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To appreciate the magnanimity of Istria is so natural; it comes almost instinctively and, to be its good friend is the privilege of just the chosen ones, those who were brave enough to approach it and persevering enough to stay with it Since the beginning of time, Istria has been in a durable and happy marriage with tradition, in such a strong and honest relationship that it is not surprising that, once a year, each autumn, it brings to the world an enviable variety of most beautiful produce, unselfishly offering it to everyone but, first of all, to its best friends – its faithful visitors. We appreciate its magnanimity as it is so natural, almost instinctive. To be its good friend is the privilege of just the chosen ones, who were brave enough to approach it and persevering enough to stay with it. What is that magic fifth element which, in the autumn, at the time when nature slows down its pace, makes it so lively and appealing? We know that the soil, that copper red clod, is the beginning and the end of everything – from it grow vineyards, olive groves, orchards, gardens, fields… but only in its depth, real treasure is hidden – gastro jewels, black and white equivalents of diamonds for gourmands, opium for the palate – the truffles. We know that the air is the medium by means of which fragrances of dried fruit and roasted chestnuts are spread, that it lures and conquers, that it heals both at the time of awakening of nature and the time when nature readies itself for its respite. We are aware of the fire that comforts us on coldish evenings, crackling in old tavern fireplaces, creating smoke which caresses under the beams like the adornment of lines of dry ham, cured pork loin and sausages. A long time ago we were aware that water is the source of life without which neither nature nor we would exist, that it is water in the fields which give us crops and, finally, creates fragrant, intoxicating wines and thick, pungent, aroma-rich olive oil. The whole vortex of our senses is made up of four main elements, but what distinguishes the melody from a series of tones and a painting from a cluster of coloured dots is that fifth element which draws something more from everything. It has been, long ago, tattooed in the hearts of the “Terra Magica” visitors; we cannot and we do not want to fight against it – what is more, we are easily abandoning ourselves to it, with warmth in our hearts and a smile on our faces. That fifth element is called experience. If any place in the world is over-abundant with it - it is Istria. WINTER A secret hidden under the bell Istria is not drastically different from other parts in winter time – it is simply more approachable and tamer – as though, during bright days, it offers more of those nice places, well heated by the sun. SPRING Colourful palette in the hands of Nature If, in spring wanderings through Istria, your eye catches a glance of a small hill, a waterfall, an olive grove or a hamlet, have no doubts and leave the road, stop, immerse your eyes in the beauty that beckoned, rest and refresh yourself SUMMER All roads lead to the water! Look a little closer at what draws your attention on the map: a green triangle, wrapped in sea, holding itself onto the rest of the mainland by a mountain chain. Look for the name – we can bet that it says “Istria”
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Nije Istra nešto drastično drugačija od ostalih krajeva u zimsko doba - jednostavno je pristupačnija i pitomija - kao da za vedrih dana nudi više onih lijepih, suncem dobro ugrijanih mjesta Znate li za onaj osjećaj? Ono predivno ispunjenje kada nakon tjedana pokvarenih dosadnim kasnojesenjim kišama, netom pred Božić, svane bistri, sunčani zimski dan, a vi pohrlite u prirodu, zaustavite se na nekom suncem dobro ugrijanom mjestu i punim plućima udahnete reski, čisti, "zdravi" zrak! Kada se te idealne meteorološke prilike poklope s danima u kojima nema poslovnih obaveza, gdjegod se nalazili na pola dana ili manje vožnje, prave avanturiste srce vuče ka Istri. Ne, nije ona nešto drastično drugačija od ostalih krajeva u to zimsko doba - jednostavno je pristupačnija i pitomija - kao da nudi više onih lijepih, suncem dobro ugrijanih mjesta iz prve rečenice. Jedina je šteta - naizgled - što su dani toliko kratki! Otkad se sunce sramežljivo promoli ispod južnih obronaka Učke pa dok ne završi svoj svakodnevni put stapajući se s horizontom Jadrana tamo negdje u jednoj od Vencijanskih laguna, sati je malo i nekako prolaze brzo. Baš kao da tajni podstanari crkvenog tornja, kako bi prikrili svoju prisutnost pod okriljem mraka, nestrpljivo guraju malu kazaljku ka petom satu iza podneva. Sreća je da istarske zimske večeri - pod uvjetom da vas tama i studen ne iznenade na otvorenom - znaju biti jednako lijepe, ako ne i ljepše od onih u ostalim dijelovima godine. Jer zima nas ne plaši dok uz pucketanje drva na ognjišću kroz orošene prozore promatramo kako studen nagriza vrhove golih grana i štipa vlati uvelih sivih trava - ako nas to uopće može zanimati dok se prava čarolija događa unutar zidova! Dok čekamo da nam domaćini otkriju kakve se delicije kriju ispod stare glinene peke, "črepnje" prekrivene užarenim pepelom, gostimo se toplom i mirisnom istarskom "supom" i nestrpljivo čekamo kome će prvome od gustog terana porumeniti usne i obrazi. Hoće li to biti vedri "sopac", harmonikaš koji je - eto upravo sada - otkopčao svoju "trieštinu" ili pak stari "nonić" ispod čijeg se šešira krije tek nekoliko sijedih vlasi ali i nepregledna kolekcija priča iz davnina i narodnih mudrosti? Večer nam je namamila osmjehe na lice, a noć nam dobro došla za prijeko potreban odmor. Jutrom nas je Istra dočekala siva, prohladna, tajnovita… Dolina obavijenih sumaglicom, lučica okrenutih valovima i šamaranih od negostoljubive južine, strmih uličica starih gradova po kojima zimi gospodare mačke - njezina je prava slika u najhladnije godišnje doba. Vrijedi li je takvu posjetiti? Prosudite sami! Mi iskusniji vam ionako ne možemo biti od velike pomoći - nas je Istra već odavno kupila, zauvijek. PROLJEĆE Šarena paleta u rukama Prirode Ako vam u proljetnom lutanju Istrom oko pobjegne ka nekom brdašcu, slapu, masliniku ili zaseoku, ne dvojite nego skrenite s puta, zaustavite se, napasite oči ljepotama koje su vas privukle, odmorite se i okrijepite LJETO Do vode svi putevi vode! Pogledajte malo bolje što vam na mapi plijeni pozornost: jedan zeleni trokut omotan morem, koji se planinskim lancem drži za ostatak kopna. Potražite naziv - možemo se okladiti da piše “Istra” JESEN Kad žuto lišće na cesti spi... Cijeniti velikodušnost Istre toliko je prirodno, gotovo instinktivno, a biti njezin dobar prijatelj je privilegija odabranih, onih koji su bili dovoljno hrabri da joj priđu i dovoljno uporni da s njom ostanu