This page should appear in a frame, please click here if you cannot see a list down the left hand side of this page.

GSO-Holidays

About Istria (called Istra here!)

To see full information about Our friends, Istra Zivot,and all the apartments, click here.    About us    Accommodation     Activities    Contact

Just to the east of Italy (for many years a part of Italy), Istria (now a part of Croatia again) is only four hours drive from Lake Garda, three hours from historic Venice and an hour from Trieste airport. It is a small peninsula - just over 1000 square miles (no larger than an English county) - nestling in the crystal clear Adriatic Sea.

where we are
Click to see where we are in Istria
click to enlarge

When you arrive, you will be stunned. Immediately taken. Soon enough you will experience 'blue' as well as 'green' Istria and you will be looking out over the azure-blue Adriatic at the numerous islands, drinking beer amongst some of the happiest tourists (and locals) you will encounter on your journey, you will feel strangely settled. You'll want to see more and you'll decide to stay for a while. This is Medveja and the Ucka mountains behind.

During your stay here, should you set out to explore everything our small region could offer, you'll find…

Mile upon mile of unspoilt countryside, with dramatic mountain ranges, (the highest, Mount Učka, is 4600 ft) supplying a backdrop to the inland plateaus and small scale Mediterranean farmsteads; historic walled towns; unbelievably friendly people, (many of whom have English as their second language) and an un-ending supply of fresh olives, fish, cheese, truffles and wine. 

The spectacular view from the Roman walls in Motovun
It is so green and one is amazed by the abundance of wild flowers and wildlife. All this is enclosed by more than 100 miles of spectacular coastline looking out over Croatia's numerous islands. Of course there are other Mediterranean regions that offer many such delights. However this region has it all and more. The history, the views, the beauty, the sea and the characters that live here are all within just a few miles of each other. Looking over Trget and the Rasa valley in May
Inland, there is a history lesson around every corner. There really are horses and carts to be seen being used and not just for the tourists! Small fields abounding in fresh produce and vines are hand cultivated by the community. Small stalls selling home made wine, olive oil, wild asparagus, honey, truffles, fruit and veg, schnapps, etc. can be found all around Istria. Sometimes the locals will give you too much to eat! The day we picked the grapes for your wine!
There are walled towns and hilltop villages, fortified ports, many traces of a Roman presence, Venetian influenced architecture, elegant bell towers and much more. Pula boasts 3000 years of history and shows you it all in a comprehensive museum. The Amphitheatre is amongst the world's best preserved and biggest, Hum is the smallest city in the world and everything in-between seems to be here too! This is Motovun from a hot air balloon.

It is said that Istria is 'The big heart of the Adriatic' and we can help you discover its heart - as it is worth it.

 

To see full information about GSO Holidays,and all the apartments, click here.    About us    Accommodation     Activities    Contact   

 

Georgio & Jana   Istrian Holidays
GSO d.o.o Tourism

Olge Ban 13   52100 Pula    Croatia
Telephone:
00385 52 222 821    00385 95 161 7055
office@GSO-Holidays.com