At the crossroads between Latin and Slavic Europe, Istria offers up the best of both worlds. It packs a lot into its small territory, so this tour shows off the best bits – rustic villages, Roman ruins, Byzantine basilicas and a taste of its world-class food scene. You’ll visit Pula, Gržini and Poreč, enjoying scenic landscapes between stops.

Kick off the day in Pula, spread around a bay in the south of the peninsula. This storied town is home to a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, where you’ll get shown around by centurions. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg – Pula boasts a wealth of ancient relics. Must-sees include the Temple of Augustus and the triumphal arch, while there are also Byzantine and baroque churches, as well as a Habsburg fortress.

Next, you’ll head inland to the hamlet of Gržini for a traditional Istrian lunch, washed down with local wine, before returning to the coast to explore Poreč. Set on a compact headland, you’ll walk the old Roman streets of Decumanus and Cardo Maximus up to the most important monument in town – the Euphrasian basilica, one of the most beautifully preserved monuments of early Byzantine art in the Mediterranean, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.