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We know what you’re thinking: it’s probably too early to start thinking of a European summer, but have you seen how quickly prices have increased or how destinations have sold out lately?
If you dream of that dolce vita, getting lost in the cobbled streets of an ancient city, or eating soft gelato with ocean views, the time to plan is now, and what better way to be allured by Europe’s Old World magic than taking a scenic boat ride visiting multiple countries?
Starting June 26, a new ferry service will launch from Italy, visiting two equally beautiful neighboring countries––here’s everything you need to know:
New Ferry To Link Italy, Slovenia, Croatia
From next summer, the ferry linking the Italian city of Trieste, in the country’s northeasternmost corner, to the port cities in both Slovenia and Croatia will relaunch following a three-decade pause.
More specifically, the service starting and terminating in Trieste will have stops in Piran, Slovenia’s busiest coastal town, and once reaching Croatia, the ports of Poreč and Rovinj, and Mali Lošinj, the main town on the island of Lošinj.
This entire cross-border region, known as Istria, has shared deep cultural ties over the centuries, having once been fully administered by Italy before the bulk of it was ceded to Slovenia and Croatia following wartime treaties.
As for ferries, there have been connections since 1963, when Edra ship called at every major town along the Istrian coast, from Italy to Croatia, before the plug was pulled in 1990, a time when tensions were high in Slovenia and Croatia.
It’s worth reminding that, in the early 90s, these countries were engulfed in the Yugoslav wars, so it’s hardly a surprise the Edra was discontinued.
Everything You Need To Know About The Glorious Comeback
Fast forward 35 years, and the important ferry route is making a glorious comeback––with a few alterations, as reported by Istra24.
In short, there will be four distinct routes calling at different ports in different orders.
The schedule will include two weekly departures on the Trieste–Piran–Poreč–Rovinj route and another two sailings on the Trieste–Rovinj–Mali–Lošinj.
Similarly, boats will be setting off on the higher-speed Trieste–Rovinj–Mali Lošinj and Trieste–Poreč–Piran routes twice a week.
The main difference right now compared to the previous Edra service is that the ports at Umag, Novigrad, and Pula will not be serviced, and as of right now, this will be a seasonal route covering three summer seasons from 2025 to 2027 (with an option to extend it to 2028 should it prove successful).
Sailings will remain operational from June 26 until early September, and they are set to boost connectivity across the island-dotted region of Istria, alongside the recently-announced three-country train running from Trieste to Rijeka (Fiume), in Croatia.
Istria is arguably one of the most beautiful summer destinations in Europe, as well as the cheapest, with a fine-pebble coast strewn with nature preserves and millennia-old settlements.
If renting a super yacht to island-hop around Croatia is out of budget for you at the minute, this is your chance to admire those blood-orange sunsets and explore lesser-known islands without breaking the bank.
Though prices have not yet been confirmed, we suspect they’ll range from only $30 to $60, based on the average ferry price traveling in the region.
What To See In Each Of The 5 Destinations
Trieste, Italy
Trieste is Italy’s last stronghold before you enter the Slavic world, occupying a thin strip of land squeezed against the Adriatic Sea by Slovenia and boasting a diverse breadth of architecture, ranging from the Roman period to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.
Its Unity of Italy Square is the largest sea-facing public square in the continent and a wide space flanked by grand buildings and cafes, while the medieval Old Town is characterized by its pedestrianized lanes, piazze bordered by trattorie serving $5 pizzas, and a hilltop castle.
Piran, Slovenia
Sitting on a tiny peninsula stretching out into the Adriatic, Piran is often considered Slovenia’s most Italian city as a result of its proximity to the brotherly nation and several centuries under the control of the city of Venice.
Some of its main attractions include the striking-red, Gothic-all-the-same Venetian House, the beautifully-frescoed Tartini House, the birthplace of Italian violinist Giuseppe Tartini, and the prominent St George’s Cathedral, whose bell tower pierces the otherwise-even skyline.
Poreč, Croatia
Over in Croatia, Poreč is an up-and-coming resort hub with none of Drubovnik’s crowds but with all the historical charm, with a gem-encrusted Euphrasian Basilica dating back to the 6th century––listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site––and a stone-built Old Town.
Other than its timeless character, Poreč has a plethora of affordable seafront eateries that pay homage to its Italian origins, from Tradizione, where delicious pasta is served in a no-frills environment, to Mamma Mia, the best pizza in town with prices ranging from $5 to $16.
Rovinj, Croatia
Standing on a headland licked by an agitated Adriatic and with cobbled streets lined with tightly-arranged rows of pastel-colored houses, Rovinj features among Croatia’s prettiest destinations for a reason: it feels like a distant cousin of Venice, minus the canals.
Its Baroque church of St. Euphemia offers a breathtaking panorama of the medieval maze below, full of narrow alleys leading to hidden, leafy courtyards, and right at its foot, Baluota is your typical Croatian rocky beach straddling teal waters.
Mali Lošinj, Croatia
A centuries-old port town encroaching on a natural harbor, Mali Lošinj is the main destination on the namesake island of Lošinj, and it’s highly sought-after for culture buffs and nature enthusiasts alike due to its Italianate architecture and unspoiled coast.
The most noteworthy landmark is the 19th-century Fritzi Palace, but if you’re not too shy to bare it all, the island’s spiaggia naturista is well worth the 40-minute drive north: secretive coves bounded by cypress trees, a warm ocean, and a little taste of European libertarianism.
It just doesn’t get any more quintessentially Mediterranean than this.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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