June 2023
The Istrian touch of tradition
We had a great time participating in the Slovenia’s Hidden Gems program from Radio SI!
We visited the Slovenian Istrian coast in the morning, and we enjoyed a guided tour around Strunjan, Portorož and Piran.
Črt was our guide and he was very helpful and willing to explain and answer each question we had!
Giassi Farm
Our first stop was at Giassi Farm at Strunjan. We met the farmer and we saw his biological production of artichokes, which we also tried, and they were absolutely tasty!
Salt Pants and Boating with Fisherman
Our next stop was at the salt pans in Strunjan where they explained to us how salt is produced naturally, and it was surprising to learn that to harvest salt there must be sunny weather for at least 3 weeks. After the salt pants, the fisherman was waiting for us to board his great old wooden boat, to take us to Portorož. He explained how fishing works in that protected area. We ate a typical fisherman’s snack, sardines “na šavor” which was very nice and we tasted water with vinegar which fishermen use to drink so as not being so thirsty.
E-bike renting and Gramona Farm
When we disembarked at Portorož Coast we rented e-bikes so as to get to the Gramona farm in Seča, where we saw an olive grove. Nina was such a communicative person that really introduced us to the whole story of how an olive farm works, when is the right period to collect the olives, how it is done and how you protect and maintain the olives safe during the whole year. We tasted her olive oil and what was outstanding is that except for the basic original olive oil, we tasted oil with lemon flavor and orange flavor. No one should miss that part!! We also ate cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and bread with olive pastes, of course from their production while we were enjoying the beautiful view of the salt pans.
E-bike tour from Portorož to Piran and back at Mažinin Wine Bar
After we left Gramona Farm, we cycled from Portoroz to Piran and had a great view of the Istrian Sea. The weather was summerish. Črt guided us to Piran and explained to us how the town was named and how it is built. We also had a nice coffee at Tartini Square. Our route led us back to the place where we rented the bikes and then we tasted Istrian delicacies at the Mažinin Wine Bar.
We highly recommend the trip to the Istrian touch of tradition; one can really gain knowledge out of this enjoyable excursion.
Marianna
Photos by: Marianna and __________
