What To Do In Istria This Spring?

In case you want to stay active on your spring holiday and get in shape for the summer ahead, here you’ll find plenty of opportunities to do so.

While the possibilities are endless, here are some of the highlights:

• Cycling on a historical railroad: Parenzana is a 120 years old railroad that goes through the picturesque inland villages that resemble the ones you’d find in Tuscany. While there are no more trains today, the railroad was repurposed for cycling and walking, making it a perfect place to discover historical Istrian spots and hidden gems. Apart from Parenzana, you’ll find more than 500 marked cycling trails in this region.
• Tennis with the view: We’ve got a special treat for all tennis enthusiasts - tennis courts with majestic sea views. You’ll find this dreamy setting in Aminess Maestral Hotel in Novigrad, as well as football, beach volleyball and mini golf courts. 
• Running by the sea: There are plenty of promenades right by the Adriatic throughout all coastal towns, which are perfect for a jog or a walk in a Mediterranean setting.
• In case of bad weather: While the weather is usually fantastic during spring, rainy days can happen. But we’ve got you covered! Aminess Maestral Hotel’s gym with 30 high-tech Technogym machines and personal trainers, as well as the biggest indoor swimming pool in Istria, will be the perfect alternative to outdoor activities until the rain stops.

The climate and soil on the peninsula make ideal conditions to grow grapes, and the ambition of local winemakers really makes great use of that. The result are some of the world’s finest wines, which is continuously being proven on wine competitions across the globe.

So if you find yourself in Istria this spring, make sure to pay a visit to some of the local wineries for an Istrian wine tour. Visiting meticulously kept vineyards with bright red soil and getting to know the secrets of local wine making will be a fantastic experience for everyone, even if you’re not a big wine drinker. While you can visit some individual wineries by yourself, we recommend this three-hour guided wine trail that includes a touristic train ride and wine tasting opportunities in three top-notch wineries near Novigrad.

Perfect combination of climate and historical influences made Istrian gastronomy truly unique. Luxurious and flavorful truffles, endemic Boškarin kettle, homemade fuži pasta, ultra fresh seafood directly from the Adriatic - these are just some of the local delicacies that you’ll get to savor in this region. Depending on your budget, you can choose from countless traditional home-style restaurants (or konobe in Croatian) as a more affordable option, to 16 high-end restaurants listed in the Michelin guide.

To get the best of both worlds - exceptional food and great prices, make sure to explore Aminess Wine & Gourmet Nights. This exclusive event, organized every last Friday of the month from March to October, brings together the superstar chef David Skoko with one more chef from the region, as well as one local winemaker. The result of this creative collaborative effort is a five-course dinner that highlights the flavors of Istria and pairs them with a selection of exquisite local wines. And all this comes with an affordable price tag - you can expect the cost per person to be around 380 kunas or around 50 €.

After a long day of outdoor activities and exploration, the ideal way to wind down is by enjoying some pampering in the spa. Aminess Maestral Hotel’s luxurious 2,500 m² wellness center will be the ultimate place for that - the only problem will be making a choice between a relaxing massage, rejuvenating beauty treatment, Turkish bath, Finnish sauna or a hot tub.