The end of the month brings with it a number of events, which are bound
to entice you to come and visit the Slovenian coast and enjoy a number of
delicious culinary treats by the sea. Discover our list of the most beautiful experiences and enjoyable activities in Portorož & Piran, most of which you probably haven’t
heard of.
1.
Experience the sophisticated shades of Portorož with roses and rosè
wines.
Did you know that there are over 2,000 roses growing
in Portorož? There are more than 123 species of roses in the flower garden
alone, right next to the sea. Some of them were planted between 1887 and 1925.
Each May, the flower garden transforms itself into a heaven of roses, each with
its own unique brilliance symbolising love and beauty. The most special among
them is a rose called Portorož – and The PortoRose2 Rose & Rosé Festival is
dedicated to it. The flower garden
will become an elegant »lounge« filled with music on the 24th and 25th of May,
where you will be able to try all sorts of rosé and sparkling wines. Rosé is a
colour made of several shades of white and red, ranging from coppery and light
rosy colours to cherry red. Rosé wines are famous for their soft and light
taste. They can also be deep and complex, suitable as a refreshing summer
aperitif or as a side drink during dinner. Amongst the wines on offer, you will
also be able to taste artistically crafted small bites inspired by roses. The
»celebrity flower bed«, a smaller variation of Hollywood’s walk of fame, will
welcome new plants this year. Tanja Ribič, a popular Slovenian actress,
will plant this year’s Portorož rose. Colour your life with roses and
experience Portorož in unison with enticing colours and tastes.
2. Romantic visit to Piran inspired by history
The last
Saturday of the month, 25thMay, will be a great opportunity to experience Piran as it used to be with the 41st traditional regatta of old boats. Alongside
this event will also be a car meet, where old cars will be on show. The
gathering of vintage boats and cars will be held in the morning at the main
pier, and following the regatta, all participants will meet again to continue
to experience the cheerful atmosphere into the evening. By the way, you can
also visit the Antiques and Handcrafted Producs Market, which will be held
the same day on Tartini Square. The experience
of Piran, as it used to be, can be rounded off with a visit to the multimedia
museum Mediadom Pyrhani, where you will
discover hidden underground corridors in a picturesque and playful way, the story of the pillory, the
most distinguished personalities from Piran and other interesting city secrets.You will also be able to take a
walk through the centuries during which the salt pans were created as well as
the compact little fishing town, surrounded by its mighty walls, that have all
been captured through animated film and a 3D presentation.
3. Vintage gourmet
adventure in the olive groves.
Are you
ready for a gourmet adventure while
taking in the most beautiful views of the Slovenian coast and the Istrian
countryside? Get ready for a fun trip to trace the old indigenous olive
varieties while riding inside the Fiat and Zastava vintage cars. The
final destination? Oljarna Lisjak! In the middle of the olive groves, members
of the Lisjak family, your olive tourist guides during this vintage culinary experience will be there for you. They will take you through the story of their olive
trees that grow along the edge of the Strunjan cliff, and you will be served
with local olive oil and wines from
local winemakers.
4. Take a
stroll in Strunjan and get to know Istrian artichokes
You certainly know artichokes,
but did you know that an Istrian artichoke indigenous to the area grows right
here in our location? They have been known in Strunjan since times before the
Venetian Republic. It is purple-green in colour and grows in sunny spots, which
are hardly lacking in this piece of paradise. It is slightly smaller than the
usual artichoke, but it is tastier, which makes it extremely prized among
gourmands. A visit to The Knez homestead in
Strunjan will be an excellent opportunity to discover everything that can be
made from this delicious and healing plant. A visit of the Knez homestead in Strunjan will be an excellent opportunity to discover everything that can be
made from this delicious and healing plant. You can also walk
through the salt pans there or climb to the Strunjan Cross, where you will be
enchanted by breathtaking views and a glimpse of Moon Bay.
5. Discover
the story of Piran’s sea bass.
In a quiet cove, right next to the salt pans and not far from Portorož, lies the home of the Fonda sea bass. In addition to their excellent taste, they are also known
for being the first fish in the world to appear on a menu with their name. All
sea lovers and sea food lovers can discover many marine secrets and why the
Piran Sea bass is so special with its exceptional taste on an unforgettable day at the Fonda fish farm. First, you will board a boat and
sail to the interesting home of the sea bass before learning how to feed fish,
how long sea bass needs to grow, how mussels live and how to recognize really
fresh fish. The visit will conclude with a superb tasting of the delicacies from
the Fonda fish farm and with a glass of excellent Malvasia. The excursion is
also an excellent opportunity to see our coast from the sea.
6. Culinary
pampering by bike
Good food and exercise go hand in
hand. That’s
why it’s a good idea to combine a culinary excursion with a ride on e-bikes.
Accompanied by a guide, you will walk through the markets and narrow streets of
the Istrian towns and villages along the route of the old Parenzana railway
line, between olive trees and vineyards with wonderful panoramic views. You
will stop by the stone sculptures of Forma Viva, the Sečovlje salt pans and the
Strunjan Landscape Park with a unique sea lagoon. During cycling stops, you
will taste Istrian delicacies, from prosciutto and truffles in the selected
inns, accompanied by home-made Refosco wine, to delicious seafood dishes with a
glass of Malvasia. These comfort treats will be rounded off with a sweet
surprise overlooking the sea. Cycling has never been so tasty, but especially
not so easy with our electric bikes on hand.
7. An
automobile spectacle against the Venetian town scenery
Once you have enjoyed all the natural and cultural beauty surrounding
you, come and check out the prestigious metal marvels, which will visit Piran
for the second time. These exclusive sports and classic cars will take over
Piran’s Tartini square and Punta on Sunday 26th May as part of the Cars & Coffee event. These
Cars & Coffee meets are known throughout Europe and the
world. They are a real spectacle, attracting a number of renowned cars worth
more than a few hundred thousand euros,
which in turn draw large crowds. Piran provides a perfect
backdrop, ensuring a unique experience.
