Istria

Off to Istria. Shared by Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, it is peppered with hilltop villages that were said to have been put there by giants. It is famous for its food, particularly truffles. The region had a quiet, almost abandoned sort of feel to it that was refreshing. I was often the only person around other than the locals. I didn't spend much time there: it was sort of a whirlwind tour of the northern half. 

 The on-and-off rain made the road steamy

The giant hole in the middle of Istria that is Pazin. I'm talking about the cave featured in the photo. I stayed here for the night with some really nice Couch Surfers on a very short bed. 

Driving back to Bavaria I came across this giant chair. 

Dolomites

Tolmin and the Soča Valley, Slovenia

These photos are from my last road trip, which was mid-June last year so it's been awhile. I drove through the Soča Valley in Slovenia on the way to Croatia again, this time stopping to do a little exploring. I went to the Tolmin Gorge near the border of Italy. It was a gorgeous morning after a pretty terrible first day full of cold and rainy conditions. 

        

                

My green machine. 

Schoolkids on a field trip.

On Krk at the family's estate for my cousin's wedding.

Lotti, my cousins' sweet puppy dog

Obligatory grandma shots

Fun with shadows on the rooftop.

You can still spot Marshall Tito everywhere in Croatia