Visit the Chestnut Festival with your family on your luxury yacht in Croatia this fall

Did you know that fall is one of the most perfect seasons to visit Croatia during your luxury yacht charter? Keep reading to discover why.

 

The weather is pleasant and sunny and the sea water has the ideal temperature to go swimming and snorkeling. What a great time to rent a yacht with your family! While sailing along the Dalmatian coast, your kids might want to make a head start getting ready for the upcoming season. Have a fun-filled day out and find out the many things you can do with a chestnut at the Chestnut Festival in Oprtlaj. Your captain will anchor your yacht near Porec, and the crew will tender you ashore to meet your private driver for the day. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and magnificent views on your way to a day filled with music, games, competitions and tastings of different foods at the festival.



Welcome to Oprtalj

The rows of cypresses at the entrance of the town of Oprtalj give this small and colorful village in the Istria region an irresistible atmosphere. Dubbed a small green heaven on earth, Oprtalj is ready to take you back in time, with its rich cultural heritage and sounds of nature set in an abundant green area. Located on a flat hilltop, you will be able to admire the whole of Istria, from the Učka mountain to Trieste and its western coastline. Here, nature has written the choreography for one of the most playful chapters of the Istrian landscape, which, at each step, exhales special charm and the beauty of living. This tiny place, with a single stone palace and a church with a bell tower, has been holding its head high since ancient times. It was mentioned as far back as in 1102 as an urban dwelling of feudal gentlemen and craftsmen.

Before heading to the festival, your driver will take you on a quick tour to discover the unreal landscapes, forests, crags, caves, streams, old houses and mills in isolated spots.

luxury yacht in Croatia this fall 1



The Chestnut Festival

Time to go to the festival! Also known locally as Kestenijada, the festival is about everything chestnut-related, including how they are grown, how they are picked, what they taste like, how to find the best ones, and what to do with them. Chestnuts grow naturally in the forests around the Oprtalj area in the fall months. Castanea sativa, or chestnut fruit is moderately sweet and has a high nutritive value. In gastronomy, it is used to prepare various delicacies, purees, cakes, bread or chestnut soups, and you simply have to try them baked. There is a folk tale that it is a lucky charm to pick three chestnuts and carry them with you all the time. This is the place to pick those three extra special ones! You will be amazed at just how versatile chestnuts are. From roasted chestnuts to cakes, chestnut honey and chestnut wine, you and your loved ones will learn all about it and even try them yourself. If you want to take a few samples home with you, or back to the yacht to challenge and surprise your chef, there are chestnut products to buy too, as well as other locally produced fare, such as olive oil and honey.

The festival is not all about food, as there are musical performances throughout the day from local bands and schools in the area, with plenty of fun to be had. Make up your own family competition and see who wins the prize for best chestnut man and for best chestnut animal. Maybe start researching now, so you can show off your chestnut skills in Croatia during the festival! Watch the musical performances and get some unique souvenirs for your friends back home, before you make your way back to your car to bring you to one of the local restaurants for a well-deserved lunch. 

Time to go to the festival! Also known locally as Kestenijada, the festival is about everything chestnut-related, including how they are grown, how they are picked, what they taste like, how to find the best ones, and what to do with them. Chestnuts grow naturally in the forests around the Oprtalj area in the fall months. Castanea sativa, or chestnut fruit is moderately sweet and has a high nutritive value. In gastronomy, it is used to prepare various delicacies, purees, cakes, bread or chestnut soups, and you simply have to try them baked. There is a folk tale that it is a lucky charm to pick three chestnuts and carry them with you all the time. This is the place to pick those three extra special ones! You will be amazed at just how versatile chestnuts are. From roasted chestnuts to cakes, chestnut honey and chestnut wine, you and your loved ones will learn all about it and even try them yourself. If you want to take a few samples home with you, or back to the yacht to challenge and surprise your chef, there are chestnut products to buy too, as well as other locally produced fare, such as olive oil and honey.

The festival is not all about food, as there are musical performances throughout the day from local bands and schools in the area, with plenty of fun to be had. Make up your own family competition and see who wins the prize for best chestnut man and for best chestnut animal. Maybe start researching now, so you can show off your chestnut skills in Croatia during the festival! Watch the musical performances and get some unique souvenirs for your friends back home, before you make your way back to your car to bring you to one of the local restaurants for a well-deserved lunch. 

Copyright: ticino.ch

luxury yacht in Croatia this fall 2



Lunch at restaurant Zigante

Restaurant Zigante is located in the heartland of Istria, in the small village of Livade, close to the famous Motovun forest, right between Motovun and Oprtalj. Your chief stewardess has made a reservation in this typical Istrian settlement, with the old river of Mirna flowing all the way through the village. A peaceful and quiet place boasting many natural beauties, including the Motovun forest, the area is known as one of the world’s largest natural habitats of white truffle. The forests of Istria are famous as foraging grounds for the highly prized truffle and the Motovun forest was the place where Mr. Giancarlo Zigante, accompanied by his loyal dog Diana, found the biggest white truffle of Tuber Magnatum Pico variety in 1999. With weight of 1,31 kilogram, it entered the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest white truffle in the world. That event made Livade well known as the world center of this extremely valuable underground mushroom. The first shop selling Zigante truffle products opened in 2000 in Livade and shortly after that, in 2002, the Zigante restaurant also opened its doors to the first guests. It soon became one of most respected and valued Croatian restaurants, and a place that offers exclusive and elite gastronomy. In 2005, the stylish restaurant was expanded with a VIP-lounge, the lounge where you will be having lunch today with your family!

Michelin starred restaurant Zigante, set in a charming stone house, is the first Croatian restaurant specialized in preparing meals containing Istrian truffle, and the chefs offer a carefully combined menu based on fresh local truffles. You will also be impressed by the large choice of quality wines from their wine list, which includes both domestic and foreign etiquettes. The restaurant staff, chefs and sommeliers, have received many awards for their exceptional work, specializing in both the black and white varieties of these superbly flavored fungi and know how to pair them with just the right wine. Try their tasting menu, try the truffles freshly grated onto a simply cooked steak or try them with chestnuts! What a perfect way to start the fall season with your family!

Copyright: restaurantzigante.com

luxury yacht in Croatia this fall 3

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