30. 1. 2024
The reasons to visit Slovenian Istria through Bojana's eyes
Bojana Klepac moved to Slovenian Istria from Šabac, Serbia, for studies but she fell so deeply in love with the region that she never returned. "Slovenia is my second home. I feel like I’ve lived here since forever." In Istria, she particularly loves the diversity of the terrain. She enjoys all the opportunities for leisure activities, from strolls by the sea or in the countryside to cycling on both easy and more demanding trails, rollerblading between urban centers, and even skiing, as the nearest ski resorts are just a short two-hour drive away. “Istria offers everything a person needs to lead a good life on this small piece of the world." Bojana says she feels safe here and particularly appreciates the well-kept surroundings. She's a big fan of Istrian wines and considers herself a true Slovenian wine enthusiast.
Which are the top 3 places where Bojana most enjoys spending her time? Keep reading!
TOP 3 places worth visiting in Slovenian Istria
1. The Green Peninsula of Ankaran
The Green Peninsula of Ankaran is a true natural paradise, combining unspoiled nature and the Mediterranean spirit. You can find several natural Istrian landmarks on this territory:
Debeli Rtič Landscape Park, the
Mediterranean Salty Meadow, and the
Bivalve Shells’ cemetery. This green part of Istria, surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation, vineyards, and olive groves, is perfect for a nature retreat. Debeli Rtič Landscape Park attracts nature enthusiasts with its diverse flora and fauna, along with its renowned cliffs and picturesque cycling and hiking trails that allow for exploration of the untouched corners of the peninsula and its surroundings.
"Ankaran and its green surroundings are simply magical to me! I envision having a home here sometime in the future." Besides the amazing landscape, you can indulge in local cuisine and excellent wines that characterise the region.
2. Istrian towns: Koper, Izola in Piran
In Istrian coastal towns, history, culture, and the smiles of friendly locals intertwine. In
Koper, you'll be charmed by its rich history and Venetian architecture. As you stroll through narrow stone streets, a visit to the picturesque Tito Square with its
bell tower is a must. Here, you can admire the
Praetorian Palace, the former seat of the city's rulers.
Izola will embrace you with its charming fishing atmosphere, its harbour,
Svetilnik Beach, and a pleasant town centre. You can also explore it through an exciting experience of
The Forgotten Secret of Izola. The enchanting
Piran will take you back in time with its walls, colourful facades in narrow streets, and old port. You can also explore the town through the experience of The Disappearance of Tartini's Violin. Piran is also the former residence of the legendary violinist Giuseppe Tartini, with the central square dedicated to him.
"Piran is where one feels like they're on vacation every day. And what could be more beautiful than taking a short vacation during the workday?”The proximity of Istrian towns is an excellent advantage of Slovenian Istria with each town being at most a 15-minute drive from the others. Therefore, you can effortlessly stop by and experience all three when visiting Slovenian Istria! And all of them promise excellent
cuisine, premium wines, and unforgettable sunsets.
You can admire the rich cultural heritage blending with natural beauty in the Istrian countryside as well. Explore it!
3. Istrian winemakers and local restaurants
Since Bojana is very passionate about enogastronomy, all the selected spots somehow include Istrian flavours. Her third suggestion for a visit revolves around
winemakers and
local restaurants, but highlighting specific ones is a challenge, since the offerings are truly diverse, varied, and of high quality.
"Slovenia boasts a first-rate selection of wines. When I moved to Istria, I became fascinated with oenology and started delving deeper into this field.” In Istria, premium wine and exquisite cuisine blend in a harmonious symphony of flavours with a distinct Mediterranean touch. The Istrian vineyards, often perched on terraces overlooking the sea, yield exceptionally high-quality grapes, resulting in wines with distinctive and full-bodied savours. Malvasia and Refosco grapes predominate here, perfectly complementing the tastes of Istrian cuisine. In the countryside, the culinary focus leans toward meat-based dishes, while in coastal towns, the emphasis shifts to the gifts of the sea – fish and seafood.
You can explore the gastronomic world of Slovenian Istria at culinary festivals such as
Altroke Istra, the
Pier of Tastes and other traditional Istrian
events. Istrian winemakers will gladly open their cellars for you, and you can also enjoy tastings at various wine bars and boutiques.
Would you like to prepare a delicious Istrian dish at home? No problem; we’ve got Istrian recipes ready for you.
3 interesting facts about Bojana Klepac
- Bojana is a logistics engineer currently employed at a logistics company in Koper, which boasts Luka Koper – an international port connecting Central and Eastern Europe with the Mediterranean.
- She's very active and possesses a well-developed entrepreneurial spirit. She owns a coaching studio where, among other things, she offers EMS training.
- She enjoys spending her free time at vantage points. One of her favourites is in Gažon, where wandering among the vineyards reveals a panoramic view of the vast sea and nearly all Istrian towns. Are you curious about Bojana's favourite vantage points?
Perhaps you'll get that exact information from the tips provided by Jana & Uwe! Check it out. 😊