franz Ferdinand vacationed. In the autumn days, Rabac offers wonderful walks along the promenade along and above the most beautiful Istrian beaches – Prohaska, Prižnja and Girandella. The beautiful view of the Kvarner Bay from the village of Kosi is an additional reason to spend an active autumn vacation in Rabac. Between Rabac and Labin, we can walk along the seven paths of the goddess Sentona, each of which reveals a different charm of the beautiful Istrian landscape.

At the end of May slopes of Skitača, the highest peak of the Labin peninsula, are covered in a carpet of fragrant and healing sage. Domestic growers of aromatic plants OPG Klaudio Faraguna and OPG Ornelo Negri make essential oils, soaps and fragrant relaxation baths from its velvety leaves. Sage essential oil is recommended for massaging tired and sore muscles, and its aroma clears the mind and is recommended for overcoming fatigue and depression, best of course in combination with sea air. Wellness center of the Mimosa Hotel in Maslinica Bay in Rabac, sage is used for relaxation programs called "I am the goddess". Tired legs and tense muscles will relax during aroma reflexotherapy, the body will wake up during exfoliation and anti-stress massage, and sadness will disappear during drainage massage with sage. Anti-stress massages with sage and facial treatments with grapes are also offered by hotel wellness centers Albona Hotel & Residence and Hotel & Casa Valamar Sanfior.

With all the relaxation and activities in nature, we must not forget the gastronomic pleasures that Istria offers. In the medieval center of Labina, next to the town lodge, Velo Cafe restaurant offers a Sentona cake with homemade figs and cottage cheese, and autumn offers exquisite dishes such as green nettle gnocchi in a pumpkin sauce sprinkled with chestnuts. Along the promenade, along the city walls, restaurant Kvarner in addition to typical local dishes from Labin, such as minestrone, cod and Istrian boškarin beef, it also offers one of the most beautiful views of the Kvarner Gulf. Restaurant menus Nostromo in Rabac, Tomažići in the village of the same name, taverns Rogočana on the way to Rabac or a restaurant Dorina in Plomin they offer specialties full of seasonal vegetables, aromatic spices, goat's and sheep's cheese, Istrian prosciutto, mushrooms and peaches - winter cabbage, which the locals call the queen of winter dishes. Minestrone with cormorant, fresh fish with rosemary, bay leaf and sage, Boškarin carpaccio and other dishes will go down your throat more easily with a glass of top wines. Dorian Licul, who conducts tastings in his winery, will introduce us to Malvasia, Terano and Merlot, which brought the fame of Istrian wines to the world. Excellent brand wines Calypso Histria and Calypso Nero a winemaker Goran Baćac have been following the tradition of a wine-growing family for 75 years. Vineyards San Martino in the village of Sveti Martin near Labin, which are also the largest in the area of Labin, since the 19th century they have been making sure that winemaking in Istria will not die out.

Kvarner and the islands

The most populated Croatian the island of Krk and close ones Rab are very popular and well-known among Slovenians, especially in the summer months, when we occupy their beaches. We know a little less about the towns on the Kvarner coast, for example Crikvenica, and even fewer of us are referred to Vinodol valley. This autumn is perfect to get to know the nearby neighborhood from a cultural and gastronomic point of view and to enjoy the healing Mediterranean air during the activities offered in these places. The remains of the Illyrian walls on Krk, the early Christian churches on Rab and Krk, the monastery on the islet of Košljun, the oldest Glagolitic inscription in the Croatian language on the Bašćanska plat, discovered on the island of Krk, the narrowest alley in the world in the village Vrbnik on Krk, with a width of only 43 centimeters, and the many personalities who shaped Croatian and world history, connected to the Kvarner Bay and its islands, testify to the importance of this part of the Croatian coast.

Cultural and artistic tradition can be explored very actively, as there are many pedestrian paths arranged between places important for the development of the area, for example The Frankopan Way in Vinodol, The Glagolitic path on Krk, Premužić's path on Rab or A love road in Crikvenica. A walk between the viewpoints in the vicinity of Novi Vinodolski and Vinodol is also wonderful "Vinodol's eyes". There are plenty of cycle paths for cyclists, and those who are more competitive can compete in the cycling marathon in Crikvenica or one of the organized "bike ride" in Malinska or Punat. Adrenaline lovers can get to know the area of Vinodol from a bird's eye view, lovers of the sea on sailboats, accompanied by guides can also get to know the underground charms of the island of Krk, and those for whom the listed activities are not enough can get their heart rate up in adrenaline park in Crikvenica. It is also catered for everyone who is looking for energy and strength in nature, as they can walk around Moon tracks in Baška na Krk, The Heavenly Labyrinth in the hinterland of Novi Vinodolski and The Mediterranean Labyrinth of Love in Crikvenica.

The intoxicating smell of centuries-old pines and medicinal, aromatic Mediterranean plants and the magical dance of healthy mountain, sea and island air are the perfect combination for thorough relaxation and gathering new energy. Thalassotherapy has a long tradition in Crikvenica, Polyclinic Terme Selce however, with its sports medicine programs, it has become popular among top athletes. Janica and Ivica Kostelić, Luka Modrić and a number of Slovenian athletes treated their fatigue and injuries in the mentioned center.

Health is not only physical activity, but also the food we put into the body, of course only if we reach for healthy foods, which are abundant on the Crikvenica-Vinodol Riviera and the islands. Homemade olive oil, organic honey, cheese, prosciutto, excellent fresh fish and seafood specialties are only part of the offer that can be enjoyed in restaurants and taverns or at culinary events such as Squid days on the Crikvenica Riviera and Days of olives in Punat. From October 1 to 4, Rab will host the event "Eco Šetimana - Kanata 2014", which will be an excellent opportunity to enjoy typical Rab products, accompanied by cultural events. Bluefish Road in Crikvenica will reveal to us the richness of this traditional food and its influence on people and culture. Almost every village has a special dish, from šurlica (a type of pasta) with goulash from Krka, through scones with medicinal greens from Vinodol, the famous Raba almond cake or the Frankopan cake from Crikvenica, traveling through Kvarner also goes through the stomach, just like love. Of course, not even a noble drop should be missing. White noble wine from the village of Vrbnik on the island of Krk, nobility is already in the name. A special wine highlight is sparkling wine Valomet wine, made exclusively from indigenous Vrbnica noble wine that ripens at the bottom of the sea, which is currently a unique method of producing sparkling wine in the world.

Biograd

When he was finishing the creation of the world, the Creator noticed that he was holding a bunch of beauties in his hands, which he intended to place in the people's cradle. Fascinated by the blue of the sea, which he had just placed in the embrace of Europe, he dropped all the other beauties to the middle of the Adriatic. This is a legend about a beautiful area that already Biograd dominates for centuries – one of the cities where Croatian kings were crowned in the early Middle Ages. Today, Biograd is a modern resort surrounded by marinas and a coast that offers an unforgettable view of one of the most picturesque sea straits, the Pašman Channel, and the islets scattered along it. Royal Biograd hosts in September final of the Adriatic Summer Games, in which many teams from different cities compete in traditional disciplines and provide plenty of fun and laughter. During the summer, the tour visits more than 30 cities along the Adriatic coast, and the grand finale with more than 1,500 participants takes place in Biograd.

An event "Mom's customs" (Mother's dinner) is dedicated to the preservation of local traditions and ethnic heritage of the town of Pakoštane. The event takes place in July, but the depiction of the life of a woman from Pakostane, which offers many culinary specialties, can also be tasted at many local gastronomic events and, of course, in restaurants. Smaller towns organize interesting meetings in September, Sv. For example, Filip i Jakov organizes the Meeting of Small Glagoliticians and the "Island of Love" triathlon. Fans of sailing will also watch the sailing regatta with enthusiasm Offshore Challenge 2014 Biograd – Dubrovnik ̶ Biograd, which will take place between October 4 and 10.
If you're still not sure whether to head south, let's mention that one of the most photographed islets in Croatia and without a doubt one of the most romantic places on the planet lies right in the Pašman Channel - the heart-shaped islet of Galešnjak, to which lovers come watching a romantic sunset. Could we ask for more for fall?