Asta Member
Fratelli Group Travel
TRAVEL & TOURS
Day 7 –Novigrad – Rovinj – Novigrad
We will visit Matosevic Wine Estate, wine tasting - Ivica Matosevic is one of the most prominent Istrian wine makers and head of Istria Vintners Association. Enjoy the excellent Chardonnay and Acacia barrel aged Malvazija Robinia. We continue on to Rovinj, for the city tour. You will feel the enchantment of this town in its narrow medieval streets and warm Mediterranean setting. From the plateau of St. Euphemia Cathedral there is a wonderful view of the open sea and numerous islets in the distance. Some free time to explore Rovinj. (suggestion: wine bar “Piazza Granda”, wine and cocktail bar “Puntulina”) This evening a Farewell dinner will be at Restaurant Blu, a creative Mediterranean seafood cuisine. “Blue” is a chic restaurant at a hideout directly at the sea level overlooking the panorama of Rovinj. You will enjoy high end food listening to the waves and enjoying sweet smell that gentle Maestral wind brings from the pine wood that surrounds the restaurant. Overnight in Istria (B/D)
Day 1— USA/Trieste, IT./Novigrad, CROATIA
Depart from the USA on our overnight flight into Trieste, Italy. Dinner and overnight onboard. We will provide a group air fare rate from Newark International Airport in New Jersey. Anyone coming from other parts of the US join the group in Newark or in Trieste. Time schedule to be announced. Alternatively, we can assist you in making your air travel reservations if you wish. (Dinner & Breakfast Aloft)
Day 2— Trieste/Novigrad
Upon arrival in Trieste International Airport in Italy, we depart for our hotel lodging for the week, Hotel Nautica in Novigrad, Croatia. The hotel is a Four Star property located on the beach on the Adriatic coast about 1 hour from the Trieste, Italy. This evening dinner will be at the “Marina” Restaurant. Overnight in Nautica Hotel, Novigrad, Istria, Croatia. (D)
Fresh catch of the day seafood selection, imaginative chef and genuine hospitality are core values of this family owned restaurant. Final result is the full splendor of taste, texture, color and aroma of your gourmet experience. Ideally located next to Hotel Nautica and Novigrad Marina with a breathtaking view of Novigrad Harbor and magnificent, postcard quality sunset.
Kabola Wine Estate: wine tasting
Istrian winemaker famous for various styles of malvasia and a special type of moscato, especially their recent innovation, application of ancient winemaking technique devised in Caucasian Georgia. Grapes; after being picked are put immediately into terracotta amphorae, sealed and put to ferment in the soil.
From generation to generation the love of wine making has been passed on to this day and the Kozlovic Winery has become a tradition in itself and one of top destination in Istria's world of wine. This winery is renowned for arguably the best Moscatos (typical sweet varietal in Istria). Their recent experiment with Malvazija aged in Acacia barrels instead of oak gains more and more followers. (B,D)
Konoba Stari Podrum, Momjan: an early dinner—specialties are black truffle based meals
Stari podrum is family-run enterprise settled in a traditional stone house, with big garden and rustic interior and splendid view over Momjan’s Medieval Castle. Mother, known to her customers as aunt Mira, is in the kitchen, and her two daughters serve tables and occasionally help preparing meals. Free time in Novigrad: (suggestion: sunset drink at Vitriol Bar, Overnight in Novigrad)
Day 8 – Free Day
We have decided to add one extra day ; a day to relax by the pool or the beach, to go shopping or pick up a side tour to one of the other cities not visited in this itinerary.
As an “optional day” for those interested we can have an early morning departure by ferry to spend a day in Venice. A short tour of the main island will be included and then free time to explore on your own. A meeting point and time will be given for the return ferry ride to Croatia. The ride is about 1 hr. 15 minute each way. The price for this “optional tour” to be announced. (B)
Day 9— Novrigrad—Trieste—USA
This morning we depart for Trieste International Airport for our flight home. We bring with us many memories of fun days, wonderfully interesting meals shared with friends, a bit more culture to add to our already cultured consciousness, but above all the recollection of an impressive and wonderful journey on the ISTRIAN PENINSULA. Dinner aloft and overnight at HOME!!! (B)
Day 6 - Novigrad – Porec - Pula – Novigrad
Porec, city tour with visit to St. Euphrasius basilica - Walking tour of ancient quarter of the city where Roman architectural layout is still clearly visible and beautifully blends with Venetian gothic palazzos. Visit to St. Euphrasius basilica, 6th Century Byzantine style church, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Then onto Rossi Grappa & Wine Estate – grappa & wine tasting. Pula; city tour with visit to Arena - one of the largest and best preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world (site of biggest movie festival in Croatia). Pula is the largest town on the Istria peninsula offers a diversity of attractions to lovers of culture. The rich itinerary of its three thousand year old history, where every step you take through the old town is a landmark, begins and ends with the Roman amphitheatre one of only six preserved in the world. While strolling through Pula you will
Istria
Day 3 – Novigrad – Groznjan – Momjan – Novigrad
This morning after our Buffet Breakfast we will board our coach for a short ride to Groznjan. Walking tour of romantic medieval little city, seat of International Music Youth, Summer Jazz and Movie Academy. Several dozen artists live in this city all year around, their studios welcome visitors. Opportunity to purchase ideal and unique souvenirs. We will stop today at Babic Olive Oil estate en-route for a tasting.
Day 4 – Novigrad – Lipica Stables (Slovenia) – Trieste (Italy) – Novigrad
Today we will visit Lipica Stables, home to the world famous Lipizzaner horses (Vienna Riding School). The Lipica Stable, founded in 1580, is one of the world’s oldest stables, a unique cultural monument that currently accommodates around 400 Lipizzaner horses. The full beauty of these thoroughbred horses is most evident when they move with the dignified gait and graceful steps that have brought them world fame. Visit to city of Trieste. The romantic melancholy of Trieste's often windswept streets (the bora, a fierce wind that blows down from the Carso plateau, is a source of local pride), the resilient grandeur of its Habsburg buildings, the people (part Italian, part Slavic), the coffee (this is the home of Illy, arguably the best espresso in the world) and the chance to discover why James Joyce spent decades of his life in this city; Visit to Castello di Miramare; Wine tasting at the winery owned by Lidia
Day 5 - Novigrad – Motovun -Opatija
Motovun: Walking tour Medieval city at the top of the hill overlooking Mirna river valley. Breathtaking view from the city walls. US Formula 1 champion Mario Andretti was born here. Czech engineer Josef Ressel lived in Motovun while testing his invention, the propeller, at Mirna river. An International Film Festival that takes place in Motovun which proudly awards the winner with a Golden Propeller of Motovun. Next is a visit to Medea honey & honey based cosmetic products, honey tasting . Then you will visit to Zigante delicatessen shop - Giancarlo Zigante is considered as Istrian 'King of Truffles'. Apart from fresh truffles, both white and black, many truffle based products are available for purchase at this shop including various other wine, spirits, olive oil and gourmet delicacies from the region as well as from the rest of Croatia and Slovenia. This will be followed by cooking class and lunch. Afterwards a visit to Opatija – a town founded by Austrian nobility as an alternative to French Riviera, the sub-tropical climate, magical beauty and rejuvenating atmosphere has over the years earned the Opatija Riviera an enviable reputation as both a winter retreat and a popular summer resort. The magnificent facades ornamented with vivacious art, the striking stairways and lavishly furnished interiors are a reflection of the spirit of the times, a spirit striving for refinement and distinction. Opatija grew together with its guests - the imperial and royal nobility, the Austrian and Hungarian elite, and the celebrated artists who came here in search of rest and found inspiration. Free Time Overnight in Novrigrad (B,L)
come across numerous monuments of Roman architecture: the Triumphal Arch of the Sergi dynasty from the 1st century B.C., Hercules’ Gate and Twin Gates, the Temple of Augustus, Arena and Small Roman Theatre in the town center. Coffee break @ Roman Forum, Café A gourmet lunch in Restaurant Divino in Porec today is included. Overnight in Novigrad, Istria (B, D)
Matticchio Bastianich & Joe Bastianich, celebrity chefs and owners of leading Italian restaurants in the USA such as Del Posto and Felidia in New York and La Mozza in LA. Stop for winemaker’s lunch at Kabaj Morel Wine Estate just across the border in Slovenia. Wine production at Kabaj Wine Estate takes place in a modern wine cellar but has three parts: a traditional part with large oak barrels and steel vessels for fermentation of the wine; an arched cellar with a water source, constant temperature and humidity for French "barrique" barrels; and a less typical cellar, where nine 3500 liter clay vessels (kvevris), made of Georgian clay in the Georgian village Imereti in Caucasia, are buried in the ground. Return to hotel for dinner on own. (B,L)