Eco-Tourism in Istria, Croatia
May 18, 2011.
Our guides for this adventure were two faculty members from the University of Pula, Robert and Sanja. They both have Eco-Tourism properties that they rent with vineyards and fruit trees, wild asparagus and strawberries and cherry trees and…you get the idea. They make wine from their vineyards for their own use and for family, friends, and visitors. Robert’s place comes with bikes and a boat at the nearby marina for his guests. Very nice! The original house has been renovated and added to using natural materials with lots of beautiful wooden beams, floors and ceilings with very stylish and modern bathroom facilities. The furniture included the bed his grandparents used throughout their married life together (new mattress of course) and an ornamental brass bed that Robert designed and his father made.
Villa Angelina
Our first stop was in Laban to visit the Underground City XXI: From a coal mine to a culture mine. Yes, the organizers of this project hope to build an underground city in an old coal mine! What an interesting way to utilize an unused coal mine! Check out the website: http://www.undergroundcityxxi.com/
From the Underground City project we went to the old part of Laban, on a hilltop where so many old towns are located on the Istrian peninsula of Croatia. Beautiful views and an interesting museum with Roman artifacts and many artifacts from the Croatian culture, including musical instruments and the traditional clothing that used to be worn here. Again, very interesting to see all these things and to hear the kind of music the instruments made and the type of singing that only the older women know how to do now. It’s called “thin and thick” and is becoming a lost art. I hope the schools will keep it going by teaching it in their music classes, along with teaching the dances in their physical education classes.
And we’ll never forget the exit to the museum. You go through part of an old coal mine. At first, the way out was of regular height but soon we were almost crawling to get out. A surprising and fun way to exit a museum!
Our next stop was at Robert’s Villa Angelina, his Eco-Tourism friendly property that he manages with his father. What a lovely spot. Unfortunately I didn’t get enough photos to really show it as it deserves to be shown. By this time we were late for our reservation at an Eco-Tourism Restaurant.
View from Laban, Croatia
The restaurant, I never did learn its name, was near the village of Barbar. And we sure felt special. We were the only guests for dinner. We were glad Robert was driving – no sign to indicate where the restaurant was. In addition to the restaurant, the owner also had several properties for tourist rentals. Robert made the reservations and asked for specific Istrian dishes to be served. He chose well and the owner of the property served the best prošut I’ve had here with delicious cheese and home-made bread. Next, was home-made minestrone soup that was also the best I’ve ever had anywhere. The next course was gnocchi with mushrooms that came from the forest on the property. Very distinctive flavor so it’s a good thing we like mushrooms! Then, we were served ravioli with wild asparagus in a mild cream sauce. The taste of wild asparagus is stronger than what you buy in the store and, again, delicious. Then a large serving plate of noodles (different from any noodles I’ve seen before) with Istrian beef and chicken with a gravy. This is the Croatian version of goulash. Again, really delicious and the meat was so tender. By this time this was served, I had to ask Robert how many more courses are there? I was already very full! Fortunately, this was the last course except for the “sweets” and coffee. For desert, we had what I’ll call small fritters. I couldn’t understand the Croatia name for these but that’s what they were. And they were also excellent.
Well, it was past mid-night by the time we finished this gourmet meal and time for Robert to get us home so he could get home. Sure am glad we didn’t have to get up early the next day. It’s 11:00 AM the next day and I’m still not hungry!
Click on the link below to see the photos, only 16 of them!
Venetian Lion with Open Book means this building was built in time of peace. In time of war, the book is closed.
Thank you Robert and Sanja for a wonderful Croatian afternoon and evening!
Hello all,
ReplyDeleteCroatia is blessed with a distinctive coastline studded with amazing beaches. A lot of these beaches have gone through full-scale revamping to supply an ideal retreat for vacationers. It all combined with amazing coastal views and that feeling you have really experienced and achieved something special. Thanks a lot...