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One highlight was seeing a Middle Spotted Woodpecker for the first time, excellent views of Lesser Spotted and Black Woodpeckers, best showings of Crested Tits to date and beautiful flower filled meadows. The Romanesque church of Hrastovlje was a little gem and the Roman Arena in Pula was quite breath taking when first approached. It was a well balanced week of activities with lots of delights.
B.D. Monmouthshire, Sep 23
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Go Slow in Istria in Autumn
Tour Code: HRV04An 8-day 'Go Slow' holiday to Croatian and Slovenian Istria to enjoy the region's wildlife, gastronomy, wine and a little history.
8 days
from
£2,195 (Inc flights)
£2,195 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£1,995
£1,995
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Istria represents an extraordinary compendium of natural beauty, history and civilization at the crossroads of Europe stretching back beyond the Romans and into prehistory. This Go Slow holiday incorporates nature and culture, history, cuisine and wine in a relaxing schedule of local guided walks in breathtaking Karst scenery in the mornings, and visits to nearby cultural sites after lunch and magnificent Istrian dinners each evening. Based in the comfortable Roxanich wine hotel, just outside of the picturesque hilltop town of Motovun, you can enjoy a dip in the infinity pool, a massage or a glass of delicious local wine with views across the valley.
- Single-centre tour based in a comfortable wine hotel just outside the picturesque town of Motovun.
- Eat at local ‘konoba’ (or ‘trattoria’) some evenings in an area famed for its gastronomy
- Enjoy the first of the wintering wildfowl arriving from the north
- Autumn butterflies may include False Grayling, plus late broods of Heath and Spotted Fritillaries
- Cultural excursions to the tiny “city” of Hum, the Roman arena in Pula, and the church of Hrastovlje, amongst others
- Led by expert naturalist guides
Grading
Grade A. Easy to moderate day walks only.
Istria represents an extraordinary compendium of natural beauty, history and civilization at the crossroads of Europe stretching back beyond the Romans and into prehistory. This Go Slow holiday incorporates nature and culture, history, cuisine and wine in a relaxing schedule of local guided walks in breathtaking Karst scenery in the mornings, and visits to nearby cultural sites after lunch and magnificent Istrian dinners each evening. Based in the comfortable Roxanich wine hotel, just outside of the picturesque hilltop town of Motovun, you can enjoy a dip in the infinity pool, a treatment in the spa or a glass of delicious local wine with views across the valley.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Trieste, transfer Motovun
Day 2/7
Morning natural history walks and afternoon cultural excursions
Day 8
Transfer Trieste, fly London Stansted
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
A comfortable, modern hotel with a wine cellar full of its own wine, with views of the beautiful hilltop town of Motovun.
- Food:
All included in the price, stating with dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8. Dinners either at the hotel or a local trattoria, and lunches either at a local cafe or picnics.
Reviews
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This was a mix of wildlife, cultural sites and traditional Istrian food. The balance of wildlife in the mornings and afternoon cultural visits was perfect. The leaders were extremely knowledgeable and were able to point out all things of interest and answer all our questions.
C.W. Lincolnshire, Oct 19 -
This was my first 'Go Slow’ holiday with Naturetrek and I enjoyed the chance to visit Istria which was an area I knew little about. The expertise of the tour guides ensured that the group enjoyed a varied daily programme, seeing many parts of the beautiful Istrian peninsular.
L.T. Norfolk, Oct 19 -
Small group holiday with 2 naturalist guides. The mornings were gentle walks looking at wildlife and vegetation and the afternoons visiting places of interest in the region. Transport was good. Evening meeting to check on the day's viewings was helpful. Very well organised trip. Full-board which included a packed lunch for greater freedom and an evening meal in a local restaurant experiencing regional dishes. Both guides were thoughtful and very knowledgeable, ensuring everyone was included and had a chance to see specific birds such as the Golden eagle as it flew past.
F.F. Vale of Glamorgan, Oct 18
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 28th Sep – Sun 5th Oct
FULL
£2,195
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£495
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Tue 29th Sep – Tue 6th Oct
SPACES
£2,195
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£495
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Relaxed Wildlife Holidays
Our programme of Go Slow wildlife holidays allows guests to enjoy the natural world at a more leisurely pace than on one of our conventional wildlife holidays. There will be more time to relax, more time to potter, excursions will be optional and we hope you will return, not only having enjoyed a fascinating mix of birds, plants and other wildlife, but also feeling refreshed and relaxed!
Our Go Slow tours range from week-long holidays that offer warm spring sunshine and gentle natural history excursions in Portugal, the Camargue and Mallorca, to tours which take on a more cultural air each afternoon, such as Go Slow … in Istria in Autumn and Go Slow … in Southern Spain. Our Go Slow holidays in the Swiss Alps and Cyprus both combine the best of the region’s botany and birdlife, or, if you would like to travel a little further afield, why not join us for a leisurely-paced exploration of India’s Tiger Country, Kenya’s Masai Mara, or South Africa’s Western Cape?
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek Go Slow holiday?
On each Go Slow holiday we aim to offer as many of the following as possible:
- A single-centre holiday
- Direct flights with sociable timings
- Comfortable hotel of high quality (with swimming pool if possible), serving meals of a high standard
- Leisurely paced walks on gentle terrain
- Expert leaders, as ever, with more time for interpretation & explanation
- A maximum of 6 hours in the field each day (9.30am-3.30pm with picnic lunch or two 3-hour excursions)
- Morning and afternoon toilet/comfort stops
- Minimal long drives
- Back in time for afternoon tea
- All excursions optional
- All-inclusive cost (except bar drinks & laundry)
- Time to relax, read, paint, potter, swim or enjoy anything else that you might wish to do!
Our specialist recommends...
"If you’re looking for wonderful wildlife and great hospitality at a slower, more relaxing pace, our Go Slow portfolio could be just right. Why not consider Go Slow … in Extremadura, based at Viña las Torres in the heart of the Extremadura countryside, to enjoy some of Europe’s top birdwatching? Or, for something more exotic, have a look at Go Slow … in Trinidad, which is based at the incomparable Asa Wright Centre.”
Andy Tucker - Operations Manager
Andy Tucker - Operations Manager
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
