Arrival in Istria and official greeting and itinerary presentation by a member of our local team (the event is usually held around 19:00 in your hotel). The overnight is in a rural house turned into a cozy hotel in the Buje area (i.e. the villages of Volpija or Kaldanija; note you will not be accommodated in the town of Buje itself!). *Private transfers to your first accommodation are available from nearby airports/towns. Do not hesitate to contact us for a price quote.

A short morning transfer brings you to Brtonigla. The vast area of vineyards and olive groves is infiltrated by pathways leading towards meadows and woods, deep into the center of vibrating nature that lives intact, far away from the modern civilization. Here one can find and taste superior wines and olive oils. Many family cellars and tasting premises invite the travelers to discover the quality of the local produce. After 3 hours hiking through vineyards you will reach Buje, a small hilltop town. From the top of the hill you can enjoy the pretty view of terraced fields,  tidy vineyards and olive groves. Take your time to explore this town full of history. The route ends in front of your hotel where you will get by former old railway. Overnight in Buje/area.

After breakfast, this independent hiking route guides you on an exciting tour through the Istrian villages via charming hidden paths. Another brief transfer will take you to the tour starting point, Grožnjan. The trailhead starts at the former railway Parenzana, a narrow-gauge Austrian railway connecting Trieste with Poreč through a series of Istrian small towns. You will pass by vineyards, beautiful viewpoints, tunnels and old bridges to the village of Livade, the truffle center of the world where you can indulge yourself to various delightful treats for the taste buds. The overnight will be in Motovun, a town perched on a nearby hill.

On today’s independent loop hike you will find yourself immersed in the local Istrian atmosphere walking through vineyards and small villages. You can visit a small winery on your way back and taste the finished product of the tireless work of the local Croatian winemakers. The overnight is in Motovun. *If you choose the 7-day (6-night) tour option, this will be the day, which will be waived from your program. Please contact us for price details if you wish to opt for the shorter trek.

Today you begin walking the Istrian Mountain Trail after a short transfer to the starting point, the town of Oprtalj. The route takes you downhill to the village of Sv. Ivan (St. John) through a beautiful forest. You will contemplate the beauty of the church of the St. Lucija village as your route slowly leads you to the Control point - the best viewpoint of the Mirna river valley. Passing by an aqueduct, village by village, you will find yourself on a forest path to the town of Buzet, where your next two overnights will be.

Your independent hiking itinerary takes you on a circular trail from Buzet to Hum and back (or you can go to Hum and only walk back to Buzet). The highlight is the natural heritage of the area - forests, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. The extremely pleasant and not too steep route will lead you to the incredible Korita springs and natural pools where you will find a little historic gem - an old watermill. You will feel like true explorers as if stumbling upon the abandoned historic stone house village of Benčići by accident. You can see the iconic church tower of Hum from there and later find out what the smallest town in the world looks like as you walk the streets of Hum. You can spend your lunch break in a "konoba" (the local dialect word for restaurant) and try a wide variety of traditional Istrian dishes. The walk back to Buzet follows the so-called “way of the mistletoe”. The hiking time is roughly around 3 hours per direction via both routes. *N.B. Some clients find the return leg from Hum a bit too adventurous. It includes more demanding sections and some of them may be too difficult for less experienced users. Please consider the option to arrange a return journey by taxi from Hum (this should be arranged in advance as the signal in Hum is not reliable).

Today’s self-guided hiking route begins with a morning transfer to a peculiar saddle between two hills called Poklon where the starting point of the trail is located. You will hike the highest summit of Istria and the Učka mountain (1401 m) where breathtaking panoramic views await you. Charming coastal towns of the Kvarner bay, as well as mountains, form a spectacular perspective. On a clear day, looking towards the mainland, you can see as far as Venice and the northern side of the Alps. The overnight is in Lovran.

End of services after breakfast.