On my way to Istria, Croatia

April 17 2009 , Written by thediversetraveller Published on #2009, #bloggers, #blogging, #business, #Croatia, #Destination, #DiverseTraveller, #Europe, #International, #Istria, #Ola, #OlaFagbohun, #Tours, #travel, #Travel News, #traveler, #traveller, #Trip, #women, #womenofcolour, #Writing

I am off to Croatia* on Monday, and can't wait. Before you ask, this is not a travel jolly, in fact I shall be working. Along with four other travel bloggers, I have been invited to experience the famed rustic and natural beauty of Istria (western Croatia), then blog about it upon my return. How great is that!

Picture: Motovunon, Istria

Back to the beginning

How did this come about? Well in January I received an email from a travel writer, Barry Napier. I had never heard of Barry, and thought his email was a scam. But as I am in the travel writing business, I decided not to ignore it, in case it was true, and emailed him back asking for more information about himself and the proposed trip (I Googled him as well).

His replied that he was good friends with Denis Ivosevic, Head of Tourism, Istrian Tourism Board, who believes bloggers can help him promote Istria. Barry become friendly with Denis following numerous visits to the region.

Picture: Denis Ivosevic (left) and Barry Napier (right)

I was also introduced to my fellow travellers (travel bloggers from around the world):

Karen Byrant of http://europealacarte.co.uk/blog/
Christopher Cook of http://www.noambit.com
Laura Motta of http://lamericaine.blogspot.com
Kerrin Rousset of http://MyKugelhopf.ch

Hell! I had nothing to lose, so I said I would love to be included, and after much Googling and email exchanges, I shall be making my first trip to Croatia via Venice (Venice is where all of us (minus Barry who will not be on this trip) will be picked up and driven across the Italian border to Croatia). Our four day itinerary is attached to this post.

Picture: Hotel Cittar, where we will be staying.

Expectations

So what's the catch? There really isn't one, but this is not a free lunch either. In return for this, all expenses paid trip, all us bloggers have to do is write at least three blog entries, in our own blogs, as soon as we return home.

There won't be any editorial control. All we have to do is write honestly, in our own style and send post links back to Denis Ivosevic.

And you my dear readers are not forgotten, as each blogger will be given an incentive to entice our readers to Istria.

Picture: Shop in central Motovunon.

A little about Croatia and Istria

Croatia is a country I had vaguely considered, when looking for a weekend break with a difference, but I had never heard of Istria. However, it seems Croatia, features highly on the 'must visit list' of many of my friends. When, I told them I was going to Croatia, responses included 'ooh! I would love to go' and 'I'm so jealous. It's in my top ten (travel) list'.

I've now learnt more about Istria, and if you don't know anything about Istria (and Croatia see the end of this post), here's a little to wet your appetite.

It's in the north western region of Croatia.
It is a very natural country. As it has never been industrialized it retains it's rustic and historic charm. It is a region full of very pretty, small towns and villages (some on mountain tops), mostly untouched by time, surrounded by countryside of lush, green hills, forests, and vineyards.
Food, wine and beer produced in Istria are free of additives and preservatives. This is a place that isn't trying to be green … it is naturally organic.
Istria has its own currency and hopes to join the EU in two years.
To find out more visit the Istria tourism board website: http://www.istra.hr/en

I can't wait to see this relatively untouched region of Croatia, and hopefully, I'll be able to update you while I am away, will also be twittering.

Pictures © Barry Napier

If you have been to Istria or Croatia, please do share your impressions and / or experiences.

* About Croatia: Croatia extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the north-west to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east; its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Population: 4,437,460 inhabitants; composition of population: the majority of the population are Croats; national minorities are Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Bosnians, Italians, Czechs and others.

Capital: Zagreb (779,145 inhabitants), the economic, traffic, cultural and academic centre of the country.

Climate: Croatia has three climate zones; the prevailing climate in the country’s interior is moderately rainy; on the highest peaks, a forest climate with snow falls, while the areas along the Adriatic coast have a pleasantly mild Mediterranean climate with a large number of sunny days; summers are dry and hot, winters mild and wet with significant precipitations.

Currency: kuna (1 kuna = 100 lipa).

Visit the Croatia Tourism board website to learn more about Croatia

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