Trieste and the Truffles of Istria
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Highlights:
- This program focuses on food and wines in two lesser known areas on the Adriatic coast.
- Trieste is now part of Italy but previously had many occupiers which have given it a unique blend of cultures.
- The other area is known as the Tuscany of Croatia because of its scenic beauty, wine and food. They make a nice combination which we think you might enjoy.
SKU:
Explore: Istria
Customizable Itinerary - 9 Days (from $4,216 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
Tonight you board an aircraft for Europe and the beginning of your Custom Private Journey to Croatia.
Day 2: Arrival in Trieste
Upon landing in Venice you will be met by one of our representatives who will escort you to the railway station where 1st Class seats are reserved for the journey to Trieste which takes about ninety minutes. Trieste is a thin sliver of land between the Adriatic and Slovenia. Upon arrival one of our drivers will meet you and take you to your hotel where the rest of the day is left open.
Day 3: The History of Trieste
Trieste, which is now part of Italy, has a long and turbulent history. For centuries it was closely aligned with the Hapsburgs and provided the Austro-Hungarian Empire with a port on the Adriatic Sea. After World War I it was declared a free city and stayed that way until occupied by the Communist Yugoslav Partisans but were evicted by US forces who occupied the city until it became part of Italy. It is for this reason that there are as many Viennese coffee Houses in Trieste as Trattorias. Illycaffe, the coffee company is headquartered in Trieste. Your guide will meet you at your hotel which is located on the Piazza Unita d’Italia, the largest seaside square in Europe. Like St. Mark’s Square it is surrounded by buildings but the fourth side faces the water. In this case the Adriatic. Your guide will explain the history of the square and then take you to Miramare Castle built by Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian. We will provide a list of recommended restaurants for both lunch and dinner.
Breakfast
Day 4: The Eclectic Cooking of Trieste
One of the best ways to know a culture is to cook and we will arrange for you to meet a native of Trieste who will take you to the local markets and specialty shops to secure the ingredients needed for a three course meal. While Spaghetti with Sauerkraut may be a stretch you can expects to experience some fusion cuisine combining Italy and Austria. You create the meal and eat it along with local wines from Istria. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Trieste to Istria
After breakfast you will be met by your guide and taken to the Istrian Peninsula which was the Place the Roman cane to for the best wine and olive oil. Your destination is an Istrian wine estate that was, in earlier times, an officers’ club for the Austrian Army. Today it creates noted wines and olive oil and also hosts a spa. After a chance to check in and walk around the estate.
Breakfast
Day 6: Rovinj and Pula
After breakfast you meet your guide and drive to the charming town of Rovinj which was once an island but is now a peninsula. Since it started as an island, space was at a premium so houses were built close together; streets are narrower and squares are smaller. It all adds to the charm however. You will stop for lunch and then visit the town of Pula which is home to a Roman Colosseum that was built from 60 to 21 BC and is one of the six largest surviving Roman arenas. While in town you will also see the Augustus Temple and the Arch of the Sergii before returning to the estate.
Breakfast
Day 7: Motovun and Groznjan
Today you will visit two typical villages in central and northern Istria. Your guide will first take you to Motovun which is a fortified hill town dating back to Roman times but which reached its fortified peak in the 14th Century under the Venetians. From the ramparts you get excellent views over the four corners of Istria. Your next visit will be Groznjan which is known as an artists’ colony. As such, there are many galleries and ateliers where you can purchase unique works directly from the artist.
Breakfast
Day 8: All things Truffle
The white truffle is rare and only found in portions of Northern Italy and Istria. In the morning you will be driven out to join a truffle hunt in the forest. After the hunt you adjourn to the farm where you can sample olive oil with truffles, cow and goat cheese with truffles, tartufata and mushrooms with truffle. Your host will then prepare a frittata made with truffles which you can enjoy followed by dessert, vanilla ice cream topped with truffle flavored honey. After your truffle immersion you return to the estate where you will get a private tasting of six of their best wines.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: Return to USA
Unless you would like us to extend your stay for a few days at a beach resort, you will be picked up and driven to Venice or Zagreb for your return trip to the USA.
Breakfast
Tonight you board an aircraft for Europe and the beginning of your Custom Private Journey to Croatia.
Day 2: Arrival in Trieste
Upon landing in Venice you will be met by one of our representatives who will escort you to the railway station where 1st Class seats are reserved for the journey to Trieste which takes about ninety minutes. Trieste is a thin sliver of land between the Adriatic and Slovenia. Upon arrival one of our drivers will meet you and take you to your hotel where the rest of the day is left open.
Day 3: The History of Trieste
Trieste, which is now part of Italy, has a long and turbulent history. For centuries it was closely aligned with the Hapsburgs and provided the Austro-Hungarian Empire with a port on the Adriatic Sea. After World War I it was declared a free city and stayed that way until occupied by the Communist Yugoslav Partisans but were evicted by US forces who occupied the city until it became part of Italy. It is for this reason that there are as many Viennese coffee Houses in Trieste as Trattorias. Illycaffe, the coffee company is headquartered in Trieste. Your guide will meet you at your hotel which is located on the Piazza Unita d’Italia, the largest seaside square in Europe. Like St. Mark’s Square it is surrounded by buildings but the fourth side faces the water. In this case the Adriatic. Your guide will explain the history of the square and then take you to Miramare Castle built by Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian. We will provide a list of recommended restaurants for both lunch and dinner.
Breakfast
Day 4: The Eclectic Cooking of Trieste
One of the best ways to know a culture is to cook and we will arrange for you to meet a native of Trieste who will take you to the local markets and specialty shops to secure the ingredients needed for a three course meal. While Spaghetti with Sauerkraut may be a stretch you can expects to experience some fusion cuisine combining Italy and Austria. You create the meal and eat it along with local wines from Istria. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Trieste to Istria
After breakfast you will be met by your guide and taken to the Istrian Peninsula which was the Place the Roman cane to for the best wine and olive oil. Your destination is an Istrian wine estate that was, in earlier times, an officers’ club for the Austrian Army. Today it creates noted wines and olive oil and also hosts a spa. After a chance to check in and walk around the estate.
Breakfast
Day 6: Rovinj and Pula
After breakfast you meet your guide and drive to the charming town of Rovinj which was once an island but is now a peninsula. Since it started as an island, space was at a premium so houses were built close together; streets are narrower and squares are smaller. It all adds to the charm however. You will stop for lunch and then visit the town of Pula which is home to a Roman Colosseum that was built from 60 to 21 BC and is one of the six largest surviving Roman arenas. While in town you will also see the Augustus Temple and the Arch of the Sergii before returning to the estate.
Breakfast
Day 7: Motovun and Groznjan
Today you will visit two typical villages in central and northern Istria. Your guide will first take you to Motovun which is a fortified hill town dating back to Roman times but which reached its fortified peak in the 14th Century under the Venetians. From the ramparts you get excellent views over the four corners of Istria. Your next visit will be Groznjan which is known as an artists’ colony. As such, there are many galleries and ateliers where you can purchase unique works directly from the artist.
Breakfast
Day 8: All things Truffle
The white truffle is rare and only found in portions of Northern Italy and Istria. In the morning you will be driven out to join a truffle hunt in the forest. After the hunt you adjourn to the farm where you can sample olive oil with truffles, cow and goat cheese with truffles, tartufata and mushrooms with truffle. Your host will then prepare a frittata made with truffles which you can enjoy followed by dessert, vanilla ice cream topped with truffle flavored honey. After your truffle immersion you return to the estate where you will get a private tasting of six of their best wines.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: Return to USA
Unless you would like us to extend your stay for a few days at a beach resort, you will be picked up and driven to Venice or Zagreb for your return trip to the USA.
Breakfast
