12 The three Istrian musketeers route

Start from the town square in Oprtalj, descend to the small church where you turn towards Vrh, and continue downhill through villages of Sv. Ivan, Makovci, Mlin, and Sv. Juraj to Grožnjan. From Grožnjan, carry on along the unpaved road downhill to Porte Ponton. Turn left uphill for Kostanjica and continue to Završje; turn right onto the former railway Parenzana, pass through the two tunnels and over an attractive viaduct to reach Zubini then the valley of the river Mirna. Turn left onto the unpaved road towards Livade, and after 1.5 km take the road on the left towards the village of Balini. Continue uphill to Sv. Jelena and then downhill through Ipše to Gradinje. Continue uphill to Sv. Lucija and Oprtalj.

Not to be missed The starting point of today’s stage is in Oprtalj, a small town that used to be an important medieval centre of the region and where history left its marks at every corner. You should visit the loggia that homes the collection of stone monuments, and the churches of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St. Rocco decorated with frescoes. In the store “Loggia” you can taste typical Istrian products. Besides Oprtalj, the route takes you Završje, a historic place where time seems to have stopped, and Grožnjan, the picturesque town protected by fortification walls from every side, with its numerous art galleries and ateliers which gave it the name of ‘the city of artists’. On this route you will come across one of the leading Croatian olive oil producers Ipša in the village Ipša, and the wine cellar Zigante in the village Kostanjica with its friendly staff and exceptional food and wines. Another interesting agrotourism is situated in the village Montižel and it is run by the Pincin family.