Istria is a picturesque region located in the northwest of Croatia that is known for its stunning landscapes, delicious cuisine, and charming hilltop towns. During our recent family trip to Croatia, we had the pleasure of visiting one of the most enchanting towns in Istria, Motovun.
Driving through Vodnjan to get to Motovun
To get to Motovun, we drove through the scenic route from Vodnjan, passing by numerous charming towns and fields.
Motovun, the hilltop town, from our viewpoint
As we drove closer to Motovun, we stopped at a viewpoint to see the town perched on a hill, with the surrounding valleys and landscapes around it. It was a beautiful sight and we were excited to explore the town up close.
We continued our journey by car until we reached the parking lot where we parked our car. From there, we walked all along the narrow streets of the town, admiring the unique architecture and soaking in the charming atmosphere.
Walking around the charming streets of Motovun
Motovun is a medieval town that is known for its fortified walls and gates, and we could see remnants of its rich history in the buildings and streets that we walked through.
We were starting to get hungry from all the walking, so we decided to stop by a restaurant that came highly recommended, Mondo.
Our cheese and cold cut platter from Mondo
We ordered a cheese and prosciutto platter with black truffle, gnocchi with shrimp and truffle, and a penne pasta with prosciutto.
Gnocchi with truffle and shrimp from Mondo Restaurant
Our daughter Bethany had the beef soup, which she enjoyed. The food was simply delicious, and we savored every bite.
After lunch, we wandered around and stumbled upon “The Secret Garden,” a hidden gem in the heart of the town. The garden was a small exhibit space dedicated to the truffles that are famous in the region. We learned about the different types of truffles and how they are harvested, and even got to try some truffle-infused olive oil.
Bethany playing a few rounds of “bowling”
Nathan helping Bethany out with archery
The garden also had a fun archery area that our son Nathan was eager to try out. Bethany, our daughter, was more interested in the small “bowling area”, where she played a few rounds and enjoyed.
Exploring the colorful corners of Motovun
We continued our exploration of the town, walking all the way to a cliff-side wall where we could hike down and see views of the surrounding landscape. The views were stunning, and we were glad we had made the effort to see them.
Admiring the surrounding landscapes of Motovun
As the day drew to a close, we made our way back to our car, feeling grateful for the opportunity to explore such a charming and historic town. Our trip to Motovun was one of the highlights of our time in Istria, and we can’t wait to go back and explore more of the Istria.
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