HOUSEOFCOCO.NET86 HOUSEOFCOCO.NET 87

It’s the largest peninsula in the country and adjoins continental Croatia to the Adriatic Sea. Spanning 3600 square kilometres, Istria is swiftly becoming the #1 destination for foreign tourists visiting Croatia. It’s unsurprising when you feast your eyes on its bucolic interior of vineyards and truffle farms, peaking mountains and hillside villages, attracting those seeking escapism. We can imagine tormented writers like ourselves retreating to a farmhouse in this rural paradise, venturing to the luxuriant coastline for a dip in the tropical waters as the exotic temperatures become too much to handle. It’s a wanderlust-inducing hotspot and we visited the quaint harbour city of Pula, Istria in June to satiate our travel addiction.

P U L A C R O A T I AWords by

C O C O T R A V E L

It wasn’t long after we stepped off our Ryanair flight and travelled the short distance to our hotel that we realised what all the fuss was about. With its magnificent Mediterranean climate, primeval landscape and welcoming locals, Istria fleetingly became our favourite European destination. It has a little something to tickle the tastebuds of every kind of traveller; whether you like to kick back and relax with cocktails, let the days fade into one another at the spa, or paraglide across the crystal clear Adriatic Sea.

The coast is awash with luxury hotels and we were lucky enough to spend our visit with Park Plaza Arena Pula, one of the newest additions to the area’s hotel scene. Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts own an incredible complex of accommodation along the coastline including the Punta Verudela Resort, where the stupendous Park Plaza Arena hotel has undergone extensive renovation and rebranding under the guidance of Park Plaza and their Croatian hospitality partner Arenaturist.

PPHE Hotel Group, operator of the Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts brand in Europe, opened the doors to Park Plaza Arena Pula - its fifth hotel in Croatia - on 25 May 2015. The hotel is located on the pristine Adriatic coast and offers direct access to the part of the coastline that is locally known as ‘Hawaii Beach’ thanks to its deep blue, shallow waters. The nearby area includes several other rocky beaches and pebbly coves which, at times, attract friendly dolphins and monk seals.

Our three-star hotel exceeded many of the five-star accommodations that we’ve lodged in around the world. We soon realised that the Croatians are humble by nature and will go out of their way to make sure that your time in their wonderful country is well spent. This attitude was personified by the manager of Park Plaza Arena Pula; his name is Jimmy and he’ll be the friendly face that welcomes you through the doors of his exceptional hotel. Jimmy managed the hotel long before its

HOUSEOFCOCO.NET88 HOUSEOFCOCO.NET 89

rebranding; he is passionate about his work, has an emotional connection to the hotel and is enthusiastic about its future prospects and growth. Along with his trusty sidekick, Dario, who works for Park Plaza Histria (the high-end hotel on the complex), he is also extremely easy on the eye! We were thrown into authentic Istria from day one. Park Plaza Arena Pula is beyond accessible as it is budget friendly, just a short distance from the airport and around 50 steps from the mesmerising blue sea, making it ideal for couples, families, groups of friends and solo travel alike. Surrounded by the aromatic pine forest and lush Mediterranean vegetation of the Verudela Peninsula, Park Plaza Arena Pula is one of few hotels that offer the gift of total tranquillity to its guests. Just minutes from the historic city of Pula, the largest city in Istria, the hotel offers a wide choice of sport facilities and entertainment. It’s a haven that encapsulates everything we could possibly want in a longer holiday or short break!

Resting our heads (on the most comfortable pillows in the world) between activities was difficult, as we needed to try the assortment of

cocktails while sunbathing on our private balcony. With 175 contemporary rooms spread across five floors, if the standard room isn’t appealing enough for your luxury needs, upgrade to the penthouse suites where you can sip champagne in a hot tub while watching the sunset and the most exceptional panoramic views.

Elsewhere, the hotel’s health and wellness centre combines relaxing treatments with energising workouts. The two seawater swimming pools offer plenty of sports activities and are perfect for idle afternoons, while guests choosing Park Plaza Arena Pula can also enjoy the Arena Activities A2 Club, where there is a variety of sports, dance and creative workshops on offer throughout the day.

When you arrive in Pula you’ll see that there’s a plethora of activities to partake in throughout the city, so lazing your holiday away in Park Plaza Arena’s plunge pool after a massage from one of their world-class spa therapists is ill-advised; although you will undoubtedly spend at least a third of your vacation in this sanctuary.

Pula is the largest city in Istria and a character in itself. Never before have we laid eyes on such a varying assortment of architectural heritage in one city; its comrade cities are no competition. From Roman to Yugoslavian, Italian to Neo Classical, no two buildings are the same in this pastel-coloured paradise. The coastal strip around Pula is lined with the ancient pine trees of the Medulin Riviera, leading right down to the town’s functioning harbour. Standing resilient, dominating the streetscape and decorating the harbour is one of the stars of the show; the city’s Roman Amphitheatre. It is grand, majestic and, at the moment, under refurbishment as the Croatian people use it regularly for festivals, holidays and concerts. Even Elton John has performed there! Pula remains a bustling commercial city despite it’s historical attractions, however the locals and their culture project a gracious, convivial atmosphere, creating a small-town feel even in the heart of the city. The streets are cobbled and winding, crammed with candle-makers, tanneries, food markets and, Istria’s pride and joy, olive oil shops. The fresh produce market in the city centre offered a superfluity of goods, some of which we’d never even heard of.

We have to admit that the greatest part of our trip to Park Plaza Arena Pula, and Istria itself, was the food. Bikini bodies were a thing of the past on our return to London. Croatians are renowned for their love of food but the Istrians take it to another level. Although generally thought of as small country, Croatia sweeps across three climatic regions, Alpine, Inland, and Mediterranean. Gastronomic rituals have been partially wrought from its past conquerors including the Italians, French, Austro-Hungarians, and Ottomans, meaning that Croatian cuisine cannot be showcased in one dish or even in one town. We had to explore to get a real taste of Istria - an area famed for its delectable truffles and incredible olive oil. Have you ever had these two on top of your ice-cream? We have and now all other flavours seem insipid. Istria is also in the Top 10 Wine Destinations in the world. If only we could tell you a little more about our experience with their mouth-watering grape juice!

C O C O T R A V E L

HOUSEOFCOCO.NET90 HOUSEOFCOCO.NET 91

Journey inland to Motovun, a small village that winds down the illustrious hillside, and experience true Istrian cuisine in some of the finest restaurants in Croatia. The forests of Motovun are also known for having one of the highest concentrations of white and black truffles in the world, meaning a lot of local dishes are sprinkled with this sumptuous ingredient. Explore local delicacies and get acquainted with the story of Istria at Hotel Kaštel, which is located in a 17th-century palace in Motovun. When making your way back towards to coast, take a detour through Grožnjan and tour the best wineries to receive a stellar education in Istrian wine. Grožnjan is an artists’ beehive, perhaps due to its Italian majority, and every May the town’s squares metamorphoses into an arts festival that lasts all summer long.

Back on home territory and Park Plaza Arena Pula’s main restaurant specialises in homemade traditional and Istrian cuisine which blends the freshest local ingredients and includes gluten-free alternatives. The hotel’s aperitif bar, outdoor terrace and lounge create a welcoming ambience from which to watch the sunset. A short stroll leads to the lively Verudela Avenue, home to an Espressamente Illy café and champagne bar, as well as a host of shops and designer boutiques. The chefs at the complex were elated to give us a cooking lesson in some of their traditional favourites. We were shown how to make two carb-orific dishes; fuži, the peninsula’s very own homemade pasta, and fritule, a fried sweet dumpling often flavoured with rum and raisins. The latter is more of a traditional homebake and is most commonly found on street stalls rather than in restaurants. It’s also more popular in the cold winter months – ideal for Brits right now.

C O C O T R A V E L

With a dash of commended gastronomy, a sprinkle of historical charm and a dash of Park Plaza Arena Pula, all washed down with supreme Istrian wine, now you’ve got the recipe for a little serving of Croatian heaven.

FUŽI

350g flour, sifted2 tbsp vegetable oil2 eggs, lightly beatenPinch of salt 1/4 cup lukewarm water

Make a well in the centre of the flour and add the remaining ingredients.

Knead with your hands making a firm dough, adding more water if necessary.

Roll out the dough to a thin sheet.

Cut it into 3-4cm long rectangular stripes and then into squares.

Fold the two opposite corners together and press lightly to stick.

Sprinkle lightly with flour and leave to dry.

Cook in boiling, salted water and top with your favourite sauce.

FRITULE

500g flour20g fresh yeast2 egg yolks80g raisins (optional)The zest of 1 lemon50g white sugar20g melted butter150-200ml warm milk50ml rakija (or brandy)5g saltApproximately 500ml frying oilPowdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Sift flour into a bowl.

Combine the egg yolks, raisins, salt, sugar, butter, grated lemon zest and 25ml of the rakija/brandy in a large bowl.

In a large glass, dissolve yeast with 100ml milk and 2 Tbsp sugar, cover and let rise to fill the glass.

Add yeast to the flour and enough milk so it forms a soft dough.

Cover and allow to rest for approx. 30 minutes.

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan. Take pieces of the dough with a teaspoon and drop into hot oil.

Fry each ball on all sides until golden.

Take each ball out and rest a paper towel to drain off the excess oil.

R E C I P E F O RC R O A T I A A T H O M E