Trying to fight off the post-holiday blues?
January is not exactly regarded as the most eventful month of the year: after a couple of weeks of festivities, eating, drinking, and spending, we're all more than ready to lay low for a while, giving a chance to our bodies (and our budgets) to restore.
On the tourism front, the number of events and manifestations is quick to drop after New Year's Eve, allowing business owners and all the workers in tourism to take a short break before they start preparing for the upcoming tourist season.
And yet, that doesn't mean there's nothing to do. Thinking of a weekend getaway or a gastro festival to help you cope with the dreariest month of the year? Just look at Istria: the region will host multiple attractive manifestations before the end of January.
Let's start with a round of treats: Rovinjsko Selo near Rovinj will host Antonja, a gastro manifestation dedicated to St Anthony the Hermit who is celebrated with a feast day on January 17. As the date falls on Thursday this year, the festivities will take place on the weekend of January 19-20 so no one would need to worry about going to work with a hangover the following day. Here's why: Rovinjsko Selo will host the 27th wine expo and the 15th expo of olive oils produced in the wider Rovinj area. Free bus lines will be operating from Rovinj to the nearby town, taking visitors to the gastro feast that also conveniently marks the beginning of the carnival season.
If you're looking for something more... substantial, head to Marušići village near Buje town to Luganigada, a festival honouring the Istrian sausage. It traditionally takes place on the last Saturday in January, marking the point when the sausages have spent enough time drying in the crisp bura wind and are ready to become a part of delicious traditional Istrian dishes. January 27 - save the date!
The first month of the year is marked by desperate attempts to stick to our New Year's resolutions, one of the most popular being getting into shape. Most of us end up failing miserably, but before you give up the fight, try replacing the gym with some recreation in nature.
Sveti Petar u Šumi will host a running race on January 14, and Rabac on January 28, namely the 5th and the 6th round of the Istrian winter running league that has been going on for 13 consecutive years. A total of nine rounds take place in various towns in Istria, with tracks measuring six to nine kilometres in length. One more suggestion: the Kvarner-Istria Trekking Adventure still has two more rounds to go, in Loborika on January 7 and Labin on January 20.
More of a cycling type? Enthusiasts have already welcomed the new year with a ride through the wider Umag area, but there's always the traditional cycling race Biciklijada in Marušići on January 7. Spring might sound like a more attractive season for cycling, but riding through the quiet, tranquil winter scenery certainly has its charms.
A round of calorie intake, a round of calorie output - a perfect recipe to fight off the winter blues. See you in Istria!
Source: Glas Istre
