(Note: I was really tired last night and I tried to sum up two big days into one post. Thankfully only the photos posted because the verbiage isn’t good. I’ll fix it sometime soon)
Today I left my home away from home in Rovinj. It was quite nice having a full apartment but the atmosphere in the town made it hard to stay home.
After a quick bite to eat, I grabbed my new rental car and headed north to the hill town of Montovun. It’s probably the most famous but honestly walking a 45* hill to see another walled city wasn’t thrilling me.
The drive was an easy hour and there was the possibility of another stop along the way but just as I arrived it started pouring. I drove out of it and thought I was good until I just got to the top of Montovun and it started again. I found a cover patio to ride it out and finally made it to a restaurant that my guide from yesterday's wine tour recommended. Tiny place with an open kitchen where the owners prepared everything from scratch and views of the misty valley below.
Montovun is famous for their truffles. Personally, I can take them or leave them. Most truffle flavors we have - like French fries - are imitation. But when in Montovun.
Started with a wild asparagus and truffle soup. Next was a purposefully dry-ish creamy homemade fettuccini with more truffles. And for dessert an Apple strudel with a white chocolate sauce and yes, more truffles. One glass of the local white wine and a coffee. And it was quite a lunch.
The drive was an easy hour and there was the possibility of another stop along the way but just as I arrived it started pouring. I drove out of it and thought I was good until I just got to the top of Montovun and it started again. I found a cover patio to ride it out and finally made it to a restaurant that my guide from yesterday's wine tour recommended. Tiny place with an open kitchen where the owners prepared everything from scratch and views of the misty valley below.
Montovun is famous for their truffles. Personally, I can take them or leave them. Most truffle flavors we have - like French fries - are imitation. But when in Montovun.
Started with a wild asparagus and truffle soup. Next was a purposefully dry-ish creamy homemade fettuccini with more truffles. And for dessert an Apple strudel with a white chocolate sauce and yes, more truffles. One glass of the local white wine and a coffee. And it was quite a lunch.
There’s not much to the town. In my opinion the views were enhanced by the rain, mist and clouds. I wandered around and even checked out a house that was for sale. (Very ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ without the bird poop)
Another hour took me out of Istria and into the Kvarner Bay which is dominated by the town of Opatija. Istria has a natural barrier of mountains so the final couple miles were a tunnel.
I knew Opatija would be a distinct change because it was settled by the Austrians and has that grand baroque feel. It’s a much larger city but the feelmeith the architecture and the harbor is almost like Monte Carlo.
I didn’t splash out for my room but it is a lovely grand old hotel. The detail in the hallways would be so much nicer if the lights were actually turned on.
There is a long promenade along the seafront where I am settled now with a glass of wine. I just made a reservation for a Kvarner Bay staple - scampi - which they refer to as a larger lagustino shrimp not a cooking method.
More to come.
(And yes, pretty sure that is an ancient Yugo!)
I knew Opatija would be a distinct change because it was settled by the Austrians and has that grand baroque feel. It’s a much larger city but the feelmeith the architecture and the harbor is almost like Monte Carlo.
I didn’t splash out for my room but it is a lovely grand old hotel. The detail in the hallways would be so much nicer if the lights were actually turned on.
There is a long promenade along the seafront where I am settled now with a glass of wine. I just made a reservation for a Kvarner Bay staple - scampi - which they refer to as a larger lagustino shrimp not a cooking method.
More to come.
(And yes, pretty sure that is an ancient Yugo!)
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