My family and I celebrated New Year's Eve in Istria, Croatia, in the company of our friends. On the first of January, we all went on a trip to the nearby town of Lovran, where we spent a few pleasant hours and had a lot to experience.
Lovran, a charming coastal town, is located on the eastern coast of the Istrian peninsula and is a popular tourist destination known for its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and picturesque old town. The town also has a long history, with evidence of human settlement dating back to Roman times. Therefore, the town has numerous historical and cultural attractions.
It was quite a lazy day, so there were not many visitors in town, and we found our parking place quite quickly. I just turned off the engine, when I saw a fisherman trying his luck. His bucket was empty,ā¦I hope he had better luck later.
At the time of our visit, the city was fully dressed in Christmas colours. We came across Santa's hat on our walk through the park, so I hoped he wasn't too cold when he was bringing presents to the children. One present was still waiting to be picked up in the park. Also a nutcracker gave us a warm welcome to the city š
The town's old town is a maze of narrow streets and small squares, lined with traditional stone houses. The centre of town is a small square that is surrounded by charming cafes and restaurants, and the St. James Church, a Gothic-style church built in the 14th century.
As mentioned earlier, it was a holiday season and the streets were quite empty. It was a real pleasure to get lost among these wonderful urban labyrinths.
The town's streets and squares are also lined with many shops, galleries, and artisan workshops, selling local products such as olive oil, wine, and traditional handicrafts.
Lovran is well known for its mild climate, which makes it a popular destination for health tourism. The town is surrounded by olive groves. The whole Istrian peninsula is famous for its production of olive oil, which is considered to be one of the best in Croatia. The town is also known for its wine production and has a number of wineries that offer tastings and tours. Unfortunately, they were all closed at the time of our visit. At least it gives us an excuse to return to this amazing little town š.
Lovran is also a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and swimming. The nearby Ucka Nature Park offers a variety of hiking trails and is a popular spot for nature lovers. The town's beaches, such as the Lungomare promenade, are also popular destinations for swimming and sunbathing in the summer months. There are some people who start the year with a swim in the sea, but Iām leaving winter swimming for my next New Year's resolution š
Overall, Lovran's old town is a charming and picturesque place, with a unique blend of history, culture and natural beauty. It offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to wander, relax and enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere. If you will be passing through eastern Istria, I warmly recommend stopping by.
Thanks for reading,
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Best regards, @miljo76
