Northern Italy and Istria, Croatia

[jpa66]

My wife and I will be traveling to Northern Italy and Istria during late April through May. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for places to see/things to do that are musts. We'll be in Istria ( in Rovinj ) for five days, then Verona, Bolzano and Venice.

We've never been to Croatia ( where half of my family is from ), and would welcome any tips about that area. We would also welcome tips for Bolzano. We plan on hiking and taking in the scenery. Hiking, some biking, milling about the cities/towns, and wine ( and just taking it easy and enjoying life ) are our major interests. And of course photography for me 🙂 We've got a pretty good plan for Verona, and have been to Venice before and know what we want to do there.

Any input is welcome.

Thanks,
Jan

 

[02Pilot]

Rovinj is pretty small, so unless you just want to people-watch, you'll probably be making some day trips. Pula, down at the southern tip of Istria, is a bigger town/small city; the colosseum is quite impressive, and in much better shape than Rome's. North are Trieste, if you want more of a city experience, and Piran (in Slovenia), which is an old Venetian town like Rovinj but larger.

I don't know too much about hiking/biking in Istria except to say that a lot of people are involved. The terrain is not too steep but the ground is often quite rough (limestone karst), so make sure you've got good boots for hiking. There's plenty of wine basically everywhere, and Istria is full of roadside grappa stands.

You'll be there before the tourist season, so it shouldn't be too crowded. Probably be too cold for swimming, which is a shame; the northern Adriatic is a fantastic place to swim.

 

[Haigh]

Enjoy Verona, it is a lovely town.

 

[jpa66]

Rovinj is pretty small, so unless you just want to people-watch, you'll probably be making some day trips. Pula, down at the southern tip of Istria, is a bigger town/small city; the colosseum is quite impressive, and in much better shape than Rome's. North are Trieste, if you want more of a city experience, and Piran (in Slovenia), which is an old Venetian town like Rovinj but larger.

We are planning a couple of day trips ( not sure just where yet ). Much depends upon how far the places are from Rovinj. I haven't thought about Piran, but I'll check into it.

 

[dct]

I was wondering if anyone had any tips for places to see/things to do that are musts. We'll be in Istria ( in Rovinj ) for five days, then Verona, Bolzano and Venice.

I might give you some advice on interesting places in the Adige Valley, between Bolzano and the Lake of Garda, because I'm native from that region. But you should be more specific which image style you are looking for. Of course this has also an impact on the leisure propositions I could suggest.
What comes to my mind around this valley are the following topics. Still only an excerpt:
- Hiking panoramics? (there are many)
- In the woods? (even so)
- Alpine flora macro?
- Alpine fauna tele?
- Alpine ranching?
- Urban street?
- Historic towns?
- Churches?
- Lake?
- Historic war places?

 

[sevo]

We are planning a couple of day trips ( not sure just where yet ). Much depends upon how far the places are from Rovinj. I haven't thought about Piran, but I'll check into it.

All Istria is 100km across, and there is a motorway right in the middle, starting quite close to Rovinj - just about everything is within an hours drive.

 

[River Dog]

Venice, definitely. Try to get there early or late to miss the peak crowds. I found Verona rather tedious photographically (maybe my mood that day) but Padova is worth a visit.

 

[jpa66]

I might give you some advice on interesting places in the Adige Valley, between Bolzano and the Lake of Garda, because I'm native from that region. But you should be more specific which image style you are looking for. Of course this has also an impact on the leisure propositions I could suggest.
What comes to my mind around this valley are the following topics. Still only an excerpt:
- Hiking panoramics? (there are many)
- In the woods? (even so)
- Alpine flora macro?
- Alpine fauna tele?
- Alpine ranching?
- Urban street?
- Historic towns?
- Churches?
- Lake?
- Historic war places?

We both want to hike in the mountains, so panoramic views are always welcome. We also like to wander around small, old towns and old cities. We plan on spending an afternoon visiting a couple of wineries, too. My photographic interests are the old, historic towns and cities, mostly, but I definitely want to take some shots of landscapes in the mountains, and at/around Lake Garda.

 

[raid]

I would replace Verona and Bolzen with Lucca and/or Florence.
I have been three times to northern Italy by car (from Germany).
Skip the tourist towns (but not Venice), and explore some of the towns that are more off-the-road (such as Lucca with its complete wall around the old town) or explore a city that is very rich with culture (such as Florence). Both can be reached from Venice within a few hours by car.
You can combine Padova and Venice by staying in Padova, and taking a bus to Venice from there.

 

[Melancholy]

I would replace Verona and Bolzen with Lucca and/or Florence.
I have been three times to northern Italy by car (from Germany).
Skip the tourist towns (but not Venice), and explore some of the towns that are more off-the-road (such as Lucca with its complete wall around the old town) or explore a city that is very rich with culture (such as Florence).

I´ve never been in Italy before, but I´m going to Lucca for five days in the end of April. Working during the daytime, but I hope for some time with my Leica during my time off.

 

[River Dog]

You can combine Padova and Venice by staying in Padova, and taking a bus to Venice from there.

The train from Padova to Venice is fast and reasonably priced. Then take the vaporetto from outside the station to San Marco and walk back to the Rialto. You won't be short of opportunities.

I can recommend the Hotel Methis It's not cheap but really nice for a couple of nights in Padova. Parking and wi-fi.

Padova on Rolleiflex

Venice on Rolleiflex

Venice on NEX-3 with 16mm

 

[jpa66]

A trip to Padova is planned. As far as where we're staying, that's already established ( we've got apartments booked in each place ). The only place we've been to before is Venice, and I'm anxious to return.

Florence is an awesome city that I love ( and I've never been to Lucca ), but both are off of our itinerary for this trip - we're remaining in the areas mentioned above to keep it at a slower pace.

 

[raid]

I´ve never been in Italy before, but I´m going to Lucca for five days in the end of April. Working during the daytime, but I hope for some time with my Leica during my time off.

I have an Italian colleague in my department (Franco), and when he heard that we visited Lucca a few years ago, he started to say " Lucca, Lucca, Lucca ... it is wonderful ..you have good taste ... no tourists from America ... etc."

Walk through the old town and explore the smaller streets. Not even Nico could figure out where I took photos there, and he lives in Lucca. Make sure to meet with him. He takes beautiful photos.

 

[raid]

We just make suggestions, and of course, you know what is best for you.

Have a great trip, and show us results when you get back.

 

[jpa66]

We just make suggestions, and of course, you know what is best for you.

Have a great trip, and show us results when you get abck.

I realize that, and that's one of the reasons that I asked for people's input/opinions. I really do appreciate everyone's comments - if I came across as agitated or ungrateful, I apologize, as that wasn't my intent.

 

[raid]

My comment had no other hidden meanings other than to wish you a good trip.