Istria is the biggest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea and certainly one of the most beautiful parts of the coast. The larger part is Croatian while the northern part lies in Slovenia. Istria has a rich history as it belonged to various empires, kingdoms and states from the Roman times on. Our photography workshop is designed to cover the most interesting parts of Istria in both countries, such as medieval Venetian coastal towns and the Istrian interior with hilltop towns; cultural monuments, such as the Brijuni islands and the Secovlje saltpans; and natural wonders, such as the Škocjan caves and other Karst phenomena.
The highlight is undoubtedly the Istrian cuisine known as one of the best in the region. The Mediterranean flavors blend with influences from the Balkans and Italy, truffles being a specialty. Istria is also known for high-quality olive oil, Mediterranean fruits and, naturally, exquisite wines, which satisfy the most demanding wine lovers.
Photography
Full photographic tuition will be provided. Depending on the group size one or two expert photographers will accompany you. By taking photos in the field we will learn about various photographic techniques, and in the evening, after returning to our B&B, we will look at the pictures we took, make comments and discuss post-processing, workflow and other photography-related topics.
Itinerary and details
Day 1: Arrival to Istria
Arrival to the airport and transfer to our Istrian house.
Orientation and workshop details. At our welcome dinner we can further discuss itinerary and get to know each other.
Day 2: Hilltop towns of Istria
This day is dedicated to the exploration of Istrian interior, charming with its hilltop towns. Motovun and nearby Livade are truffle-picking centers in the region and ideal places for tasting this prized culinary treat. After the morning photo session we will visit a nearby wine cellar owned by a friendly family. Wine tasting will be combined with sampling some fresh truffles. Time permitting, we will see how olive oil, which is top-quality in Istria, is produced. The afternoon will be spent in Grožnjan, another hilltop town, now the art center of Istria. Numerous art galleries are scattered around town, which maintained its medieval character. Photographing the sunset can be a perfect conclusion to a perfect day.
Day 3: Venetian town of Rovinj and the Brijuni islands
Rovinj is one of the most picturesque towns on the Adriatic coast with the typical Venetian architecture and old town center offering a plethora of photographic opportunities. The port always bustles and the beach restaurants offer delicious seafood. There is an optional trip to the Brijuni islands, the location of late Marshal Tito’s luxurious summer residence and a national part. Rovinj is the most interesting in late afternoon, photographically speaking, when we can admire the sun sitting low on the horizon from the nearby islet.
Day 4: The coast of Slovenia
Exploring the northern, Slovenian part of Istria. The coastal town of Piran used to be one the major salt producers in the Venetian Republic. The old town center is now beautifully restored. Narrow cobbled streets, perfect for getting lost, lead to a hilltop cathedral, offering fantastic views over the Adriatic and the town itself. At noon we can visit the old town center of Koper to sip some genuine Italian coffee. The afternoon will be dedicated to picture-taking at the old Piran saltpans, where salt is still harvested the traditional way. Everybody can find their own motif: sea birds which found their shelter there, interesting landscapes or old saltpan houses and salt-harvesting equipment.
Day 5: Slovenian Istria interior and Karst
The mysterious Karst is always attractive to photographers with diverse motifs, be it underground world of caves, famous Lipizzaner horses, colorful vineyards or other natural and cultural monuments. We will visit the Škocjan caves whose beauty and magnificence places them on the list of UNESCO natural heritage sites. We will conclude the day on a vantage point with views over the whole northern Adriatic and the three surrounding countries: Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.
Day 6: At leisure
Our B&B is located by the Parenzana, a defunct narrow gauge railway, now a tourist trail. It is a perfect place for exploration on foot or by bicycle, which can be rented from our hosts. We can pedal to one of the old coastal Istrian towns for some ice-coffee or learn the secrets of Istrian cuisine. Again, there will be time to talk about techniques we learned, to see the photos on a big screen and discuss each participant’s photos as well as give constructive criticism.
Day 7: Farewell to Istria
After the breakfast check out and departure to the airport. End of Workshop.
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