Istria Driving Advice
 

I have gotten a lot of good information from this forum to tighten up our Slovenia/Croatia September trip. A few things are a little unclear.

Istria-wise, we were planning to rent a car in Ljubljana and drive to Rovinj for 3 nights. We thought that would give us the flexibility to drive the northern coast road and maybe see a few towns like Piran. We want to relax and enjoy Rovinj, but we do want to see some hill towns, especially Motovun.

We would like some advice regarding the best, most scenic, and still practical route to the Kvarner region. We will either stay the night in someplace like Crikventica or Senj before cutting across the mountains to Plitvice for one night or driving on through, depending on how we feel. I read somewhere that it is a pretty drive down to Senj. After Plitvice, we will drive to Split to drop the car. We are aware of the dropoff fee charged because we will dropoff in Croatia.

Has anyone driven the Istrian coast road say from Brestova to Opatija having cut East from Pazin? I know the main highway would be the fastest. I'm just not sure how much the coast road would offer.

I would appreciate any advice on this part of our itinerary. Thanks

You should take road by the coast (Brestova to Opatija) in September is not so busy on the road; other option is to drive on highway and through tunnel "Ucka", but near the coast is beautiful sightseeing and after Opatija you should avoid town Rijeka. Anyhow if you drive near the coast you maybe have 1 hour more driving than if you go on highway, it is nothing compare to what you get.
Maybe you should stay in Opatija instead of Crikvenica, my opinion. Lovran, small town (or village) just before Opatija has very good beach.
Don’t forget to visit Porec it is 30 minutes drive from Rovinj.
You can also visit Hum - the smallest town in the world.

Here is more info about it...hope it helps.

http://www.hum.hr/indexENG.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ro%C4%8D

Despite recent improvements the term "highway" is slightly generous.

However as you go further inland the roads get even narrower and due to the topography can get seriously twisted. While the locals seems to bomb along I think you will find that you naturally slow down

bilboburgler is correct, the Ypsilon is not a highway, nor can one drive it at highway speeds considering tourist traffic.
Everwhere in Istria is scenic, but along the Ypsilon you'll find it less so. Other roads are narrower, indeed, but no worries if you are comfortable with that.
Whether you drive the Ypsilon, the more direct back roads through the "hill towns" region, or from Brsec through Opatija, your driving time will not vary much [until you reach Opatija's tourist congestion!!!]. I know, I drive these routes to my weekend house.
Therefore, I would highly recommend you leave yourself ample time and choose a route dependant upon a few places you would want to stop and see or have a meal. I've been spending time in Istria for about 6 years and I am still finding absolutely precious places every time I take a new route. Some you will find in tourist guides, like Beram, and some not, like the underground spring and waterfall near Sterna. Have a look at Zavrsje/Piemonte and take a picture with Motovun in the background...but don't rush to leave, instead have the local prsut/cheese/bread in the agrotourisme on the hill.
As I think about it, so many places and scenic views come to mind that it would be hard to choose amongst them.
So...my final recommendation - decide on your route only when you are ready to depart - only then you will know what you have not yet seen but would like to, and take into account what you learn when you are there. Hum, Draguc, Svetivincenat, Labin, Oprtalj, Zrenj, Groznjan, Roc...so many lovely places. And stop to eat and drink - Rino's in Momjan, Pietrapelosa in Zrenj, Astarea in Brtoniglja. Istria is for getting lost in its nature, lovely towns and villages, food, wine, and most importantly, it people. I fell in love with Istria just this way, and you will too if you get out and about and don't focus too much on an itinerary.
Try www.istrianet.org for info not directed only to tourists.
Oh by the way, if you drive along the Brsec - Opatija road, remember that you will lose sunlight much earlier on that side of Ucka!

Thank you all for the detailed advice. I also appreciate the suggestions of towns to explore and stay the night. We will definitely take uaz04's advice to wait on fixing the route until the last minute and determine then what we haven't seen. We love to explore small places that are not a part of the tourist scene, so Istria should be great fun before heading South to Dalmatia.