Istrian Family Adventure

1. DAY-ARRIVAL Arrival in Pula airport and group transfer to our hotel in Rovinj. Brief orientation meeting with our guide and short stroll through old town of Rovinj followed by a dinner together. Overnight in Rovinj. Accommodation: Small Family-run Hotel 3*, Rovinj Meals:dinner Activity:walking Rovinj 2. DAY-SEA KAYAK & SNORKELING ROVINJ ARCHIPELAGO After breakfast, we'll have a short paddling introduction and brief excursion on the water. Today we will enjoy paddling around Rovinj's archipelago which consists of 19 islands, islets, and rocks. There, you will also find Banjole Island, the so-called seven-hair island (because of its rare plant covering), which is interesting because of its cave that is in its most part undersea. After heading towards Palud wee will not miss visit to the St. John lighthouse, built in 1853. It is located on the most distant islet of the small archipelago in front of Rovinj. Accommodation: Small Family-run Hotel 3*, Rovinj Meals:breakfast, picnic lunch Activity:sea kayaking with snorkeling 10km / 6 miles Transfer:local transfers in duration 30 minutes 3. DAY -BIKING ROVINJ RIVIERA & BIRDWATCHING PALUD After breakfast, we meet our cycling guide and collect bikes for a tour along the coast from Rovinj to Palud. The total distance will be up to 20km and the riding is all on level terrain along the coast and small villages Todays bike adventure we will end in Palud Cove, In the Palud Cove, located eight kilometers southwest of Rovinj, there is the first, and so far, the only 'special ornithological reserve' in Istria. Ornithologists have recorded here more than 200 bird species. Since hunters are not allowed into the park, there are also a lot of pheasants, partridges, and quails here. Various types of wild duck, water-hens, grebes and common snipes, garden warblers, golden orioles, woodpeckers, tawny pipits, and shrieks live and nest here continuously. Besides thick authentic forests with beautiful specimens of pubescent and holm oak, the northern part of the wetlands includes a real rainforest with huge willow trees. Before returning to Rovinj we will stop in one of the best olive oil mill where you will be acquainted with olive oil production and have the opportunity to taste one of the best Istrian olive oil. Overnight in Rovinj. Accommodation: Small Family-run Hotel 3*, Rovinj Meals:breakfast, picnic lunch, olive oil tasting Activity:biking 20 km / 13 miles walking 1 hours Transfer:local transfers in duration 30 minutes 4. DAY-SEA KAYAK LIM FJORD & CAVING After breakfast, we will start with our sea kayak adventure along the protected area of Lim fjord. You will enjoy paddling along the bay, with its steep banks, passing beside the cultivation of mollusks and fish to the end of Lim bay. During the trip, we will stop on a wild beach for swimming and snorkeling. Hike to the Romuald´s cave, a 105-meter long cave consisting of several impressive halls that have preserved evidence of permanent existence of life since prehistoric times. The entrance to the cave is 47 centimeters high, and the main hall is five to six meters high. Romuald's Cave is a speleological phenomenon because the cave ornaments are located on the left side only while the right side is empty. Dinner is on your own tonight, so you’re free to explore the town of Rovinj with a fantastic selection of local taverns. Overnight in Rovinj. Accommodation: Small Family-run Hotel 3*, Rovinj Meals:breakfast, lunch Activity:sea kayaking 12km / 8 miles walking 1 hour caving 30 minutes Transfer:local transfers in duration 20 minutes 5. DAY-HIGH ROPE COURSE & PULA Driving for 30 minutes to Glavani Park where we spend an entertaining morning on a high ropes course. On the way back to Rovinj we are going to visit Pula, the epicenter of Istria. We are going to "walk through time";' from ancient times through Roman arches and the Arena, one of the most preserved amphitheaters, through renaissance and finally to modern day. Returning to Rovinj the afternoon is free for swimming or looking around the shops. Accommodation: Small Family-run Hotel 3*, Rovinj Meals:breakfast Activity:high rope course and walking in Pula Transfer:local transfers in duration 60 minutes 6. DAY-HIKING OPRTALJ TO GROŽNJAN Breakfast, transfer to Oprtalj - picturesque medieval town where we will start our 3-4 hours walk across soft hills and through light forest to Grožnjan. Perched on a hill high above the Mirna river valley, Grožnjan is a 14th-century Venetian fortress reborn as the most important art colony in Istria. Once it was slipping into oblivion, but now Groznjan is ground zero for Istrian artists and musicians. Poor Groznjan was nearly deserted when, in 1965, the first painters and sculptors moved into its crumbling stone buildings and started restoring them. A few years later the International Cultural Centre of Jeunesses Musicales Croatia set up a summer training program for musicians in Grožnjan and the town's renaissance began. On the way, we will stop in small village for a homemade lunch before driving to a small village where we will spend last two nights in rural guesthouse. Accommodation:Hotel or rural guesthouse 3* near Poreč Meals:breakfast, lunch Activity:hiking 3-4 hours Transfer:local transfers in duration 90 minutes 7. DAY-POREČ FREE TIME & COOKING COURSE Breakfast, after short drive we reach Poreč. After walking tour free time to explore Old Town or to relax on the beach. In afternoon hours, we will return to our household and together we will learn how to prepare traditional Istrian dinner. We will have a 'farewell' dinner at the household. Accommodation: Hotel or Rural Guesthouse 3* near Poreč Meals:breakfast, farewell dinner Activity:walking tour in Poreč cooking course Transfer:local transfers in duration 60 minutes 8. DAY-DEPARTURE After breakfast group transfer to Pula airport.