Istria - The Eastern Gate to the Mediterranean
Istria appears an extremly diverse place: narrow valleys and wide mountain ridges in the interior, the flat west coast with its numerous bays, deep waters and steep rocks on the east coast.
Sea & Coast
This is undoubtedly the largest peninsula from the Adriatic Sea and it’s split among Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, but for the most part it belongs to Croatia. It’s positioned in between the Gulf of Trieste and Kvarner Bay, the best part of the Croatian Riviera, a location with a lot of Yacht Charter tradition.
The geography of the region is made up of a mountain range that occupies the northern and eastern parts of the peninsula, while the center and western side is of a lower altitude, with hills slowly descending to the sea into what can be described only as a typical Adriatic coast with a fringed appearance given by the almost infinite number of cover and inlets, a haven for any Yacht Charter boatman.
Almost a third of the 3476 square kilometers that make up the peninsula are covered in woods of different types. But the Yacht Charter tourist will be welcomed on the coast by pine forests and macchia with the occasional holm oak and strawberry-tree. Some endemic species can be found in protected areas such as Brijuni Park, Učka Park, Limski Bay and Sijana wood near Pula.
Though further to the east than most holiday resorts of the same type, Istria is still a Mediterranean location and the climate follows suit. That means that Yacht Charter people who come here can enjoy warm, dry summers and mild and pleasant winters. Also, there is an unusual amount of sunshine per year (some 2388 hours) but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some peculiarities to the Istrian weather. Here, there are winds like the bora (cold wind blowing from the northeast), the scirocco (hot wind from the south) and mistral (blows from the mainland towards the sea) which significantly change the weather conditions when they occur.
Culture & History
This stretch of land has probably been part of more empires than any other part of the world. The Romans were the first to claim it and gave it its name and also founding one of the most important coastal towns – Pula. After the Romans left, the area was taken over by the Slavs, the Byzantines and then by the Austrian Habsburgs with the coast belonging to the Venetians which left their mark on the towns here, much to the delight of Yacht Charter visitors who find here a distinctly Italian feel.
The Italians were driven out after World War 2 when Istria began developing as a tourist destination. Since it wasn’t really affected by the Yugoslav Wars, Istria is now one of the most developed regions in Croatia and Slovenia, with lots of Italian, German and British Yacht Charter sailors visiting it every year.
The inner region of the peninsula is unspoilt by modern development with large forests and ancient ruins, while the seashore is where you’ll find big Yacht Charter resorts such as the Slovenian Izola and Portoroz.
Seamanship & Experience
As far as Yacht Charter facilities go, the Istrian coast is famed throughout the Mediterranean for its numerous marinas and harbors found at convenient intervals. Also, you’ll find lots of anchorage points in any of the bays or inlets so you won’t have to worry about traveling long distances to find a safe spot for your boat.