DRJ

I'm considering flying in and out of Venice this fall for a two week period. Would probably spend a couple of days in Venice front and back and travel for a day or two to Friuli. Istria seems interesting (Lidia Bastianich hails from there). Anyone out there with knowledge of Istria. Thanks.

AP6380

Do you mean Ischia? If so, I believe there have been threads on the island. Type "Ischia" into the search box. I didn't know that is where she was from (if that's indeed what you mean!)

Carta_Pisana

No - they mean Istria - northern Croatia. Here are a couple websites to get you started - hope it helps...

http://www.croatia.hr/

http://www.tzgrovinj.com

http://www.istra.com/porec/eng/index.html

http://www.pulainfo.hr/en/

metlc

DRJ,

No info here, just encouragement.

I've been to Venice and Dalmatia. My next visit to that area will concentrate on the hill towns of Istria. So I think you've got the right idea.

Grasshopper

Istria is a great destination. I took the train to Trieste (I recommend a couple of days in Treiste) and then bus to Rovinj. Rovinj would be my preferred base. From there you can drive or take buses to Pula with it's ancient Roman ruins and Motuvan up on the mountain.

Alternatively you can take a boat from Venice to Rovinj. I recommend staying close to the old town and not in one of the big hotels down the way.